Detox for the New Year
There is a bit of a baking frenzy that happens in my house during December. My family and I have a blast making all sorts of sweet treats and baked goods, and I do my best to make them low carb, gluten and dairy free, and healthy…or at least healthyER. I think my favorite new baked creation this year was the Honey’d Paleo Pumpkin Pie! Even though the treats that come out of my kitchen are usually pretty healthy, they are fairly heavy (mostly made with nut flour), and by the end of December I’m ready to move on to lighter fare. It’s time to detox for the new year, which means I will be eating more fruits and veggies, especially the green leafy ones!
Instead of feeling guilty in the month of January for the heavier food I ate in December, I think of my food plan in terms of phases. December is a month of more sweets and treats than usual, and in January I eat lighter foods that help me detox. I’ve learned to listen to healthy cravings, and right now I’m really craving smoothies and salads! I’d like to encourage you to drop the guilt that most people feel in January, and allow for different phases in your eating plan! Of course, if you haven’t learned how to bake clean, healthier treats, check out some of my recipes for dessert. It’ll make your heavier eating seasons healthier. Baked goods do not have to be destructive to your health!
In the spirit of lighter food, with an emphasis on fresh produce, I’d like to share another smoothie recipe with you. This one has everything you need to start your detox off right! The pineapples, barely green banana, and ginger will kickstart your digestion. Ginger is also anti-inflammatory, and so are the omega-3 fatty acids in flax seeds. The fat in the coconut milk and flax seeds will slow down the sugar from the fruits in this smoothie as they absorb into your system. Orange juice and raspberries bring antioxidants to the table. Of course, the baby spinach is a leafy green, so it pretty much carries with it every health benefit imaginable. This smoothie is filling enough to replace a meal, too. This is admittedly a long list of ingredients for a smoothie, but I recommend keeping these items in your pantry and fridge on a regular basis. They’re all a staple part of our diet!
Before we get to the recipe for the Ginger Berry Detox Smoothie, I want to invite you to join with others who are making healthy changes. I’d love to walk alongside you in your journey towards wholeness and health! Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full!” Freedom from food addictions is part of having a truly full life.
Ginger Berry Detox Smoothie (Serves 1)
- 1 Cup of Baby Spinach
- 1/2 Cup Frozen Pineapples
- 1/2 Cup Frozen Raspberries
- 1/2 Cup Light Coconut Cream
- 1/2 Cup Orange Juice (the real kind, with 100% juice)
- 1 Tbsp Flax Seeds
- 1 Small Chunk of Fresh Ginger
- 1/4 of a Slightly Green Banana
Combine all of your ingredients in the blender
Read on for more ideas on how to detox and eat clean.
If you’re ready to detox, but don’t want to do anything drastic, I suggest you start your day with a smoothie, eat some kind of filling salad for lunch, then eat a light soup for dinner (links for recipes follow). If you get hungry for snacks in between, eat fruit, veggies, and nuts. You can also eat a small chunk of a 70% chocolate bar
Note: I’m not a doctor, and these suggestions are based on my own experiences, research, and over a decade of working with nutritionists. If you have a serious medical condition make sure to discuss any detox plan with your doctor or qualified nutritionist. If you want to be more aggressive with your detox check out my “About Me” page for more ideas and a link to the original diet I did when I was first diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.
Breakfast:
- Ginger Berry Detox Smoothie (recipe above)
- Click here for a collection of smoothie recipes
Lunch:
- Red Potatoes with Greens and Honey Mustard Sauce
- Quick and Easy Bean Salsa
- Tropical Superfoods Salad (add protein to make it more filling)
- Baby Spinach and Butternut Squash Salad
Dinner:
- Purple Kale Soup for a Sick Day (tons of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients…both are important for detox)
- Creamy Chicken Soup with Wild Rice (dairy free)
- Slow Cooker Turkey Vegetable Soup
- Split Pea Soup
I hope that you enjoy making healthy changes for you and your family! Make sure to be gentle and slow if you are trying to teach your children to eat healthy food. Forcing will only make them dislike it more! May God bless you and the ones you love this New Year!!!
