The Detox Smoothie Diet

 
Many experts believe that freshly made green smoothies can be detoxifying for the human body.

The types of smoothies that are potentially the most detoxifying are those made with lots of dark, leafy greens, a small amount of fruit, a bit of raw, sprouted seeds, and pure water and ice.

Detoxification diets, or cleanses, are designed to help the body flush built-up toxins from the organs, tissues and bloodstream.

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The infographic at the end of this article outlines some of the more popular cleanses, and reveals where they fall on the “BS-ometer!”

“…healing is a matter of time,
but it is sometimes also a mater of opportunity”
                      ~ Hippocrates

Detox Smoothie Recipe for Healthy Changes

 
You’ll note in the infographic below that cleansing with a green smoothie diet is among the most highly rated. Green smoothies improve digestion with the increase in fiber and nutrients, and other reported results include increased energy, a reduction in craving for sugar and salt, as well as some loss in body fat.

Some of my favorite organic ingredients to include in my green smoothies include cilantro (to remove help remove mercury from the tissues; I try not to have cilantro more than three days in a row — I find it’s pretty potent stuff), broccoli (or better yet, freshly cut broccoli sprouts; I’m lucky to be able to buy trays of live-growing sprouts at my local farmers market), freshly squeezed limes and lemons (to help the liver), cucumber (for the skin) and a variety of different kales and chards (loaded with antioxidants).

I also like to add a small amount of green tea (tumor-shrinking properties) to the blender, as well as raw, sprouted pumpkin seeds and pre-soaked chia seeds (for the quality protein and omegas). On days when I workout hard, I might also add some raw hemp protein powder.

If you’re feeling really enthusiastic you can also add a few raw dandelion leaves (great for the digestive track; also, frankly, they make you want to pee). I almost always add a dash of ginger, tumeric, and cayenne to my smoothies, also half a washed, organic apple (including the skin!). I love the flavor combination of fresh spinach with a few cubes of frozen mango. And I usually add a bit of blue green algae (chlorophyll is generally helpful at removing heavy metals from the body).

Probably the most detoxifying thing I’ve ever added to a green smoothie are the green stems from fresh beets. The stems of the beet plant are detoxifying — so detoxifying that you’d better only use a small amount and prepare to have access to a nearby bathroom for the rest of the day!

 
Here’s a basic recipe to start out with. How easily you can obtain these ingredients depends in what region you live (I’m fortunate to live in Southern California where I can find these items fresh year-round; but if you have to modify the recipe or make substitutions, that’s fine). Only use as much fruit as you need to make the smoothie palatable, and — by the way — it really does help if you use a quality blender with a very high-powered motor:

• ◕ enough green tea to cover the blades at the bottom of the blender
• ◕ the juice of one freshly squeezed lemon
• ◕ a couple of small florets of organic broccoli
• ◕ any live sprouts or microgreens (sunflower, broccoli, arugula)
• ◕ a bit of fresh kale
• ◕ a bit of fresh chard
• ◕ a bit of fresh spinach
• ◕ a bit of fresh parsley
• ◕ a small wedge of cucumber
• ◕ a small wedge of red bell pepper
• ◕ half an organic apple, including skin
• ◕ a few cubes of frozen mango (use more mango if you’re new to green smoothies)
• ◕ a tiny dash of ginger, cayenne, and tumeric (not too much!)
• ◕ a teaspoon of pre-soaked chia seeds
• ◕ a teaspoon of raw, sprouted pumpkin seeds
• ◕ a teaspoon of raw hemp protein powder
• ◕ some ice

Part way through blending, you may have to pause to shake the blender to get out the air bubble and add a tablespoon of spring water (it depends on how many frozen ingredients you had to use).

Later on, as you become accustomed to green smoothies — and if you’re feeling brave — you can experiment with including small amounts of the advanced ingredients, such as cilantro, dandelion greens, and beet stems. But I suggest never having the advanced ingredients more than 3 days in a row. Please be careful and reverent in your approach, and I invite you to ask your doctor his or her opinion first.

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Infographic Guide to Cleansing

My own detox smoothie diet is fairly simple to follow. A freshly made green smoothie for breakfast, another for lunch (though the lunchtime smoothie has entirely different ingredients than the morning smoothie — I almost never repeat ingredients twice in one day) and for dinner: a “super salad.” On days when I workout hard — pumping iron at the gym or going for an outdoor run — I drink more tea throughout the day, plus have a raw foods frozen dessert in the evening.

Here is a simple guide (from MedicalAssistantCertification.com) that outlines some of the nutritional cleansing and detox regimens that are currently popular. My favorite among these, is, of course, green smoothies. I believe green smoothies are effective (I’m 47 years old and have a lean waistline, which I attribute in large part to freshly made green smoothies), mild to the system, tasty, healthy and safe. However, I strongly encourage you to consult your doctor, nutritionist, or naturopath before undertaking any radical change to your diet: