New Year New You Detox

Ever get tired of the phrase New Year, New You?

I personally think the old you is fabulous, but it might be time to do your body good with a detox from all the wonderful holiday goodies and imbibing.

The word “detoxing” has evolved into a smarmy internet buzz verb to include a bunch of teas, pills, herbal laxatives like senna, elixers, and other magic bullets to magically cleanse your body, and your wallet.

Whether you are looking to lose weight, rejuvenate your skin, clear brain fog, or target a certain toxin, like aluminum or mercury, there is a brand offering all sorts of wild claims for you.

The truth is your body has amazing built in detox systems of its’ own, and you would not be long for this world if even one of those organs was not working.

This includes your kidneys, lymph system, sweat glands (that’s right! Heavy metals and other toxins are excreted through sweat!), the powerhouse central toxin conversion system that is your liver, and the GI tract, which is the major thoroughfare to excrete all those toxins, and one of the reasons why it is important that you are regular on a daily basis. (Gotta talk poop when talking detox.)

What can we do to enhance our body’s natural detox systems?

You must start with nutritious, good quality, high fiber food with specific nutrients as the foundation. If you have a car that requires premium fuel, how would it run if you put regular gas in it?

Do’s and Don’ts for Detoxing

Don’t DETOX just to RETOX – If you are eating to support your body’s natural detox systems, try not to overburden yourself with alcohol, unnecessary medicines, and heavy metals like mercury from certain fish. Give your organs a rest, and let them do their job.

Don’t be too restrictive – While detox diets are used to lose weight and decrease inflammation, this is a time to nourish your body, and provide the nutrients needed to shuttle toxins out. Eliminating toxins is a stepwise process. If necessary cofactors are not present, toxins become partially broken down highly reactive free radicals, and continue to circulate in the body, making you feel unwell.

Do allow yourself to rest – Detoxing can make you feel fatigued. This may mean taking time for an afternoon nap, or toning down rigorous workouts while your body adjusts.

Do drink plenty of fluids – Your kidneys filter about 50 gallons of blood per day. Toxins and wastes are excreted through urine. A good rule of thumb is that your urine should be about the color of lemonade or lighter. If your urine is darker than that, you need to consume more calorie free fluids like good quality water or tea.

Do consider seeking out the guidance of a healthcare professional, such as an Integrative Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. A dietitian can help you in how to choose food first. Food should always be the first line of defense before supplements for wellness, and for keeping your detox systems primed. You can’t supplement your way to health.

Below are simple recipes with some of my favorite nutrients that act as cofactors for converting toxins for elimination by the liver, including high quality amino acids, foods in the onion family that contain allium, spices like curry, ginger, and turmeric, and foods from the cruciferous family, all powerhouse nutrients necessary to keep your detox systems primed. They are vegan, with an abundance of veggies, and good quality proteins from organic non GMO soy.

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Broccoli with Garlic and Shitake Mushrooms

Cruciferous veggies such as broccoli balance hormones, and are critical for phase II liver detoxification, while allium in garlic also assist the liver in methylation. Mushrooms decrease inflammation, aid in weight loss, and support liver detoxification.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine anti inflammatory, antiinflammatory, plant based, vegan, vegetarian

Keyword 30 Minute Meal, 5 Ingredients, broccoli, Cruciferous, Dairy Free, gluten free, Mushroom

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 100 kcal

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp good olive oil
• 4 cloves fresh garlic chopped
• 2 cups sliced shitake mushrooms about 5 oz
• 1 medium head broccoli cut into florets
• Tamari or soy sauce

Instructions

1. -Lightly sauté garlic on olive oil until soft, add broccoli, cover and allow to steam until bright green and still crisp. Sprinkle with tamari, toss and serve

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Curried Tofu Scramble

Tofu is a complete protein, and provides an abundant amount of methionine, an important amino acid used by the liver in detoxification. Choose organic non GMO soy products, and stick with whole soy foods such as edamame, tofu, and tempeh.

Course Breakfast

Cuisine anti inflammatory, antiinflammatory, Mediterranean, vegan, vegetarian

Keyword 30 Minute Meal, Detox, Tofu, Vegan, Vegetarian, Weight Loss

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Servings 4

Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients

• 1 lb extra firm tofu drained
• 2 tbsp good olive oil
• 1 bunch scallions trimmed and sliced
• 2 roma tomatoes about 8oz, chopped
• 1 tbsp of your favorite curry powder*
• 1 tbsp fresh chopped oregano leaves
• 1/4 tsp sea salt

Instructions

1. -In a medium skillet, sauté scallions in olive oil over medium heat until soft, about 3-5 minutes
2. -Add tomatoes and sauté until heated through, about 3 minutes
3. -Stir in curry and salt
4. -Crumble in tofu, stir, and heat through
5. -Fold in oregano, and serve

Recipe Notes

*Substitute 1 tsp turmeric powder for curry if you do not like curry