Feeling the need to shed a few winter pounds or just lighten your diet after a season of hearty meals? Many of us do feel that way as spring approaches, and there is something to be said for changing one's diet to reflect nature. Thus, now is a great time to eat lighter and add more raw and fresh food to help the body naturally detox.

When you get a hankering for a big healthy salad, remember that the brighter, more colourful vegetables you use, the more phytonutrients (chemical compounds in food with medicinal qualities) you'll get into your system. There are thousands of phytonutrients and scientists are still discovering new ones and what medicinal effects they have on your body.

For example, did you know that garlic is anti-fungal, anti-microbial, anti-cancer and immunity-boosting? The "stink" in garlic is literally the medicinal component (phytonutrient) and it works by increasing the production of the enzymes that rid the body of carcinogens BEFORE they cause a cell to mutate.

Keep your cells healthy with this spring salad recipe after the jump

This recipe has everything but the kitchen sink as I threw it together with my favourite veggies and one fruit (avocado) one afternoon last week.

Colourful and Joyful Spring Salad

Ingredients:
2 carrots, chopped
1 cup of purple cabbage, chopped
3/4 cup sunflower sprouts
1/2 an avocado
1/2 tomato, chopped
1/2 cup of cooked quinoa
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Dressing:
1/2 of a freshly-squeezed lemon
Sea salt and pepper to taste
1/2 clove of minced garlic

Method:
Ideally, you've already got some quinoa ready to go from dinner the night before keeping cool in your fridge! If not, bring 1/2 cup of quinoa to a boil, with one cup of water. Reduce heat and simmer for 12-15 minutes. Combine all the ingredients above in a nice big salad bowl, pour the olive oil and lemon dressing and serve over the bed of quinoa. Serves and makes two people joyful.

EnJOY!

Joy McCarthy, Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Health Coach of Joyous Health, loves to inspire others to eat well and live well. Joy is the resident holistic nutritionist at 889 Yonge, a Yoga & Holistic Lifestyle Spa in Toronto. Joy welcomes your questions or comments.

Please note: All of these recipes are created in my joyous kitchen with the healthiest ingredients. I'm not a calorie counter or a professional chef, I'm a nutritionist, who loves to cook and bake and I'm delighted to share my creations with you.