Many people find that spring is a time of cleansing. 

It’s natural, and traditionally this is seen as the best time of year to do more intense detoxification practices. However, many people find that they still feel great by simply adding more foods that help support their body’s natural detoxification processes. This can include:

• Purchasing more organic options
• Consuming more cruciferous vegetables
• Incorporating bitter greens into their diet
• Adding some supplements

To support your body’s natural detoxification processes, here are three great detox recipes to include in your routine!

Simple Detox Recipes

Seriously Delicious Detox Salad

Adapted from Gimme Some Oven

Salad ingredients:
*Finely chop using food processor or knife

• 3 cups finely chopped kale leaves
• 2 cups finely chopped broccoli florets
• 2 cups finely chopped red cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup roughly chopped cilantro
• ½ cup toasted slivered almonds
• ⅓ cup thinly-sliced green onions
• 1 avocado, peeled pitted and diced
• Carrot Ginger Dressing

Dressing Ingredients:

1. 1 large carrot, peeled and roughly chopped
2. ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
3. 2 tbsp. olive oil
4. 1 tbsp. finely-chopped fresh ginger
5. 1 tbsp. honey
6. 1 tbsp. white miso
7. ½ tsp. Sesame oil
8. Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. For salad: Combine all ingredients.
2. For dressing: Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth.

Why we love it

1. Kale, broccoli and red cabbage: all of these are cruciferous vegetables, which are important to help support our liver’s detoxification processes. Specifically, they can help support phase 2 detoxification through a variety of compounds, this even includes one called Indole-3-Carbinol, which has been shown to have anti-tumour and anti-carcinogenic effects on the body.
2. White miso: miso is fermented soybeans, and fermented foods will be a good choice for most people to help support the good bacteria in their gut microbiome. 
3. Cilantro: this is commonly used to support heavy metal detoxification in the body. Also, thanks to quercetin, cilantro also has strong antioxidant properties which can help fight against oxidative stress in the body. 

Detox Kale Smoothie

Adapted from Feel Good Foodie

Ingredients:

• 3 cups kale or spinach
• 2 stalks celery, roughly chopped
• 3 cups coconut water
• 1 green apple
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• Optional: 2 tbsp collagen powder

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a blender, blend until smooth and enjoy.

Note: this smoothie should not replace a whole meal, but may be a snack in between or consumed alongside a meal.

Why we love it

1. Kale or spinach: both are dark, bitter greens, which are commonly used to help support our digestive processes as they can help increase bile production.
2. Coconut water: keeping up with our electrolyte intake is important, especially if our body is detoxifying, if we work up a sweat regularly or follow a low-carb diet.
3. Green apple: some smoothies, shakes and juices are loaded with high-sugar fruits. Green apples or berries are a good low-sugar alternative to maintain blood sugar regulation.

Slow Cooker Cabbage Patch Soup

Adapted from The Seasoned Mom

Ingredients:

• 2 medium onions, sliced
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
• 3 cups string beans
• ½ head of cabbage, chopped
• 3 ribs celery, diced
• 1 lbs lean ground beef (omit for vegan option)
• 1 16 oz can red kidney beans (add additional can if making vegan)
• 1 tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. Pepper
• 1 tsp. Chili powder
• 2 tsp. Minced garlic
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ tsp turmeric
• 1 tbsp. Curry powder
• 1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
• 4 cups organic vegetable broth or homemade bone broth
• 4 cups water

Instructions:

1. Place onions, carrots, string beans, cabbage and celery in a 6-quart slow cooker.
2. Top with cooked beef and/or drained beans. Add salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic, bayleaf, turmeric and curry powder. Pour in crushed tomato, coup broth and water.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 2-3 hours. Remove bay leaf and serve immediate. Can freeze for up to 3 months.

Why we love it.

1. It’s hot! Spring is a mix of warm and cool days, rain, snow, sunshine. So a cold smoothie or raw-food salad isn’t satisfying or wanted. It’s important to still include cooked foods that are easy to digest like soups to stay energized.
2. Onions and garlic: both contain allicin, an active compound which has been shown to have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-parasitic and anti-viral properties. That typically makes both of these key in supporting certain forms of dysbiosis in the gut.
3. Turmeric: a natural anti-inflammatory widely used.
4. Kidney beans: these contain both soluble and insoluble fibre, giving them two functions. First, they help with better bowel movements, a key part of detoxification. Second, they can help with cholesterol and blood sugar management.

Do you want to learn about more ways you can support your body's cleansing processes with more detox recipes?