Hot & Spicy Detox Lemonade

March 4, 2013
Posted by ashleymichelle

When life hands you lemons…

Make lemonade!

Spicy Detox Lemonade.

Have you ever tried a juice cleanse?

I thought about it, but then I decided, hey…my body needs real food!

And oh yea…it’s pretty darn EXPENSIVE.

Now, I’m still not 100% sure how I feel about juicing for extended periods of time (case in point: the Jack LaLanne Juicer I begged for for Christmas is still sitting there in my pantry, unopened, and taking up precious cabinet space). On one side of things, I think it’s extremely beneficial to give your digestive system a break every now and then so all that extra energy can go towards cleansing and beautifying your body inside and out, but on the other side, I don’t believe in doing anything that starves your body of the vital nutrients and calories it needs. For instance, I DO NOT endorse in any way shape or form the Master Cleanse, however, the BluePrintCleanse is something that has caught my eye–namely because I know people who aren’t vegan, dieters, or hardcore cleansers who have tried this program, didn’t starve themselves, and have nothing but good things to say about it–even when I raise skepticisms (i.e. no, they didn’t feel like they were restricting, yes, it tastes good, and yes, they felt fabulous after).

The BluePrintCleanse is a three-day, juice-based cleanse (you drink six raw, organic, cold-pressed juices a day) that was born out of the idea that “cleansing needed to be liberated from the rigid dogma and new-age aesthetics of the raw food universe and made more accessible to more people.” And accessible it is– you can buy it online or at your local Whole Foods! The BluePrintCleanse breaks their cleansing program down into three “levels” (Renovation, Foundation, Excavation) and it’s up to you to decide which one your are most comfortable with. The different levels include various juices made of greens, veggies and fruits along with more filling/sustaining nut milks. Don’t worry, you can gauge your comfort level and pick the cleanse that’s right for you by reading these witty little descriptions :

Renovation:

Photo Credit: BluePrintCleanse

“I know what whole foods are, and I’ve seen people buying them. I would too, but I’m too busy to be choosy – my vegetable intake comes in the form of: Ketchup – “tomatoes” and French Fries – “potatoes.” Salad is found in EVERY cheeseburger I eat: it’s that green-ish color in the middle of the burger. Fruit? Easy, it’s the garnish on my cocktail, (usually an orange). I have cut back on red meat… and know I should only buy organic, free range, hand massaged meats and vegetables raised by people who smell like patchouli oil, but where do they even sell that stuff?”

Foundation:

Photo Credit: BluePrintCleanse

“I don’t know what I am! I’m not a vegetarian because I eat fish (but not the kind with mercury). I’m definitely NOT, nor will I ever be, a vegan – (I love a good cheese plate…and sometimes a salami plate). I try to eat a big salad everyday and limit those “bad-starches.” When I do have dessert, I order some sort of fruit based dessert, as opposed to that awesome flourless chocolate cake…that, sometimes I do order…but only because it’s flourless, …and a special occasion. But, that’s not even a big deal, cause’ I’ll just work it off at the gym the next day.”

Excavation:

Photo Credit: BluePrintCleanse

“I am extremely conscious of everything I put into my body. I exercise, I don’t make drinking a habit, and I eat organic. Am I a vegan? A raw foodist? I’m not into labels – so, when people ask me that question, I simply reply: ‘I eat what I want, when I want it.” I don’t consider choosing my food wisely, “missing out.” My only rule is: If it doesn’t make me feel healthy and zaps my energy, I don’t eat it. I’m not trying to live forever; I just want to make sure that while I am alive, I feel as good as I possibly can!”

Sounds easy enough, right?

Yes, it all sounds wonderful, easy, and grand but here’s my first issue with the cleanse– it only last three days. I don’t think a cleanse– any cleanse for that matter– will change your life in just three days (and I’m willing to bet that many people who end up jumping on the “cleanse bandwagon” are looking for a quick fix or rapid weight loss rather than a lasting lifestyle change).

NEWSFLASH: Don’t expect lasting success if this is your mindset!

If you’ve been filling up your body with sugary, trans-fat-filled, processed junk for years and year and years…drinking juice for three days is not going to magically undo all the damage, nor is it going to take off any of those real unhealthy pounds. That being said, I do believe that a quick juice-cleanse can prepare you, motivate you, and set you up for a continued pattern of heathy eating and success if you do it right. And by doing it right, I mean don’t go back to eating all that unhealthy crud as soon as your three days are up! Use your freshly rejuvenated system as a baseline or starting point for continued dietary success and a commitment to healthy choices .

