Today’s Sunday Sutra is a culmination of the seven chakra-themed recipes I’ve posted – a beautiful, rainbow-hued salad that encompasses all of the chakras. I thought I’d also take this opportunity to talk about health in general, and what it means to incorporate alternative practices into your wellness regime.
These thoughts were prompted by a reader who commented on my Facebook page about my last recipe, the Cranberry Orange Detox Water. He wrote that he was strongly against the word “detox”, writing that he had seen people “refuse live [sic] saving medicine or deny their children medicine because they have been tricked into thinking that juice and herbs will cure disease.” At first, when I read this, I was a little upset. And now I wish to take the opportunity to defend myself. I’ve never claimed to be a medical authority, nor made any sort of claim that my recipes can cure any sort of illness. Indeed, in recipes that contained any sort of health-related word, like “tonic” or “cleansing“, I went out of my way to disclaim any sort of curative properties. So when the reader made that comment about people refusing medical treatment because of juices and herbs, I felt that his words didn’t represent me or my ethos. But now that I have you all here, let me say this definitively –
I am NOT a doctor, dietitian, or medical professional. While the recipes found here are designed to promote a healthy lifestyle, they are not intended to cure or treat any disease or ailment. Please consult a doctor with any health questions or issues. For more information, please consult my Disclosure page.
Even though I was a little upset by this comment, it presented a great opportunity to me to talk about my stance on health / health information available online today. But I have to keep my privilege in mind – that I was incredibly blessed to have had access to a first-rate education; and despite my health issues, I have received the best possible medical care and have never had to worry about whether or not I could afford to see a doctor. That is privilege, and I’m humbled in the face of it. Thousands of Americans still don’t have access to affordable healthcare; which is downright shameful in the 21st century, when so many other countries around the world have healthcare available to all citizens. But that’s where the internet comes in – it’s free, and it’s available all the time. More and more people are turning to resources like WebMD or Merck to get information about their health. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that, but as a health blogger, I have to accept that I may be on the outskirts of this online territory and may be evaluated as such. That’s why, from now on, I’ll be including a link to my disclosure policy in any health-related recipe.
Again, the only thing I can speak to with absolutely authority is my own health journey. I’ve found that incorporating holistic health practices – such as yoga, meditation, aromatherapy, and a plant-based diet – into my life has significantly improved my health. And it may be that these practices may help others, if incorporated into their lives. If it turns out that even one person has been helped by something they’ve read here, that would mean the world to me. (But again, I caution my readers not to start any health regimen without consultation with their doctor!)

Rainbow Chakra Salad
Ingredients
- 2 Medium Carrots spiralized
- 1 Medium Golden Beet spiralized
- 1 Medium Red Beet spiralized
- Handful Kale I used Dino Kale
- 1/2 Red Onion sliced
- 1 Avocado cubed
- Hemp Seeds for Garnish
Instructions
- Start by prepping the veggies. Peel the carrots and beets, then spiralize them. If you don't have a spiralizer, chopping the carrots and beets will work just fine.
- Prep the rest of the veggies - slice the onion, cube the avocado, and wash and dry the kale.
- Assemble the salad on plates using the kale as the base. Garnish with hemp seeds and serve with your favorite salad dressing.
- Enjoy!
Question of the Day:
What do YOU think about alternative health practices / the role of health bloggers online? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
P.S.
If you make this recipe and post it on Instagram, be sure to tag me @wellandfull and #wellandfull so I can see! I love seeing your takes on my recipes :)
13 Comments
Katya
February 7, 2016 at 11:13 amDear Sarah,
firstly, the salad looks absolutely divine and I can guarantee that even looking at it has got healing properties.
The point about health bloggers is, I think, that we should take their advice with a pinch of salt, ha ha (ok, I’m not too good at puns ;)). Seriously, though, it is important to know one’s own health deeply and if possible consult a physician before incorporating any dramatic dietary changes into one’s life. But once that’s done–health bloggers are a true blessing because they provide you with thousands and millions of recipes which you can then use or tailor to your own needs. So I’m all for health bloggers but their knowledge/recipes must be used wisely. Pretty much like everything else. :)
Have a good day! :)
Sarah
February 7, 2016 at 11:27 amThank you so much for your kind words, Katya. It really means a lot to me that you left a note. I couldn’t agree with you more – it’s so important that we take responsibility for our own health, and consult a doctor when necessary. And I think everything on the internet should be taken with a pinch of salt, right? ;) I hope you have a wonderful day!! <3 :D
Amy | Lemon and Coconut
February 7, 2016 at 1:46 pmHey Sarah, absolutely stunning salad!
