'Detox' January 2013

Many of us, not the least those of us who enjoy a traditional Swedish Christmas can use a spring cleaning after the Holiday season. 

  • Start 2013 off right, begin with a week or two of detox. It doesn't have to be all bad. A few simple changes will get you back on track, feeling more energetic and ready to tackle whatever comes your way.

  • Detox January 2013
    Did you go overboard with the Christmas goodies? Do you blush at the mere mention of a New Year’s Resolution? So, to kick off 2013 right, how about a detox?
    Alltommat.se published a “spring cleaning” for our bodies, a detox that will make you feel good again. The “cure” is meant to rid the body of toxins and other stuff that’s no good. Losing weight is just an extra bonus. If you feel sluggish and tired for no reason, you might need this sort of thing. This is what you have to do.
    1. Go easy on the coffee. Decrease your coffee consumption a few days before you attempt to begin your detox. If it’s too difficult to give up the java completely, then don’t drink more than one or two cups a day.
    2. Start your day with a glass of warm water with lemon, lime or fresh mint in it. This will get your stomach going, and will flush your intestines.
    3. Increase the number of glasses of water you drink daily: Drink 8 glasses to help the cleaning.
    4. Get moving. Make sure you do some kind of exercise every day. Three times a week amp it up with things you like such as swimming, aerobics, a fast walk or yoga.

  • Less of this in 2013 ...

  • A detox day (sample)
    Wake up: Drink a glass of water with lemon, lime or fresh mint.
    Breakfast: Put a Tablespoon of flaxseed in water overnight, and drink/eat it in the morning. Follow with a fruit salad or a yogurt smoothie (see recipe below).
    Lunch: Eat bulgur (a cereal food made from the groats of different wheat species) with steamed salmon and broccoli.
    Snack: A banana and a glass of carrot juice.
    Dinner: A hot tomato-based bean stew with raw rice. Or some other kind of protein like turkey, tofu, egg or tuna. Serve with steamed vegetables.
    Evening: Half an avocado, cocktail tomatoes and cottage cheese.
    Prior to going to bed: A cup of ginger tea.
    For more: www.alltommat.se

  • ..and more of this.

  • Foods to avoid:
    Soda, white bread and sugary cereals, pastry, candy and pre-packaged snacks, fast food, red meat, milk, and alcohol.

  • Start every day with a glass of warmish water, add slices of fresh lime or lemon or mint to give it some taste and help the cleansing procedure.

  • Foods to eat lots of:
    Blueberries, raspberries, cherries, black currants, pears, oranges, prunes, plums, broccoli, peppers, parsnips, carrots, spinach, cauliflower, cabbage, fennel and onions.

  • Cleansing foods:
    Cabbage of all sorts will help cleanse the liver.
    Garlic helps filter toxins, food additives and synthetic estrogen.
    Apples contain pectin which supposedly binds heavy metals and the fiber cleanses the system.
    Red beets contain cleansing enzymes.
    Avocadoes contain antioxidants.
    Artichokes stimulate the kidney and gallbladder.
    Algae prevents the body from picking up toxins.
    Alfalfa sprouts, contain fibers that absorb chemicals and food additives.

  • Peach and banana smoothie
    1 cup plain yogurt
    half a peach, sliced
    half a banana, sliced
    1 Tablespoon honey
    a cup of ice cubes
    Put all the ingredients in a mixer and blend until smooth and fluffy.

  • Green melon smoothie
    Make sure the juices and fruit you use are cold for a better tasting smoothie.
    1 cup apple juice
    1 cup fresh spinach
    ½ cup melon
    1½ Tablespoons fresh lime juice
    1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grinded
    Mix all the ingredients in a blender or with a handheld mixer until smooth.

  • We found this lush lunch recipe on Pernilla Wahlgren’s blog:
    Warm bean salad
    Pour two cans of fava beans (or any other kinds of beans you like) in a strainer. Finely chop 2 garlic cloves and fry in olive oil. Add 4 chopped tomatoes and the beans to the garlic. Add 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar and 1 teaspoon salt. Add about half a cup of chopped basil. Eat as is or serve with chicken or fish.
    For more recipes from Pernilla Wahlgren, check out her blog: www.pernillawahlgren.se