Now, my second issue with this cleanse is that it’s a pretty hefty investment for three days– I’m talking $195 for three days. Now, I don’t know about you but I certainly don’t have $195 hanging around to spend on three days of juice. heck, that’ more than a spend on three weeks worth of groceries! And finally, my last issue with the BluePrintCleanse? It uses agave (you can read all about the reasons why I don’t like to use agave in this post here).

So…what’s a penny-pinching, ingredient-inspecting, juice-craving girl to do when she wants to clean up her diet and pave the way for healthy habits and longterm detoxification?

Why, she modifies by creating her own cleanse of course .

NOTE: Please allow me remind you- I am NOT a dietician or doctor of any kind. In no way am I attempting to give you medical advice in any way, shape or form. Instead, I am merely looking to share a few healthy options that you might decide to try to include in your diet while sticking to eating clean, whole, foods and healthy meals if it feels right for you. Each person has different dietary needs– I find the following plan happens to work wonders and feel right for me, but I cannot speak for everyone else. Also note that I will be speaking in regards to the Excavation Cleanse level of the BPC for the following couple of paragraphs.

One of the main drinks that can be found in all three BluePrintCleanse cleanses is a lovely green juice called BluePrintGreen. It’s a delicious combination of organic greens (a whopping 6 lbs. worth!), spices, and fruit including romaine, celery, cucumber, apple, spinach, kale, parsley, and lemon. I’ll be 100% honest with you. This drink is INCREDIBLE. I wouldn’t change a thing. Which is why I decided I’ll allow myself to splurge for this beverage now and then if I can squeeze it into my budget– it’s worth it.

Photo Credit: BluePrintCleanse

Another BluePrintCleanse staple is the BluePrint cashew milk. This drink is meant to be the main BluePrintCleanse protein source. It’s a filling combination of organic cashews, filtered water, agave nectar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and organic vanilla bean bits. Now, instead of spending upwards of $12.99 per bottle for this drink (and because I don’t like agave nectar) I decided to swap this out for my own protein drink using Vega or Garden of Life protein powder (my favorites!), organic almond milk, and a couple teaspoons of chia seeds for good measure.

Aside from the high cost, I also didn’t think seven grams of protein two times a day would be enough to fill me up and keep me going around the clock and during my workouts. Instead, my protein shakes have between 15 and 17 grams of protein with a few additional grams added in thanks to the chia seeds (oh, and did I mention it costs under $40 for a few weeks worth of each of my fav proteins? Buy Vega and Garden of Life at your local Whole Foods or here and here).

The last component of the BluePrintCleanse that I wanted to make-over was their Spicy Lemonade. Their version consists of filtered water, organic lemon, organic agave nectar, and cayenne extract (Mexican Habanero, jalapeño, African, Chinese, Thai, Korean, and Japanese peppers in distilled water, and grain alcohol). It also costs $6.99 a bottle. So, instead, I decided to make my own cheaper version using organic lemons, filtered water, stevia, and cayenne pepper.

Now, this particular drink is not a part of the Excavation Cleanse, but it is a part of their Renovation and Foundation Cleanses. The reason this is a cleanse-worthy drink? Lemons and cayenne pepper have a variety of health benefits and they have long been touted as weight loss and detox staples. I’ve outlined a few of these benefits below:

Lemons:

Photo Credit: wikimedia.org

Alkalizing: Even though lemons are acidic to taste, they are alkalizing for the body and help restore balance to the body’s pH.
Rich in vitamin C: Helps to protect you against colds, flu, infections and neutralize free radicals that can promote aging and other diseases.
Cleanses/detoxifies the liver: Lemon stimulates the liver and helps to rid it of uric acid, bile, fats, old cholesterol deposits, environmental toxins, and other poisons. When your liver is clogged with junk, it isn’t working efficiently and may lead to low energy and fatigue, weight gain, hormone imbalances, intolerance to alcohol or fatty foods, high cholesterol, headaches, skin irritation, nausea/bloating, PMS, aches/pains, and digestive complications.
Cleanses your bowels: Adding lemon to warm water helps to increase peristalsis in the bowels and eliminate waste.
Have 22 anti-cancer compounds: Lemons contain limonene oil which is believed to prevent the growth of cancer tumors in animals and they also contain flavonol glycosides which have been known to stop cell division in cancer cells.
Anti-bacterial: Lemon juice has been known to destroy bacteria associated with malaria, cholera, diphtheria, and typhoid.
Reduces high blood pressure: Lemons contain vitamin P (bioflavinoids) which have been known to prevent internal hemorrhage and reduce BP.

