Post-Holiday Detox, umhum, I mean “Freshen-up’er”
The holly-jolly season of overindulgence is finally behind us, and a fresh new year is stretched out at our feet. A sense of new beginnings and change lights the air as we formulate brilliant resolutions regarding health, wealth, family and happiness for the year to come. We will all lose weight, exercise daily, eat better, become better money managers, do more things we enjoy, donate more time and money to charity, take more (or fewer) risks, become less stressed, travel more, make more time for our friends, families and ourselves, read more books, finish all those projects we started last year and become better people overall! Yes we will!
Ok, well, maybe some of our resolutions are a little far-reaching, but how can you become the person you want to be without dreaming the dream? First things first- you’re probably feeling a little sluggish and tight in the waistband after all that holiday mirth, so how about a quick and easy detox! Detox can be a scary word, so lets use post-holiday “freshen-up’er.”
A quick warning first: Winter is by nature a time of reflection and storage, and serious cleansing during this time can drastically deplete your energy, making you more susceptible to pathogens and creating long-term imbalances. It’s best to hold off on the big detoxes, umhum, I mean “freshen-up’ers” until spring.
An easy post-holiday “freshen-up’er” can give you the boost you need to help make your resolutions become a reality! It’s simple: for at least a few weeks, stick to a diet rich in cooked organic veggies, fruits and grains, drink lots of clean room-temp water, enjoy moderate exercise, allow time for high-quality sleep and reduce your stress as much as possible. Avoid super refined food, alcohol, caffeine and sugar. That’s it- no blender, pills or starvation required!
While this is an ideal year-round routine, eating simply, exercising and taking extra good care of yourself for a few weeks allows your body to heal and release that gunky holiday build-up. After a few weeks, you will feel clearer, more energized and ready to tackle that long list of resolutions. (Hey, I think you may have already realized a few!)
Sample Menu:
Day One
Breakfast: Oatmeal or oat groats with cinnamon and goji berries
Lunch: Roasted winter squash with steamed kale and toasted walnuts
Dinner: Brussels sprouts with lemon, pepper and toasted pine nuts, multigrain tempeh and quinoa
Dessert: Baked apple with cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg
Snack: Toasted nuts with goji berries
Day Two
Breakfast: Amaranth with cinnamon and raisins
Lunch: Mashed parsnips (really, they’re good!), toasted almonds and lightly steamed dandelion greens
Dinner: Split pea soup with carrots and turnips
Dessert: Baked pear with cranberries and toasted walnuts
Snack: Popcorn with nutritional yeast and flax oil (one of my personal favorites)
Note: For a more long-term diet, add more protein like beans, nuts and small amounts of animal protein.
Happy New Year!
I wish you all the best of health, happiness and prosperity in 2009!
