Foods and drinks that help cleanse the body

Rid your body of built up toxins

During the time of year when everyone falls back on the healthy wagon and promises to eat better, lose weight and exercise more, it seems fitting to give your body an extra boost when it comes to getting all the built up toxins out of our bodies.

Give your body a boost

Our bodies have a pretty impressive ability to clear out the junk, but environmental toxins, excess alcohol, caffeine and processed foods can still take a toll. When the body's cleansing processes are overwhelmed, it often results in fatigue, brain fog, a depressed immune system or even some serious diseases.

Trimming the fat

If you are trying to lose weight, cleansing is even more important. Many of the toxins we are exposed to daily through the food we eat and the air we breathe are stored away in our fat. This is our body's way of protecting itself from the many elements that can cause anything from fatigue to cancer. When you start losing weight, you are essentially breaking up the fat and releasing the toxins right back into your blood stream. A good cleanse can even help you lose weight more efficiently.

Even if you aren't trying to lose weight, ridding your body of toxins can help you feel more energized and healthier overall. There are several cleansing products on the market that often include various supplements designed to clean your colon, kidney or liver. However you do not have to spend a ton of cash or drink endless amounts of lemon water to give your body the boost it needs. Several foods available right at your grocery store will help you get the cleanse you seek.

Eat organic

If you want your efforts to be the most successful, it is important to buy organic produce and products. Produce covered in pesticides is like taking one step forward and two steps back.

Watercress

This clover-like veggie looks a bit like tiny spinach leaves. You could toss them in a salad and they'd likely go unnoticed, but they make a big impact in the body. These little greens have been found to reduce DNA damage to the cells which is what often leads to cancer. It is also known to increase antioxidant levels in the body which is another great way to fight off cancer and other illnesses. A study done by Norwich Research Centre found that smokers who were given 170 milligrams per day eliminated higher than average amounts of carcinogens in their urine. Smoker or not, it may be worth it to add this to your diet.

Beets

These bright root veggies make a terrible mess when you cut them open, staining everything in their path. However it is that bright red pulp that provides some great benefits to the body. Beets contain high levels of betalains which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and detoxification properties. In addition, betalain pigments from beets have been shown to reduce tumor cell growth in a variety of organs. Their benefits can decline quickly with cooking so try shredding them and eating them raw on salad or keep cooking times to a minimum.

Dandelion tea

Most people think of the dandelion as a pesky weed or perhaps if you are a child, a wish maker. In most places in the world though, the dandelion is far from a problem but rather a super food. Dandelion tea is thought to be a great way to cleanse the liver and kidneys and helps reduce water retention. This unassuming tea may also lower cholesterol, help diabetics stabilize their blood sugar and can boost immunity to name a few. Some people even bathe in it or use it as a facial cleanser to remove impurities from the skin. Next time you make a wish on a weed, you'll think of all the amazing things those little seeds will do someday.

Apples

Foods rich in pectin, like apples, are known to help remove radioactive residues from the body. The skin of the apple is especially high in pectin. Pectin attracts other molecules and binds to them making it possible for your body to eliminate them through the urine or feces. Other pectin-rich foods include pears, guava and citrus fruit. Apples are known for their high levels of pesticides, so in this case, it is definitely best to find organic apples.

Garlic

It may give you bad breath, but your liver will appreciate it, so load up. Garlic is known to boost liver enzymes which help in cleansing the body of toxins. It is high in allicin and selenium as well which are also beneficial for liver cleansing. In addition, garlic can function as a natural antibiotic ridding the body of bacteria. It turns out the junk in your body doesn't appreciate its pungent odor either.

Chlorophyll

Plant chlorophyll does more than just make plants green, it is a excellent resource for your body. Chlorophyll actually sucks toxins out of the blood stream, neutralizes heavy metals and helps increase the production of bile which is what helps to cleanse toxins from the body. Leafy green vegetables or dark green vegetables like spinach, broccoli and seaweed all have high levels of chlorophyll and offer other benefits of their own. Chlorella, most often consumed in tablet form, can actually neutralize radiation and mercury related conditions as well as many other metals and toxins.