Cayenne pepper:

Photo Credit: www.teenhealthsite.com

Curbs appetite: Studies have shown that consuming cayenne pepper can reduce appetite and curb cravings (especially for salty, fatty, and sugary foods).
Prevents blood sugar spikes: Over a period of time, continued consumption of cayenne pepper may improve insulin sensitivity of the body’s tissues and eventually, less insulin may be required in order to move glucose from the body’s blood to the tissues. This can reduces blood sugar spikes (aka crazy cravings!).
Thermogenic: Consuming cayenne pepper has a thermogenic effect on the body (due to capsaicin). It raises the body’s core temperature, potentially increasing the body’s metabolism (up to 20% according to some sources) and may increase its ability to burn stored fat.
Fights inflammation: Capsaicin is a potent inhibitor of substance P– a neuropeptide associated with inflammation. Consuming cayenne can help with treatment for sensory nerve fiber disorders and even arthritis.
Reduces cholesterol: Studies have shown that cayenne has cardiovascular benefits in that it can reduce triglyceride levels, blood cholesterol, and platelet aggregation. It also can help the body dissolve fibrin– a substance critical in blood clot formation.
Natural pain relief: Cayenne can help to improve cluster headaches and treat osteoarthritis pain.
Prevent stomach ulcers: Cayenne kills harmful bacteria and stimulates stomach cells to secrete protective juices that prevent ulcers from forming.
Immunity boosting: Cayenne is high in vitamin A (beta-carotene) which is a well-known anti-infection vitamin that is essential for healthy epithelial tissues (these tissues protect the body from germs that can enter through the mucous membranes like the nose, lungs, intestines, and urinary tract).
Relieves congestion: Cayenne stimulates secretions which can help to clear out your stuffy nose and lungs.

My Hot and Spicy Detox Lemonade is a great way to reap the benefits of both!

Now don’t get me wrong–lemons and cayenne pepper are NOT going to magically detoxify years worth of poor eating habits and peel off unwanted pounds. However, I find sipping this drink throughout the day between meals keeps me feeling light and refreshed and prevents those sugary snack attacks and cravings by the afternoon! Plus…it tastes pretty darn good .

Hot & Spicy Detox Lemonade

(makes 1 pitcher worth)

Ingredients:

Three to four lemons
8 cups of water
Cayenne pepper (to taste)
Stevia (to taste)
Ice

Directions:

Squeeze lemons into a pitcher.
Add water.
Add cayenne pepper and stevia* to taste (start with 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of cayenne and add more depending upon how much you can handle).

*This lemonade should not be overly sweet– I use one and a half packets of stevia.

Forget sweet.

You’ll like it hot in no time

Healthfully Yours,

Ashley Michelle

Sources:

Thermogenics: Cayenne

Incredible Benefits of Detoxing your Liver

16 Health Benefits of Lemons

Purdue study: Cayenne

Cayenne and Blood Sugar

World’s Healthiest Foods: Cayenne

Taking the First Steps to a Healthier & Happier YOU!

January 13, 2013
Posted by ashleymichelle

Photo Credit: www.etsey.com

Hmm.

Plato was onto something.

Smart guy.

As mentioned in my earlier post about New Year’s Resolutions, when it comes to tackling your goals (whether it be a promotion, fitness regimen, healthy eating plan, or a home-decorating project) if you carefully (and willingly!) set the right framework from the very beginning, you are destined to achieve success. For example, how many times have you woken up and proclaimed “I’m going to eat healthy today!” only to crumble under the pressure of a fresh-baked cookie or those doughnuts at your morning meeting? Oh, and that extra glass (or two, or three?) of wine at happy hour? Yes. they count! (You drink. You crumble ). If you make the decision to be healthy the moment you wake up (even before you get out of bed!)…you are that much more likely to stick to healthy choices all throughout the day.

Now you already know how I feel about being perfect–as in there’s NO such thing!–but if you’re looking to be the very best you can be in 2013 there are ways to set yourself up for success, boost your heath and immunity, help you make better decisions, and get yourself on that path to being fit and fabulous whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, or somewhere in between. Over the next few days I’ll be posting healthy lifestyle tips and tricks (and a few fun and healthy baking swaps!) that will gently keep your resolutions on track through for the rest of this month and into the month of February.

