Anti-Aging Habits Get In Shape Health Reduce Inflammation

3-Day Detox To Rejuvenate and Make You Feel Amazing

Last updated on July 9th, 2018 at 12:14 pm

This 3-day anti-inflammatory detox plan will make you feel amazing, even if you’ve been eating fast food like there’s no tomorrow for a while.

Some of the links in this post might be affiliate links.

Time for a little detox, my friend.

If someone told me years, nay, even months ago I would ever be doing a detox, then I would’ve probably spit in their face. You do a detox, loser.

And that spit would probably be toxic, as you will find out later.

I never believed in detoxes, I have a liver, you know? And with a detox, what – I’m just gonna eat nothing and fart rainbows?

Stop it.

Until I realized that I needed a RESET and suddenly the word detox stopped sounding like brainwash from the 80ies.

And started sounding really, really, really good.

This anti-inflammatory detox is a reset

This 3-day detox is not about staying away from food and just juicing.

The goal for this detox is to help us:

reduce chronic inflammation
enhance liver detoxification
decrease cravings for sugar and other inflammatory foods
stop thinking about food and what we’re gonna eat next all the time
reset our taste buds & change our food preferences
celebrate and go back to real food
have more energy & vitality
improve skin and maybe shed some weight

We’re gonna achieve these goals by:

eating more raw foods
drinking enough water
having at least 3 hours between meals
eating the last meal for the day at least 3 hours before bed
focusing on combining foods that contain the anti-aging vitamins A, C and E
eating more foods with a low glycemic index, as well as anti-inflammatory and detox foods
staying away from sugar, caffeine, animal products and of course all processed foods

Oh, and this anti-inflammatory meal plan is also gluten and dairy-free.

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So when are you going to start?

You can start this detox on Friday or do it during your work week. It’s your choice. I will be doing it over the weekend.

This is a gentle detox and you will not be starving. You’ll feel light, won’t be overeating though.

In case you feel hungry at some point and it’s not the time to eat yet, drink some water and then decide whether you need some food or not – then go for the snacks.

You might experience some detox symptoms like headaches (especially if you drink coffee like me), it all depends on what your current dietary habits are.

Two reasons for me to do this detox – What’s yours?

Reason #1: I’m eating too many carbs. I realized I eat carbs almost exclusively lately and I’m worried about my little pancreas secreting too much insulin like it’s nada.

I want to reset any insulin insensitivity I might have. My family history is all diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, so I want to prevent whatever I can, for as long as possible.

Reason #2: I want to stop craving junk. I didn’t tell you this, because I’m secretive like Beyoncé & Jay Z, but about three months ago I went to McDonalds after about a year long hiatus.

I felt like a miserable dog after that.

But I got a pink glass, because I bought a menu. Okay, so that wasn’t that bad. Just one time, I’m only human, right? That’s what I thought the next day and then the day after that. Because I went to McDonalds 3 nights in a row (I told you, toxic).

And got a glass every night. I stopped feeling miserable. I felt good. It helped me deal with the huge amount of stress I was going through at that time.

Now, this detox is not to reverse the 3 nights I spent at McDonalds 3 months ago. A little too late for that, my liver. It’s to stop all the cravings I am having constantly right now.

This 3-day detox plan will help you reset and make you feel brand new again. After the 3 days, the goal is to continue eating healthy no matter what else is going on.

3-Day Anti-Inflammatory Detox Plan To Make You Feel Amazing

Foods to include:

For this 3-day anti-inflammatory detox plan, make sure to eat a variety of the following foods every day and make vegetables a priority (around 80% of your food). These foods fight inflammation and provide your body with real energy and nutrients that have anti-aging and antioxidant properties. They’re shown to prevent various diseases and also improve bone and skin health, especially when combined together.

Vitamin C:

Vitamin C-rich foods like berries, kiwi, cabbage, lemons, oranges, parsley (well, most fruits and vegetables).

