Seasonal & Detoxifying Recipes

Note: You should NOT cleanse or detox if you are pregnant, nursing, have a history of eating disorders, and/or are overly thin. Consult with a practitioner and use extreme caution cleansing if you have a history of kidney, liver, or other serious disease, if you have ulcers or acid reflux, if you are diabetic or hypoglycemic, and/or if you take pharmaceutical drugs. Always listen to your body while cleansing - not all body types tolerate detoxification well. There are MANY ways to cleanse, some of which may or may not be appropriate for an individual.

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Teas

Almost Coffee

No, this won’t exactly replace that tasty brew, but it’s pretty darn close and much more nutritious. If you are longing for some caffeine, you can experiment with adding yerba mate or black tea to the blend. The roots in this tea are nutritious, diuretic, and great for the liver. For some people, it may help maintain healthy blood pressure (through its diuretic effect) and blood sugar levels (by improving the action of insulin).

•1 part dandelion root (raw or roasted)

•2 parts burdock root

•1 part cinnamon chips

•1 part chicory root (roasted)

Simmer for 20-30 minutes or put through a grinder and make in the coffee machine. Strain and add 1 tsp of blackstrap molasses per cup of tea (optional, but adds to the coffee flavor and provides iron, calcium, and magnesium). Add cream or milk if desired.

Candida Killing Chai

This surprisingly good tasting chai features pau d’arco, and immune herb best known as an antifungal for yeast and candida infections. Potent antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antifungal spices cinnamon, clove, and cardamom provide flavor and increased therapeutic action. Cinnamon makes it sweet on its own.

•2 parts pau d’arco

•1 part cinnamon chips

•1 part chai mix: cloves, nutmeg, star anise, cardamom, allspice, garam masala, licorice

Simmer 20-30 minutes, strain.

Lemon Liver Flush

Both Carolyn Kelley and Christopher Hobbs recommend the lemon liver flush first thing in the morning during a cleanse. Wait about an hour and then follow it with a cup or two of PolariTea. You can make extra and refrigerate a few day’s worth. It will become gelatinous but you can add some hot water to liquefy it before drinking.

1 lemon, including rind, ends and seeds removed

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1-2 cloves of garlic

1 ounce of grapefruit juice (optional)

1/2 inch chunk of fresh ginger (optional)

Blend all of the above in a food processor, and drink.

PolariTea

Christopher Hobbs recommends this tea after the lemon liver flush and throughout a cleanse. It can be refrigerated for two to three days.

1 tablespoon of fennel

1 tablespoon of whole flax seeds

1 tablespoon of burdock root

1 teaspoon of fenugreek

1 teaspoon of licorice

1 tablespoon of peppermint

1 quart of water

Gently simmer all of the herbs except peppermint for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add peppermint, and let steep 15 minutes. Strain and serve.

Root Tea

This pleasant-tasting tea combines several liver roots, several of which were ingredients in the original root beer. The tea can be refrigerated for two to three days and reheated as needed. Sassafras was traditionally drunk by Native Americans for one week in spring to rejuvenate the body. Controversy surrounds the herb due to its carcinogenic constituent sasfrole. However, it does not appear to be water-soluble and is likely safe short-term as tea, says Hobbs.
2 tablespoons of dry burdock root

1 tablespoon of dry dandelion root

1 tablespoon of dry chicory root

1 tablespoon of dry sassafras root (optional)

1 tablespoon of fresh, grated ginger root

3 cups of water

In a small saucepan, gently simmer the above roots in the water for 15 to 20 minutes, strain and serve. Or coarsely grind the dry roots in a coffee grinder, add the ginger, and brew in a coffee maker.

Bitter Brew

This formula is a bit less tasty, and a little tart. However, the herbs in it are traditional energy tonics that also double as liver herbs. This is particularly nice if you’re worried about the loss of energy while cleansing. Turkey tails, a local medicinal mushroom, are a nice addition to the brew; however, you need to simmer it for several hours.

