Juices and smoothies are typically loaded with sugar. Natural or not, sugar is still sugar. While it’s best to keep sugar intake down, sometimes it’s not a bad idea to replace a typical meal with one of these nutrient-dense drinks. Once or twice a week, or anytime you’d like, enjoy one of these.
PINK LEMONADE
It’s always best to keep things simple during a cleanse and this recipe does just that by using only 3 fresh ingredients. Green apple, beetroot and lemon. This combo creates the most vibrant pink color with the perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors. Try it, it’s epic.
INGREDIENTS
Makes 1 serving
4 green apples, roughly chopped
½ lemon, peeled
⅛ inch slice of red beetroot
Run all ingredient through a juicer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Enjoy.
ORANGE TURMERIC SMOOTHIE
This refreshing smoothie provides a solid hit of vitamin C, omega 3’s, and fiber to help your body cleanse. It goes down smooth and gives a big boom of citrus flavor right at the first sip. The added turmeric root delivers anti-inflammatory benefits and assists in elevating the body’s liver detoxification enzymes to help aid the cleansing process. This simple combination of fresh whole foods can help boost your immune system, hydrate you, and kickstart your cleanse.
INGREDIENTS
Makes 1 serving
2 oranges, peeled
2 bananas
1 tbs hemp seeds
½ inch chunk fresh turmeric (or ¼ tsp ground)
½ cup filtered water
½ cup ice, optional
Pinch black pepper, optional (see note below)
Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth (about 30-45 seconds). Pour into a tall glass and enjoy.
NOTE: Curcumin is the active component in turmeric that is responsible for decreasing inflammation and stimulating the body’s antioxidant mechanisms. However, the curcumin gets converted by enzymes (sulfotransferase, UGT, p450) that line the GI tract, making it bio-unavailable.
A flavonoid (quercetin), found in apples and oranges, inhibits sulfotransferase enzymes from inactivating the curcumin. The piperine found in black pepper inhibits the UGT and p450 enzymes from doing the same. So blend your turmeric with apples, citrus, or other foods high in quercetin and a pinch of black pepper.
BLACK CHERRY SMOOTHIE
If you love dark cherries, get ready to fall in love with this antioxidant-rich detox drink. This combination of cherry, apple, blueberry and chia mixed with coconut water, turns an ordinary smoothie into an indulgent masterpiece. The color is beautiful, the texture is amazing and the flavor is spot-on. We promise that it will leave you feeling energized and ready to conquer your cleanse.
INGREDIENTS
Makes 1 serving
1.5 cups fresh pitted cherries or frozen
2 small red apples, cored
½ cup fresh blueberries
1 tbs chia seeds
½ cup coconut water (or filtered water)
1 cup ice, optional
Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth (about 30-45 seconds). Pour into a large glass and enjoy.
