Nearly 2 weeks ago I started a group cleanse with a few women in my community. We were all very excited to take a little time before summer to get reconnected with our bodies, shape ourselves up for summer festivities and simply get ready for some fun celebration with food and drink and, ya know, RESET ourselves.

One thing I relearned this season was that everyone starts a cleanse with a different intention. Some want to loose weight, some want to identify a food sensitivity, some want to reduce seasonal allergies and some, like myself, want to reconnect with the food that I eat, find new recipes and remember what it’s like to say no thank you once in a while.

After every cleanse I am reminded how much I like to say YES. While that may be a positive way to approach life, there are some very nice lessons in saying no thank you. No thanks to things like  seconds or to a cup of coffee or to another beer or to more pizza with extra cheese. While I love all of those things, and think there can be some health with consuming those tasty items in moderation and with quality ingredients, it is easy to go overboard.

My other intention for the cleanse was more focused on my connection my family and my personal growth. I set out to be more patient and more reflective as well. Some days it has been very easy and others, well lets just say it has taken more work. I found that my 2-3 minute daily meditation  and my yoga practice was helpful.

One of may favorite side effects has to be the lovely new recipes that I have discovered. Here are two that are so simple, so completely satisfying and delicious, rich in nutrients and ensure a nice BM to boot 🙂

Good ‘ol Gazpacho

  • 8-10 fresh tomatoes or even a large can of tomatoes (it is a little early in the season for garden tomatoes). If canned strive for PCB free lining.
  • 2 large seedless cucumbers
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • 1 or 2 green, orange or yellow bell peppers
  • 1 jalapeno (seeded)
  • 1/4 cup of olive oil
  • The juice of 1 lime
  • 1 tsp of salt
  • 1 tsp of pepper
  • 1/4 tsp of chipotle spice if you have it (adds spice so its optional)
  • 1 cup of lightly chopped cilantro
  • 1 cup of lightly chopped parsley

Chop veggies into large chunks and place into a large mixing bowel, add lime juice, add parsley and cilantro, smashed garlic (use side of knife and press on clove firmly, it will pop slide right out of skin). Blend all ingredients with a hand blender until smooth. A regular blender or food processor is fine to – I just like the cleanly and quick approach of the hand blender. Then add chipotle if you want some smokey heat, add salt and pepper ( continue adding additional salt to taste). Continue blending until the flavor is right. Serve chilled with a nice artisan bread (wheat free of you are cleansing), some grilled fish or beans is also a lovely protein. So yummy!

Quinoa scramble

  • 2 cups of quinoa
  • 2 tbl of olive oil
  • 1 head of curly kale
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 1 half small onion
  • 1 red pepper
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup Brags “soy sauce”

Bring 2 cups of quinoa to boil in 4 cups of water. Let boil until water reached the surface of the grain, reduce heat to a simmer, cover and leave alone for about 15 minutes. Should be perfect texture when done. Soft, snappy, not mushy. Set aside.

Now in a large skillet saute onion and garlic for 5 minutes. Add pepper and finely chopped kale and sautee for 5 more minutes. In another skillet sramble 2 eggs, when done add to veggies. Add quinoa to the mixture  1 cup at a time, continuing to saute on high heat. Add in brags slowly while mixing everything together into a large stir fry.

Serve immediately, add a little hot sauce for fun, maybe a squeeze of lime. Delicious!

After only two weeks I have to say I feel great!

I had a mild headache  for a day or two but the quality of my afternoon energy has nearly erased that experience from my memory bank. Seriously, I do not get an afternoon slump, I am thinking more clearly and I feel more inspired. Also, my food is soooo tasty.  The best thing about eliminating sugar is that when you eat a beet or a carrot it is truly surprising how sweet they are. Really fun! Finally, thanks to the flax and a significant increase in fruits, veggies and some more interesting grains, I have fabulous gastrointestinal function. Feeling very light!

Remember, at any point you can simply RESET!

Peace in health,

Dr. Rose

 

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