Detox Delight!

A detox is a good idea at any time of the year ~ spring and summer time are particularly good!   

A detox can help us to feel fresh and light after the cold and dark winter months that inspires eating heavier and more ‘comforting’ food.  Our body is constantly carrying out essential metabolic functions including the elimination of wastes and toxins.  We are exposed to a multitude of toxins every day, in the air we breath, food we eat, cleaning products used around us etc… It is a great idea to occasionally give our bodies a little help in the elimination of these wastes.

A program aimed at detoxification, or ‘health enhancing’ to frame it in less scary way, does not have to be about abstinence and self-denial.  It can be a great opportunity to ‘re-boot’ our health, particularly digestive health.  Digestive health is the corner stone of all good health.  Proper immune function, hormone regulation, mood, sleep cycles, skin conditions all depend on a healthy gut.

A detox is a perfect way to break less healthy habits, or help give the impetus to adopt new healthier eating habits or exercise regimes.  A detox is a good opportunity to explore new foods and ways of cooking them.  Shaking-up lifestyle habits can be a great catalyst for change.  Making more conscious decisions about what we are eating and  the choices we are making can open up space to explore many other aspect of our lifestyle.

Detoxing includes avoiding the foods and drinks that burden the digestive system and pathways of elimination, and is also about opting for fresh, natural and whole foods that support detoxification processes and metabolic processes.

A Detox / Health Enhancing Program can help  –

  • Digestive symptoms such as bloating, sluggish digestion, irregular bowel movements
  • Immune system function helping to support the way our bodies deal with allergens which can reduce hay-fever symptoms
  • Mood disturbances such as irritability
  • Disrupted sleep cycles
  • Hormonal irregularities
  • Aid in weight management
A great way to start a detox is to devise a few meal ideas and create a daily eating plan.  A more detailed plan can be devised with supportive herbs and nutrients specific to your needs and desired outcomes.

Breakfast Smoothies are a perfect way to start the day.  They are packed full of nutrients that are easy to digest and assimilate, and easy to prepare.

Try out a super food smoothie – packed full of whatever is to your liking and include ingredients such as – nuts and seeds like buckwheat, sesame seeds, linseeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, almond meal etc, frozen berries, fresh fruits, spinach and sprouts, lecithin, oats, spirulina, barley grass, cinnamon, a touch of raw honey etc in a base of water, soy or oat milk, diluted apple juice….. there are so many variations on the theme ~ just throw it all together in a blender and your day is off to a nutritious start!

Nat’s Super Smoothie Recipe (or a rough guide to it – it is ever changing!)

  • 1 cup of  organic soy or oat milk (or 1/2 Cup water & 1/2 Cup organic apple juice)
  • 2 table spoons of pre-made seed mix  – buckwheat, chia seeds, linseeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, poppy seeds
  • 1-2 tablespoons Lecithin (always Non-GMO, and organic when possible)
  • 1 tablespoon of almond meal (unblanched)
  • 1 tablespoon freeze dried Acai berry powder
  • Handful of frozen mixed berries
  • 1 piece of fresh and seasonal fruit – (eg banana/kiwi fruit/pear)
  • 1/2 handful of organic rolled oats
  • 1 heaped teaspoon of spirulina or barley grass powder
  • a generous dash of cinnamon
  • a little (1/2 teaspoon) organic raw honey
Wizz it in the blender for about one minute – often it can be a quite thick so top up with some water and blend again for a moment if desired.