Dr Oz 3 Day Detox: Dinner Shake

Mangos are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and potassium. Rich in pre-biotic dietary fibers, mangos aid they body in proper digestion of nutrients.

Kale The King of Greens. Kale is on a scale all of it’s own. Pound for pound it is one  the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. It has high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and phytonutrients. This fiber in this powerhouse also helps to bind and neutralize bile toxins which helps to keep cholesterol levels low.

Coconut Water is an excellent source of Potassium and Vitamin C. It also contains BioActive Enzymes which help with digestion and metabolism. The best part is they are a rich source of electrolytes. Deemed "Nature's Sports Drink", Coconut water hydrates and replenishes the body without the sugar and dyes of the manmade variety.

Blueberries are little blue superstars. They have the highest antioxidant level of all fruit. Blueberries are low in sugar and have been shown to improve both memory and metabolism.

Lemon contains Vitamins C and B as well as phosphorous protiens which help to strengthen the immune system, and enable the body to fight disease. The acidity in lemon juice helps to purify and cleanse the colon, while the acid helps to break up any food, toxins or nutrients hanging out in your digestive system. Lemons stimulate the release of enzymes and help convert toxins into a water-soluble form that can be easily excreted from the body.

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Avocados are an excellent source of plant based protein and fat. Even though they are green, they pack a whopping dose of Carotenoids which enhance the functioning of the immune system. Because Carotenoids needs fat to be properly absorbed, the avocado is an ideal vehicle for these valuable nutrients.

Cayenne Pepper is a medicinal spice. Primarily used as a pain killer, immune booster and inflammation fighter. It is also good for clearing congestion and bringing down blood cholesterol levels. 

Flax Seeds When detoxifying your body, it's essential to ensure toxins are eliminated properly. Ground flaxseeds provide a wonderful source of fiber that helps to bind and flush toxins from the intestinal tract all while giving you a healthy dose of Omega 3’s.

Dr Oz 3-Day Detox: Breakfast Shake

Raspberries  have significantly high levels of phenolic flavonoid phytochemicals. Scientific studies show that the antioxidant compounds in these berries have potential health benefits against cancer, aging, inflammation, and neuro-degenerative diseases. 

Flaxseeds When detoxifying your body, it's essential to ensure toxins are eliminated properly. Ground flaxseeds provide a wonderful source of fiber that helps to bind and flush toxins from the intestinal tract, all while giving you a healthy dose of Omega 3's.

Almond butter- is a rich source of Vitamin E, calcium, folic acid, as well as the minerals magnesium, selenuim, phosphorus and zinc. Almonds are wonderful for maintaining skin elasticity as well as helping to lower cholesterol. They are also a good source of protein.

Spinach is a dark green leafy powerhouse. It contains a wide variety of vitamins and minerals as well as anti-oxidant vitamins like vitamin A, and Vitamin E. These compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals. The nutrients in spinach play a role in protecting against aging and disease.

Lemon contains Vitamins C and B as well as phosphorous proteins which help to strengthen the immune system, and enable the body to fight disease. The acidity in lemon juice helps to purify and cleanse the colon, while the acid helps to break up any food, toxins or nutrients hanging out in your digestive system. Lemons stimulate the release of enzymes and help convert toxins into a water-soluble form that can be easily excreted from the body.

Bananas are very high in potassium so are a great source of energy. Bananas also contain tryptophan, serotonin and norepinephrine,  which promote feeling of well-being and relaxation. This wonder-fruit also contains soluble fiber which aids in the elimination process

Berry and Kale Smoothie

Kale? Seriously? Ewwwwww......

It's actually amazing. You can't taste the kale in the smoothie at all. I start by putting frozen organic fruit in the blender. Bananas, strawberries and blueberries or blackberries. You need a dark fruit in there unless you want to produce a green smoothie which I fear most kids would reject on color alone.

You will need:
4 strawberries
1/2 cup of blueberries and/or blackberries
1/2 banana
1 cup of chopped kale
1/2 cup of apple juice
1 cup of water
1 teaspoon full of calcium powder (optional)

Put everything in a blender and blend until smooth.

The leftover fruit I use is perfectly good but not very pretty. If your kids are anything like mine then one tiny little brown spot will kill the whole piece for them. Squishy blueberries and 1/2 eaten bananas that would otherwise go to waste go into the fruit bag I keep in the freezer. Fruit, especially organic fruit, is very expensive. You don't want to waste a single bite.
To supplement the fruit bag I use Cascadian farm organic frozen berries. Frozen organic fruits and vegetables are a very good choice. They are picked at their prime and frozen so they retain most of their nutrients. They are more widely available than fresh organic fruit and are less expensive.

I freeze the kale in large bunches. What I do is buy organic, curly kale in the summer and fall from a local organic farm so it will be top quality and fresh. Usually 10 1 gallon freezer bags will get us through the winter. Cut out the middle ribbing. Wash and chop the remaining green leaves. I grab a handful for each smoothie. 

I add a spoonful of calcium to my kid's smoothies. This addition is up for debate. My kids eat very few dairy products. They get most of their calcium from greens. It never seems like enough for growing bones. Calcium also supports muscle contraction and nerve conduction as well as providing additional immune support. As important as I feel calcium is, giving any child a supplement has to be a choice that a parent must make for themselves. Consult your pediatrician and consider the rest of your child's diet before adding any supplements. All of that being said the calcium supplement I use is from Standard Process. It is an excellent company and makes a pure product. 

For a liquid I use a fresh pressed organic apple juice and water. The liquid should come up to about 3/4 of the bulk of the fruit and kale in the smoothie. If you use too much liquid the smoothie gets diluted. Too little and and it's too thick. I err on the side of too little as you can always add a little more liquid as you are blending.

When the smoothie is done it should be a consistent texture and free of any chunks.

Pour it into your kid's favorite cups and you can give them a tasty breakfast or snack.

Seriously, any time your kids eat kale or anything close to that nutritious, you should do a victory dance. 

I know a recipe is a winner when Swiper the Fox (aka Sam, my youngest)) comes and steals it during the shoot. I had just set up my first shot when this happened...

Literally, stolen right out from underneath me.