Carotenoids:

These are green and orange/red foods like tomatoes (sun-dried and tomato paste are also good), carrots, spinach, kale, arugula.

Vitamin E & healthy fats:

Great sources of vitamin E and healthy fats are raw nuts and seeds (almonds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, cashews), avocado, coconut

Special Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory:

These foods are powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory – a little bit goes a long way.

We’re talking garlic, onions, herbs and spices like turmeric, cumin, chili powder, basil, parsley, ginger.

Grains and legumes:

To get a good combination of fiber and protein – chickpeas, lentils, quinoa & millet.

Sweet Fruit:

To add some more fiber and sweetness – banana (1/day) or mango.

Water

Water is my favorite food! Alright, I know it’s not a food, but it’s important to drink enough water while doing this 3-day detox.

Foods not to eat:

all processed foods
animal products (meat, fish, cheese, milk, yogurt, eggs)
dried fruit, honey, all kinds of sweeteners and sugar (we’ll still eat fresh fruit)
foods containing gluten (including unfortunately oats)

The recipes

These recipes are just suggestions and what I have planned for this 3-day detox. We’re all different and what works for me, probably won’t work for everyone. If you have an intolerance to one of the ingredients, you’re welcome to choose another option or add your favorite detox recipes! As always – do what’s best for you.

You’ll need:

a hand blender
large salad bowl
blender (but just a hand blender will work for most recipes)
food processor
food containers to keep leftovers/take to lunch
smoothie jars

Breakfast:

Option 1: Kiwi & apple green smoothie

an apple
a gold kiwi
1 banana (small-medium)
2/3 cup fresh spinach / 1/3 cup frozen spinach
1 tbsp chia seeds

Special equipment: hand blender

This recipe makes around 2 glasses. I would usually drink the second glass later when I need something small. This time, I will also add a tbsp of chia seeds and some cilantro to this recipe, other than that the recipe is here.

Option 2: Strawberry cheesecake smoothie bowl

1 cup strawberries, frozen, unsweetened
1 orange, juice
1/3 cup cashews, soaked overnight
1 walnut
1 tbsp flax seeds

Special equipment: hand blender

All you need to do is blend it all together, put in a bowl and eat this smoothie bowl with a spoon. You’ll find the complete recipe here.

Lunch / Dinner:

Option 1: Tomatoes, chickpea & garlic salad

½ cup chickpeas (from a can)
1 green pepper, small to medium
3 tomatoes, medium
1 cup arugula
3-4 mint leaves (optional)
1 garlic clove
lemon juice
salt and pepper
olive oil

Special equipment: not needed, a mixing bowl is enough

All you need to do is – chop the vegetables and mix everything together. The original recipe calls for olives, but I think I might leave them out. Full instructions are here.

Option 2: Detox arugula, tomato and avocado salad

1 cup arugula
some basil leaves
2 tomatoes
avocado
cucumber
green pepper (small one)
1 tsp lemon juice
salt & pepper
sesame seeds (1-2 tbsp)
1 tbsp olive oil

Special equipment: not needed, a mixing bowl is enough

Again, chop the vegetables and mix everything together. Feel free to add some onions, nuts, legumes or grains to make it more filling. Full instructions are here.

Option #3: Detox Quinoa & Avocado Salad

1 cup quinoa, cooked
1 pepper green or red
½ cup olives
1 spring onion
½ cup tomatoes, chopped
1 avocado
½ cup arugula
½ cup parsley
7-8 leaves basil
1tsp vinegar
½ lemon – juice
1 tbsp olive oil
salt to taste

Special equipment: not needed, a mixing bowl is enough

The last time I made this recipe, it was more than enough for two servings. You can either prepare 1/2 the recipe or store the leftovers in an airtight container and eat them at your next lunch or dinner. In this case, remember to add vinegar, oil and tomatoes just before eating. You can find the instructions here.