•1 part eleuthero root

•1 part schisandra

•1 part burdock root

•1/4 part licorice root

•1 part turkey tails (optional, requires 3 hours of simmering)

Simmer for 20-30 minutes—or 3 hours if turkey tails are included—strain. Add 1 tsp blackstrap molasses per cup if desired.

Nutri-Tea

Any blend of the following herbs will work. Peppermint and spearmint improve the flavor of the more bland nutritional herbs. This tastes good iced, too. Be warned, it is diuretic.

•2 parts nettle

•1 part alfalfa

•1 part horsetail

•1 part red clover

•1 part red raspberry leaf

•1/2 part calendula flowers

•1/2 part peppermint

•1/2 part spearmint

•1 pinch stevia per cup (optional, to sweeten)

Steep 1 tablespoon per cup hot water for 10-30 minutes. For a more mineral-rich brew, simmer the herbs instead of steeping.

Light Mint Tea

This is a pleasant beverage tea to drink during a fast or any time. The nettles cut the sharpness of the mints and also provide nutrition and electrolytes. Peppermint is used to aid digestion and reduce discomfort and gas. (However, mint can aggravate acid reflux.) Passionflower is a mild relaxing herb that blends well with mint.

•1 part peppermint

•1 part spearmint

•1 part nettles

•1 part passionflower (optional, to relax)

•1 pinch cut/sifted stevia per cup (optional, to sweeten)

Lemony Mint Sleep Tea

This tea is not specifically a detox tea, but it helps promote good quality sleep. And during a good night’s sleep, your liver is better able to work its detoxification magic. Reduce the passionflower and skullcap, and increase the mint for a daytime relaxing tea.

•1 part lemon balm

•1 part passionflower

•1 part scullcap

•1 part spearmint

•1 slice lemon per cup

•Honey or stevia to sweeten (optional)

Better Cranberry Juice

Ok, so this isn’t exactly a tea. However, I like to warm it and put it in a thermos on colder days. Cranberry juice is a classic cleansing juice because it stimulates urinary function. I like to mix it with pomegranate juice because most cranberry cocktails (natural and conventional) are too sugary and plain cranberry is too tart. Antioxidant-rich pomegranate juice blends well and gives it just enough sweetness. You can also experiment with simmering the juice with cinnamon, cloves, and other spices. This juice also makes a nice base for a green powder drink. Pure pomegranate and cranberry juices aren’t cheap; look for them on sale at the natural food store. Blueberry juice has very similar properties to cranberry and can be used instead (especially if you hate the taste of cranberry juice).

•1 oz pure unsweetened cranberry juice

•3 oz pure unsweetened pomegranate juice

•4 oz pure water

Recipes for Cleansing: Soup

What’s the weather like? If it’s hot out, you’ll want to gear yourself more towards juices and raw foods. If it’s cold out, incorporate soups, broths, and cooked vegetables. This will help you feel more balanced during your cleanse.

Ginger Lemon Miso Soup

Soups made from miso (fermented soy bean paste) help to fortify if you feel too cold or hungry during a cleanse. This one is my favorite & takes less than 2 minutes to make. Ginger and lemon both help stimulate detoxification in the liver. You can also just use miso and hot water with no other ingredients.

•1 Tbsp white miso

•1 tsp fresh grated ginger

•1 slice fresh lemon

•1 cup hot water

Pour hot water over the other ingredients, stir until well mixed.

Wakame Barley Miso

Barley miso is saltier and heartier than white miso. It almost looks and tastes like beef broth. Seaweed contains sodium alginate, a substance that appears to bind to heavy metals to help eliminate them from the body. (Try to buy from less-polluted areas, though.) This is Shannon’s favorite miso recipe.

•1 Tbsp barley miso

•3 strips of wakame, broken up

•1 cup hot water

Pour hot water over the other ingredients, stir until well mixed.

Post-Roast Poultry Soup

After you roast and consume turkey, chicken, or goose, save the carcass for a tasty soup! Only use organic or local, hormone & chemical-free meat. You can freeze a carcass for about 6 months before using. Simmer the carcass(es) and mushrooms down for three hours in water and vinegar, pull out the bones, add veggies. If desired, cook and add brown rice to the soup once the veggies are done. Brown rice is ideal if you are allowing carbs on your cleanse: it tastes great with poultry, doesn’t get as mushy as white rice, and is a whole grain. Makes 2-3 gallons. Freezes well.

