Fast Food Detox

Yesterday, poor time-management resulted in a huge mistake that cost me all of the wonderful, healthy vibes I've been feeling for weeks! 

I ate fast food. Eeek! 

Burger King to be exact. Don't worry, I didn't eat a Whopper or any other "meat," products. I did, however, scarf down a mayonnaise and iceberg lettuce covered Big Fish and salty, flavorless onion rings. 

After eliminating meat from my diet in June of 2016, I decided that I would still eat tuna, salmon, and catfish occasionally until the end of the year. However, fast food was not part of the equation until yesterday. I have managed to avoid all fast food since transitioning to a healthy lifestyle, primarily because fish sandwiches are only offered at most fast food restaurants during lent in my area. Yesterday, I had to choose between Burger King and Dairy Queen...it was a royal mess! 

Here's how it happened: 

I was running errands right around lunch time. For breakfast I ate a bowl of almond milk soaked granola with added protein. It held me over until I walked into the grocery store. Shopping when you are hungry is the worst thing you can do if you are on a budget, on a diet, or human. Just a hint of hunger will have you grabbing items that you don't need and throwing them into your cart without a second thought. That's what happened to me. 


I realized that I was hungry, and purchased a few things that I fully intended to eat for lunch. Then I purchased a few more things...and a few more things after that. Before I knew it, I'd spent almost an hour in the store and my stomach took control of my brain. 

I could have driven in the direction of home; but I didn't. Instead, I drove in the opposite direction and found myself in the drive-thru line of Burger King, staring at the window decor and wondering why I was about to ingest something resembling food from a place that was aggressively marketing Cheeto-dust covered chicken fries. 

I ordered my fish sandwich, which was labeled 100% Alaskan Pollock. The nerve. 

I knew I'd made a terrible mistake after the first bite. 
I regretted that mistake after the second bite. 
After the last bite, I wanted to turn back the hands of time and relive the last 20 minutes. 

The greasy, chemical-ridden sludge sunk down to my stomach and I instantly felt tired and heavy. My four-month old has had a cold for about a week, and I could feel my immune system weakening and my body succumbing to germy mucus. I also had a headache for absolutely no reason. 

I knew that I had to do something to detox my body! 

STEP 1 

Cucumber Water

To begin my detox, I drank 32oz of cucumber water. I simply added about 7 slices of cucumber to a large cup of spring water, covered the cup, and let it sit in the refrigerator for about an hour before drinking.

 

Cucumber water is one of my favorite things. Along with a refreshing taste, cucumber provides a number of health benefits. It flushes toxins and supplies Vitamin B1, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B7 (biotin), fiber,magnesium, potassium, manganese, Vitamin K, molybdenum, pantothenic acid, copper, phosphorus and silica. They also contain fisetin, an anti-inflammatory that supports brain health, and Lignans, polyphenols that lower the risk of brain, uterine, ovarian, and prostate cancer. Cucumbers also help to prevent cancer and aid in weight loss. 

Cucumber water is the perfect drink on a hot day!

STEP 2 

Turmeric Tea

I decided to try a turmeric tea concoction in an attempt to re-balance my body. Turmeric, the spice that makes delicious Indian food orange, contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory. All of it's health benefits makes turmeric the perfect cure-all.  It is an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory, an anti-microbial, and a natural painkiller. It can help prevent cancer or boost the effectiveness of chemo drugs in cancer patients, and it protects the liver. Turmeric can be used topically to help wounds heal quickly, and to treat psoriasis and eczema. In addition to all of that, it even helps to reduce depression and promote weight loss, increasing digestive regularity. Turmeric can have diuretic effects, so if you plan to drink this tea, make sure there is a bathroom nearby just in case. 

Turmeric grows as a root, but can be purchased in capsule and powder form or as a prepared tea. I wanted to control the dosage of Turmeric and other spices, so I opted to make my own tea.  

The spices I used for this tea were CLOVE, an antioxidant that aids in digestion, boosts the immune system, and helps to control diabetes; CINNAMON, an antioxidant that lowers blood sugar and reduces the risk of health disease; NUTMEG, which detoxifies, soothes indigestion, and boosts the immune system; BLACK PEPPER, helps the absorption of curcumin and has antibacterial properties and contains manganese, iron, potassium, Vitamin C and Vitamin K; and ALLSPICE, prevents against digestive issues and stimulates digestive regularity. 

For this recipe, you should definitely have a cheesecloth on hand. I used pantyhose (a frugal bit of advice and something I use to make homemade loc twisting gel), but the pantyhose was thicker than most standard styles and as a result, the straining process was slow and frustrating. 

Turmeric Spice Tea

Prep Time: 5 Minutes   |   Cook Time 15 Minutes   |   Total Time: 20 Minutes

Serves 2

Ingredients: 

• 3 cups Spring Water
• 1/2 tsp Ground Clove (antioxidant, anti-seotic, and digestive aid
• 1 tsp Cinnamon 
• 1/2 tsp Allspice 
• 1 tsp Nutmeg
• Pinch of Cracked Black Peppercorn
• 2 tsp Turmeric 
• 2 tbsp Raw, Unfiltered Honey (or more, to taste)
• 1/2 cup Almond Milk 

Directions: 

1. Combine spices and water in a medium saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

2. Strain spices using a cheesecloth. 

3. Add honey to the tea, and stir to dissolve. Add almond milk and serve hot. 

STEP 3

Apple Cider Vinegar

The final detoxifying drink I ingested was far less pleasant than the Turmeric Spice Tea, but beneficial nonetheless.  


