A Little Green cleanse is all about adding plant-based foods into your diet, learning healthy tips and tricks that can become long-term habits, and bolstering your immunity and strength. But it’s also about removing the bad stuff from your system. During a cleanse we rid the body of toxins, additives, and ingredients that can cause irritation, inflammation, allergy, and discomfort to the body. We detoxify by flooding your system with high-nutrient, healthy foods, but also by adding in foods that are particularly good at cleansing the body.
Some of the most cleansing foods include:
1. Chlorophyll-rich leafy greens
2. Parsley
3. Cilantro
4. Gelatinous plant foods like chia, aloe vera, and seaweed
The chlorophyll in leafy greens improves liver detoxification by increasing enzymes and promoting the natural elimination of bodily toxins. Chlorophyll-rich foods include spinach, broccoli, spirulina, and collard greens.
Some of our green herbs are also chlorophyll-rich, but also have additional roles in cleansing. Parsley cleanses the blood supply. Cilantro binds with heavy metals.
Gelatinous plant foods are amazing for cleansing because they move through the intestinal tract and absorb and bind with toxins (particularly the toxic bile that the liver secretes) and pass these toxins out of our system so that we don’t reabsorb them. Some of these gelatinous plant foods might be new to you. They include chia, aloe vera, and seaweeds. Chia and aloe vera can be added to smoothies. Chia can also be made into a pudding (instructions below), which is truly delicious. Seaweeds can be snacked upon or added to a stir-fry.
Can you add a few of these cleansing foods into your diet on a regular basis? You are also welcome to join us for our fall cleanse, which is offered in both 5-day and 10-day options, and we’ll give you loads of recipes and guidance that will aid in your detoxification. During your cleanse, you will learn about all sorts of magical, powerful superfoods, but these 4 foods can also have a true impact on the health of your body.
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- 1 can coconut milk (Use full fat, unsweetened. Trader Joe's brand does NOT work well. Or 1 1/2 cups of almond milk.)
- 4 Tbsp. chia seeds
- 1 Tbsp. maple syrup (optional)
- Combine coconut milk, chia seeds, and maple in a jar, and shake VERY well. You may have to stir some of the seeds from the corners of the far to really get them floating in the liquid. If you are using coconut milk, I usually pour the contents of the can into a blender and blend well before combining with the chia seeds, since coconut milk separates in the jar. This will allow for a smoother pudding.
- Refrigerate for 3-4 hours or overnight. I usually check the pudding after about half an hour and really shake it/stir it again to make sure the chia is being equally distributed in the liquid. If, after a couple of hours, it's too liquidy, add more chia seeds and stir really well again.
- You can eat the chia pudding alone as a dessert or snack, or you can combine it with a smoothie in a bowl, and top it with berries and seeds.
- *Recipe is most reliable with coconut milk (not Trader Joe's brand), but can also be made with smoothies and/or almond milk with some trial and effort!
*Do not use Trader Joe's coconut milk. We have tested it 20 times and it doesn't work. Thai Kitchen works great.
In addition to being a FANTASTIC cleansing agent, chia seeds are packed with healthy fats & omega 3's. They are high in antioxidants and iron, and contain significant protein. Ounce for ounce, chia has five times the calcium of cow's milk! Chia also helps you feel full and satiated, and when "bloomed" has a lower calorie content per ounce.
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