Option 4: Vegan Lettuce tacos

1/2 cup walnuts, soaked & dried
1/2 cup almonds, soaked & dried
1/3 cup sunflower seeds, soaked & dried
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ginger, ground
1/2 tsp coriander, ground
some hot paprika/chili powder (optional)
1/2 tbsp ground flax seeds (I grind my flax seeds using a nut grinder – they keep longer)
1/2 tsp turmeric
black pepper
1 medium onion
1.5 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp lemon juice
1tsp vinegar (I used balsamic)
2 small tomatoes, cubed
1 garlic clove (optional)
bunch cilantro / parsley or basil
a handful of spinach or arugula
1 red pepper
1 carrot
romaine lettuce or other type

Special equipment: food processor

This recipe also makes 2 servings and they store in the fridge for 2-3 days. Again, keep whatever you don’t eat in an airtight container and assemble lettuce wraps just before eating. It’s one of my favorite recipes – filling, healthy and very delicious. You’ll find the full recipe here.

Option 5 (for a warm lunch or dinner): Detox red lentil and broccoli soup

1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/3 tsp ground cardamom (optional)
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1.5 cups broccoli
1/2 cup red lentils
1 medium onion
1 garlic clove
some mint leaves (5-10)
some cilantro (optional)
1 red chili pepper (optional!)
2 tbsp olive oil

Special equipment: hand blender

This recipe makes 4 bowls. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat before eating.

Planning for lunch

Now for lunch, I will be having option #1 twice and then option #2, 3 & 4 for the other lunches/dinners.

I included the soup here, in case you want to have a healthy detox warm option.

To me, even though it’s cold right now, I’m craving cold food and SALADS, so I’ll stick with the first three options.

Snacks:

We’ll keep snacks super simple:

raw almonds, walnuts or seeds
fruit like orange, banana or berries
or the leftover smoothie

Drinks:

water – if that’s too boring, you can also infuse it with fruit and herbs (you can use something like this water pitcher to infuse it)
herbal teas (no caffeine)
the morning smoothies

Eating habits

Keep at least 3 hours between meals and the last meal for the day to be at least 3 hours before bed. So if you’re going to sleep at 11pm, the latest to be 8pm.

Exercise

I wouldn’t go and do anything too intense on this detox, but some yoga and pilates will be a great here. To relax, strengthen and really reconnect with the body.

Alright! I’m very excited about this detox, I really need it. I’ll actually stop drinking coffee for a few days, which hasn’t happened, since like…well, I don’t know..I wanna say a year??

I hope you enjoy this gentle 3-day anti-inflammatory detox plan, if you do and want to do it together with someone, make sure to share this post with your special detox partner and subscribe below via email to get more updates, healthy tips and recipes from me!

Hope you have a great week!

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*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you click on the product link and purchase the item, I’ll receive a small commission that helps me cover the costs for this blog.*

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Grilled Veggie Pita

My favorite things in this whole world come together in this grilled veggie pita:

Grilled veggies (duh!)
Pita (double duh!)
Hummus (now we’re talking)
Tahini sauce (oh)
Tomatoes and cucumbers (alright then)
How about some greens like, I don’t know – parsley? (Ok, fine…)

This is so so so delicious. I devoured it in like a nanosecond.

In Defence Of White Bread

I know people expect me to not eat white bread, but this one’s as white as my legs are right now. Yes, it’s summer and I’ve been avoiding the sun like the plague. This year I went to the beach once after 10am and I got sunburnt.

via giphy

My wrinkles are still thanking me. No more sun for this little vampire who eats garlic for breakfast.

#garlicforbreakfast

So, white bread.

I know it’s also not popular right now, but I crave white bread sometimes. Like every day. And when I got these pitas they were hot. As experience has thought me, you never say no to hot white bread, because it’s delicious.

This is not me after eating bread (via giphy)

How To Make The Grilled Vegetable Pitas

I actually used roasted vegetables. I know, I mislead you and now you hate me forever.

5 Refreshing Detox Water Ideas, Because Drinking Coke Is Just Sad

Here are some refreshing detox water ideas, because it’s hot outside and drinking coke is not an option anyone should consider.

