A Day of Nourishment
We often compare the body to an extraordinary machine; among so many amazing feats, it’s also fully equipped to get rid of toxins (without any drastic or restrictive diets). You can support these extraordinary natural processes by choosing foods that offer enough of the nutrients your body needs to work at its very best.
Medical advice around the topic of detox suggests we avoid diets or restrictive time-limited measures in favour of drinking plenty of water, avoiding overconsumption of sugary foods, and choosing foods every day that are high in fibre and full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. You’ve got it—these are the same nutritious, whole foods we should enjoy all the time. And there’s no reason why those foods can’t also be delicious.
But sometimes it’s good to get a kickstart. Here are a few ideas for incorporating nourishing foods that your body needs to function at its best, which we hope will inspire you. These six recipes are a cinch to prepare and can fit into any time of the day.
Egg bites are a delicious and convenient way to get some protein in the mornings. These ones get an extra nutrition boost with antioxidant-rich sweet potato and spinach. Using grated sweet potato ensures all of the ingredients cook evenly during the baking time. Once you’ve made these—and tasted their goodness—they’ll become an easy addition to your breakfast repertoire.
Whole grains such as spelt and other high-fibre foods such as kale, beets, and apples help promote a healthy gut and ease digestion. This fibre-packed salad has a bright, slightly sweet flavour with a hint of apple and a tangy lemon juice dressing. Choose a crisp, sweet-tart apple such as Pink Lady for best results, and don’t skip massaging the kale, which helps it to soften up. Kale holds up well, even once dressed, so any leftovers (assuming there are any) will last until the next day in the refrigerator.
If you enjoy a savoury snack, look no further than this yogurt bowl. Protein- and probiotic-rich yogurt is topped with spiced sweet potatoes, pumpkin seeds, and a drizzle of olive oil and cilantro. A little prep goes a long way toward making this a convenient and satisfying snack. Cook the potatoes in advance so the bowl can be quickly assembled at snack time.
This version of turmeric tea leans heavily on the ginger, and its flavour is strong, spicy, and soothing. Using whole turmeric versus powder will give you more curcumin, the active component of turmeric with healthy anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin is not easily absorbed by the body, but adding pepper and fats such as olive and coconut oil increases the body’s ability to absorb it.
Helena McMurdo is a writer, food stylist, and photographer based in Vancouver.
