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!
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!
Recipe and photo courtesy of Leaves of Life. Crispy and salty on the outside, sweet and tender on the inside…these delicata squash rings taste like dessert—and no need to remove the beautiful skin
Ingredients:
Delicata squash
1-2 tbsp. coconut oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Cut delicata in half shortways and remove both stem ends.
Remove seeds with a spoon and slice into 1/4 inch slices.
Arrange on a cookie sheet and drizzle with liquid coconut oil, then toss to coat.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Bake at 400 for 30-40 minutes, turning halfway through cook time.
Tip:
Try adding a sprinkle of cinnamon to enhance the sweetness and help balance blood sugar.
1 pound ground meat (ground chicken, lamb, beef, turkey, venison all work well here)
1 large spaghetti squash, halved and seeded
1 jar of spaghetti sauce
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 large chocolate (or red, yellow or orange) pepper, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 8 ounce package of mushrooms, chopped
2 large tomatoes, chopped
3-5 garlic cloves, minced
Large handful fresh basil, chopped
1 tbsp dry Italian herb blend
2 tbsp oil of choice
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Place halved spaghetti squash cut side down on baking sheet and put in oven at 350 for approximately 30 minutes (check for doneness by piercing skin with a knife–when knife easily punctures skin, it’s done)
Place all vegetables in skillet with oil and stir over medium heat until slightly crunchy
Add minced garlic, fresh basil and any other fresh herbs you may have on hand that will go well
Continue stirring over medium heat until the herbs are slightly wilted
Add spaghetti sauce and dry Italian herbs and reduce heat to simmer until spaghetti squash is done
Once squash is cooked through, remove from oven and using a fork, scrape and fluff squash as you remove from skin
Top with sauce and enjoy!
Tips:
If not avoiding dairy, top with goat or parmesan cheese for a flavor boost. It’s also nice to top with more fresh basil. Adding olives is another nice touch to this recipe.
