The 48-Hour Gentle Detox (with Sauerkraut & Kimchi)

Are you trying to jump into the New Year with a New You, but the Old You is weighing you down with extra pounds gained from the holidays? Many people embark on starvation diets or detoxes after the holidays hoping to shed the pudge and push out some toxins, however, this type of desperate regime always back fires. You may lose a few pounds, but a severe restriction of calories will slow down your metabolism and may cause you to gain those lost pounds back and more. What’s worse, if you're not doing a healthy cleanse; eating ingredients that support your liver and path of elimination, toxins will simply re-circulate within your body and take up residence in your fat cells, making those cells even fatter.

The best way to do a healthy detox is to engage in a sensible eating plan and have a small serving of lacto-fermented, live-culture containing vegetables at every meal. Research shows that the multiple strains of bacteria (such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillis brevis, and Lactobacillis plantarum) found in kimchi and sauerkraut, along with nutrients in cabbage are highly effective in helping the body detox from pesticides and other toxins.

Please note the best times for a detox is in the spring and fall. Not during the winter months when the body is stressed from the cold climate; needing more calories and good sleep. 
So eat your sauerkraut and kimchi!

Can't Wait?

"I'm feeling sluggish and need help now and don't want to wait until spring?!"

Alright, let's do a gentle, effective cleanse for 48 hours, based on healthy foods and fermented vegetables.

The 48-Hour Gentle Detox with Live Cultures

Upon waking, drink 8 oz (236 ml) room temperature filtered water with 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lemon juice.

Breakfast: Avocado Smoothie

• 1/2 avocado
• 1/2 organic pear
• 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) tahini or almond butter
• 1 Tablespoon (15ml) flax seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) cinnamon
• Pinch of sea salt
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) coconut milk
• 8 oz. (236 ml) filtered water

Toss everything in a blender, and blend.
After you've enjoyed the smoothie, have a shot
(1 - 2 oz, 29 - 58 ml) of sauerkraut or kimchi juice (brine).

Lunch: Seared Salmon with Organic Greens

• 4 oz (113 g) salmon (wild is best)
• 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) coconut oil or ghee
• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 4 cups (960 ml) organic greens
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) sauerkraut or kimchi

In a cast-iron or heavy pan, melt the oil on high heat. Place the salmon in the pan and season with salt and pepper. Sear on one side for about 2 - 3
minutes, and flip over for another 3 minutes.
Toss the rest of the ingredients together and serve with the cooked salmon.

Dinner: Kale & Sweet Potato Soup

• 1/2 bunch kale, stemmed and sliced
• 3 oz (85 g) sweet potato, diced
• 12 oz (340 g) unsalted chicken broth, unsalted vegetable, or filtered water  
• 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) freshly grated ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) cayenne powder
• Sea salt  and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Place all ingredients in a medium pot and simmer
for 30 minutes. Enjoy your soup with 1/2 cup (120 ml) sauerkraut or kimchi.

Notes:

• Simply repeat the same for day 2. 
• You can substitute the salmon for cooked chicken, or tempeh (if you're vegetarian).
• Drink room temperature, or warm water with lemon throughout the day.
• Avoid: sugar, gluten*, caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes, or recreational drugs.
• If you're on medication, you should consult with your health care practitioner before doing a detox.
• After this gentle detox, continue to have a small serving (1/3 cup, 80 ml) of fermented vegetables with every meal.

Happy detoxing!
Karen
Chief Fermentation Officer

*Want to learn more about gluten? Click HERE

Karen is a Certified Nutritionist and member of the National Association of Nutritional Professionals.

References:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19199784

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/07/16/this-food-helps-you-to-detox-pesticides.aspx