Detox Cleanse Winter 2023 – Are You Ready ?

During the month of January, I followed Bethany Douglass’s advice to “ease into the new year”. Rather than creating lists of goals and aspirations, I let myself rest, slow down, be present and listen. When we create space for listening, “we open the door of infinite possibilities”. Bethany Douglass : Ease Into the New Year Magnolia – In pursuit of Presence – Take Hold of the Heart and Now issue no. 25

1. Retreat from screens or other activities that might distract you from true rest.
2. Keep a small notebook or journal for reflection, gratitude and ideas for the future.
3. Go for walks to connect with the winter season.
4. Follow natures lead and hibernate for the evening hours. Give your physical body rest and sleep.
5. Light candles in the twilight hours. Natural light is a beatiful thing.
6. Be intentional about resisting pressure to set goals or expectations for the year to come. Wait until you are coming from a place of rest to look at where you want to go.

Leading up to the detox cleanse February 6-8, I invite you to consider doing the same, if you haven’t already done so.

The detox cleanse will not just be about nourishment and avoiding the food and beverages we crave, it will also mean slowing down and being more mindful about how we spend our days.

In preparation for next week, start to slowly incorporate some of these suggestions into your daily routine.

I realize that many of you have demanding jobs and family commitments but challenge yourself to commit to at least one of the above suggestions. If you can’t retreat from your screen completely due to work obligations, try to avoid social media of all forms and refrain from watching television.

Although physical activity is a good thing, how much is too much ? Allow more time for other things like journaling, meditation, yin yoga by candle light, and soaking in a hot tub while listening to soothing music.

It may seem like a lot to ask but I am telling you, the impact of incorporating some changes to your daily way of being can be life changing. Simple and effortless 🙂

Here are some more recipes that I would like to share so you’re not surprised next week !

Breakfast

a-traditional-ayurvedic-cleanse

Kitchari is traditionally eaten three times a day during an Ayurvedic cleanse, but this simple oatmeal recipe is a good alternative, if preparing kitchari before breakfast is not realistic for you. Personally I’m all about the oats. I tried eating the same thing 3 times a day and it nearly killed me. I quickly switched over to the oat alternative 🙂

This recipe can also provide a helpful break from the kitchari monodiet—which is especially important if you tend to tire of similar foods easily.

While fruit and grains are typically considered a poor food combination, oats are a particularly light grain and are generally quite digestible. The taste profile of oats also has a lot in common with these particular fruits, which makes them more compatible.

In addition, when fruits and oats are cooked together, their more diverse qualities are able to mingle in a way that further improves their digestibility.

Simple Oats

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dry rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 cups raisins
• 1/2–1 cup fresh apple, apricot, peach, or pear (cut into small pieces)

• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg powder
• 1/8 teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1/8 teaspoon ginger powder

Mix all ingredients together in a small pot and bring to a boil. Cook until soft. This recipe lasts me for 3 days but it depends on your appetite !

Lunch

Here are a few more suggestions that you might like to consider. Usually one batch is good for 3 meals, a perfect amount for our 3 day detox cleanse. Again, it depends on your appetite 🙂

If you tire easily of eating the same thing every day, prepare two or three to choose from.

Greener-goddess-soup

cauliflower-soup-with-lemon-zest

creamy-cashew-and-butternut-squash-soup

When I eat soup, I like some crackers or toast to go along side. I tried out this recipe recommended for detox and cleanse but if I’m totally honest I didn’t love the texture or taste. It is definitely fully loaded with goodness and it’s super easy to make Grain-free-seed-bread.

I would like to suggest these two alternatives in case the seed bread does not appeal.

From one of my all time favourite cookbooks Green Kitchen at Home – David Frenkiel and Luise Vindahl
vegetable-flatbreads . Super easy to make, the only problem being, there are eggs in the recipe.

If you prefer, here is a substitute. I have only used eggs in this particular recipe so can’t say 100% but technically, it should do the trick !

how-to-make-a-flax-egg-or-chia-egg

Prefer crackers?

Making your own crackers is super easy !

7657-green-kitchen-stories-orange-kissed-seed-crackers

Supper

As I mentioned above, Kitchari is traditionally eaten three times a day during an Ayurvedic cleanse. I tried this back in November and was definitely not lovin it! I learned very quickly that I don’t like yellow mung dal. I think it was the texture that didn’t work for me. I couldn’t wait for my 3 days to be up !

Thankfully, Jasmine Hemsley food critic and cookbook author came up with an alternative which works beautifully for me.She shares lots of ideas on how to prepare something that will hopefully appeal to your taste buds.

Kitchari-every-which-way

Jasmine’s ideas inspired me to make my own recipe. It lasts for three meals.

Prepare grains:

1 cup quinoa

1 cup water

Roast Veggies:

Preheat oven to 425

squash and carrots work beautifully together

Place prepared veggies in a bowl and mix with olive oil

Roast in oven for at least 35 minutes

Greens:

Spinach or kale – take your pick

Spices:

1 tsp cumin, coriander, ginger

*I added cooked chicken but this is optional.

In a large cooking pan, melt a TBSP ghee or coconut oil. Add quinoa, spices, roasted veggies, cooked chicken (optional) and cook until greens are wilted.

Et voila !

What you choose to make really depends on you. I’ve given you lots to choose from. Take some time to go through the recipes and create a shopping list ahead of time. Ideally it would be great if you could purchase your ingredients Saturday and prepare on ‘Sunday so you’re ready to roll on Monday February 6, Day 1 🙂

K