Lemon

There's a reason that some extreme cleanses involve drinking tons of lemon water. We all know they are high in vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system and fend off colds in the winter. However, you may not know that vitamin C also helps to synthesize toxic materials so that they can be absorbed by water and thus eliminated through the urine. Other citrus fruits like grapefruit and lime are also great cleansing foods. Consider drinking some lemon water first thing in the morning or having a grapefruit for breakfast.

Water

Whenever you are doing a cleanse of any kind, it is crucial to drink ample amounts of pure water. Not all bottled water is created equal; much of it is no better than what the filter on your sink can provide. Head to the health food store or a water store and ask for recommendations. Water that has been alkalinized may even boost your cleansing efforts.

More information on eating healthier

5 Food products to avoid in 2012
When a detox diet is really necessary
5 Simple tips for healthy eating on the go

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Tips to get energized for fall

Does the end of summer have you feeling drained? Instead of succumbing to fatigue, heed these quick energy do's and don'ts that will boost your energy for fall.

Easy ways to
fend off fatigue

Go slow and low when it comes to diet

Sugar might give you an instant kick, but you’re going to crash in the long run. Opt instead for a high-fiber, low-glycemic choice such as beans, sweet potatoes, quinoa, lentils or apples. High fiber plus carbohydrates in these whole foods help supply a steady stream of energy so you feel energized all day long and don't need to reach for that 3 p.m. double-fudge brownie. Another way to help avoid the blood-sugar roller coaster is to supplement your diet with Sunfiber, which is a tasteless, colorless, odorless secret dietary weapon for anyone suffering from glucose intolerance or troubles with blood glucose management.

Get your Zs

If I had to pick just one strategy for great energy, fast fat loss and overall health, it would be to consistently get seven to nine hours of sleep nightly. My top tips for sound slumber include: turning off technology well before bedtime, skipping late-night noshing, keeping your bedroom dark and cool, developing sleep rituals to help you wind down at the end of the day, and maintaining your circadian rhythm (give melatonin a try, if necessary).

5 Bedroom tips for better sleep >> Stress less

Did you know that stress rapidly uses up your nutrients and destroys your sleep quality? Stress and life’s daily demands burn up vitamin C and your energy-assisting B vitamins. Vitamin B5 deficiency can even lead to adrenal fatigue. Stress also lowers serotonin, the feel-good hormone your brain eventually converts to melatonin for good sleep (you need vitamin B6 to make melatonin). Stress weakens your immune system, putting you at risk for colds and flu. I recommend products containing Wellmune WPG to safely boost your immunity. I also recommend you take a multi-vitamin to help replenish the vitamins that are depleted during chronic stress.

Does stress make you fat? >>Get a handle on allergies

You probably think of allergies as something that happen in the spring, but the reality is a runny nose, stuffiness, watery eyes, congestion and other miserable allergy symptoms can happen anytime -- and they are often worsened by stress. I don’t know about you, but being stuffed up and not able to breathe easily is pure misery. Stay away from drugstore nose sprays that have harsh and even addictive ingredients. Instead, reach for Alkalol, which helps naturally relieve nasal congestion caused by sinusitis and allergies. I love its invigorating extracts and essential oils that help clean and moisturize my nasal passages, kill germs and bacteria, and soothe irritated tissue. I breathe easier, and knowing I can pick it up at CVS or Walgreens for less than 10 bucks makes me feel better.

Avoid over-scheduling

Multi-tasking and squeezing obligations into your day planner are surefire ways to feel overwhelmed and under-accomplished. Prioritize your list with the top things you need to do, and focus on those rather than overloading with less-important tasks. Focus on one thing at a time, do it well and then let go. And definitely schedule some down time into your day to relax and rejuvenate.

Enhance your mental focus

If you feel frazzled and unfocused, Suntheanine – a patented pure form of L-theanine – can naturally stimulate alpha-wave activity in your brain, promoting relaxation and alertness. I use it when I notice that I am getting a bit "edgy" from stress. Suntheanine may also boost your mood, cognition and alertness. Clinical research shows that 50 mg to 200 mg of Suntheanine may be all you need.

