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Winter Detox Dinner Bowl
Benefits

Broccoli is rich in Antioxidants. These Antioxidants protect us against ageing, cancers and infections. Broccoli also provides… Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin B-Complex, Folates, Dietary Fibre and minerals such as Potassium, Manganese, Calcium and Iron. Eat this in abundance!

Sweet Potatoes are rich in beta carotene which converts to Vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A nourishes the skin and keeps the eyes healthy. Sweet Potatoes also provide…  Dietary Fibre, Antioxidants, Vitamin B-Complex, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, and Potassium. Eat these in abundance!

Leeks are rich in Folic Acid. Folic Acid is essential for DNA synthesis and cell division. Leeks also provide… Vitamins C, K, A and E.

1 Serving
Ingredients
  • 1/3 Head of broccoli
  • 1 Sweet Potato peeled and sliced
  • 1 Leek roughly chopped
  • 1 Egg
  • Handful of chestnuts
  • 2 Tbsp coconut oil
Method

Heat the oven to 200 Celsius. Place the sweet potato on a baking tray. Drizzle with a tablespoon of coconut oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the chestnuts in between the potatoes on the same tray. Pop in the oven, and bake for 30 mins until golden.

In the meantime, place the broccoli and egg into a saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil. Boil for 5-7 minutes until the broccoli is tender.

Place the leeks in a pan with a tablespoon of coconut oil and fry for 3-5 mins.

Once ready, remove the potatoes from the oven, drain the broccoli, peel your egg and place everything in a nice big bowl.

Enjoy!

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Toxin

We all like to have a naughty treat now and again, but if we want to have a happier, healthier life overall, we have to try and avoid the bad stuff as much as possible. This doesn’t mean depriving yourself of all things delicious! Instead, we can make cleaner food choices that are still incredibly tasty but also nourish our bodies with every mouthful.

You’ll be surprised how many foods nowadays actually contain harmful toxins. I think that too many people are oblivious and unaware as to what goes into everyday foods and the effect that certain ingredients and chemicals are having on our health. It’s time to wake up and smell the herbal tea!

In essence, a toxin is something that is considered to be poisonous to the body and causes your immune system to produce anti-bodies to fight against it. Luckily, we are blessed with organs specifically designed to try and filter out nasty toxins before they can cause any permanent damage. But like everything in life, our bodies have a limit.

When your body is overloaded with heavy, chemically laden foods, it has to work extremely hard to expel toxins and in turn it will struggle to digest and absorb nutrients efficiently. The result is often a lack of energy, malnourishment, dehydration, aging, a weakened immune system and can even lead to more serious allergies and disorders. It’s our duty not to overburden our bodies and to encourage all of our natural magical processes to function at their very best. You may be sceptical but there is a way to enjoy what you eat, feel full and have the health you want. You just have to make the right food choices.

Click here for my list of top 10 foods to avoid.

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By adopting my few basic principles, you can start to notice a difference in the way you look and feel in as little as 3 days. You might notice clearer skin, increased energy, reduced cravings and mood swings, improved quality of sleep and more.

My detox lifestyle is not a diet. It’s about enjoying what you eat, nourishing your body and improving your overall lifestyle so that you can start to operate at your highest level of being. You don’t have to rush and apply all of these principles all at once to start noticing a difference. It’s about making small positive changes slowly and sticking to them until they become a habit. I recommend working your way down the list and trying to stick to one principle for at least two weeks before you introduce another.

Good luck and remember it’s not about being perfect, it’s about doing your best and keeping going!

START EVERY MORNING WITH LEMON WATER

A cup of warm water and the juice of half a lemon.

Stay hydrated

Drink at least 2-3 litres of water a day (herbal teas count!).

Follow the ‘Detox Lifestyle Pyramid’

For a full list of foods to eat click here.

Avoid all processed foods, alcohol, saturated and trans-fats

For a full list of foods to avoid click here.

Focus on improving your digestion

Avoid dairy and gluten and eat light to heavy throughout the day.

Eat foods as close to nature as possible

Eat whole grains not refined grains and where possible, buy organic. For a full list of foods that are at most/least risk of contamination click here.

Prepare your own meals

It’s often cheaper and you can control exactly what goes into your food. If you also cook with love, you’ll find it therapeutic, rewarding and even more delicious!