Tips and Tricks for Healthy Eating

**1. Make a grocery list before you go shopping.**

(Photo Credit: http://saveliveeatlove.com)

We’ve all been there. After the gym you run to the grocery store because you’re already out of the house, only to realize that after an hour of spinning and ab exercises, you’re ravenous and searching for the cookie aisle! Suddenly there’s a bar of chocolate, a bag of chips, and a pint of rocky road in your cart and you have no recollection as to how they got there. (So much for the fresh fruit, raw almonds, and quinoa on your list!) Let’s avoid this little snag, shall we? Now, if you just take a few minutes to sit down, write a grocery list, and plan out your meals for the week– you’re actually forced to be conscious of your food choices (again, like a journal, it’s the whole visual thing). Once you’ve made your list—DON’T STRAY unless you absolutely have to (like if Whole Foods is having a sale on raw kale chips. Then, that’s perfectly justified ).

2. Plan out/pack your meals ahead of time

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I can’t stress enough how important this step is! Just like I mentioned above, planning out your meals ahead of time helps to keep you in check, but actually preparing your meals ahead of time is the real secret to success. I like to prepare the more difficult/time-consuming meals and wash/cut my produce on a Sunday night or immediately after I go grocery shopping so that I have healthy snacks and easy-to-put-together meals on hand at all times during the busy work week (my go-to’s are hearty soups, salads, veggie sticks, pineapple, cantaloupe, cucumber slices, quinoa, brown rice, lemons, tofu etc…). Before work, I’ll slice up an apple for a healthy mid-day snack, make tea or hot lemon water in a travel mug (this also saves you Starbucks $$$!), and pack a handful of raw almonds for munching at my desk. The point is, if your fridge is full of good-for-you snacks and easy meal prep, you’ll feel more guilty picking an unhealthy option.

3. Load up on fruits, veggies, and other “clean” foods

(Photo Credit: http://www.tinyoranges.com)

Think of your body like a car. If you filled it up with dirty, sticky, cheap gasoline and oil…it wouldn’t run very well would it? In fact, if you neglect you car and don’t fill it up with the things it needs, the car will keep breaking down, cost more in repairs, and eventually die. Your body is just like a car or machine. When you fuel it with powerful, clean, fuel (like fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean protein) as opposed to packaged, processed, refined, cheap, fat and sugar filled junk…you can expect your body to function a heck of a lot better (think more energy, less time spent at the doctor’s office, less weight, better skin/hair/nails, sharper mind and a happier disposition all around). When was the last time you ate an apple and thought “Man…I really wish I didn’t eat that apple. Now I feel so awful and tired!” Oh, you’ve never said that? My point exactly

4. Eat “power foods”

(Photo Credit: www.pinterest.com)

There’s been a lot of hype about “super foods” in the heath industry over the past few years. While some of the hype out there is true (super foods with antioxidants are great for fighting cancer!), the crazy weight loss claims of other super foods should have you second-guessing their promises (raspberry ketone craze anyone?). That’s why I prefer to call my version of healthy super foods “power foods,” because that’s exactly what they do because they have the richest amount of nutrients and phytochemicals, the least amount of calories, and the most health benefits. Check out my list of power foods below that will get you geared up and ready to go no matter what time of the day:

Power Foods

Acai Berries
Apples
Asparagus
Avocados
Beans
Bell Peppers
Blueberries
Bok Choy
Broccoli
Brown Rice (in moderation)
Carrots
Chia Seeds
Coconut oil**
Dark Chocolate! (in moderation!)
Leeks
Pomegranates
Red Wine(ONE glass a day)
Seeds
Seaweed
Spirulina
Sweet potato
Tofu
Tomato
Turmeric
Quinoa (in moderation)
Dark, leafy greens
Edamame
Flaxseed/Oil
Garlic
Goji Berries
Mushrooms
Nuts
Olive Oil
Onions
Shallots

** Coconut oil is criticized for being high in saturated fat, however, not all saturated fat is created equal. It’s not hydrogenated (like most sat. fats), is made up of MCFAs which are broken down & easily digested/metabolized by the liver for immediate energy. It’s also stable enough to withstand the heat of cooking (other oils oxidize), and is believed to boost metabolism (the body can readily use this fat for energy rather than storage).

