Every change of season I do a detox. Sometimes I do a juice fast, sometimes I use a lot of herbs, sometimes I do other kinds of detoxes. However, for the next ten days I am doing my favorite detox diet. I almost feel guilty doing it because it is so easy. When someone says “diet” or “detox” I almost feel like I should be suffering more. Do you ever feel like that?

The thing I like about this diet is that it does not deprive a person of any basic needs (such as proteins or grains), it does not limit portions of most of the items and it is based on creating a completely balanced food experience (in terms of hot and cold foods) so your body can more easily detox. It is also a moderate but effective detox and not an intense medical detox (like so many are – and people do them without supervision! Yikes!).This is also what makes this detox plan so safe for kids as well as adults. Because there are no stimulating foods on the menu (hot foods like cayenne, sugar, beef, or other foods of hot temperament) those horrible urges one has to eat “junk food”, bread or sugar or more food are not there. What we don’t realize is that a lot of those desires come from the stimulants in the food we eat. There are also no overly “cold temperament” foods so your body’s metabolism does not slow down. In many fasts or detoxes, if you are consuming too many cold temperament foods – like raw fruits and vegetables or raw juices, your body could become overwhelmed with cold foods and become stagnant.

This detox “plan” or “diet” should be done for 10 days and can be done up to 40 days. You can add herbs to it according to your needs. I did a mini-consult for myself and decided that I would add Nettles and Hibiscus tea to my detox this week. Vegetables should be slightly cooked – don’t eat too many raw and follow the instructions. I usually allow myself one favorite fruit – this week I am eating blackberries. The first day I cooked an apple with one of the veggie stir fries I made.

It is always best to consult a health care professional before embarking on any detox or diet program. This program should not take the place of any advice from your health care professional.

Detox Plan – 7-10days

You are allowed only:
Vegetables: Asparagus, beet, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, carrot, celery, Swiss chard, cucumber, eggplant, endive, garlic, kholrabi, lettuce, mushroom, mustard greens, onion, parsley, parsnip, pepper, potato, radish, spinach, squash, tomato, watercress (argula)
Legumes: Beans (green or snap), peas
Grains and flours: Wheat germ, bran, oatmeal
Fruits: Avocado
Seeds: Pumpkin, squash, sesame, sunflower
Nuts: Brazil (for protein), pinon
Meats: If you MUST, have only 3-5 ounces of chicken breast per day or fish
Dairy products: Yogurt (maximum one cup a day)
Herbs: chives, sweet basil, dill
Drinks: Green herb teas like chamomile, peppermint, alfalfa, nettles, etc…

NO OIL, SALT, MSG, MILK, TEA, CANDY, SNACKS, BREAD, SUGAR, HONEY!
Do not use Maggi or other Chicken bouillon cubes to cook with during this time. Use only fresh vegetable broth, water or homemade chicken broth.

COOKING TIPS
For oil in cooking use broth or water or a little butter or a tsp. of olive oil only.
Do not use salt. Don’t worry. After two days your food will taste naturally salty
Use yogurt in soups and cooking for a creamy effect and in place of oil for baba ganoush.
Use only plain yogurt
Each person gets only 1 small chicken BREAST a day or fish or no meat. No more!

IDEAS
Stir Fry vegetables
Chop veggies in a pot and bake them in a tomato or other sauce for 30 minute in a covered pan
Use oatmeal to thicken soups and sauces, then blend some in the blender for a creamy soup.
Slice vegetables in fingers and steam or bake with curry powder or fresh herbs
Zucchini and carrots with fresh dill
Potatoes with chives, garlic and onions
Potatoes with fresh dill and a bit of mustard
Bisilla, bemia, fusulia all made without oil and no rice
Soups
Oatmeal – plain (for kids with apple and raisin)
Raw vegetables cut up
Chopped salads with lettuce, tomato, onion, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, carrots.
Zucchini and tomato stir fry with chopped spinach or parsley and Italian season
Tomato Soup with green pepper, carrot and squash
Broccoli and cauliflower stir fry

TIPS
Chop up carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, etc…and keep them in a container for when anyone gets hungry. Keep a basket of apples and oranges out for the children when they get hungry. Use any leftover stir fries for soups the next day. Use a lot of fresh herbs or spices to make up for the lack of salt. Make a glass of carrot or carrot celery juice for a snack. (you can add an apple to the juice to make it sweeter but it must all be homemade juice).

Make it simple! Make oatmeal for breakfast with mint tea and then soup and chicken and salad for lunch. When you are stuck make soup or raw veggies. Buy some canned peas & carrots , beets and green beans for quick snacks-emergency hunger.

Pre-plan your meals and think about what you will make all week before you start. This will make shopping and cooking easier to plan. Don’t worry about making the same thing more than once.

Drink a lot of water.

Plan to eat a small nibble of veggies, glass of carrot juice or apple between the meals so you will not be hungry. Plan ahead! Perhaps prepare some meals , shop and plan for two days before you start.

MUST DO DURING THE DETOX
Walk every day to sweat
Shower or bathe daily with loufa
Drink lots of water. 8-10 glasses.