I don’t know how it happened.

I fell down that coke hole and could’t get out. Last month for a few weeks in the afternoon, when it got like, inhumanely hot…I was getting cokes.

Now you might be like: OMG you write this blog about healthy lifestyle and you drink coke? What a jerk.

Well, define healthy lifestyle however you want.

To me it means eating more fruits and vegetables and not obsessing over small fall offs.

Except…

I realized coke can’t be a part of a healthy diet or lifestyle in NO WAY. I can’t make excuses for it, I just fell. And then I wanted more and more and more…It got crazy.

I had seen this infographic a million times and it meant nothing to me.

5 detox water ideas because drinking coke is just sad.

via The Renegade Pharmacist

The Mindset That Will Keep You Motivated To Eat Healthy and Exercise

Raise your hand if you’ve ever said you need to eat healthier and exercise to lose weight or change something else about the way you look.

Okay, I can’t type with one hand, but yeah me too.

This is true for my mother, my sister, my friends, every woman I know. Every woman I know has something about her body she doesn’t like and has tried to change with diet or exercise. I’m no exception.

We do what we can for a week, we eat healthy, we drag ourselves to the gym, we beat ourselves up when we can’t follow “the rules” and fall off that damn wagon, then we just continue with our lives until next time. While of course still blaming ourselves we’re not perfect and obviously unable to keep it all together.

Why doing it to lose those stupid 10 pounds in one month doesn’t work.

Losing weight, improving your skin, getting toned are not real reasons to eat healthier or to exercise every day. And unfortunately being healthy isn’t it either.

You know why?

Because there are “easier” options to achieve all of those things.

Why waste all that precious time and energy to achieve something, when you can do so without much effort and time invested?

It sounds easy enough to eat better for 3 weeks and drop 10 pounds. It’s not hard…but those 3 weeks, you’ve got to get through them, right?

You know what’s easier?

Not doing it.

The truth is, today, you can always look better or lose weight even if you don’t put in the effort or change anything about your lifestyle (at least for a brief moment). Here are some options:

plastic surgery
make up
diet pills
detox teas
go to a massage instead of doing exercise
body wraps
starve yourself instead of eating in moderation

Shortcuts don’t bring lasting change, but we try anyway

I remember, when I was a kid, my mom and dad even got some ab thing that would electrocute your abdominals, so you get abs…The infomercial showed a happy couple sitting there watching TV while getting their abdominals electrocuted. Then they smiled and showed their ripped bodies.

My mom: “I seriously can’t think of a reason how this would not work???? We obviously HAVE TO buy it.”

She didn’t put it this way, but they really got this ridiculous thing. And surprise: None of us got abs. Yes, I was 9 and I also tried it.

Trust your feelings and go for them, not for numbers.

Now, if not for weight loss or changing the way you look, why else would you want to eat healthier, exercise and live a healthier life? Here’s a reason:

To change the way you feel and the way you live your life. Every. Single. Day.

Not just the way you feel in a dress 5 months from now. But how you feel today.

I talked about this here and here, but eating healthy and working out have an immediate effect on the way you feel.

Appreciating the difference in how you feel is key to staying motivated.

So even if you don’t see changes right from the first day or week, you’ll feel different. Maybe nothing major, but if you pay attention, you’ll notice a difference. This difference in how you feel is key to staying motivated. Those feelings are going to pull you toward what you want. They will make you do what you have to do every day to get to your goal. And to stay there.

It’s frustrating when you’ve been putting in effort for a week and see just one sad pound go away. That’s why you’ve been working so hard?

Peach Smoothie – 3-Ingredients and Super Delicious

Last updated on August 15th, 2018 at 04:48 am

Got some peaches and don’t know what to do with them? Make this delicious peach smoothie!

I’m so excited for this recipe, guys! Like I actually think these pics look good and also this smoothie is taking over my life right now.