5. Limit/avoid purchasing & eating processed foods

(Photo Credit: http://www.3news.co.nz)

Do you feel like being productive or going out for a run after you gorge on fast-food, a slice of pizza, or a package of cookies? Probably not. You’d probably like nothing more than to fall asleep on your couch in the fetal position while watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians reruns. So what happens when you eat all that junk at work? Do you find yourself dozing off in your afternoon meeting? Like I said above, you body runs best on good-quality, clean, natural foods. And that means you brain does too! So skip that processed junk food at the office– you’ll be more way more productive with your days if you can think clearly.

6. Read nutrition labels!

(Photo Credit: http://www.nutritionaloutlook.com)

This little detail is SO vital, yet many people don’t do it! In fact, a recent study done by the Journal of American Dietetic Association showed that only 9% of people check nutrition labels, and only 1% check the labels for all of their components. So many products out there claim to be healthy on the outside…but turn over the package, read the label and you’ll realize even some of those healthy buzzwords on the like ”natural,” “vegan,” “gluten-free,” and “organic” can still be fooling you. You want to watch out for sodium content (daily recommended value is less than one teaspoon a day), sugar content (less than 10% of your daily calories–or none–unless from natural sources like fruit), fat content (watch out for that saturated fat–keep it to at most 7% of your total daily calories– and check those ingredients for heart-healthy fats like omega-3s), and carbohydrate content (look for dietary fiber–shoot for 20 grams of fiber per day for women and 30 grams for men– and keep all carbs whole grain!). Check out step by step instructions on decoding nutrition labels here.

7. Watch out for sneaky sugar!

(Photo Credit: http://www.tastisugar.com)

This goes right along with the above recommendation to check those nutrition labels– but because it’s so important I wanted to address it on its own. Sugar is everywhere…and if you’re not careful it can crop up in some unexpected places (condiments, granola bars, cereal, bread, juices etc…). And just because the sugar is natural or organic (like maple syrup, honey, molasses) sugar calories are sugar calories no matter how you swing it. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 6 tablespoons–or 30 grams– of sugar per day for women, but I’d actually aim for even lower. In my last post I explain in greater detail why sugar is addictive .

8. Purchase a BPA-free water bottle

(Photo Credit: http://www.wired.com)

DRINK WATER!!! Aside from the fact that your body needs water to efficiently burn fat, flush out toxins, keep your digestive system regular, and keep your muscles primed for exercise– water is vital to your healthy eating efforts. Did you know that more times than not, when you think your hungry…you’re actually thirsty? So before you go grabbing for that jar of almond butter…grab a glass of water instead! If 15-20 minutes go by and you’re still hungry, go for a healthy snack with some protein and whole grains to fill you up. Don’t love plain water? Toss a few slices of cucumber, lemons, oranges, or limes into your water bottle for a natural flavor boost!

9.) Know your “cheat” foods

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Okay, so it’s totally fine to have a treat every now and then IF that’s what it truly is—just every now and then. Dessert and treats are perfectly acceptable (I like it just as much as the next girl!) just as long as you know when to put the lid on your that tub of ice cream and save the rest for later. And (while I hate to put complete restrictions on any food) if you just can’t handle having something in the house without devouring the whole thing in one sitting, then maybe it’s time to limit the amount of times you purchase that particular food. For the beginning stages of your healthy-eating-habits-overhaul it may be a helpful choice. After a while, you can gradually introduce the item back into your diet. Another option? Purchase individual serving sizes of your “cheat” foods, or portion out your own snack packs of granola, trail mix or whatever you’d like. The individually packed treats tend to be a bit more expensive than the real deal, but if that’s what keep you from eating more than one serving, it’s well worth it.

And there you have it! You’re now on your way to being a healthier and happier you!

Please remember…no one can (nor should they try to) overhaul their entire lifestyle in a day. It takes patience, energy, and time to form new habits. Sadly, there’ no magic number of days it takes to form a habit–the 21 day myth isn’t 100% accurate– but it certainly gets easier doing any new routine if you stick with it for a couple of weeks). Just trust me, and more importantly…TRUST YOU! And whatever you do, don’t forget…

(Photo Credit: www.pinterest.com)

YOU ARE AMAZING.

YOU ARE STRONG.

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!

AND YOU CAN DO THIS!