Burst training

Scheduling an hour for aerobics class in your already-loaded schedule only creates more stress for both your mind and body. According to fitness professional Charles Poliquin, aerobic exercise raises cortisol (your stress hormone), accelerates aging and lowers testosterone. Burst training is the efficient, effective antidote to an hours-long gym routine that you can do in just minutes. I love to combine it with weight resistance for the two best kinds of exercise on the planet. You can get both with my 4 x 4 Workout, which fits into your busiest schedule: you can knock the whole thing out in just 15 minutes, three times a week.

Stay well-hydrated

Even being a bit dehydrated can crash your metabolism and raise your stress hormones. When you realize you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. Sip water throughout the day to stay energized and focused, starting with a glass when you wake up and then drinking steadily throughout your day. A really easy way to meet your water quota: Keep a liter canteen on you, fill it up a few times and you’re done. If you want flavored water, add lemon, lime or orange to purified water and refrigerate. It tastes like your favorite spa water without going to the spa! The only time you don't want to drink water is during meals, when too much water can dilute your stomach enzymes and prevent protein breakdown. Otherwise, drink away!

More fall fitness

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Gluten-free Friday Homemade croutons for your holiday feast!

Reach For These
Tasty, Toasty Toppings!Around the world, people are prepping for their Christmas dinners. What goes great with things like salads, soups and green bean casserole? Croutons! If you follow a gluten-free diet, don't fear these crunchy croutons!

Sometimes it's difficult to eat what the majority of your guests are eating, particularly if you follow a gluten-free diet. The holidays can be especially challenging! If you're up for croutons with your salads and other side dishes, consider this crouton recipe to make your own gluten-free version using Rudi's Gluten-Free Multigrain Hamburger Buns.

Gluten can be found in many different foods and products, from ketchup to soy sauce to candy and seasonings. While SheKnows.com tries to ensure these recipes are gluten-free, carefully read the ingredient labels of all food and food products you use for these recipes to ensure they are also gluten-free.

Homemade crunchy gluten-free croutons recipe

Yields 3-4 cups

Recipe courtesy of Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery

Ingredients:1 package Rudi's Gluten-Free Multigrain Hamburger BunsOlive oil or melted butterDried herbs or seasonings (e.g. basil, oregano, garlic powder)Parchment paperDirections:

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.Cube the buns and place them on a lined baking sheet.Drizzle the olive oil or melted butter over the cubes and sprinkle the dried herbs on top. Toss lightly to coat.Place the baking sheet in the oven and toast the cubes for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden.

Use the croutons to top your favorite soup, salad or side dish.

Break out all the stops for the holiday festivities! Enjoy your soups, salads and side dish recipes with gluten-free croutons!

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Cooking with almond flour

Almond Flour BasicsDessert can be quite a challenge for low-carbers. Firstly, there's the sugar issue, but happily, a selection of artificial sweeteners is available. However, once you have decided on the sweetener you want to use, the next most difficult ingredient to substitute is flour -- and this is not such an easy choice.

Why cook with almond flour?

Like sugar, there are several options for replacing flour, including combinations of soy or whey protein powders, ground flaxseeds and also soy flour. I prefer to use as many natural and whole ingredients in my recipes as possible. I like to use nut flours -- and almond flour (or "ground almonds," as they are known in England) works excellently in many recipes. Not only is it high in protein and low in carbs, it's a good source of omega 3 essential fatty acids, shown to be essential for brain and heart health.

>>Almond flour recipes! How to cook with almond flour

Almond flour works very well for practically all cake and muffin recipes, pancakes and some cookie recipes, too. It can also be used to make "pastry" tart shells for sweet or savory dishes. The only types of dessert which do not lend themselves well to the use of almond flour are yeasted or bread-based recipes.

Almond flour can either be bought direct from the store ready-ground or it is possible to grind your own at home from natural almonds in a coffee grinder or similar. It doesn't even matter if you don't like almonds because, strangely enough, baked goods made with almond flour do not taste of almonds unless you deliberately add almond flavoring.

How to substitute almond flour in your recipes

To convert any regular baked recipes to low-carb using almond flour, experiment by simply replacing the volume of flour in the recipe with the same volume of almond flour. Use slightly more raising agent than the recipe suggests, allowing for the heavier weight of the almond flour.

