I love a good detox! Cleansing the liver and colon is a great way to reset the digestion and clean out old toxins. I’ve listed some of my favorites below along with specific recipes to start the day on the right foot. The food elimination plan is a great way to determine if any foods you eat are causing issues for you that may need to be eliminated for 90 days. And of course the good ‘ol sugar/carb cleanse is fabulous for resetting sugar cravings. Happy detoxing my friends………

Detox and Cleansing Considerations*

*The “considerations” offered here are only suggestions and is not meant to cure, prevent, or diagnose any health condition. You may consider consulting with your physician with any lifestyle or diet changes you choose.

• Liver and Colon Cleansing
  • Drink cleansing herbal teas for 2-3 days to eliminate excess waste and clean-up the liver
    • Detox blend of root herbs: dandelion, burdock, licorice
    • Simmer 4 T herbs and 4 cups water on stove for 30min
    • Drink 2-4 cups/day for 2 days for quick cleanse or for more gentle cleanse, drink ½ cup before meals for 3-4 days
  • Drink 1/2 lemon in 1 cup warm water in morning to cleanse liver. Wait 20 min then enjoy smoothie, juice or other healthy breakfast
  • Incorporate green juices and smoothies daily on empty stomach. See recipes below.
  • Add hearty chia porridge breakfast after juices/smoothies to assist removing debris from digestive tract.
• Sugar Cravings Cleanse
  • Eliminate sugar & sweeteners (except whole fruits and stevia extract)
  • Eliminate processed/refined carbs (bread, crackers, pasta)
  • Increase fermented foods to balance good/bad bacteria (sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, coconut yogurt)
  • Add good probiotic (minimum 20billion cells)
  • Increase vegetable consumption (raw and/or cooked)
  • Add nuts and beans (beans have carbs but lots of fiber which lowers glycemic load). Since canned beans well and cook dry beans with kelp/kombu to reduce digestive upset.
  • If needed, make own flour using almond meal or coconut flour (lower carb counts).
• Eliminate high allergen foods and processed foods
  • For 2 weeks eliminate dairy, peanuts, gluten/wheat, chocolate, citrus, soy, corn (avoid processed foods during this time).
  • After two weeks, slowly introduce one food at a time back into diet. Test with small amount, if no symptoms, eat larger amount 2-3 times/day for 2 days. If any symptoms (fatigue, digestive upset, diarrhea, headaches), you may have sensitivity to that food. (If so, eliminate for 90days and test again).
  • Wait two days after symptoms are gone before introducing next food to test. Repeat until you have introduced all high-allergen foods.

Green juicing recipe:

• 1 bunch kale/romaine/spinach
• 3-4 stalks celery
• ½ cucumber
• 1 bunch parsley/cilantro
• ½ small lemon
• 1 inch ginger root

*Note: beets, carrots, some apples and other fruit contain high amounts of sugar. Consider avoiding these items in your juicing unless in small amounts (fruit in smoothies is better as fiber is included to slow sugar absorption).

Green smoothie recipe:

• ½ cup frozen organic berries
• 2 handfuls greens (kale, spinach, romaine, etc)
• Other veg: 1/3 cucumber, 1 stalk celery
• 1T moringa pwd, chlorella (green superfoods)
• 1-2 T flax/hemp/chia seeds
• ¼ lemon or 1-2 T lemon juice
• 1 t turmeric powder (anti-inflammatory)
• Water or nut milk to blend. Ice if you like colder
• Optional sweetness: fig, date, banana, apple, stevia extract, etc.

Quick Chia Porridge Recipe

Liquid:                          ½ + cup fresh nut milk or water (warm or cold)

Seeds/Thickener:        3-4 T whole or ground chia seeds

Omegas:                     ½ T ground flax seeds and/or hemp hearts

Flavor:                         ½ T raw cacao powder and/or cacao nibs

Sweet:                         1/8 cup fresh or frozen berries or other desired fruit *

Optional Sweet:          ½ T maple syrup, honey, molasses or 3 drops stevia extract

Topping:                      Splash of nut milk, chopped nuts, sprouted buckwheat

• Add chia, flax and/or hemp in a bowl. Add nut milk/water and stir. Let sit for 5min until porridge begins to thicken.
• Add rest of desired ingredients, stir and enjoy!

* Other ingredient considerations: goji berries, coconut flakes, mulberries, cinnamon, banana, etc.

The “considerations” offered here are only suggestions and is not meant to cure, prevent, or diagnose any health condition. You may consider consulting with your physician with any lifestyle or diet changes you choose.