Healthfully Yours,

Ashley Michelle

Let’s Chat!

When the going gets tough, and you’re ready to give up or give in (whether it be on healthy eating, an exercise regimen, a project, schoolwork etc…) what helps to keeps you motivated?

A New Year’s Cleanse & Post-Holiday Detox Salad

December 29, 2012
Posted by ashleymichelle

Twas’ a few days after Christmas, and all through the kitchen

There were desserts and leftovers tempted to go missing…

But please don’t give in! You must be your best–

So you can look amazingggg in that NYE party dress!

I know, I know. It’s SO hard! After a day (days?) of indulging in festive desserts and drinks, those holiday goodies are still calling your name (and that slice of Mom’s famous apple pie just looks so darn good!). But you won’t give in…right? (Riiiight??) No! Of course not! And do you want to know why?

Because you have willpower!

You have strength!

You have a gift card to go buy those adorable skinny jeans!

You can say no!

(And you can bring all of those treats to your office’s break room!)

There. You see?

No excuses

But in all seriousness, while it’s perfectly healthy to let yourself indulge now and then, it’s equally important to get your body back on track after you let the whole healthy-eating thing slide for a few days. And what better time for a fresh start than heading into the new year?

Now, I’m not suggesting everyone start a crazy-pants diet or a liquids-only cleanse, like, tomorrow–I actually just finished up a fabulously easy, 6-day cleanse which I will be sharing soon (for those interested in a stricter detox program)– however, it is perfectly possible to give your body a break without purchasing an expensive program. By choosing to eat all-natural, healthy, organic, and nutritious foods, you can work towards detoxing your body naturally while revitalizing your insides, beautifying your outsides, and getting back that youthful, energetic glow.

And who doesn’t want that!?

To get you started, I thought I’d share one of my favorite detox salads that always gets me feeling light, refreshed, and on top of my game after too much food, too little sleep, and a lot of fun .

But first, here are a few quick tips on how to gently detox your body the easy way:

1.) DRINK WATER!

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This may seem so simple, but it’s super important. If you’re anything like me, you probably don’t drink as much as you should. Water keeps your brain hydrated and fully functional, replenishes/carries oxygen to your cells, rids your body of toxins, gives skin a healthy glow, helps to maintain your body weight, and aids in digestion/absorption of food. The amount of water each individual needs may vary depending upon factors like exercise and time of year it is, but experts suggest that 2 quarts is a healthy bet. Trade water or decaffeinated tea for your daily cup of coffee for the best detox results. It is important to stay away from caffeine during a detox due to its dehydrating properties.

2.) KEEP IT CLEAN!

Photo Credit: http://athleanx.com

My general rule of thumb is simple: If I can’t pronounce it, I shouldn’t eat it! There are lots of nasty, processed foods out there that can wreak havoc on your body…and even if something is marketed as “healthy,” oftentimes it isn’t. Get into the habit of looking at the list of ingredients before you buy or eat something. If the list tends to have more than 6 ingredients, it most likely includes processed junk that won’t be doing your body any favors. By eating foods as close to their natural state as possible, your body is able to break them down easier and save its energy for more important things…like clearing up your skin, and exercising! Choose items that are all-natural, and free of hydrogenated fats, tran-fats, added sugars–including deceptively healthy (and natural) syrups, dehydrated cane juice, honey, and molasses. (Hint: Anything ending in “ose” or “ol” are probably code words for sugar.) I promise, once you cut these things out of your diet for a few days, you’ll feel (and look!) like a million bucks!

3.) EAT FIBER!

Photo Credit: http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com

Organic Fruits, veggies, and whole grain options like brown-rice or quinoa, and beans, nuts, and seeds (in moderation) are essential to any detox regimen. Fiber acts like a scrub brush inside your body– clearing out your colon and intestines of icky, toxic, sludge and waste. Some of the best fiber-filled foods are dark, leafy greens, broccoli, cabbage, artichokes, beets, sea vegetables, carrots, apples, avocados, pears, oranges, kiwi, berries, flax seeds, walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, lima beans and navy beans.

4.) GET PLENTY OF VITAMIN C!

Photo Credit: http://www.biohealthcoverage.com

Vitamin C is an essential, water-soluble vitamin and a powerful antioxidant that helps detoxify the body and rid the body of cell-destructive free radicals. Vitamin C also supports immunity/wound healing and aids in bone, skin, and collagen formation/tissue growth and repair. Since the human body cannot manufacture vitamin C on it own, it must be consumed through diet. Fruits and veggies are the best source of this vitamin, particularly citrus fruits, tropical fruits, melons, berries, leafy green vegetables, green peppers, tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli.

