Hooray, it’s January again! The time of year when well-meaning promises are made about this year being ‘the one’ to get in shape and sort out bad eating habits for good; ideas which somehow never quite get off the ground.

January tends to be the same month that hundreds of pounds are wasted on gym memberships which sit in a drawer unused and diets which promise the world, yet don’t deliver in the long term.

Give Your Liver a Holiday!

Too often the word detox is used to describe a period of deprivation or an extreme weight loss diet, when in fact it is a cleansing process designed to clear and reset your body. It acts as a ‘holiday’ for your liver and digestive system to help ease off some of the pressure and get things back on track. Your liver will naturally cleanse itself of toxins if given a chance, and a detox is the exact chance your body is crying out for!

If you are serious about making 2010 the year of change however, a great way to prepare your body is by undertaking a gentle, healthy and gradual detox to help it recover after the excesses of Christmas. A detox works by limiting the toxins entering the body, and supporting and enhancing the body's ability to remove stored toxins. This is done through eating a combination of foods which provide the vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants that the body needs for detoxification and temporarily eliminating certain foods which put pressure on your liver and digestive system; all without starving your body of essential nutrients and calories.

By cleansing yourself and making your insides fresh, you can expect to see:

• Renewed energy levels
• Clearer skin
• Regular bowel movements
• Imporved digesion
• Increased concentration and clarity
• Weight loss as a result of water retention

A detox is particularly suited to those who have picked up bad eating habits over a sustained period of time or those who have seriously indulged; January is a great time to begin a detox as the latter applies to most of us who enjoyed ourselves over Christmas! The best way to detox is to do it slowly and gradually and not restrict everything at once. A popular mistaken belief is that a detox involves depriving yourself of food and restricting calories; this is simply not true, it just ensures you are eating the right foods which provide your body with the nutrients it needs.

How To Do It

Now that we have covered the background information on the principles and goals of detoxing, we can move on to the most important part of how to go about it. The length of a healthy detox can vary depending on the individual and the state of their health; however a period of 21 days seems to be about right. If you try and rush the process by undergoing an extreme detox, it can cause your metabolism to slow and in some cases can cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Week One

In the first week of the process, give up foods the body may find complicated to process including:

• Red Meat
• Eggs
• Dairy
• Gluten
• Alcohol
• Anything with sugar or artificial sweetener in

Weeks Two and Three

In the second and third weeks, start to reintroduce these food groups every few days in a controlled manner so at 21 days you are back to eating all food types.

To Make It Easier

To ease the detox process, try to avoid “white carbs” such as bread and pasta, opting for complex carbohydrates instead (potatoes and wholegrain cereals are good sources). These foods contain vital fibre, vitamins and minerals and break down slowly in the body, preventing hunger pangs and helping to maintain steady blood sugar levels. Getting as many fruits and vegetables as possible into your diet is a great way to aid the detox process; they have an alkalizing effect on the body which helps maintain a balance and provides you with all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Preparing a smoothie is an easy and delicious way to bump up your 5-a-day total.

To Make It Even Easier – Get Someone Else To Do the Work!

Many people are put off by a detox as they think it is a stressful process which requires lots of pre-thought and organization of completely different meals, when in fact it is very easy to incorporate into every-day life. If you want to give detoxing a go, but are short of time or just want someone else to do it all for you, The Pure Package have developed a healthy, three week detox and cleanse programme designed by expert Nutritional & Dietary Therapists. With all food deliciously prepared and delivered to your door daily for complete convenience, there are simply no excuses not to have a healthier 2010.

Jennifer Irvine’s Top Three Detox Tips

1. Plan your weeks food in advance to avoid breaking it because you are busy. You will probably double your intake of fruit & vegetables - With an alkalising effect on the body fruit and vegetables help to maintain balance and provide us with the necessary vitamins and minerals.
2. Avoid eating too late at night or going to bed before your meal is fully digested as this will put a strain on your system.
3. Lemon and Ginger tea is perfect for detoxing as it’s caffeine free and great for assisting the digestive system.

Delicious, yet Detoxing Recipes

If you are looking for inspiration to cook tasty meals as part of the detox process, then look no further than Lightly Spiced Beetroot and Coconut Soup and Organic Salmon, Sesame Rice Noodle and Mange Tout Salad. The combination of ingredients and flavours will make you forget you are even on a detox and ensure you never go hungry.

Lightly Spiced Beetroot & Coconut Soup (Serves 4)

Ingredients
400g raw beetroot, washed and roughly chopped
120g Shallots, peeled and roughly chopped
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp red thai curry paste
1 litre of vegetable stock
400g low fat coconut milk
2 tsp fresh lime juice
Method:

1) Preheat the oven to 180-200c. Roast the beetroot until just tender.
2) Heat ½ tsp groundnut oil and fry the cumin seeds until lots of yummy smells are released ( a couple of minutes). Add the shallots & curry paste, cook for 3-5 minutes.
3) Add the roasted beetroot to the shallot mix and stir through.
4) Add the stock, and bring to a slow boil for 10 minutes, until the beetroot is soft & tender.
5) Turn off the heat, allow the soup to cool slightly and then add the coconut milk.
6) Stir through, and puree in a blender until smooth. Serve immediately.

Organic Salmon, Sesame Rice Noodle & Mange Tout Salad (Serves 4)

Ingredients:

4 Salmon or Pollock fillets (ask your fishmonger to bone and skin the fish)
2 tsp black sesame seeds
160g rice angel vermicelli noodles
A drizzle of sesame oil
2 red peppers, washed
150g mangetout, washed
1 pink grapefruit
A handful of coriander leaves, washed
A handful of mint leaves, washed
200g fresh baby spinach leaves, washed
For the dressing: Mix 4 tbsp tamari (wheat-free soy sauce) & 5 tbsp mirin

Method:

1) Preheat the oven to 180c. Roast the salmon until just cooked (6-8 minutes). Take out of oven and sprinkle each fillet with black sesame seeds.
2) Put the noodles in a pan, and cover in boiling water. Leave to rest for a couple of minutes until tender. Mix with some sesame oil and set aside.
3) Peel the grapefruit and cut into segments.
4) Cut the mangetout and red pepper into thin strips.
5) Place the baby spinach on the bottom of a bowl, and place the noodles in the middle on top.

Scatter the mangetout and red pepper strips around the dish, and pour over the dressing.
Top with the sesame crusted salmon. Place the grapefruit segments around the edge and finally scatter some fresh coriander and mint leaves around the bowl.

• Salmon is a great source of essential fat which regulate liver function as well as help the condition of your skin, hair and nails. Your body can’t produce these fats on its own, so it is important that you get them from your diet.
• Rice contains selenium, a powerful antioxidant which helps protect the liver.
• Beetroot is a good source of fibre, beta-carotene and flavonoids which can reduce the damage caused by free radicals and help the liver to maintain its normal function.
• Sesame seeds are packed with minerals, vitamins and fibre making them a very protective food.
• Grapefruit is rich in anti-oxidants and phytochemicals which have been shown to aid the detoxification process.

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