4 Post Holiday Detox Smoothies

We all know the holiday season means letting loose and overindulging a bit and to be honest, that’s what makes it so fun! But by the end of the month, we are totally ready to get back to our normal lifestyle where we look, and most importantly, FEEL our best and we could use some Detox Smoothies to help with that.

For some January is a time for renewal, a time to try to reset your life especially when it comes to nutrition. For others, January is a time of stress because there is so much pressure put on us to be something that we weren’t just last month. Let us just say this first, you are just as perfect and wonderful today as you were last month and the month before that! We like to use January as a total reset button for our minds and our bodies and sometimes we need a little extra help to get back to where we were before the holidays.

And that’s where detox smoothies come in! We have 4 different detox smoothies for you that each serve a different purpose in resetting your body and getting all your organs and internal systems functioning optimally again! We suggest replacing one meal a day with a smoothie for a week, limit or remove sugar and processed foods as well as exercise 4-5 times a week to help jumpstart your New Year goals and get your body feeling great again. And remember to always listen to your body! Don’t be afraid to rest when you are tired and eat when you’re hungry!

For each smoothie, all you have to do is throw all the ingredients into a high-speed blender and then enjoy! They are especially great if you are on the run and can’t sit down to enjoy a meal!

1.) Green Detox Smoothie

When you give your body an abundance of nutrients it will help flush toxins out of your body. This detox smoothie is full of vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, and other healthful nutrients giving your body a detoxifying flush. Chia seeds and avocados are a great tool to help do this; the fats keep bile levels up and help get rid of the toxins in our system and the fiber carries these toxins out.

Cucumbers, on the other hand, are really hydrating for the body, which is perfect after a month of indulging in dehydrating foods and drink. It also supports the digestive system and helps to reduce inflammation. Ginger has a very strong flavor but if you can tolerate it, it is great for reducing inflammation in the body. It has also been shown to lower blood sugar levels. So, if you struggle to keep your blood sugar stable, consider adding ginger to your smoothies, juices or meals.

Ingredients:

½ frozen avocado (freezing it makes the smoothie creamier)

a handful of spinach

½ peeled cucumber (can leave the skin on if your blender can handle it)

½ inch peeled ginger

½ cup frozen mango

1 T chia seeds

½ cup almond milk

1 T maple syrup

2.) Orange Creamsicle

All the sugar consumed during the Holidays can really take a toll on our immune system, well that and all the endless parties and overcommitting ourselves. We all know oranges are a great source of vitamin C, which helps boost our immune system, but they also have a lot of fiber, potassium (know to reduce high blood pressure), folate and vitamin A! And Pineapples contain bromelain which combats inflammation in the body.

Ingredients:

2 oranges, peeled

½ cup frozen pineapple

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract (optional)

1 scoop vanilla protein powder (we used Perfect Fit)

3.) Liver Cleansing Smoothie

Before we even go into the benefits of this detox smoothie we need to acknowledge that, yes, it sounds weird and yes, beets can occasionally taste like the earth. But we need to emphasize how important the liver is to our everyday life! “When working properly, the liver clears 99% of the bacteria and other toxins during the first pass. However, when the liver is damaged, such as in alcoholics, the passage of toxins increases by over a factor of 10”. So that being said, we felt it necessary to give you a smoothie to help recover the liver from all that extra wine this month.

Beets, while not a favorite of everyone, definitely deserve a shout out when trying to detox from a month of parties and pastries. They contain a very powerful antioxidant only found in only a few foods called betalains. This is where the beets get their color and betalains work directly with the liver to detox the blood. Dandelion greens have been shown as an antioxidant that lowers blood sugar and they may also help in strengthening bones with the high amount of vitamin K they have.

We absolutely love MCT oil (MCT stands for Medium Chain Triglycerides) for all the health benefits it offers. Dr. Axe says,  “medium-chain fats are digested easily and sent directly to your liver, where they have a thermogenic effect and the ability to positively alter your metabolism.” If you would like to read more about the health benefits of MCT oil, please click HERE.

Ingredients:

¾ cup peeled and cooked beets

1 carrot peeled if not organic

A handful of dandelion greens

1 apple

juice of ½ of a lemon

1 T MCT oil

½ cup water

4.) Berry Good Detox Smoothie

This smoothie has many detoxifying elements such as fiber, antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin C, folic acid, phytonutrients, and more!

Cherries are known to support sleep while detoxing because they are a good source of melatonin. They are high in potassium and fiber and shown to be anti-inflammatory. Kale contains vitamins A and C, protein and phytonutrients that act as antioxidants as well as it is a good source of fiber. Hemp seeds help to alkalize the body while providing plant-based protein, omega 3 healthy fats and are high in fiber and minerals. And finally, pomegranate juice contains a powerhouse antioxidant that supports the immune system.

Ingredients:

½ cup frozen cherries

½ cup frozen blueberries

a handful of kale (stems removed)

½ cup frozen pineapple

1 T hemp seeds

½-3/4 cup pomegranate juice