Photo: Dan Mogford

Detox diets don’t have to be an unhealthy fad. By eliminating overly processed food and embracing organic produce and grains, you can rid your body of toxins while still giving yourself much-needed energy and clarity.

This quinoa and chicken bowl recipe can be a great foundational meal for your detox diet. Think of this recipe as a guided suggestion. You can easily substitute different grains, proteins, vegetables, or healthy fats. But remember, always eat enough calories during your detox diet, especially if you are a new mother. Severe restriction will only slow down your metabolism, and prevent you from feeling healthy. { read more }

About Monet Moutrie

Monet Moutrie is a writer and baker, who lives in Austin, Texas with her three cats and husband. Between government work, graduate school and her own blog, Anecdotes and Apple Cores, nothing sounds better to Monet than an evening of yoga, a cup of Earl Grey tea and a novel. Knock on her front door and you'll find her pulling out a loaf of bread from the oven while brainstorming ideas for her own work of fiction.

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Photo: KK

The best detox diet encourages a purposeful intention to eliminate stress. Emotional stress is the root of many diseases because constant worry and tension causes your body to release chemicals, which after years and years of accumulation, can become toxic.

Detox diets work to rid your body of these accumulated toxins through nutritional changes, but without reducing stress, your body isn’t able to heal properly. So as you begin to clean out your refrigerator and stock it with healthy produce, take time to plan the second, and perhaps most important, component of your detox diet—stress elimination. { read more }

About Monet Moutrie

Monet Moutrie is a writer and baker, who lives in Austin, Texas with her three cats and husband. Between government work, graduate school and her own blog, Anecdotes and Apple Cores, nothing sounds better to Monet than an evening of yoga, a cup of Earl Grey tea and a novel. Knock on her front door and you'll find her pulling out a loaf of bread from the oven while brainstorming ideas for her own work of fiction.

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Photo: Nina Matthews Photography

As summer approaches and we rid our houses of unnecessary clutter, we should also consider cleansing our bodies. With long and warm days ahead, we should gear up our bodies for afternoon bike rides and mornings at the beach. Detoxing is a great way to cleanse your body of toxins and rejuvenate your spirit. Although many detox diets focus on what you can’t eat, these guidelines encourage you to embrace all the life-giving food you can eat.

Fresh produce, organic grains, and raw nuts make for a healthy and happy body. A detox diet doesn’t have to be about restriction. This is especially important if you’re a new mom. Because even though you want the benefits of a detox cleanse, you still need energy to take care of you and your family. Follow these guidelines to ensure you give your body an extra step forward as summer begins. { read more }

About Monet Moutrie

Monet Moutrie is a writer and baker, who lives in Austin, Texas with her three cats and husband. Between government work, graduate school and her own blog, Anecdotes and Apple Cores, nothing sounds better to Monet than an evening of yoga, a cup of Earl Grey tea and a novel. Knock on her front door and you'll find her pulling out a loaf of bread from the oven while brainstorming ideas for her own work of fiction.

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Photo: Flickr, Library Man

A few weeks ago, my older sister embarked on a detox cleanse. She wanted to lose weight, gain energy, and strengthen her immune system for the onslaught of cold season. She gave up almost all food groups (except vegetables and whole grains), swallowed 24-30 vitamin pills daily, and drank an expensive (but tasty) shake each morning. After a few days of this detox regimen, she felt pounds lighter but far too tired for her busy life with three children. Eventually, she grew so hungry that she binged on a large order of fried chicken, only to become sick a few hours later.

This anecdote is only one of many. Thousands of people are turning to detox diets to cleanse their systems and lose weight. But what is the science behind these restrictive diets? Do our bodies need to be “detoxed” every few months? For many people, detoxing is becoming as routine as visiting the dentist for a yearly check-up. Should this be a cause of concern or imitation? { read more }

About Monet Moutrie

Monet Moutrie is a writer and baker, who lives in Austin, Texas with her three cats and husband. Between government work, graduate school and her own blog, Anecdotes and Apple Cores, nothing sounds better to Monet than an evening of yoga, a cup of Earl Grey tea and a novel. Knock on her front door and you'll find her pulling out a loaf of bread from the oven while brainstorming ideas for her own work of fiction.

Web | Twitter | More Posts (47)