Also be sure to butter and line your pans with baking paper to help prevent sticking. After baking, recipes made with almond flour do well to be left a few minutes and loosened carefully with a knife before turning out because the texture is generally more fragile than regular recipes made with flour. Here are a few of my favorite dessert recipes involving almond flour.

Almond Flour Blueberry Muffins

This recipe can be made with any fresh or frozen berries, and you can add as much as 1 1/2 to 2 cups of berries, if you prefer, though it will change the nutritional counts.

My particular favorite is raspberries, although they are also delicious with the more traditional blueberries. If you are using frozen berries, there is no need to defrost them -- in fact, they hold their shape better during cooking if you add them to the mixture whilst still frozen. You can also add a teaspoon of cinnamon, for variation.

Ingredients:

2 cups almond flour3 rounded tablespoons Splenda1 rounded teaspoon baking powder4 eggs (at room temperature)1/2 cup butter, melted1/2 cup heavy cream1 tablespoon lemon juice1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

Directions:

Butter and line 12 large muffin pans with muffin tin liners. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.In a medium bowl, mix together the wet ingredients. In a larger bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (but not the berries). Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined (do not beat). Finally, add the berries and briefly mix again.Divide the mixture between the 12 muffin pans and bake for 20-25 minutes until risen, golden brown and set in the middle. Leave in the pans on a cooling rack for 5 minutes, and then loosen carefully with a knife before turning out to cool completely. Makes 12.

Per serving (one muffin): 8g carbohydrates; 3g fiber; 7.25g protein; 24.8g fat; 273 calories

>>Up Next: Almond Flour Cream Cake and Almond Flour Pancakes

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Tastemakers campaign U.S. business committed to food done right

Cheers to the Tastemakers!Put your money where your mouth is

Do you live in or near a "foodie" city? If you do, you might be lucky enough to have a local business in your community that's made it as a Tastemaker.

"Food done right"

If you're focused on finding good food options (think local, sustainable, organic, humane and unprocessed) for yourself and your family and interested in supporting local businesses that embrace those same principles, you might not always know where to look. Depending on where you live, the Tastemaker campaign can be a big help to find those sources.

Kick off the growing season by joining a CSA >>

Talk about putting your money where your mouth is when it comes to the food we eat. That's what the Tastemakers campaign is all about — spotlighting top U.S. businesses that are committed to providing their communities with "food done right" and working on social initiatives to help people make better food choices and improve America's food system, as a whole.

Wondering about the benefits to choosing to eat "food done right"? It can mean supporting your local economy; helping to reduce diet-related diseases; teaching your children about where their food comes from; and helping to limit negative environmental impact by using fewer resources.

Learn to save money by buying sustainable foods >>Tastemakers campaign

The Tastemakers campaign is part of a series developed by TakePart.com, the digital portion of Participant Media. Why is a media company involved in highlighting the good works and good food of local businesses? Because not only does the company make films and publish content about specific issues (in this case, food), but they want to bring that information to life to help educate and engage the public.

Check out the benefits of eating locally-grown food >>

Participant Media brought us the documentary, Food, Inc. in 2008, and continues to work on features and content "about the real issues that shape our lives." According to Karina Kogan, general manager of TakePart, the company is "committed to continually highlighting the issues raised in our films and providing consumers with the most relevant and qualified actions they can take to make a difference."

Who are the Tastemakers

What does it take to be a business worthy of the Tastemakers designation? One hundred shops from 10 U.S. markets were chosen by prominent food writers, including Dara Grumdahl, who is a James Beard award-winning journalist, and Providence Cicero, the Seattle Times' restaurant critic. These shops were chosen based on their commitment to providing healthier options to the people in their communities. See if your city is on the list.

