Toxins are everywhere- chemicals from pollutants, heavy metals, pesticides, drugs, and food additives are constantly making their way into our bodies and there is no way to avoid them completely. They are found in the air we breathe, the things we touch, products we use, foods we eat, even the water we drink. These toxins can build up in the body and cause a burden on our liver, the organ that is primarily responsible for toxin removal. When this happens, the toxins can be stored in fat cells, potentially including fat cells in the central nervous system and brain. Yikes! A level of toxicity is associated with fibromyalgia, migraines, chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue, and many other chronic symptoms. Giving your body a break from these, while supporting the removal of stored toxins can dramatically shift the way you feel day to day. Start by trying some of these awesome, detox-approved recipes!
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium high heat.
Add onion, sweet potato, and red pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the onion is softened. Add the garlic and jalapeno and cook for 2 minutes.
Stir in the vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, chickpeas, chili powder, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook for 40 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are tender and chili has thickened.
Stir in the cilantro and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Garnish with avocado, cilantro, green onions, chips, and any other desired toppings. Serve warm.
Note-this chili will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It also freezes well. Cool completely and store in a freezer container. The chili can be frozen for up to 2 months and the recipe can easily be doubled.
Mix stevia, salt and cinnamon in milk and shake to mix thoroughly
Add steel cut oats and shake
Put in refrigerator overnight
In the morning, add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Think outside the recipe:
For creamier oatmeal, add 1/2-1 tbsp chia seeds before allowing to sit overnight, or some Greek Yogurt after the oats have set overnight (the yogurt seems to inhibit the oats from soaking up the milk). Some topping suggestions: berries, nuts, coconut crisps or shredded coconut.
Crumbled hamburger, cooked (turkey, grass-fed beef, or bison)
Bubbie’s fermented dill relish
Dijon or yellow mustard
Salad dressing of choice
Instructions:
Assemble salad
Top with warm burger
Dress the salad and enjoy!
Tips: Try different dressings and toppings to mimic the same flavors you enjoy on a burger. A sun-dried tomato vinaigrette can help approximate ketchup, and a creamy Annie’s Goddess dressing helps to stretch the mustard flavor without over-salting. If these options won’t work for whatever reason, olive oil and vinegar, salt and pepper are remarkably tasty. If you prefer a cheeseburger and you tolerate cheese, top with some shredded, grass- fed cheddar.
Crumbled coconut crisps (suggestion – Dang from Whole Foods, found in or near the bulk aisle)
Salad Instructions:
Combine salad ingredients in whatever ratios you prefer.
Toss with the dressing and serve immediately.
Tip: If you need to put your salad together in advance, put the dressing on the bottom of a salad bowl, next add your berries, then put the greens and crunchies on top. Toss only when you’re ready to serve. This buys you time and avoids soggy greens and coconut crisps!
Infused vinegars and oils add flavor depth!
Dressing ingredients:
Persian Lime infused olive oil (2 parts)
Coconut infused white vinegar (1 part)
Honey ginger infused white vinegar (1 part)
½-1 tsp cinnamon (to taste–optional)
Dressing instructions:
Combine dressing ingredients in a sealed jar and shake thoroughly.
Tip: Remember, you can always add more cinnamon, but you can’t take it out!
Tip: I have found the most important part of the dressing recipe is the flavor-infused vinegar. Just mix equal parts plain olive oil with a fruit- or other flavor-infused vinegar and shake!
Red, yellow or orange bell peppers, sliced into strips
Zucchini, sliced into strips
Cherry tomatoes, halved
2-3 tbsp olive oil
Salt to taste
Hummus and salad dressing of choice
Instructions:
Reserve cherry tomatoes and zucchini to add partway through the cooking process
Toss remaining veggies in olive oil and spread out on a cooking sheet
Sprinkle with salt
Roast at 400 degrees for 25 minutes, stirring 2-3 times, and adding tomatoes and zucchini about halfway through
Add to salad and top with several tbsp of hummus and dressing
Tips
Add some roasted chick peas or lightly toasted nuts for crunch. Top with chicken or fish or serve those on the side. Try Tessamae’s salad dressing from Whole Foods–made with olive oil and 100% natural ingredients. Beet hummus adds color and flavor depth. Add some chopped raw cucumbers, tomatoes or other veggies to amp up the antioxidants and switch up the flavors. Other veggies that are nice for roasting if you have them: green beans, asparagus or green onions. Keep in mind that green beans take longer to roast than asparagus and stagger their additions to the mix accordingly. Changing up the contents keeps the flavors fresh!