According to Oxford Dictionary, “Detox” (short for detoxification) is defined as;

“A process or period of time in which one abstains from or rids the body of toxic or unhealthy substances; detoxification”

Our body is created to detox naturally. Organs such as liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph, colon, and skin do the job. If we are feeding our body right and eating well, our organs would be able to detoxify our body as it should be. Problem only occurs when we are overloading our body with toxic substances. Our body can’t keep up and in turn become “faulty” and that’s when we fall ill and diseases creep in. A big part of it is contributed by food that are heavily refined, processed and manufactured with chemicals and artificial products. And it’s okay to be eating them especially if we enjoy them (I mean who can really say no forever to a bag of chips right?), but the key is moderation. You can learn more about how I stay healthy whilst enjoying my sweets and fries here.

“Detoxifying food just means wholefood; real food that are abounding with vitamins, minerals and nutrients which are healing to the body and aids body with its detoxification processes”

I’m a big believer of moderation and balance when it comes to life and food, and I personally find elimination diets not sustainable and neither is it healthy for our psychological and mental state. I’ve written on 80:20 rule that I adopt in helping me achieve moderation and to live healthily, sustainably here.

The only time I would practice “elimination” would be during my “detox week/s”, which I try to do semi-annually, just to give my body a rest once in a while from all things refined. I thought as I prepare meals for myself, I’d document them and have those recipes written out for you. They are nothing fancy, just basic nourishing breakfast meals that you can put up in a jiffy.

Detox Recipe #1: My Big Breakfast

⏰ 20 minutes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven at 200C. Wash, scrub, clean and dry sweet potato. Cut it into small cubes. Mix in chopped garlic and 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil with the cubed potatoes. Add them into a baking tray, and bake for 15-20 minutes (till it’s golden and lightly charred)
2. As potatoes are roasting in the oven, add chopped garlic into an oiled pan. Fry till it’s slightly golden, and add baby spinach. Let it sit and stir occasionally.
3. While that’s cooking, crack 2 eggs into other side of the pan, cook it for a minute and flip it over and cook for another minute.
4. Turn off heat, sprinkle pink himalayan salt over spinach and eggs. Serve them on a plate.
5. Sprinkle smoked paprika and turmeric powder over eggs.
6. Cut up some fresh cucumbers to serve alongside the other dishes.
7. Once sweet potatoes are ready, sprinkle pink himalayan salt over it and serve with the rest.

Detox Recipe #2: Green Smoothie Bowl

⏰ 5 minutes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directions:

1. Add frozen banana, spinach, almond cinnamon, honey and chia seeds into food processor.
2. Process till you reach a smooth consistency (about 2-3mins)
3. Serve with desired toppings.

Detox Recipe #3: Granola Bowl and Green Juice

⏰ 10 minutes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directions:

Granola Bowl

1. Add banana and homemade granola into a bowl. Drizzle almond cinnamon over it.
2. Serve with frozen mixed berries and dried figs.

Green Juice (without a juicer)

1. Add all ingredients into the blender. Process till it’s smooth.
2. Strain and enjoy!

 

Detox Recipe #4: Hummus Pepper Cups

⏰ 10 minutes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directions:

1. Add chickpea, garlic, cumin powder, turmeric powder, and salt into food processor.
2. As the processor runs, add in olive oil. (You can use less or more depending on the consistency you desire)
3. Fill up peppers with hummus.
4. Sprinkle chia seeds, sesame seeds, smoked paprika and black pepper over it.

Detox Recipe #5: Breakfast on a Pan

⏰ 15 minutes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directions:

1. Stir fry chopped kai lan in olive oil and garlic for a minute.
2. Add 3 eggs into pan and give it a swirl to cover the entire pan. Cook for another minute in medium heat.
3. Sprinkle smoked paprika and salt over it.
4. Serve with roasted garlic dressing.

 

I hope these recipes will inspire you to make nourishing, delicious meals at home. It takes less than 15 to 20 minutes to put up any of these meals. Once you get cooking and enjoying meals like these, you will never want to have them any other way. So, cook, have fun and enjoy food! Remember to show somebody some love this week by giving, sharing, listening and encouraging.

Lots of love,
Erina