This Week’s Garden Harvest Recipe: Heirloom and Herb Power Salad

Fresh from the garden to your table – a nutrient-dense salad that celebrates the season’s bounty

There’s something magical that happens when you step barefoot into your own garden, hands deep in rich soil, harvesting food that you’ve nurtured from seed to plate. As a functional nutritionist, I’ve discovered that growing my own food isn’t just about nutrition—it’s about reconnecting with the earth and the profound healing that comes from that connection.

The Healing Power of Garden-to-Table Nutrition

This year, I embarked on creating my own organic permaculture garden, and it’s been one of the most rewarding journeys of my health practice. Every morning, I find myself drawn outside to tend to my plants, breathing in fresh air, soaking up vitamin D from the morning sun, and literally grounding myself by connecting with the earth beneath my feet.

Why Permaculture Matters for Health

Permaculture is more than just a gardening method—it’s a sustainable approach that works with nature rather than against it. By creating a self-sustaining ecosystem in my backyard, I’m growing food that’s not only free from pesticides and chemicals but is also more nutrient-dense than anything you’ll find in most grocery stores.

The principles of permaculture mirror what I teach my clients about functional nutrition: everything is connected, and true healing happens when we work with our body’s natural systems rather than against them.

The Science Behind Soil and Serotonin

Here’s something fascinating that connects my love of gardening with my nutrition practice: research shows that beneficial bacteria in soil (specifically Mycobacterium vaccae) can trigger the release of serotonin in our brains. This means that simply being in contact with healthy soil—through gardening—naturally boosts our mood and mental wellbeing.

When I’m harvesting greens with my hands in the earth, I’m literally getting a dose of natural antidepressant therapy. It’s no wonder that gardening has become such an integral part of my own wellness routine and something I recommend to many of my clients dealing with stress, anxiety, or low mood.

This Week’s Featured Recipe: Heirloom and Herb Harvest Salad

This nutrient-powerhouse salad showcases the incredible diversity you can grow in even a small space. Every ingredient comes straight from my permaculture garden, creating a meal that’s alive with enzymes, phytonutrients, and flavor that simply can’t be replicated with store-bought produce.

Why This Salad Is a Functional Nutrition Superstar

• Diverse leafy greens provide a spectrum of vitamins A, C, K, and folate
• Fresh herbs offer concentrated antioxidants and natural detox support
• Grass-fed protein delivers complete amino acids and healthy fats
• Seeds and nuts provide essential fatty acids, magnesium, and fiber
• Fermented dairy supports gut health with beneficial probiotics

Heirloom and Herb Harvest Salad Recipe

Makes 4 side servings or 2 meal servings

Fresh Garden Greens (all organic):

• 8 oz heirloom red and green salad mix lettuce
• 2-3 purple kale leaves
• 2-3 dinosaur kale leaves
• Pinch of arugula
• Pinch of mizuna
• Pinch of beet greens
• 1 sprig each of fresh basil, purple basil, lemon basil
• 1 sprig each of pineapple sage, pineapple mint, sweet mint
• Fresh parsley sprigs

Protein & Toppings:

• 4 oz grass-fed top sirloin (beef or bison – I prefer bison for its superior nutrient profile)
• 2 tbsp crumbled feta cheese
• 1 tbsp each: pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, slivered almonds, hemp hearts

Dressing:

• Organic balsamic glaze
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Refrigerated yogurt-based blue cheese dressing

Directions:

1. Gently wash and chop all greens and herbs
2. Season and cook steak to your preference (I recommend medium-rare for optimal nutrient retention)
3. In a large bowl, lightly toss greens with olive oil and balsamic glaze
4. Top with seeds, nuts, and crumbled feta
5. Slice steak and arrange over the salad
6. Drizzle with blue cheese dressing and serve immediately

From My Garden to Your Farmers Market

I’m excited to share that I’ll be bringing my fresh, organically-grown produce to our local farmers market! Look for my booth where you’ll find the same high-quality greens and herbs featured in this recipe. I’ll have a special QR code available that you can scan to access my weekly harvest recipes—perfect for making the most of your fresh market finds.

The Functional Nutrition Difference

As a functional nutritionist, I believe that food is medicine, and the most powerful medicine comes from the earth itself. When we eat foods that are grown in healthy soil, harvested at peak ripeness, and consumed fresh, we’re giving our bodies the raw materials they need for optimal health and healing.

This salad isn’t just a meal—it’s a dose of concentrated nutrition that supports:

• Detoxification pathways
• Immune system function
• Digestive health
• Mental clarity and mood balance
• Anti-inflammatory processes

Start Your Own Garden-to-Table Journey

You don’t need acres of land to start growing your own nutrient-dense food. Even a few containers on a balcony can provide fresh herbs and greens that will transform both your health and your connection to your food.

If you’re interested in learning how to incorporate more garden-fresh, nutrient-dense foods into your healing journey, I’d love to work with you. As a functional nutritionist, I help clients identify the specific foods and nutrients their bodies need to address root causes of health concerns and optimize wellness.

Ready to transform your health with personalized functional nutrition? Contact me to learn how we can work together to create your optimal wellness plan using food as medicine.