5.) RELAX! BREATHE!

Photo Credit: http://www.colocrm.com

Oxygen is quite honestly one of the most important nutrients in the human body, yet it’s something we totally take for granted. Think about it–when was the last time you reallythought about your breathing? Chances are if you take a moment to notice how you breathe you’ll find that it’s short and shallow. However, deep breathing is much healthier and has amazing health benefits. Through deep breathing, the body is able to take in more oxygen–thus ridding the body of the blood’s waste–carbon dioxide. Deep breathing also helps with relaxation and aids in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Short, constrained breathing can cause mental fog, fatigue, decreased tissue function and a sluggish lymphatic system while deep breathing acts as a pump for the lymphatic system (the system which carries away the body’s nasty toxins–think of it as the body’s natural sewer system). When the body is not taking in enough oxygen, the body’s lymph fluid is not flowing efficiently, and therefore the body cannot detoxify properly. This can lead to a variety of health issues, like fatigue, inflammation, muscle loss, weight gain, and high blood pressure. (I guess those yogis have it right after all!)

6.) SWEAT IT OUT!

Photo Credit: http://www.whattoexpect.com

Physical exercise is one of the best ways to detoxify your body and eliminate environmental toxins (through sweating). It improves your skin (by boosting circulation), gives you that healthy, post-exercise glow, and helps to keep the body’s internal organs running at peak efficiency. Physical exercise also helps to regulate blood sugar which can help reduce sugar cravings that may lead to unhealthy binge eating. Looking for another great way to feel clean and refreshed? Hit the sauna or steam room! While there isn’t any conclusive clinical evidence that saunas promote detoxification, I still love to sweat it out in there a few times a week. It’s relaxing, helps to loosen up my muscles, and makes me feel incredibly lean and refreshed afterwards.

I challenge you to incorporate these detox tips into your daily routine for a few days and assess how your body feels. I guarantee once you begin to see how wonderful your body responds to the healthy changes, you’ll be hooked! For a more comprehensive list of foods to incorporate into your diet, check out this link–it covers the top 50 detox foods (many of which are in my detox salad!) My detox salad recipe (below) is the perfect way to start off your clean-eating detox program. It can be eaten for lunch and dinner or even as an afternoon snack in between meals. It’s quick and easy and will have you feeling healthy, light and revitalized in no time at all!

Post-Holiday Detox Salad

Ingredients: (all organic)

1.5-2 cups of kale (torn or shredded)
1/2 cup of shredded carrots
1/2 of an apple (chopped)
1 tablespoon on fresh parsley
1 tablespoon of fresh cilantro
1/4 of an avocado (chopped)
1 tablespoon of raw sunflower seeds
Fresh lemon juice (1/4 to 1/2 of a lemon worth)
Flax oil (for drizzling–you could use olive oil if you wanted, but flax oil has great cleansing benefits).
Black pepper (to taste)
Cayenne pepper (to taste)
Optional: fresh grated ginger and a dash or celtic sea salt

Directions:

Mix all the first five ingredients together in a bowl.
Drizzle with flax oil and lemon juice and massage the dressing into the salad.
Add cayenne pepper, black pepper and any other spices (tot taste) and massage well again.
Top with raw sunflower seeds and avocado and ENJOY .

It’s important to keep in mind– those who are used to processed, salty, packaged foods may have a hard time at first with the taste of natural, fresh, real foods. But please, please PLEASE don’t give up too soon! I PROMISE you’re taste buds will change over time and you will become more accustomed to the taste of natural ingredients. Eventually, your body will actually crave these things!

The best detox advice I can give however is to just stick with it and take baby steps. If you try to overhaul you entire diet in a day you’re just setting yourself up to fail. Start by revamping one meal a day, then two, then try swapping that bag of M&Ms for a bag of grapes or munch on some carrot sticks and hummus instead of vending machine potato chips. As with any lifestyle change, it takes effort, and yes, time for your body to get used to the new habits–especially if you’ve been on an unhealthy path for a long time. Just keep in mind…the rewards are SO worth it! Whether you’re trying to fit into that teeny tiny bikini for your upcoming vacation, training to run a half marathon, or looking to have more energy to chase around your kids, remember…