Monday, August 10, 2009

Detox Recipes - Drinks

Detox Recipes - Drinks

Fresh vegetable and fruit juices are an indispensable part of a detox diet. They are quick to make and full of nutrients. The high water content makes them a perfect instrument to flush away toxins in our gastro-intestinal tracts. But do you know which vegetable is good for what?

Carrot is full of carotenoids, vitamins and minerals. Carrot juice is a perfect eye tonic. It is sweet in taste.

Beet is a tonic for the kidney, central nervous system and liver and helps in production of red blood cells. On its own it’s bitter and therefore is nearly always blended with sweeter juices.

Cabbage is soothing for the gastro-intestinal trace and heals peptic ulcers.

Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, parsley are loaded with minerals and vitamins and are ‘whole food’ supplements. The taste is on the bitter side therefore is nearly always blended with sweeter juices.

Cucumber equalizes blood pressure, cooling and is mildly diuretic. Taste refreshing and pleasing to the palate.

Celery lowers blood pressure, mildly sedative and diuretic.

Coconut water compliments our blood plasma.

Pineapple is rich in vitamin C and digestive enzymes.

Apple eases digestion, alkalizing and relieves insomnia. Green apple adds a sweet taste when mixed with other juices.

Pear is a moisture booster and nourishes the skin and lungs.

Papaya is rich in digestive enzymes , vitamin C and beta-carotene.

Watermelon is refreshing and relieves water retention.

Honeydew is rich in vitamins and digestive enzymes.

Kiwi is rich in vitamins and digestive enzymes.

Mango is rich in vitamin C and beta carotene.

To make vegetable juices more interesting and even more nutritious, add:
- A shot of wheatgrass. Wheatgrass has as much fibre as 1 kg of green vegetable. It is rich in vitamin B, antioxidants, calcium, iron, magnesium and highly alkalizing. It is a great supplement for detox.
- A teaspoon of spirulina. Spirulina is rich in amino acids, minerals, vitamin B and antioxidant.
- A small piece of ginger, to bring a ‘zing’ factor to any drink!
- A sprinkle of grounded cinnamon, a perfect match for apple and coconut drinks.

Why not try some of these delicious and nutritious juices and smoothies?

Wake Me Up
Carrot, broccoli, apple, turnip and lime – a great digestive regulator to start the day.

Green Power
Celery, lemon, green apple and carrot – relieves headaches and reduces high blood pressure. Calms frayed nerves.

Red Power
Beet, cucumber, carrot and ginger – stimulates and cleanses the liver and promotes skin renewal.

Deep Clean
Green apple, celery, kiwi, lime, honeydew and coriander – a whole food supplement bursting with nutrients.

Sparkling Peach
Peach, ginger, mint, sparkling mineral water – a sweet and zingy tonic to ease intestinal discomfort.

Sparking Apple Ale
Green apples, ginger and sparkling mineral water – great for digestion.

Berry Frappacinno
Coconut water and flesh, blueberries, green apple juice, blend with ice. Rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, supports the central nervous system, strengthen the eyes and simulates digestion.

Papaya Milkshake
Papaya, ginger juice and lime blended with ice and either pumpkin seed milk or sunflower seed milk. To make pumpkin/sunflower seed milk, put a few handful of seeds in a food processor, pulse and add a steady stream of water until liquidized. Stir the seed milk if settling occurs. Prepare fresh and drink right away. This smoothie is a fantastic blend of probiotics, enzymes and antacids.

Papaya Beeshake
Papaya, bee pollen and honey blended with ice and either pumpkin seed milk or sunflower seed milk. A booster for intestinal immunity.