I’ve ignored peaches for a while now – I thought I’m allergic to them, plus didn’t really see the point in eating peaches when there’s watermelon right there.

Poor peaches have some competition when it’s their time to shine – strawberries, watermelon, melon, so so many delicious fruits during summer!

But this summer I found a place in my heart and mouth for peaches too – turns out I’m not allergic and they’re delicious!

Yogurt’s not cool anymore, but…

I know yogurt’s not cool anymore, but I used it to make this super simple tasty peach smoothie. And you know what? It’s my favorite smoothie right now.

If you can’t eat yogurt you can still make this smoothie with some coconut cream (top part of a coconut milk can) or coconut yogurt (other vegan/paleo type of your choice).

Have not tried this with cashews or nut butters, but might work as well.

Tomato Cucumber Salad – A Special Recipe

I don’t know how many tomato cucumber salads I’ve eaten in my life, but this one’s something special. It’s full of freshness and flavor, but also low-carb, vegan, paleo and gluten-free.

So, first of all, excuse this salad for the pictures, but it was dark while I was making it. My fault completely.

Second, don’t judge a book by it’s last page and don’t judge this salad by its terrible look.

Making a tomato and cucumber salad is pretty obvious right?

You chop tomatoes, cucumbers, some onion, add olive oil, vinegar and salt and you’re ready.

This one is different. It’s not your average tomato cucumber salad – it’s special. It’s spicy, it’s fresh and it’s flavorful.

Overnight Oats With Cherries, Banana & Nuts – Quick Vegan Breakfast

Make these easy overnight oats with cherries, banana and nuts tonight and wake up to a vegan breakfast that tastes like dessert tomorrow morning! This is the perfect on the go healthy breakfast recipe.

Been a while since I made overnight oats to be honest with you.

Probably because 2 years ago I couldn’t get enough of them. I was eating those soaked oats every single day and not just for breakfast!

No, no no.

Lunch, dessert, sometimes even a quick snack.

And I didn’t get sick of them. But then…

via Giphy

Winter came and all my overnight oats eating just stopped.

And the habit faded.

This summer, it came back and I’ve got a real easy and healthy overnight oats recipe to share.

It’s creamy overnight oats with banana, cherries, peanut butter and walnuts and it tastes like dessert. But it’s healthy. I love EVERYTHING about this recipe.

Oh the cherries… I’ve been having so many delicious sweet sweet cherries.

With peanut butter & banana this is definitely not the lightest recipe, but it’s healthy, high-fibre, high-protein and will keep you full longer.

It made me feel really satisfied and I didn’t need to eat that much later. Which, I’m trying to get fitter and control my overeating habit (especially while sitting at the desk!) – so this is BINGO.

Low-Carb Vegan Tacos Exist And Here’s The Recipe

Last updated on July 28th, 2018 at 07:55 pm

These are low-carb vegan lettuce “tacos” – soy-free, gluten-free and paleo. Yes, I created a monster. Super easy, but amazingly delicious!

Okay, everyone: relax, I’m alive.

That seagull scratch did not kill me. Try your luck somewhere else you crazy monster.

He did fly away with my pizza though. Up in the sky and left me embarrassed and paranoid to lick my wounds on the ground like an animal.

This is what I deserve? This is what I deserve after I’ve been feeding your whole family for years now?

Ungrateful jerk.

Now, back to the most important question in the history of the world:

Can you be vegan and low-carb at the same time?

via giphy

Friend, I don’t know about you, but these lettuce tacos certainly are.

And they’re so easy.

You basically put stuff into your food processor and pulse like crazy.

Or like a boss. (If I see another article about someone doing something like a boss I will vomit all over the internet)

So, these vegan wraps are ALMOST raw – no cooking and no heat.

I say almost because I used tomato paste and not sun-dried tomatoes for the nut-meat. I think soaking sun-dried tomatoes would cause me a lot of pain right now. Like when would I even think of soaking (or buying) sun-dried tomatoes?

I NEED FOOD AND I NEED IT NOW!