•1 turkey or goose carcass or 2 small chicken carcasses

•1 handful fresh maitake and/or shiitake mushrooms, chopped (optional)

•1 handful of dried pieces of astragalus and codonopsis roots (optional, for immune health)

•1 cup apple cider vinegar or “fire cider”

•3 onions, chopped

•8 cloves of garlic, minced

•6 carrots, chopped

•3 cups brown rice, cooked (from 1 1/2 cups dry rice) (optional)

•Salt, pepper, celery salt, spices to taste

Simmer all ingredients for 3 hours. Strain and use as a broth (drink on its own or use as a base for soup). If desired, remove bones and put all other ingredients back in the broth.

Butternut Masala

This simple soup tastes creamy and is somewhat heavy compared to the other soups. The curry powder is full of turmeric, which stimulates detoxification and protects the liver from toxins.

•1 large onion, chopped

•2-4 Tbsp unrefined sesame oil

•1 medium butternut squash, peeled & chopped into 1” cubes

•1/4 cup sesame butter (sesame seeds in food processor or tahini)

•1/2 cup almond butter

•2 Tbsp curry powder

•1/2 tsp garam masala or cinnamon

•Salt & pepper to taste

Sautee onion in sesame oil. Add butternut and barely cover with water. Simmer until soft. Blend in blender or food processor until smooth. Add in nut butters and spices. Can be served over brown, basmati, or jasmine rice or eaten as is. Makes about 2 quarts

Kitcharee

This recipe comes from herbalist Christopher Hobbs, who is an avid fan of fasting and cleansing.

•1 part rice

•3 parts water

•1 part mung bean sprouts

•1 Tbsp fenugreek seeds (optional, will add maple/licorice flavor)

•1/2 part lentils (optional)

•Tamari/soy sauce/Bragg’s Liquid Aminos to taste

Cook the rice, water, fenugreek and lentils 30 to 60 minutes until soupy. Add bean sprouts shortly before serving.

Recipes for Cleansing: Snacks

Gomasio

You can buy this sesame seasoning in the macrobiotic section of health food stores. Or you can buy the hulled sesame seeds in bulk and make it yourself for about $1. Use in place of salt to add fiber (lignans), healthy oils, and flavor to a dish.

•1/2 cup hulled sesame seeds

•1 Tbsp sea salt

Lightly toast on medium/high heat in a skillet until light brown and aromatic. Let cool on a separate sheet before pouring into a container.

Fresh Avocado Salsa

This 3 ingredient salsa is always a hit. I bring it to parties with a bag of tortilla chips, but it can be eaten with celery stick “scoops” as well. It’s also an impromptu, filling lunch when the avocados and roma tomatoes are ripe at the health food store. Meat lovers can add precooked, cubed chicken breast.

•1 avocado, chopped small

•2-3 roma tomatoes, chopped

•2-3 Tbsp green chili salsa (my favorite is Desert Pepper brand)

Mix together and mash slightly. Serves 2-3 people. Does not store well.

Tangy Hummus

•1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

•1/4 cup tahini

•1 lemon, juiced

•4 slices dehydrated tomato

•4 cloves garlic, chopped

•3 Tbsp olive oil

Sautee garlic in olive oil until light golden. In a food processor, blend all ingredients until smooth. Serve with carrot, celery, and bell pepper sticks.

Savory Flax Crackers

Local raw foods enthusiast Meeghan Guarino taught me how to make these delicious, fiber-rich crackers. Feel free to experiment with different vegetables, fresh or dried herbs, and spices.

