If you want to try a green smoothie detox but are too busy or just aren't ready to make the three-day plunge, doing a green smoothie cleanse one day a week is the perfect option for you.
Here's how it works: Pick a day that works best for you and make that your detox day.
For example, choose to do your weekly cleanse on Monday. That lets you have some fun on the weekend but stops you from letting any weekend indulgences run over into the week. Think of it as a mini reset button to get your body cleaned out and your mind prepared for a productive and healthy week ahead.
For the entire day, drink plenty of water and only green smoothies, choosing detox recipes like the ones given here. Try to have one smoothie serving every two to three hours throughout the day. Avoid all coffee, alcohol, and solid food. You should quickly feel energized and see less puffiness (inflammation) in your body and face after just a few hours.
You may sleep better that night and wake up the next day feeling more refreshed and experiencing easy-to-pass stools.
Don't try a one-day detox if you're under extreme stress or have an exceptionally busy day. Skipping a week or even a month until your schedule clears again is okay.
Even if you can manage only one one-day detox per month, that's still better than not doing any cleanse at all! To help you remember when to do your monthly cleanse, choose a routine such as the first day of the month, every first Monday, or every full moon. Do what you can. You can always add more days later.
Note: If you're wondering whether you can add green juice to the program as well, the answer is "of course you can!" But you don't have to, and you don't need to. The green smoothie detox is designed for green smoothies. Its purpose is to add lots of fiber to your body to really give your colon a good cleanse.
Green smoothies are full of fiber, but a green juice has no fiber. And who wants to clean a juicer and a blender anyway?
Heavy Metal Detox
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Blending time: 2 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
1-1/2 cups pineapple chunks
1 kiwi, peeled
1 ripe banana, peeled
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon chlorella powder
1-1/2 cups water
3 large collard green leaves
1 cup cilantro, loosely packed
Combine the pineapple, kiwi, banana, lime juice, turmeric, chlorella, and water in the blender and secure the lid.
Starting at low speed and gradually increasing toward high, blend the ingredients for 30 to 45 seconds or until the mixture contains no visible pieces of fruit.
Remove and discard the collard green stems. Add the cilantro and collard greens and blend again at medium speed for 30 seconds, gradually increasing the speed to high. Blend on high speed for another 15 to 30 seconds or until the entire mixture is smooth.
Pour the smoothie into two glasses and enjoy!
Per serving: Calories 248 (From Fat 4); Fat 0.5g (Saturated 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 26mg; Carbohydrate 56g (Dietary Fiber 6g); Protein 4g.
If you don't have chlorella powder, use spirulina powder instead.
Kidney and Skin Cleanse
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Blending time: 2 minutes
Yield: 2 servings
2 cups chopped watermelon
1 cup blueberries
1/2 cucumber, peeled
1 ripe banana, peeled
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon aloe vera juice
1 cup water
3 mint leaves
2 cups watercress, loosely packed
Combine the watermelon, blueberries, cucumber, banana, lime juice, aloe vera, and water in the blender and secure the lid.
Starting at low speed and gradually increasing toward high, blend the ingredients for 30 to 45 seconds or until the mixture contains no visible pieces of fruit.
Add the mint and watercress and blend again at medium speed for 30 seconds, gradually increasing the speed to high. Blend on high speed for another 15 to 30 seconds or until the entire mixture is smooth.
Pour the smoothie into two glasses and enjoy!
Per serving: Calories 164 (From Fat 9); Fat 1g (Saturated 0g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 23mg; Carbohydrate 41g (Dietary Fiber 5g); Protein 3g.