It’s been many years since I’ve overindulged the heavy way during the holidays because I eat healthily most of the time. I’ve learned to choose the correct food combinations and balance the quantities so that I never end up overwhelmed by my food. It’s a matter of control and it comes with practice. And with time, you learn to listen to your body and mind, and not your instincts telling you that another slice of cake won’t do you any harm. Indulging is a great thing if done in moderation, and moderation is also the reason why you need only one day of post-holiday detox to put your body back on track.
If you are already interested in a healthy diet, you probably feed your body daily with fresh nutrients from salads, smoothies, and fresh juices, so your cells already had enough nutrients to withstand the holiday’s indulgences. For instance, I need this detox because I rarely eat sugar and plain flour baked goods, but this Christmas, I couldn’t resist my mother’s yeasted chocolate cake. Although I eat a lot of fresh nutrients with my daily diet, my body consumed extra nutrients to metabolize the sugar and plain flour, and also to maintain a balanced pH within my digestive system. This 1-Day Detox is actually an intense infusion of fresh nutrients and powerful antioxidants to refuel your body after the extra nutrients consumption during the holidays. If you feel like going for a longer cleanse, try my 3-Day Detox.
The key to regaining your balance after the holidays is nourishing your body with a wide array of detoxifying nutrients from fresh and colorful fruits and vegetables. It is also the best time to use the superfoods you bought, but didn’t know how to introduce into your diet. Spirulina and chlorella powders, matcha tea, bee pollen, turmeric, raw cacao powder – these are all great sources of powerful antioxidants and contain a wide array of nutrients to help your body regain its balance and stimulate its natural detox processes.
When I created this detox plan, I wanted it to be very colorful. Colors mean that you use foods that gives your body antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection, and that foods were not overcooked to lose their nutritional values. A green smoothie bowl, a bright yellow turmeric tonic, a pink salad and an orange soup – these are the mainstays of this detox day which is bursting with color, energy, and fresh nutrients. My recipes are just for orientation, but you can replace the ingredients with your favorite, colorful ones, as long as you have them as fresh as possible:
Red – berries, beets, grapes, tomatoes, pomegranate, grapefruit, goji, apples
Yellow – turmeric, ginger, lemon, bell pepper, mango, pineapple, banana
Orange – carrots, sweet potato, persimmon, oranges, bee pollen
Green – leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, parsley, coriander), avocado, celery, lime, broccoli, matcha, kiwi, lime, spirulina, chlorella, sprouts
If you’re also looking to lose some weight during the detox process you can drink a Detox Water for Weight Loss whenever you’re feeling thirsty.
- First Hour – CLEANSING TURMERIC TONIC
Sunrise Turmeric Tonic
Ingredients
- 2 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tsp organic raw honey
- 1 inch ginger piece peeled and grated
- 3-4 peppercorns
- 1 organic lemon sliced
- 2 cups purified water hot (but not boiling)
Instructions
- In a mortar add turmeric, honey, minced ginger and peppercorns, and grind everything with a pestle to create a paste.
- Distribute evenly the paste into the serving mugs or glasses, add lemon slices, pour the water and mix to combine.
- Drink warm.
Notes
2. Breakfast – GREEN DETOX SMOOTHIE BOWL
Green Detox Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup spinach leaves fresh
- 1 small bunch parsley fresh
- 1/2 tbsp lemon juice only
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 1/2 cup pineapple fresh or frozen
- 2 tsp chia seeds
- 1 1/2 cup purified water
- 1/2 cup coconut milk low fat
- 1 unsweetened desiccated coconut flakes, mixed nuts and seeds, bee pollen to garnish
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into the blender and process to obtain a creamy liquid.
- Distribute into serving bowls, garnish with coconut flakes, seeds and pollen and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
3. Lunch – LOVE YOUR LIVER BEET SALAD
Love Your Liver Beet Salad
Ingredients
- 3-4 medium beets roasted and cut into small cubes
- 2 avocado fruits peeled and cut into small cubes
- 1 cup fresh rocket leaves
- 6-8 fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 tbsp mixed seeds chia, sesame, sunflower, pumpkin seeds
- For the dressing
- 1/2 inch ginger piece minced
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 2 tsp tahini
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients except rocket and mint for the salad into a medium bowl, and mix to combine.
- In a blender add the dressing ingredients and process to obtain a creamy liquid.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and mix to combine.
