Most of us go through winter in storage mode: hide out, stay warm and eat. But now that 2017 is here, it's time to shake off all those holiday indulgences. A fuss-free detox is the perfect way to welcome a new year.
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The basics
I love this detox because it’s really simple. If you’re busy, and you don’t have a lot of time to cook or prepare food, this detox is for you.
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Day 1
7 to 8 am: smoothie
Simple Smoothie base
Fresh or frozen fruit (½ banana or ¼ avocado for a creamy base)
2 to 4 veggies (try spinach, cucumber, kale, chard, collard, fennel, celery, carrot, parsley, beet or mint)
1 handful of hemp hearts, almonds or walnuts
2 scoops of protein powder
water to desired consistency (try ½ coconut water)
green powder supplement
10 to 11 am: snack
12 to 1 pm: steamed veggies and nuts with extra-virgin olive oil, lemon and sea salt
3 to 4 pm: snack
6 to 7 pm: smoothie
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Day 2
7 to 8 am: smoothie
10 to 11 am: snack
Snack idea: piece of fruit + nuts
12 to 1 pm: steamed veggies and nuts with extra-virgin olive oil, lemon and sea salt
3 to 4 pm: snack
Snack idea: celery + almond butter
6 to 7 pm: smoothie
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Day 3
7 to 8am: smoothie
10 to 11 am: snack
12 to 1 pm: smoothie
3 to 4 pm: snack
Snack idea: rice crackers + hummus
6 to 7 pm: smoothie
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Day 4
7 to 8 am: smoothie
10 to 11 am: snack
12 to 1 pm: smoothie
3 to 4 pm: snack
Snack idea: avocado + sea salt
6 to 7 pm: smoothie
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Day 5
7 to 8 am: smoothie
10 to 11 am: snack
12 to 1 pm: smoothie
3 to 4 pm: snack
Snack idea: sweet peppers + nuts
6 to 7 pm: smoothie
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Day 6
7 to 8 am: smoothie
10 to 11 am: snack
12 to 1 pm: steamed veggies and nuts with extra-virgin olive oil, lemon and sea salt
3 to 4 pm: snack
6 to 7 pm: smoothie
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Day 7
7 to 8 am: smoothie
10 to 11 am: snack
12 to 1 pm: steamed veggies and nuts with extra-virgin olive oil, lemon and sea salt
3 to 4 pm: snack
Snack idea: snap peas + nuts
6 to 7 pm: smoothie
Going beyond food
Ideally, practice yoga three to six times during the 7-day detox. Try to meditate for at least 10 minutes a day.
Snack attack
Feel free to mix and match your snacks. If you don’t have time to plan ahead, even just a few nuts will do.
Quick tips
Eat fresh, organic veggies, fruit and nuts.
Avoid alcohol, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, dairy, gluten, soy and eggs.
Drink ≥ half your body weight (measured in pounds) in ounces of water daily (so if you weigh 160 pounds, that’s 80 oz/10 cups of water).
Take 400 to 1,000 mg Gymnema sylvestre, once daily (to help balance your blood sugar and curb sugar cravings), and vitamin B-100 complex, once at lunchtime (for an energy boost).
If you’re not up for the full detox …
Feel free to modify as needed. Doing part of the detox is better than doing nothing at all. The most important items I recommend are drinking the smoothies, not eating after 7 pm and taking the gymnema supplement.
Tiffany Cruikshank
Tiffany Cruikshank is an internationally known yoga teacher, health and wellness expert and author. Her book, Optimal Health for a Vibrant Life, is a 30-day detox guide for yogis. Find her workshop, teacher training and retreat schedule at yogamedicine.com, or try her classes online at yogaglo.com.
Tiffany Cruikshank
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