•1 cup whole brown and/or golden flaxseeds

•1 cup water

•1 medium onion, chopped

•1 green or red bell pepper, chopped

•1/4 jalapeño pepper, chopped (optional)

•1 teaspoon sea salt or Bragg’s Liquid Aminos

•2 teaspoons black pepper

•1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds

Soak the flaxseeds in water for 10 minutes or until they become gelatinous. Meanwhile, in a food processor, blend all the vegetables, salt, pepper, and cumin. In a large bowl, mix the flax and water gel with the pureed vegetables and spices. Once well mixed, spread approximately 1/4 inch thick on a dehydrator sheet or wax paper. Let sit in the dehydrator until completely dry and crisp. Break it up and use as a snack. Shelf stable for a week, several weeks in the fridge. Oils in the flaxseed eventually become rancid, so eat up while they’re fresh!

Fat Free Bean Dip

•1 can fat free refried beans

•1 cup salsa

•Oregano, cumin & black pepper to taste.

Mix and serve with tortilla chips or carrot, celery, and bell pepper sticks.

Recipes for Cleansing: Side Dishes & Small Meals

Beautiful Beet Salad

•     Raw Salad Greens (ie: arugula, spinach, raddichio, dandelion)

1. •    Roasted, sliced Beets
   

2. •     Light salad dressing of choice (non-creamy) or fresh squeezed orange
   

Peel fresh beets, slice into desired size, toss (or spray) with just a little olive oil, and roast at 350 until tender (about 1 hour). Remove from oven and arrange on fresh greens. Dress & serve.

Steamed Greens

This recipe can be adapted to any type of greens you have available. It’s helpful to blend bitter greens like dandelion with milder ones like kale or chard. Consider topping it with Sweet & Sour Marinated Roots.

•1 cup of chopped dandelion, mustard, and/or beet greens

•2 cups of chopped kale, chard, collards, and/or spinach greens

Lightly steam until bright or dark green (personal preference).

Love Your Brussels Sprouts

They’re good for you. And they can taste good, too. Amazing what butter and garlic will do.

•2 cups Brussels sprouts, top layer peeled off, chopped in half

•2 Tbsp sesame oil, olive oil, or butter

•4 cloves garlic, minced or grated

•1 cup shiitake mushrooms, chopped

•Salt & pepper to taste.

Sauté everything together until lightly golden. Takes 5 minutes to cook. Serves 2-4.

Sweet & Sour Marinated Roots

These yummy fresh veggie sticks are great on their own or atop steamed greens. My favorite version of this was made with infused-herb chive blossom white vinegar and anise hyssop honey.

•1/4 cup EACH of daikon or radish root, carrots, and beets, sliced into matchsticks

•1 tablespoon of toasted sesame oil

•1 tablespoon of white or rice vinegar or fresh lemon juice

•1 tablespoon of honey

In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar/lemon juice, and honey. Mix in the vegetable sticks, cover, and let sit in the fridge overnight.

Mediterranean Salad

•1 roma tomato, chopped

•1/2 cucumber, chopped

•Fresh basil and/or parsley, chopped

•1 oz mozzarella, manchego, or parmesan (opt.)

•1 oz cooked chicken, cubed (optional)

•2 Tbsp balsamic vinaigrette

Raw Vegetable “Pasta”

My raw-foods coworker taught me to use thinly sliced fresh vegetables in place of pasta. It tastes surprisingly good. You can use the noodle maker kitchen gadget (A Market sells them for $20). Or for less money and aesthetics, use a grater or peeler. Especially nice treat in hot weather or as a light lunch.  All of the following make tasty noodles.

•Zucchini

•Summer Squash

•Carrot

•Bell pepper

•Sweet potato

•Beet

•Daikon

1. •    Radish
   

Serve with tomato sauce or whatever other type of sauce you’re serving.

Juicing

I don’t have a juicer, so I don’t have any good recipes for you. However, here are some good detox fruits and vegetables to consider juicing. Apples and carrots are popular for juicing because they taste good, but keep in mind that they are high in sugar, especially when you remove them from their fiber.

•Beet root & greens

•Kale

•Parsley

•Burdock root

•Broccoli

•Broccoli sprouts

•Cabbage

•Italian Herbs

•Dandelion Greens

•Burdock Root

•Ginger

•Turmeric

•Pineapple

•Bok Choy

•Fresh Fennel

•Chard

•Wheat grass

•Dandelion root

•Blueberries

•Cranberries

•Pomegranate

•Daikon

•Nettles

•Purslane