- Add the rocket and mint, and mix carefully.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
4. Dinner – SPICY CARROT SOUP
Spicy Carrot Soup
Ingredients
- 3-4 carrots peeled and cut into cubes
- 1 small sweet potato peeled and cut into cubes
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves crushed
- A pinch cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 inch ginger piece peeled and minced
- 5-6 mint leaves plus extra for garnishing
- 1/2 small bunch parsley
- 1 tsp black sesame
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 &1/2 cups purified water
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pan add the carrot and sweet potato cubes, onion, garlic, ginger and a tablespoon purified water, and cook for five minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the rest of the water, bring to boil, then remove from the heat and transfer into the blender.
- Process to obtain a creamy liquid, then add the spices, parsley, mint and olive oil, and process again to incorporate.
- Distribute into serving bowls, garnish with black sesame seeds and mint leaves and serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Is this 1 day detox one you can do in conjunction with the 3 day detox also on your site? I love the 3 day detox and have done it a few times. I really like the idea of the turmeric tonic and would definitely want to incorporate that into the 3 day detox. Gearing up for to start the 3 day Saturday.
Sure you can combine the detox programs, they both contain nourishing recipes and loads of nutrients that you can choose from any way you like. The turmeric tonic is a real bliss for the digestive system, and you can include it without problems to the 3 Days one. I really hope these programs will make you feel great – let me know your feedback!
Hi Ana,
I absolutely love your blog and always read it. I especially love your knowledge of nutrition.
I wanted to share something about the turmeric elixir. From what I’ve read, it’s difficult for turmeric to make it into the blood if you don’t cook it with a little fat (oil) and black pepper. http://naturalsociety.com/turmeric-absorption-super-benefits-black-pepper/
Do you have any recommendations for taking that step, with this elixir that you posted?
Indeed, turmeric nutrients are better absorbed when consumed alongside black pepper and fat. If you check the tonic recipe I posted, I’ve included the peppercorns. If you want to also include a bit of fat, you can add 1/2 tsp coconut oil into the turmeric paste from first step of the recipe, or replace the water with one part nut milk and one part water. This will ensure a small dose of healthy monounsaturated fat to facilitate the absorption.
How often do you suggest drinking the turmeric detox? Is it a daily thing? Thanks.
You can have it daily or twice a day, in the morning and before going to sleep.
Just found your site and I am so exited about reading more. At the beginning of the year my church started the Daniel Fast and I partook in the fast….first time in a long time I actually commanded my flesh to be disciplined for 21 days…praise God! Long story short, I was praying for help because I was struggling physical and health was starting to suffer because of my overeating. I discovered during and after the fast was over, I felt better…no more feeding my body dead food. All this time God has provided me the answer….but I didn’t really want to let go of my bad habits…which were having a deadly affect on my body. I lost my way for a while…but I am very thankful that God never leaves us lost….if we choose to follow him. I have removed a lot of the old fast food from my diet and I creating new recipes to keep me healthy. I feel great and I am always looking for different ways to cook meals and add more healthy options to my menu. Thank a million!
I’m happy you found inspiration on my blog to maintain a healthy lifestyle! All the best, Ana
I just made the carrot soup and it is absolutely fabulous! It’s rich, creamy and hearty but also has a kick that warms you up from the inside. Thank you!
So exciting to read this! This soup is one of my favorites too, thanks so much for your feedback 🙂
Hello,
I can not eat red beet is there a substitute….
Thanks
Shenaz
Any vegetable you tolerate will work – carrots, broccoli, sweet potato, etc. The idea of this detox is to add as many and diverse nutrients as possible!
Just started the detox this morning – is the consistency of the smoothie supposed to be very thing? How did you get your toppings to stay on top or was that just for the photo’s sake? Either way it tasted good – thanks!
very thin*
That’s so lovely to read you liked the smoothie, thank you! It was actually a mistake – the recipe calls for 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup coconut milk, I’ve just made the correction 🙂
Hi
I usually don’t bother writing on blogs. But it worths it !!
I have been Trying your 1 Day detox. Or la the 1st time i make smoothie and want To rebalance my diet and To start i thaught it was a good choice to try this.
I was a bit worried about eating spinach in breakfast… and surpised it is absolutly delicious !! I really liked the soup as well. I know start everyday with a smoothie. Do you think that a beet smoothie would fit as well or it must be green absolutly ??
Thanks from France
Thanks so much for the feedback, Elodie! You can definitely add beets in your smoothie and adjust my recipes with any ingredient you feel it would help your body detox and feel good. My recipes are just a starting point, all the veggies and fruits are welcome when it comes about detox! Great choice <3
I have just found your site and love the way that most of your delicious-sounding recipes are full of easy-to-find and affordable ingredients. I am excited to try your macca/matcha latte and this one day detox.
Many Thanks
Naomi
Thank you Naomi, if you try them please come back and let me know your impressions!