I mixed 1 tbsp of raw, organic apple cider vinegar to 6 ounces of spring water. Apple cider vinegar helps to relieve heartburn and acid reflux, promotes healthy cholesterol, aids in weight loss, promotes healthy blood sugar, contains many antioxidants, and helps nutrient absorption. The apple cider vinegar water was a great follow-up to the Turmeric Spice Tea because it helped my body to absorb the good, while helping the cucumbers flush out the bad. 

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By the end of the night, the fast food fiasco was a distant memory. I felt a million times better! 

When transitioning to a healthier lifestyle, reverting back to old habits is not without consequence. The body will reject the grease, fat, sodium, preservatives and chemicals, especially after getting used to a healthy, nutrient rich diet. I knew that to get back on track I would have to take action quickly, and I'm glad I did. 


If you know that you'll be out and about during meal times, bring small healthy snacks to keep hunger at bay. Nuts and seeds have enough protein to hold you over, and fruit is a satisfying snack that you can easily carry with you. 

I will be making every effort to avoid fast food. However, in the event that you're on a road trip or have no choice but to grab something on the go, I would suggest Taco Bell. Generally, Taco Bell isn't considered the most tummy-friendly food, but when you eliminate the meat from their selection, you'll find that some of the offerings are much more favorable than its competitors. Just ask about their vegetarian options; you won't walk away feeling incredibly regretful. 

If you have some healthy detoxifying solutions, be sure to tell us about them in the comment section below! 

XO

Eat Well & Prosper

Emerald City Smoothie

Green smoothies are officially "IN." 

Blending nutritious fruits and veggies into a delicious, energizing drink is the perfect way to fill your body with natural goodness. Whether you are starting your day with a smoothie, substituting lunch for liquids, or satisfying your hunger with a quick smoothie snack, you are sure sure to love this new health trend. 

The great thing about a green smoothie is that it's really hard to mess up it up. It may take a little trial and error while you experiment with different flavors, but ultimately you can't go wrong! 

I am a lifelong veggie lover! I've learned  to cringe in silence when I hear someone profess their hatred, which is surprisingly often. For people who don't care for greens, smoothies are a great way to disguise the otherwise strong, bitter taste of kale, collards, spinach, etc. 

Fruit contains natural sugar, which eliminates the need for added sugar and sweeteners. Sweet apples, berries, bananas, and mangoes are just a few fruits that will delight your taste buds and make green smoothies one of your new favorite things. 

One of the best ways to make health a habit, is to let your creative juices flow (pun intended). You can use fresh fruits and vegetables, or choose from the frozen selection at your local grocery store if your favorites are not in season. During the summer months, I love to buy fresh, juicy berries, but they tend to grow mold within days of purchase. To ensure that I can enjoy them year round, I wash and freeze them as soon as I get home! 

Another great smoothie trick is to pre-portion  your ingredients before freezing. When it's time for a smoothie, you can easily grab a bag out of the freezer, throw it in the blender with your juice of choice, and voila! Instant smoothie! 

The Emerald City Smoothie has a ton of health benefits, without sacrificing flavor. Take a look at some of the benefits of the smoothie's featured ingredients: 

Aloe Vera: Detoxification, immune and digestive support, cholesterol and blood sugar regulation, hair growth, skin hydration, and more! (Note: Aloe vera is not suggested for ingestion among women who are pregnant, as it may cause uterine contractions; or women who are breastfeeding, as it may cause digestive issues among infants. I am currently breastfeeding, so I used very little and I do not ingest it often. Be very careful mommies and mommies-to-be!

Hemp Protein: Contains all 21 amino acids and provides support for muscle health. 

Chia Seeds: Gluten-free source of fiber, protein, and Omega-3 fatty acids. 

The juice I selected for this smoothie, Naked's Green Machine, was the perfect selection. If you don't have a juicer, buy a large bottle of this stuff and keep it in your refrigerator. There is no added sugar, and the ingredients provide an amazing foundation for a healthy green smoothie: 

Apples
Banana
Kiwi
Mango
Pineapple
Spirulina
Alfalfa
Broccoli
Spinach
Kale
Garlic
Barley Grass
Wheat Grass
Ginger 
Parsley

You've got to try this smoothie ASAP!

My kids guzzled down every last drop! It's wonderful to know that their source of excitement was also the healthiest thing they'd had all day. 

Tip: Save the papaya seeds from this recipe. Store them in an airtight container and freeze them for use at a later time!

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Emerald City Smoothie

Prep Time: 10 Minutes     |   Total Time: 10 Minutes

Serves 4

Ingredients: 

• 16 oz Naked Green Machine (more as desired)
• 11 oz Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk 
• 1/2 cup Baby Spinach
• 1 cup Fresh or Frozen Mango
• 1 cup Fresh or Frozen Pineapple 
• 1 cup Chopped Apple (I used Granny Smith)
• 1 cup Fresh or Frozen Strawberries
• 1 cup Fresh or Frozen Papaya
• 3 tbsp Hemp Protein
• 2 tsp Chia Seeds
• 1 small Aloe Vera Leaf

Directions: 

1. Prepare the aloe vera leaf (see video here).

2. Add ingredients to blender. Blend on high until smooth. 

3. Pour and drink chilled.