After too many indulgences this winter season, we are definitely ready to start the warmer seasons off on the right foot. While we love a good juice cleanse or diet detox just as much as the next health nut, our busy college-life schedules (and meal options), don’t usually allow for sticking to strict, regimented detox plans. As the days of hiding behind baggy sweaters are quickly becoming numbered, our bodies are craving some type of cleanse.
We’ve discovered that “detoxing” doesn’t have to mean drinking only fruit juice for 5 days straight. When we feel like our bodies need a reboot, we turn to some smoothie recipes that are easy to add into our everyday diets. Fruits and veggies are high in fiber and packed with nutrients for your body. They help to detox by flushing out toxins and replacing them with vitamins and minerals. You can drink these for however many days it takes until your body feels energized and cleansed of impurities.
We like to precut a bunch of the ingredients at the beginning of the week and keep them in premeasured baggies. That way, it’s really easy to make smoothies half-asleep before your 8am, when you’re rushing to get out the door (although they aren’t limited to early mornings- they make excellent snacks and on-the-go lunches, too!).
Pink Power Smoothie
This pink smoothie packs a powerful punch and is loaded with nutrients: Beets cleanse the liver, purifies the blood, is an anti-inflammatory and source of iron. Avocado helps lower blood pressure, lubricates joints, is an anti-inflammatory, contains healthy fats, and is high in fiber. Strawberries are high in antioxidants, a rich source of vitamin C, and benefits digestion. Celery contains fiber to promote the feeling of fullness and is rich in B vitamins. Lemon as antibacterial properties, aids digestion, is high in vitamin C, and detoxifies and alkalizes. Coconut oil fights viruses, fungi, and bacteria, is a metabolism booster, and increases HDL (good) cholesterol. Apples help balance blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, and aids digestion. We feel healthier just thinking about it.
Ingredients:
1 cup water or coconut water
½ medium-sized avocado, pitted
2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
1 cup strawberries (frozen preferred)
1 small/medium beet, ends trimmed and roughly chopped
1 lemon, juiced (about 3 tablespoons)
1 tablespoon coconut oil
4 large ice cubes
1 apple, cored and roughly chopped
Directions:
1. Steam beet.
2. Add all ingredients into a blender and blend on high until smooth. Adjust sweetness if desired, by adding more apple or liquid sweetener to taste.
Blueberry-Mint Smoothie
This smoothie is perfect for those with a sweet tooth, and the mint adds many health benefits: it’s a digestive aid, promotes healthy skin, cleanses and detoxes the body, and contains many antioxidants.
Ingredients:
1 cup frozen blueberries
½ avocado, pitted
¼ cup orange juice
½ cup fresh mint leaves
1 teaspoon lemon juice
½ cup water
Directions:
1. Add all ingredients into a blender and blend on high until smooth.
Revitalizing Kale Smoothie
This green smoothie is the best we have found because it’s finally one that doesn’t taste like grass. The ingredients are super healthy, and give you that ever-so-sought-after green-smoothie-glow (we swear).
Ingredients:
1 cup raw kale, chopped
1 cup frozen banana, roughly chopped
1 cup frozen mango
1 teaspoon chia seeds
1 squeeze of lemon, about 1 teaspoon
1 cup almond milk
½ bunch mint, for garnish
Directions:
1. Add banana, kale, and mango to blender.
2. Squeeze about a teaspoon of lemon juice into the blender.
3. Add chia seeds and almond milk.
4. Blend on high until smooth.
5. Add a few mint leaves as garnish.
We’d love to hear your detoxifying strategies! Comment below or tweet us @HCSyracuse to share!