Thanksgiving is next week; I’m ready to reunite with my family and enjoy some great cooking! I already know I’m going to go overboard in terms of food ( I haven’t had my mother’s cooking in months—can you blame me?!) and you’re probably feeling the same way. The challenge comes when you return to school and need a bit of an energy boost – what’s a collegiette to do? Detox, of course!
So, what exactly is detoxing?
Detoxing is meant to remove stubborn toxins from your body. I use the word “stubborn” because your body detoxes naturally every day, but certain toxins linger and need to conciously be eliminated. However, if you tend to eat unhealthy, feel bloated and heavy, or indulge in a multiple-course Thanksgiving dinner, a detox can benefit you.
Some positives of detoxing include an increased energy levels, a stronger immune system, and clearer skin.
Lucky for us, not all detoxes are as complicated as they sound. Here are a few simple ones that you can make yourself:
Detox Water: Probably the most flexible detox drink out there. Water is naturally a great cleaner, but if you want to maximize your results and satisfy your taste buds, adding other (natural!) elements are the way to go.
- Ingredients: You can choose to put your favorite vegetable/fruit in this mix. I usually like to put cucumbers, ginger, and lime in mine. Blending isn’t necessary, just cut up the fruit or vegetable of your choice and put in your water. Sip this water throughout the day or store in a refigerated pitcher for later use!
Sweet Smoothie: Water isn’t the only thing that you can detox with. For a sweet drink, try this out:
- Ingredients: 2 cups milk or water (nondairy milk works, too), 2 cups strawberries, 1 large banana, 1 small orange peeled, half a lemon. Blend the ingredients until a smooth consistency is achieved. Pour and enjoy!
Go Green: Have yourself a nice dose of this killer green smoothie.
- Ingredients: 1 large banana, 1 medium sized apple, ½ a celery, ½ cup kale, 1 ½ cup water (or almond milk). Blend together and detoxify!
You don’t have to stop eating while doing these detoxes. What you can do is simply be more aware of what you eat and make healthier choices. It’s also best to eat as natural as possible…which doesn’t necessarily mean cutting out meat! It’s important to also remember that when the choice arises, try to have something baked rather than fried.
If you want more variety, feel free to mix and match your favorite fruit and vegetables to make your own detox drink!
Have a great recipe or results you want to share? Then do tell us by tweeting @hercampusqu!