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    2. Diary of a Metabolic Detox – Day 4

      Day 4, and so far things seem to be going well.

      need a bigger kitchen!Admittedly this programme has taken a degree of planning and preparation, but thank goodness for great health food shops in Brighton & Hove! Infinity Foods makes life so much easier and local grocers and supermarkets are now also stocking much more variety when it comes to alternative flours and unusual vegetables, so it’s more a question of being organised! My kitchen has transformed into a healthy mini-mart, but a good distraction for the weekend could be a kitchen cupboard clear out.

      This isn’t intended as a weight management exercise, but my clothes are definitely feeling looser, which is very motivating. More importantly, I have been sleeping very deeply, my mind feels clearer and I’m waking up quickly and with plenty of energy, so I seem to be getting through so much more during the day.

      The hard part is planning meals. I have all the ingredients and plenty of menus, supplied both by the organisers but delicious quinoa porridge with cinnamon apple raspberriesalso other participants who are kindly sharing theirs on the group Facebook page we are using; but fitting the meal preparation into a busy working day needs a bit of organisation. I have to say though, the results have been fun and I’ve tried all sorts of things which I have never sampled before. (Admission to former clients – I had never actually tried quinoa porridge before, but it’s genuinely delicious!)

      The other challenge is planning meals whilst away from home – a reality for most of us face on a regular basis, and one of my biggest this week. Again pre-planning so the key here. Work out where you are likely to be, and the options you will have available. If eating out in a restaurant, it is usually possible to look at the menu online before you go. This helps your brain engage with the choices you want to make and helps avoid making hasty bad decisions when faced with the waiter and his notebook. When heading out for a day’s work, take prepared food and snacks to avoid the temptation of the local sandwich shop or garage.

      The foods, meals and supplements we are working have all been carefully selected to support the liver and gut with their natural processes of removing waste matter and toxins from the body. If these aren’t efficiently removed they can cause all sorts of problems such as IBS, bloating, PMS and a range of other hormone-associated complaints; so this really is the basis of achieving good health.

      avocado01

      As for today; lunch will be an avocado salad (full of essential fats and Vitamin E) and tonight I’m aiming for something creative using chicken.

      Watch this space, and visit my Pinterest and Facebook pages to see what I come up with. (with apologies to any proper cooks out there!)

       If you have any detox recipes you would like to share, send them through and I will post my favourite on my recipe page.

      Fridge leftover salad rocket, spinach, watercress, avocado, slcied pear, bean sprouts and tomato. Sprinkled with pomegranate and walnuts, & drizzled with flax seed oil P.S. This is the avocado salad I came up with – from anything I could find in the fridge, which ended up comprising:

      A mix of spinach, rocket and watercress; sliced avocado, tomatoes, bean sprouts, sliced pear, walnuts and pomegranate seeds; all drizzled with flax seed oil.

      Slightly off-menu but it worked for me!

      Back to school breakfasts

      Summer is nearly over, and those of you with children will be preparing to send them back to school. Even more important than the uniform and new crayons is ensuring that they are well fed throughout the day.

      Breakfast is the first, and undoubtedly the most important meal of the day, and should aim to combine complex carbohydrates with protein. A good breakfast can help boost your child’s energy, and sustain them through the morning  to help with their concentration, learning and behaviour in class.

      Porridge is one of the best options since the oats will give them slow-releasing energy though the morning, but if they prefer cereal, look for one that isn’t too sugary such as a granola, muesli or something oat based. Chop apple, pear, berries or  bananas and sprinkle some nuts on porridge on cereal for maximum benefit. Natural yoghurt is also a great substitute for milk, supplying both protein and calcium.

      If your child prefers toast, try and stick to brown, granary or wholemeal bread, and spread with peanut butter or Marmite, or even a mashed banana.

      Try and avoid too much sugar since this can cause rapid peaks and dips in your child’s blood sugar which can affect mood and concentration and cause fatigue. If they insist on fruity jams, try and find one low in sugar or made of natural sugars, and also keep an eye on sugary fruit juice drinks. Look for low sugar fruit  juices and try diluting with water to reduce their sugar intake.

      If you do have time to cook breakfast, eggs are a great choice. Boil, scramble or poach an egg and serve with granary or wholemeal toast. Grilled mushrooms and tomatoes will also help contribute to their 5 a day. Beans on toast is another quick and easy options which kids love and Heinz do a low sugar variety of baked beans. As before  brown, granary or wholemeal bread can help slow down the release of sugar into the bloodstream.

      Send them off with a good breakfast and they are more likely to feel satisfied all morning, and far less likely to reach for a sugary snack or drink at break time!