Standouts from the Tastemakers list include the following:

Boston area, Massachusetts — Wilson Farm: Open since 1884, this bustling farm has maintained its commitment to homegrown food with more than 150 crops on 600 acres. Its on-site grocery store has a resident "chef" who uses seasonal fruits and vegetables to make popular to-go quiches, soups and stews.Los Angeles, California — Lindy & Grundy Local, Pastured and Organic Meats: Offering sustainably raised beef, lamb, pork, sausage, poultry and cheese as well as an on-site smoker, Lindy & Grundy is one of the coolest new additions to the city's boutique butcheries.San Francisco, California — The Fizzary: Capturing the old-time feeling of a community store, this new soda pop and candy store offers real cane-sugar alternatives in place of mass-market highly processed high-fructose corn syrup.

Learn it, live it

The series does more than just list 100 great food-based businesses: On Nov. 13, a web series will be launched to create holiday meals using ingredients from Los Angeles-based shops. Each episode focuses on a different business. And the finale? You'll be able to follow along as a three-course holiday meal is prepared.

If you're interested in learning more about how you can become a Tastemaker in your own home and your own community, TakePart has resources to help you make an impact.

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Skordalia, shrimp, and herb pizza

Greek-Style PizzaMany Greek places do a version of this pizza, but sadly, it’s often some red sauce spread over a pita with cheese. Perhaps "sadly" is not the right word since those “Greek pizzas” are good, but they don’t seem to speak to Greece’s rich culinary heritage.Instead, a Greek restaurant chef who wants to serve pizza should look around the kitchen and see what would come together to make a delicious pizza. One of those recipes might look like this skordalia, shrimp, and herb pizza. It is a light, savory blend of skordalia (think garlic mashed potatoes), shrimp that have been lightly sautéed in butter and lemon juice, and fresh herbs. All of that will come on a toasted pita because, after all, this is a Greek pizza!Skordalia, Shrimp, and Herb PizzaIngredients 4 pitas

For the sauce:

Skordalia4 potatoes4 cloves of garlic1/2 tablespoons heavy cream4 tablespoons red wine vinegarSalt and pepper to taste

For the toppings:

 4 tablespoons butter12 shrimpJuice of 2 lemons1 bunch fresh oreganoDirections

Make the skordalia: peel all 4 potatoes, cut them into 1/8-inch pieces and place them and the garlic in well salted water; bring to a boil and cook until fork tender.Using a ricer or fork, mash the potatoes with the cream and vinegar; season with salt and pepper to taste.While the potatoes are boiling, melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat; add the shrimp and the lemon juice; cook the shrimp 2 to 3 minutes, or until they turn pink.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.In the preheated oven, bake the pita for 5 to 10 minutes (depending on brand), or until they are firm, like a pizza crust. Remove them from the oven and spread the skordalia over the pita. If you want, you can put the pizzas back into the oven to get the skordalia hot. This is optional.Finally, top the pizzas with shrimp and thinly sliced oregano and serve.

 

Other pizza recipes

Gorgonzola, cherry and parmesan pizza
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Italian beef pizza
Spring vegerable pizza

Healthy choices Operation Dinner

Good, better, best:
Dinner for busy moms

Getting dinner on the table and the family around it can be a miraculous feat all on its own. But turning out a healthy meal that everyone will eat without having to spend hours in the kitchen — is that even possible?

We asked busy moms on the front lines how they get out of the convenience food rut to take their dinners from good grief to good for you. Check out their tips and tricks in our good, better, best dinner roundup.

GoodHelpful tip: Keep a list of local restaurants and grocery stores with salad bars and hot bars on your phone or in your car, so you don’t panic and opt for a No. 3 combo.

It’s 6 o’clock, you’re stuck in traffic and stomachs are starting to rumble. But you know how to be fast without getting furious with yourself later.

Fast food doesn’t have to mean junk food. Stock your purse with healthy snacks like clementines, nuts and granola bars to help hungry kids hold out until you get home with dinner. Fast food also doesn’t have to come from a drive-through window.

Autumn Calabrese, celebrity trainer and working mom, suggests “hitting up the hot bar at Whole Foods or your local grocery store.” She recommends that you choose foods that are prepared fresh and have the ingredients listed "or grab a rotisserie chicken and some frozen, steam-in-the-bag organic veggies. Quick, inexpensive and healthier than any fast-food chain.”

Good recipesFive-INgredient Quick DinnersNo-Heat MealsFive Unique Sandwich Ideas Up next: Better food options >>

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