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

Ruby's Sinus Remedies

For the last 10 years of my life, I've been the unfortunate victim of allergy season. Twice a year, every year. Usually, my allergies flare up right around the time that winter turns into spring, then again when summer turns into fall. 

I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, where the high altitude produces very dry air. While living there, the worst I experienced was week of having a stuffy nose and dry, red eyes; nothing that around-the-clock Claritin couldn't help. 

However, within weeks of moving to Illinois for college, I found myself in the Emergency Room being treated for a throat infection. The doctors didn't know what was going on. They gave me Vicodin, which was totally ineffective and contributed to a killer migraine, and sent me on my way. 

It wasn't until moving to the Gulf Coast and suffering full-blown infections, getting misdiagnosed as having Strep Throat, and writhing in agony year after year, that I learned what was really going on. 


When I was 5 years old, I had my adenoids removed. The adenoids are a patch of tissue that are located in the back of the nasal cavity. They are there to trap germs and fight off infections. Adenoid removal is common practice for children who experience recurring ear infections; the tissue swells while the adenoids fight infection, which produces heavy snoring and choking during sleep. My daughter had her adenoids removed at the same age, for the same reasons. 

Removal solved the snoring problem, and got rid of the frequent ear infections, but it left my nasal cavity wide open to all of the icky germs with no defense mechanism! Duh. 

I figured out that during allergy season, I was developing sinus infections left and right because my body's natural defenses were incapacitated. The sinus infections produced painful pressure around my eyes and nose, leading to severe headaches; swollen glands under my jaw and behind my ears; and the worst throat pain known to man. 

I took Benadryl, a well-known antihistamine, for awhile, in an attempt to block the intolerable histamine and reduce the amount of mucus produced by the allergens. It was slightly effective, but the drowsiness associated with its use made it impossible to work or function normally.  Even taking it at night began to bother me once I looked into the side effects. I determined that I didn't want to keep ingesting medicines to combat the sinus infections. There had to be a better way! When I developed a sinus infection during the second trimester of pregnancy, I was motivated to find a solution by any means necessary. Ingestion of popular over-the-counter medications can be harmful during pregnancy, leaving many expectant mothers to suffer through cold and flu season in agony.

After a lot of painful trial and error, I am proud (and relieved) to present: 

"Ruby's Sinus Remedies" 

• At the first sign of allergy symptoms, gargle with a hot water/sea salt blend. Continue to gargle throughout the duration of your symptoms. Morning, noon, night, and anytime in between. Do not swallow the salt water intentionally, small amounts of incidental ingestion are nothing to freak out about.
• Directions: Make 6 to 8 ounces of water as hot as you can tolerate without scorching the inside of your mouth (obviously do not use boiling water), and add about a tablespoon of sea salt. Stir briefly and then gargle; try to reach the back of your throat without gagging...which is easier said than done. 
• Why it Works: The salt acts as a magnet for water, so you're pulling the fluid out of the tissues in the throat area, effectively washing the virus out. If you do this before it spreads, your chances of beating the infection are much better than starting a few days after feeling sick. You're also creating a high-salt barrier, which can prevent the invasion of germs. 
• Boost your Zinc, Vitamin E & Vitamin C. 
• Directions: 
• Eat Your Way Healthy: 

• Citrus - Grapefruit, Oranges, Lemon, Lime, Tangerines, Clementines. 
• Red Bell Peppers. 
• Broccoli. 
• Garlic - Eating raw garlic is great, but it can be hard on your stomach. Crush garlic before adding it to other foods, or swallow half a clove raw occasionally, not daily. 
• Red Cabbage. 
• Beets. 
• Sweet Potatoes. 
• Kale. 
• Ginger - Eating ginger raw is fine, but you can also cut it into pieces and let it steep in boiled water for about an hour. Reheat the water to boiling and drink as tea. 
• Spinach. 
• Yogurt - Plain, unsweetened or vanilla; try to avoid sugar. Yogurt with live cultures can boost immunity by keeping your intestinal tract free of disease-causing germs. Yogurt also increases Vitamin D, which aids in the absorption of Vitamin C. 
• Almonds. 
• Tumeric. 
• Green Tea - Cold brewed green tea is the healthiest option, but all green tea is a wonderful source of antioxidants.  
• Papaya - Grind or roast the seeds and eat those too! 
• Kiwi. 
• Sunflower Seeds - Not the heavily salted or flavored ones. 
• Supplements: 
• Zinc - Recommended daily intake is 11mg for adult males, 8mg for adult females. 
• Vitamin E - Recommended daily intake is 1,000mg for adults. 
• Vitamin C - Recommended daily intake is 90mg for adult males, 75 for adult females. 
• Multivitamin - An easy way to get all of the vitamins you need throughout the day is to supplement healthy eating with a good multivitamin. However, you'll need to make sure that use of additional supplements don't result to overdoses; pay attention to the recommended daily intake. 
• Unleash The Power of Lemon. 
• Directions: Prepare Celestial Seasonings Lemon Zinger tea as directed. Squeeze 1 lemon into the tea, and add honey (raw honey is best, but regular honey is just fine) and grated ginger. Sip throughout the day. I recommend that you invest in the only travel mug I will ever use again, the Contigo SnapSeal Travel Mug, which will keep this tea HOT for a full 6 hours!
• Why it Works: The lemon will help to rid your body of excess mucus. This is especially important when you are fighting a sinus infection. If you don't eliminate the mucus, it can cause an upper respiratory infection, and you don't want that. The tea itself is all natural, made with Hibiscus, Rosehips, Roasted Chicory, Orange Peel, Lemongrass, Lemon Peel, and Whole Dried Lemons. The fresh squeezed lemon will metabolize when ingested, providing an electric alkalinity. The honey will soothe your sore throat. The ginger supports immunity, eliminating toxins from your body.  
• Expectorate! Expectorate! Expectorate!
• Get that gunk out of your system. I literally carry around a box of tissues (who am I kidding? I use toilet paper...more for your money), and a trash bag around with me so that I can expectorate as needed. Clear your nose and throat. Swallowing the mucus you cough up will keep you sick for sure. Getting rid of it will help your body heal much faster. Also...wash your hands often, but especially after you expectorate. 
• Sleep Smart. Using Vicks VapoRub on the bottom of your feet at night will clear up your cough and help you get a good night's sleep. A bit of elevation helps too!

• Directions: Before you go to bed at night, slather Vicks VapoRub on the soles of your feet, then put on socks. Elevate the head of your bed approximately 6 inches; using an additional pillow doesn't always help, since your nasal passages can become blocked by the angle created by a soft pillow, or if you slide down. 
• Why It Works: I don't know. It just does! This old wives tale will interrupt even the roughest cough and help you sleep soundly. While there are no solid medical reasons why this works, it is more effective than any over-the-counter cough syrup. While you sleep, you are aiding in the drainage of those germy, irritating fluids from your sinus cavity. 

This list is not comprehensive, but these tips have helped me beat sinus infections within 1 to 2 days of feeling that annoying warning itch in the back of my throat. I have managed to avoid antibiotic prescriptions for over a year! 

I will continue to add tips and tricks that work for me, so if you have any suggestions make sure to comment below and I will give them a try! 

Happy Healing!