Eat the rainbow

Eat colourfully; the nutrients are what give lots of natural foods their beautifully bright vibrant colours. The more colour you include in your diet the more nutrition you’ll receive.

Move and sweat

Daily exercise boosts energy, reduces stress and improves your mood.

Get a good rest every night

Try to get at least 6-8 hours of sleep every night and where possible, try to go to bed and wake up at the same hour every day to get your body into a natural routine and rhythm.

Don’t cut out any of macronutrients

Fats, carbs and protein, you need all three! – Cutting out a macronutrient can lead to cravings, mood swings and low energy.

Love yourself

Set aside at least 15 minutes every day away from any distractions. Turn off the TV, laptop or phone and read or meditate or take a relaxing bath. Do something for yourself.

Stay clean and tidy

Clean and uncluttered surroundings give you energy and inspiration and help you stay calm and focused on your goals.

And finally, do your best – don’t give up or give in, positive changes take time!

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Blueberry Smoothie

Benefits

Blueberries are rich in Antioxidants. These Antioxidants protect us against ageing, cancers and infections, but also from degenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Blueberries also provide… Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin B-Complex, Potassium, Manganese, Copper, Iron and Zinc. Eat these in abundance!

Avocados are rich in Dietary Fibre, Potassium and Mono-unsaturated Fats. These fats are healthy and can help to lower bad cholesterol, increase good cholesterol and contribute to healthy blood flow to the brain. Avocados also provide… Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin K  Iron, Copper, Magnesium, and Manganese. Eat these in moderation.

Bananas are rich in Potassium. Potassium helps to control blood pressure by lowering the effects of sodium which is also important for brain health! Bananas also provide… Dietary Fibre, Vitamin B6, Flavonoids, Vitamin C, Copper, Magnesium, and Manganese. Eat these in moderation.

1 Serving
Ingredients
  • A big handful of blueberries
  • Half an avocado
  • Half a banana
  • 300ml coconut water
Method

Pop all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Ps. Use a frozen banana or blueberries for a more chilled version!

Enjoy!

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Lemon Water 

As opposed to coffee or tea to start your day, have a glass of warm water with the juice of half a lemon first thing in the morning. I heart lemons. They truly are a super-fruit, and here’s why…

Lemons are so cleansing! They are wonderful at stimulating the liver and kidneys and help to flush the body of nasty toxins. There are over 200 different types of enzymes in lemons, which will help to kick-start your digestive system first thing.

Not only does drinking warm lemon water help boost your metabolism straight away but it also boosts energy, balances the pH of your body, and hydrates the lymph system. What’s more, lemons contain even more Vitamin C per gram than oranges! Vitamin C supports the immune system and is terrific for the skin.

So start today, incorporate this one addition to your morning ritual and begin to see and feel the results in just a few days.

Enjoy!

P.s. Be sure to use only lukewarm water rather than hot as not to kill all those wonderful little enzymes!

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Carrot Soup

Benefits

Carrots are rich in beta carotene which converts to Vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A nourishes the skin and keeps the eyes healthy. Carrots also provide…  Antioxidants, Vitamin B6, Folate, Manganese, Fibre, Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Potassium. Eat these in abundance!

Pine nuts are rich in Vitamin E, Omega-6 fat and Manganese. Pine nuts also provide… Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B-6, Potassium, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Zinc and Selenium. Eat these in moderation.

Coriander is rich in Vitamin K and Vitamin A. Coriander also provides… Vitamin C, Iron, Manganese, Folates, Antioxidant Polyphenolic Flavonoids, Vitamin B-6, Potassium, Calcium, Folic Acid, Riboflavin and Niacin. Eat this in abundance!

4 Servings
Ingredients
  • 10 large carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 litres of vegetable stock
  • 500 ml Almond milk
  • Handful of pine nuts
  • Handful of chopped parsley or coriander
  • Ground pepper
Method

Put the carrots and stock in a large saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat slightly and leave to simmer for 1 hour.

Once cooked, use a hand-held liquidiser to blend all of the carrots in the saucepan until smooth. Stir in the almond milk and its ready to serve :)

Serve with a sprinkling of pine nuts, crushed black pepper and coriander or parsley.

Ps. If you like your soup a little thicker or thinner, just alter add a little more or less stock to the mixture

Enjoy!