The Delicious Detox

On a quest to start each new year right, I often follow a detox or weight loss plan during the month of January ... after my birthday, of course – what’s a celebration without a glass (or bottle) of champagne? After the excesses of Christmas, I find it’s a good way to get my body and mind back on track and to get rid of the Christmas pudding that has settled on my hips. Sometimes it’s a hard core diet (thank you in 2012 and 2011 to Dr Dukan), and other times it’s just a conscious effort to eat more healthily, cutting out alcohol, desserts and processed foods. This year, I decided to follow a plan that appears to be hardcore, but in reality has been the easiest detox that I’ve ever done! Because of my two year obsession with My New Roots (the most amazing, healthy and delicious collection of recipes that you will ever find), I looked to Sarah Britton for advice. Last year she published the first week of a three week cleanse for Whole Living magazine, and the entire plan (the second and third weeks written by other experts) is online. 

The first week of the plan consists primarily of fruits and vegetables, with a few nuts, seeds and plant oils thrown in on the side. I was dubious, because I eat a lot, and I never find that fruits and vegetables sustain me long enough during the day; I need some proteins, some legumes or grains to really hold me over. I also usually get bored of just fruits and vegetables. Eating the same thing again and again in a week without varying the flavours and textures is just boring, which usually leads to the inevitable disappointing, guilt-ridden fall from the wagon. 

Well, I am a convert. After one week, I was totally sold. The plan does not limit the amount of food you eat (and although I am well aware that I am eating more than the suggested serving size, can you really ever eat TOO many vegetables?). There is also a list of recipes for recommended snacks, and I have been snacking on carrot sticks with minty pea dip, fruit and nut balls, toasted trail mix, medjool dates and herbal tea between meals – but only when I am truly hungry. And I have felt satisfied. So satisfied, in fact, that these are recipes I will make again, detox or not. Varied flavours, textures and ingredients! And the colours ... each meal was a rainbow that would delight leprechauns around the world. I haven’t felt like I am missing out on “normal” food because the recipes are so easy and delicious! Side note – when I did have a tiny taste of my husband’s parsnip soup one night at a restaurant with friends, all I could taste was salt, sugar and the tiny wheels of a processing machine. My palate had changed to appreciate natural flavours, natural colours and food the way that nature intended; and I liked it! In fact, I liked the plan SO much that I decided to follow it for another week, and I’m pleased to say that I have not even been tempted to fall from grace (I have varied some of the recipes, mixing and matching the ingredients from one recipe with another, because, let’s face it, even if it is delicious, there are only so many nights in one week that you can eat roasted beetroot and garlic soup for dinner).

And of all the diets/detoxes I’ve done – this one has got to be the easiest and cheapest. There isn’t much work (aside from peeling and chopping) in throwing a few things in the Vita-mix and watching them swirl into a medley of colourful, well-blended smoothie, or watching the food processor slice and dice cabbage, onions and kale like the karate kid. As well, vegetables are cheap! No crazy all-protein days which require three to four types of meat (and all that cooking!). Toss some veggies in a machine, watch them blend, season with a delicious dressing and eat!

So after ten days, how do I feel? I have lost weight, I have lots of energy (except for perhaps the first day or two), I have not yet had the dreaded diet headache (thank you again, Dr Dukan), I no longer crave chocolate at 4pm, and I can subsist on a simple (yet tasty!) fruit and veggiesmoothie until 1pm (unheard of for me, as my friends or colleagues will tell you).  I’ll say it again: this has to be the easiest and most satisfying detox I have ever been on.

So here’s to keeping New Year’s resolutions, ridding oneself of excess, and a happier mind, body and heart. 2013 looks to be the healthiest one yet...

GG Rating - Good for Flaxseed Fanatics