Tapp's Detoxifying Top 10

We've talked about the health benefits of detoxifying foods - how they help your body push along and process the toxins that come in from the outside world. But if we want to help our bodies detoxify, what do we actually eat? 

There are literally thousands of detoxifying foods. Here are my "Top 10" - they're easy to find and adaptable into many recipes. It's not a coincidence that many of my recipes use these foods.

Tapp's Detoxifying Top 10

   

1. Artichokes -very high in antioxidants. Known to stimulate and improve liver function by increasing bile production which helps with liver purification and protection.
2. Garlic -powerful antiviral, antibacterial, and natural antibiotic. Garlic produces a chemical called allicin which promotes the production of white blood cells which help fight against toxins. 
3. Cabbage -like all cruciferous vegetables, cabbage contains sulforaphane which helps the body to fight toxins. Cabbage also has glutathione, which is an antioxidant that supports the liver detox pathways.
4. Butternut squash -along with all other orange colored vegetables, butternut squash contains beta carotene which the liver converts to Vitamin A. The body uses the Vitamin A to sweep toxins out of the body.
5. Beets -packed with magnesium, iron and Vitamin C. All of which support liver in the detoxification process. They also purify the blood and assist in keeping the lymphatic system moving.
6. Watercress -like most green leafy vegetables and herbs, watercress is packed with detoxifying nutrients. It also has natural diuretic properties that help the body to flush out toxins.
7. Lemons - contain Vitamin C, help to balance body’s PH and flush the liver.
8. Ginger - very high in antioxidants. Ginger helps with digestion and stimulates the absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients to the body. Ginger also has a relaxing and cleansing effect on the body which helps to purge toxins.
9. Flaxseeds -aid in the proper elimination of toxins. They are a great source of fiber which help to bind and flush toxins from the intestinal track. 
10. Water- though technically not a food, you need to be well hydrated for your body to be able to detoxify. I am NOT talking about sodas, sports drinks, coffee or tea. I am talking about water, coconut water, and herbal teas. 6-8 glasses per day. The general rule is, if you're thirsty you are already dehydrated. Drink drink drink.

 

Gluten-Free Vegan Apple Crumble Pie

I love apple crumb pie. The best part of this pie is that it is so packed with good stuff that you can eat it for breakfast and not feel guilty (maybe skip the ice cream).

Crust (&1/2 the crumble)

3/4 cup of garbanzo bean flour

1 cup of almonds (ground to a fine flour)

3/4 cup of gluten-free oats (ground to a fine flour)

1/2 cup hemp seeds (ground to a fine flour)

1/2 cup of chia powder

1/2 cup of maple syrup

1/2 cup of coconut oil

a dash of salt

Crumble

1/2 the crust ingredients

1/2 cup of gluten-free whole oats

3 tablespoons coconut butter (or coconut oil)

1/3 cup light brown (or dark brown) sugar. I like Sucanat or Lakanto if I want to reduce my sugar intake.

A handful of crushed walnuts

Pie Filling

2 cups of thin sliced apples. I like honey crisp, but empire and gala apples work well too.

the juice of a lemon

1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon

1 tablespoon of maple syrup
1 tablespoon of apple juice
1/2 teaspoon of grated ginger

Preheat oven to 375

To make the pie crust mix all of the crust ingredients in a large mixing bowl. It should have the consistency of dough.

Take out 1/2 of the mixture and press it into a pie tin. You want to make sure it is thin and consistent.

The other 1/2 of the mixture will be used for the crumble mixture so set it aside for right now.

For the pie filling take the sliced apples, lemon juice, ginger, maple syrup, and apple juice and cinnamon and mix together in a bowl (I actually used my juicer and juiced 1/2 a lemon, 1/2 and apple and a piece of ginger and poured that mixture over the apples with the cinnamon and maple syrup)

We ran out of ground cinnamon so my son grated a cinnamon stick into the filling mixture. A little more high maintenance but it worked.

Put the pie filling mixture into the pie crust. 

For the crumble, take the other 1/2 of the crust mixture. Add the whole oats, sugar, walnuts, coconut butter, and mix thoroughly.

Put the crumble mixture onto top of the pie. Press it down a couple of times so that the crumble stays in place.

Bake in the oven for @45 minutes.

I like to serve this with a little non-dairy, vanilla coconut ice cream for an a-la-mode dessert. Coconut Bliss is our favorite.

When I have it in the morning, I eat it with some kefir or all by itself. It tastes so good you could eat it all day long...It's so good for you that you can. That makes everybody happy.

 It tastes good hot, cold or at room temperature. It also makes a good lunchbox item.

Sinus Tea

When that all too familiar pressure behind my nose starts to build, I know where to turn: Sinus Tea. This happens to me twice a year, if I am lucky. More, if I am not. When it happens, this tea really does the trick.

You will need:
The peel of an organic onion. Organic is important because you are using the skin. Red onion is better but white works as well.
1/4 inch piece of ginger (about the size of the tip of your thumb,) diced.
A few sprigs of thyme
Honey. The less processed the better.

Put the onion peel, ginger and thyme in a pot with 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil. Lower the temperature to medium and allow to simmer, uncovered, for around 7 minutes.

Strain.
Add honey until it is sweet enough for you. I find one teaspoon to be enough for me.

The reason it works;
Onion, the skin in particular, has many medicinal properties. It is anti-inflammtory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral. It is also an expectorant, so is especially good for sinus and respiratory issues.
Ginger has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It aids in circulation so, theoretically, will help you get over your cold more quickly. It is a warming root, so it is soothing. It also has anti-inflammatory properties
Thyme works as an antiseptic and an antihistimine. It is especially good for bronchial issues.
Honey is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and has tons of anti-oxidants.

I find this tea to be very soothing. The anti-inflammatory action takes the pressure off of my nose. It also  loosens the tightness in my chest. You should drink lots of fluids when you are sick, so two cups of this a day is helpful. The steam from the tea also help to open up nasal passages and generally feels good going down. Ahhhhhh...relief.