My New Year Cleanse
Like most people, in December I tend to eat foods I don’t usually … and drink more alcohol. So, I’m doing a gut cleanse this week. Here’s what I’m doing:
Drinks:
NO alcohol or caffeine
At least two litres per day of still mineral water and herbal teas. I use whole leaf tea – the flavour and quality is so much better. I have a teaball for single cups and a teapot for when hubby joins me. I get my loose herbs from Helen’s Whole Foods in Weymouth or Buy Wholefoods Online. My current favourites are: nettle, dandelion, lemon verbena, fennel seed and dried ginger.
I’m planning to include some home-made raw juices with plenty of fresh turmeric and ginger (but I haven’t got round to it … it’s something to do with the weather I think!)
Food:
- NO dairy (except small amounts of butter)
- NO sugar
- NO grains
- Low carb (very little rice or potatoes)
- Maximise veg, herbs and spice intake (I ordered in extra veg from Riverford this week along with organic turmeric and ginger root which I’ve been adding to everything)
Go to Menus below to see what I’ve been eating day by day and to download recipes (click on the links).
Supplements:
My kinesiologist came up with two products I needed to help cleanse my gut:
- CandiSolve – a combination of digestive enzymes and a specific probiotic which re-balances candida overgrowth.
- Punica Plus – a herbal parasite formula.
These were individually identified for me during a kinesiology session – I DO NOT RECOMMEND TAKING SUCH REMEDIES WITHOUT TESTING. Contact me to book in.
I’ve been experiencing some “die-off” symptoms – slight headaches and tiredness mostly. I’ve been resting, as well as getting fresh air and exercise.
Menus:
Day 1: (I made a batch of Muffins, Linseed crackers & cannellini bean Hummus)
- Breakfast: Spinach omelette, linseed crackers, herbal tea
- 11am: a muffin, herbal tea
- Lunch: Spicy carrot & parsnip soup, linseed crackers, hummus, water
- 4pm: handful of brazils & almonds and an orange, herbal tea
- Dinner: sausages, braised red cabbage (no sugar), an orange
Day 2:
- Breakfast: 2 soft-boiled eggs, linseed crackers, herbal tea
- Lunch: Spicy carrot & parsnip soup, linseed crackers, hummus, water
- 4pm: a muffin, herbal tea
- Dinner: fish pie, leftover braised red cabbage
Day 3:
- Breakfast: 3 rashers grilled bacon, half an avocado, half a paleo flatbread & butter, herbal tea
- 11am: a muffin, herbal tea
- Lunch: Cauliflower soup, linseed crackers, hummus, water
- Dinner: beef & pork chilli, slaw, an orange
Day 4:
- Breakfast: Spinach omelette, linseed crackers, herbal tea
- Lunch: Cauliflower soup, linseed crackers, hummus, water
- 4pm: a muffin, herbal tea
- Dinner: sausages, broccoli, roasted parsnips, small amount of 75% dark chocolate
Day 5: (I’ve lost two pounds)
- Breakfast: 2 soft-boiled eggs, linseed crackers, herbal tea
- Lunch: Squash & red lentil soup, rice cakes, peanut butter
- 4pm: a muffin, fennel & ginger tea
- Dinner: Greek chicken, roasted parsnips, broccoli
Made another batch of hummus and linseed crackers and I’m trying out a new lemon cookie recipe. Riverford had bergamot lemons this week – smell amazing and the juice tastes like a cross between lemon and mandarin.
Day 6:
- Breakfast: 2 soft-boiled eggs, linseed crackers, herbal tea
- Lunch: leftover Greek chicken, raw slaw, half an avocado, 2 lemon cookies (they’re good!), herbal tea
- Dinner: beef & chickpea curry, shredded cabbage dressed with lime zest & juice and olive oil. A glass of wine and small amount of
- 75% chocolate (it’s Friday!).
Day 7:
- Breakfast: 2 soft-boiled eggs, linseed crackers, herbal tea
- Lunch: Squash & lentil soup, hummus, celery, herbal tea, lemon cookie.
- 4pm: an orange and a muffin, herbal tea.
- Dinner: pork & veg casserole, spring greens, muffin, two squares 85% choc.
I think that this week of menus shows you the diet which best suits me when I want to feel good and lose weight (I lost 3-4lbs – I’m back to my usual weight). There is no one-size fits all in terms of which diet is best … please contact me to book in so we can find which diet suits you. Happy new year!