Prospective Clients always ask me what it is really like to do the 21-Day Cleanse. Will I be hungry? What am I allowed to eat? Am I going to starve? Will I have enough energy to make it through my busy life?
Contrary to popular belief, a good cleansing protocol is not a water or juice fast, but a balanced, anti-inflammatory, mostly plant-based, whole foods nutritional approach. In my program, two of your daily meals are liquid, either soup or smoothies, to help ease the load of digestion, heal the gut, and encourage detoxication of the liver and other organs. Your solid meal is reserved for midday Lunch, when your body is naturally producing more digestive enzymes to help break down and assimilate nutrients. The foods that we eat and the manner in which we eat them will optimize digestion, balance your hormones, decrease inflammation to promote healing, and realign your body and mind to an optimal state of vibrant health and wellbeing.
A typical day on the Cleanse starts out with a tall glass of pure water with lemon to hydrate and alkalize the organs after sleep. Breakfast is a nutrient-dense, high-protein, metabolism-boosting plant-based shake, such as my delicious “Cinnamon Roll” Smoothie.
For lunch, my Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps are a healthy, low-glycemic alternative to wheat-based sandwiches or pitas, and are easy to prepare ahead of time.
Dinner is a seasonal Creamy Winter Beet Soup, which can also be made ahead and even frozen in small batches. If anyone is still weaning themselves off a sweet tooth, a small serving of my Chia Seed Beautifying Power Pudding will satisfy any sugar craving and will also make your skin glow with a collagen boost! As you can see, this a not a starvation plan but a real, sustainable, whole-foods way of eating.
Instead of obsessing about the various foods we eliminate during the Cleanse (such as gluten, dairy, caffeine, sugar or alcohol), we focus on CROWDING OUT with a plethora of healthy and delicious options. After a couple days you will not miss your latte or croissant or wine or cheese. Instead you will have used the foods nature intended us to eat to unlock the abundant and vibrant way that nature intended us to feel…ALIVE and WELL!
Try some of my recipes below. If you are interested in joining my January Cleanse, contact me ASAP. The projected start date is January 9th and I only have a few spots left!
“CINNAMON ROLL” SMOOTHIE
Imagine this treat without any guilt and in a glass!! This is delicious, nutrient rich and protein packed with just the right amount of spice!
• 1⁄2 cup almonds and 1 cup water OR 1 cup almond milk (unsweetened)
• 1 cup coconut water
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 pinch sea salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or powder
• 1 tablespoon pecans
• stevia to taste
• 1 scoop plant-based Vanilla protein powder
• optional: 1 tablespoon ground flax seed
Directions: Blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy.
ASIAN TURKEY LETTUCE WRAP
Serves 4
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 carrots, finely chopped or grated
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and grated
• 1 teaspoon Chinese 5 spice powder (or make your own using cinnamon, cloves, fennel seed, star anise, szechuan peppercorns)
• 2 tablespoons wheat-free tamari
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon coconut nectar
• 1 head Boston, bibb lettuce or endive
• chopped cilantro
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 avocado sliced
Directions: Melt coconut oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add carrots and saute for several minutes. Add garlic, ginger, turkey and Chinese 5 spice to the pan and saute until turkey is cooked through - about 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in tamari, vinegar and nectar. Cook for a couple more minutes, stirring well to thoroughly combine. Put one scoop of turkey mixture into lettuce leaves. Top with green onions, avocado slices and cilantro.
CREAMY WINTER BEET SOUP
Serves 2
A perfect creamy soup that’s sweet and nourishing. The hemp gives it some protein and the coconut milk adds essential healthy fats. The brilliant color alone is worth making this for, it will definitely brighten up your winter nights.
• 2 medium sized beets
• 1 small shallot, peeled and quartered
• 1 garlic clove, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons hemp seeds
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• sea salt, to taste
• 1⁄4 cup parsley
• 1⁄4-1⁄2 cup coconut milk
• 1⁄2 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced into wedges for a garnish
• chopped chives
Directions: Peel the beets and cut into quarters. Place on a steaming dish, along with the shallot and garlic, above an inch of water. Cover the pot, bring to a boil and steam until tender. (If you don’t have a steamer, you can put a half-inch of water in a pot, place the vegetables in the water, cover and steam that way). Put the vegetables into a high sped blender along with the leftover steaming liquid (should be bright red). Add the vinegar, hemp seeds, and parsley. Blend the soup while drizzling in enough coconut milk to develop smooth creamy consistency. Taste, season with sea salt. Serve in bowls with slices of avocado and chives.
CHIA SEED BEAUTIFYING POWER PUDDING
(makes 4 servings)
•3 tablespoons chia seeds
•1 can light coconut milk
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•1-2 scoops grass-fed Collagen Powder
•1 tablespoon raw cashews
•Liquid Stevia to sweeten
Combine all ingredients in a high-power blender and blend until a thick consistency has been achieved. Refrigerate or eat immediately.
