DR: Here we are at the tail end of summer. Can you recommend a simple cleanse for folks wishing to detoxify. 

Sure. Here is a gentle 7 day cleanse that most people should be able to follow. First, pick a 7 day period for the cleanse, timing it so that Day 4 is a day off, where you can rest, take a relaxing walk, get a massage or a colonic. Starting on Day 1, we are going to eat/drink lighter and lighter with each passing day until Day 4, the peak cleansing day where we ingest the least. After the peak day, we begin to slowly include more and heavier items until returning to our regular schedule on Day 8.

Spend as much time as possible in nature, enjoying the fresh air and taking deep slow breaths. You may also consider going to a sauna a few times to assist in removing toxins. A dry skin brush before bathing would also be helpful. Drink plenty of liquids throughout the cleanse to avoid dehydration. Day 1. Enjoy fresh organic fruit and juices, large salads, lightly steamed vegetables and cooked grain like quinoa. (See below for how to prepare this delicious grain) You may also enjoy a baked potato or yam with lunch or dinner. For dressing on the salad and quinoa, try flax oil, fresh squeezed lemon juice and a dash of Celtic sea salt.

Day 2. Go Raw. Enjoy fresh organic fruit and juices and delicious smoothies (see below). Lunch can consist of large mixed salad with fresh vegetables and avocado. For dressing on the salad, try flax oil, fresh squeezed lemon juice and a dash of Celtic sea salt. Dinner may consist of a large fruit salad.

Day 3. Fruit and Juice. Start the day with a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice diluted a bit with water. Today is fresh juicy fruits, juices and herbal teas. A wonderful drink is the New Greens tonic. See below for recipe.

Day 4. Peak Cleansing Day. Drink fresh organic juices only, slightly diluted with filtered water. You may also drink one or two glasses of the new greens tonic. Try drinking herbal teas and/or filtered water with fresh squeezed lemon juice.

Day 5. Fresh juicy fruits. Start the day with a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice diluted a bit with water. Today is fresh juicy fruits, juices and herbal teas. You may have one or two smoothies later in the day.

Day 6. Fruit and juices only for the first part of day. Late afternoon meal may include a large salad with avocado and a flax oil, lemon juice dressing. Dinner may consist of a large fruit salad

Day 7. Fruit and juices only for the first part of day. Lunch may include a large salad with avocado and a flax oil, lemon juice dressing. For dinner you may enjoy another large salad with lightly steamed vegetables and cooked grain like quinoa. You may also enjoy a baked potato or yam with dinner.

Day 8 and beyond Ending the Cleanse. It’s very important how we end the cleanse. Our goal with this cleanse is to emerge at the end with positive eating patterns and a healthier diet. Please avoid fried and greasy foods and heavily refined products with chemical preservatives. A few additional days without animal products would also be helpful.

Be gentle with yourself and make the most of it!

DR: Any favorite recipes you could share with us that would support this cleanse?

Sure thing! Here are a few real easy ones.

FREE Recipes courtesy of www.7minutechef.com

To cook quinoa

1  cup quinoa
2 cups filtered water  

Rinse quinoa well and drain. Add water and quinoa to sauce pan and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to simmer and cook on low heat until all liquid is absorbed, approximately 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and enjoy.   

NewGreens™ Tonic

1.5 cups fresh apple juice
1/2 lime - juiced
1/4 cup filtered water 
1 scoop ORGANIC New Greens™ powder

Combine all ingredients in a large glass and mix well.


Smoothie Du Jour featuring NewGreens™

1/2 cup fresh juice
1/2 - 1 cup frozen fruit (try bananas or berries)
1 scoop ORGANIC New Greens™ powder

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend well.

Please check out 7 Minute Chef to learn more about the healing qualities of foods as well as the simple tools you need to prepare your own delicious and healthful meals.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mark Reinfeld is the founding chef of the Blossoming Lotus Restaurants and a recipient of a 2006 Platinum carrot award given by the Aspen Center of Integral Health to ‘Americas Top Healthy Gourmet Chefs’. He is a recognized authority in the field of healthy cuisine. Mark is the coauthor of Vegan World Fusion Cuisine, winner of 8 national awards. His latest e-book, 7 MINUTE CHEF Volume 1 available at www.7minutechef.com shows us how simple it is to create delicious , life giving cuisine.