Tofu Feta, Walnut, and Beet Salad from SKINNY DISH!
Detoxes are all the rage this time of year–In fact, I’m even leading the 7-day one outlined in Cooking with Trader Joe’s Cookbook: SKINNY DISH! this week on my own blog. But what does a Detox actually do? Does it just dissolve the champagne and gingerbread from the holidays? Yes, and more. Taken from SKINNY DISH, here are the reasons why to do a detox followed by TJ’s recipes that fit right in to a mild detox plan. Green drink cheers!
Day after day we take in unwanted and unhealthy toxins in our food, water, and air supply. They get stored in our fat cells, and it’s next to impossible to avoid them completely. They’re pesticides, mold byproducts on otherwise health-promoting grains and legumes, antibiotics, hormones, food additives and preservatives, chemicals in food packaging, household cleaners, heavy metals, car exhaust and other air pollutants, and cigarette smoke. Our body’s natural detoxification system does a decent job of eliminating some of these, but can’t deal with all the toxins present in our modern world. Moreover, a shabby diet lacks certain vital nutrients to naturally detox, leading to further build-up in the body.
Such build-up is responsible for a crummy immune system (do you get every sickness that enters the room?), nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and a poorly oiled metabolic machine. Real life signs of this build-up include indigestion, poor attention span, fatigue, stinky breath, acne and other skin problems, low sex drive, headaches, food cravings, muscle pain, and weight changes.
Following a mild detox 1 day a week, 3 days every other week, or 7 days a month can help improve your digestion, skin clarity, energy levels, and ability to concentrate, while also promoting more restful sleep, regular bowel movements, fewer unhealthy food cravings, and a speedier metabolism.
Note: Pregnant and nursing women, children, and folks with chronic diseases can certainly include the foods indicated in a mild detox in their every day, but should only do frequent or regular detoxes with blessings from their doc.
What’s in a mild detox? Basically, it’s a vegan plan which avoids caffeine, alcohol, gluten, and sugar, and includes 60-80% of its foods in their raw form (veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, sprouted grains). Not too bad, right? Here are some recipes from SKINNY DISH! which fit the bill:
Mango Summer Salad
Carrot Orange Cucumber Shake
Shamrock Smoothie
Tofu Feta, Walnut, and Beet Salad
Curried Sweet Potato Soup
Amazing that “everyday” foods can actually help cleanse your system. Here’s to a happy, healthy, and clean 2012!