You shouldn’t let that upset you at all, what he said made no sense whatsoever. It was his ignorance talking, I mean what does the very real detoxing qualities of food have to do with someone refusing cancer treatment really? Nothing you’ve ever said called for any reaction it is obviously his own personal issue, and what was on his mind.
Raw foods HELP fight cancer. Of course words are easy to misunderstand as everything is so perception-based, and some people are very vulnerable and others misrepresent and misunderstand, but the fact remains that nutrients and the right enzymes are healing, they arm the body to fight inflammation and disease. The word healing is interpretive but it is also very real. My Dad has cancer and I am doing everything I can to get him juicing, eating raw food, to help him fight it. Good food is a great tool. He is also having medical treatment, but it would be his choice if he did not want those also ultimately, though I would then do everything I could to persuade him to. Not that he would listen to me I’m sure!
I live with multiple autoimmune diseases and use food to reduce my pain everyday, I have a diet tailored to my needs, and it is a diet that can help many people and improve their quality of life too. I always advise that people take responsibility for their health, work with their medical team, to research thoroughly and also to be responsive to their own needs as you will not get medical advice about nutrition and intolerance to food and the power of diet, not yet anyway.
Your blog is a great and very obviously a responsible and wonderful plant-based resource xx
Sarah
February 7, 2016 at 4:59 pmThank you so much for your note Amy, and for sticking up for me on Facebook ;) I agree with everything you said. Raw, living foods give the body the nutrients it needs to fight disease. That’s not a scheme or claim, it’s food as medicine. Any doctor-recommended health regimen would include proper diet and exercise. Not to CURE anything per se, but to help the body do the job it already does fighting disease. And it sounds like you’re helping your dad do exactly that :) <3
dixya @ food, pleasure, and health
February 7, 2016 at 7:12 pmDear Sarah,
I have been following your space for a while and being a dietitian, i never got the vibe where to implied to cure/treat or imposed anything on your readers. Like you mentioned, everyones health journey is different and as a healthy living bloggers, we are here to share our stories, which may or may not work for others. I hope you are feeling better but you know, this is your blog and you do not need to defend yourself. Alternative medicine has been around for such a long time and it has it’s place in the health and well-being world but I totally agree with you on consulting the medical professional. Please continue sharing your nourishing, delicious, recipes with us :) have a wonderful day.
Sarah
February 7, 2016 at 7:41 pmThank you so much for leaving a note, Dixya. I’m glad that you got the right impression from my blog. I really like your way of putting it – sharing my story. Which is essentially what I’m doing. Holistic health works for me, and it may or may not work with someone else too. :)
Nadya
February 9, 2016 at 4:54 amLooks wonderful. Thanks for the recipe! :)
Sarah
February 9, 2016 at 8:00 amThank you Nadya! :D
Anthea @ Rainbownourishments
February 10, 2016 at 7:51 amThis looks like such a beautiful and nourishing salad! And I’m sorry that you received that comment on your Facebook page. I also get a bit offended when people leave odd comments like that. It seems that he took it out of context. The word ‘detox’ is colloquially used and does not always refer to it’s scientific function. Hey, it could be a detox of bad energy! Keep up our beautiful work and ideas xo
Sarah
February 10, 2016 at 9:35 amThank you for your note, Anthea! I will! <3
The Truth About Yogi Diets (Hint: It’s Not What You Think!) | Bembu
March 8, 2016 at 12:00 am[…] Rainbow Chakra Salad – This colorful chakra-inspired salad is full of healthy vegetables and seeds. Every mouthful is bursting with flavors and tastes, with bitterness from the kale, sweetness from the carrots and creaminess from the avocado, topped off with a nice crunch created by the seeds! […]
Sara
March 26, 2016 at 5:05 pmYum! I love how simile this salad is. I can’t wait to make it. Definitely a recipe to pin :)
Sarah
March 26, 2016 at 5:29 pmThank you Sara!! :D