Detoxifying the natural and easy way

I've looked up many types of ways to detoxify my body naturally.  Most of the time, it's a capsule of some berry or drinking something that you have to cringe when you take it.  How about we simplify our lives and use everyday items that can easily be found in your grocery store rather than have our food in a tablet or pill form?  I'm sure we all eat or cook with these foods at least once or twice a week, so why not find out which ones are naturally beneficial to your body!  Forget those pills and powders that are so costly.  Being healthy should not be so expensive, even though the reality of it all is that eating healthy costs a lot in today's economy.  If you are like me, I do not have the time or money to go on a detoxifying diet for 30 days or so.  I would much rather know that the food that I intake is going to benefit my body without having to give up eating a normal meal.

Use this list to spice up your regular meals or make a fun snack mix with berries and nuts.  If you like some spice in your life, experiment with cayenne or use some herbs to flavor up your meats.  If you like the Asian culture, sip on some green tea or add some seaweed to your meal.  Life doesn't have to be boring to be healthy!  Put your money to good use!  Do your body a favor and detoxify while you enjoy your meals!

1. Green Tea
2. Beets
3. Blueberries
4. Kale
5. Cranberries
6. Almonds
7. Seaweed
8. Garlic
9. Cayenne
10. Ginger
11. Parsley
12. Fennel
13. Celery

Here are some other ideas that I found:

1. Drink lukewarm water with honey and lemon.
2. Like green juices?  Try this: 1/2 bunch of spinach, 2 big kale leaves, 1 apple, 1 kiwi and juice from 1 fresh lemon
3. Like fruit infused water?  Try apple cinnamon water.  You need 1 large water pitcher or jug.  Fill with water and add 2 sliced up apples and 2 cinnamon sticks.  Let infuse overnight to release the flavor and then add it to ice.  You can refill with water 3-4 times before throwing out the apples and cinnamon sticks.  *Cinnamon and apples are a natural metabolism booster.  Also, one apple is like having one cup of coffee!

Chicken Noodle Soup

My son was sick so I decided to use what I have to make some homemade chicken noodle soup! He doesn't like the veggies but it's always better with veggies like celery and carrots so feel free to improvise this simple and easy chicken noodle soup!


Ingredients for a single serving:
1 or more of fresh or frozen chicken breasts (thawed)
1 Bay leaf
Bullion cubes
1 cup of Noodles (I used macaroni)

Optional:
Carrots
Celery

My tips:
I used a frozen chicken breast so I thawed it out first before cooking.
Adding vegetables gives the soup more flavor and color.  I only omitted the veggies because my son didn't want any.

Instructions:

1. Boil a pot of water.  Add chicken and bay leaf to boiling water.  Let it boil for 15-30 minutes until chicken is fully cooked.
2. When chicken is fully cooked, remove from water and chop into small chunks for the soup.
3. Place desired amount of water, chicken, bay leaf, 2 bullion cubes and a cup of noodles in a new pot.
4. Bring to a boil and let it cook for about 9-10 minutes or until noodles are cooked.
5. If desired, add carrots and celery and simmer for about 10 minutes.  Salt and pepper can be added for taste.
6. Remove bay leaf right before serving.

Enjoy!

Nutella Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Nutella Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1 1/4 cups sugar

1 cup pumpkin puree

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/3 cup Nutella

Instructions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350F.
2. Mix dry ingredients together: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar
3. In a separate bowl. mix pumpkin puree, oil and eggs.
4. Add the dry ingredients and mix to combine.  Fold in the chocolate chips and Nutella.
5. Pour in lined muffin cups (fill about 2/3 cup).  Top with chocolate chips if desired.
6. Bake for 25-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

My suggestion:

I didn't have any chocolate chips so I took frozen Dove chocolate and ran it through my Ninja blender to make chocolate chunks.  You can put less or more chocolate in the batter depending on your chocolate mood.

Enjoy!!!