Cauliflower, Kale and Lentil Soup

Cauliflower, Kale and Lentil Soup

Smoked Salmon Avocado Toast

While this hardy soup is a comforting fit on wet or cold days, it is also filled with ingredients that help support your liver. Your liver is responsible for detoxification of toxins that have accumulated in your body. This detox soup recipe has multiple ingredients aimed at supporting liver function.

This soup is filled with hearty cruciferous vegetables, pivotal for supporting the liver. Both cauliflower and kale are in the cruciferous vegetable family, and when consumed research shows that they increase the level of enzymes used by the liver to breakdown toxins (1). This is a required step before toxins can be removed from the body.

Garlic has also been identified as an excellent support for the liver. Garlic contains multiple sulphides, which also have the ability to increase detoxification enzymes in the liver. These enzymes work to breakdown toxins before they can be discarded from the body. As an added benefit, garlic increases glutathione levels, which serves to protect cells from damage from toxins (2).

Don’t forget about olive oil! Small studies have shown that even one daily teaspoon of olive oil improved levels of liver enzymes and resulted in better blood flow to the liver (3). This goes to show that every ingredient counts!

While this recipe instructs to use a stovetop, try using your crockpot or pressure cooker for added convenience!

Did you know that spring and fall are the ideal times to implement a detox? To learn more about when and why to detox, check out our detoxification and cleanse 101 article! Or, you can download your copy of our 1-week Detoxification Meal Plan today!

1-Week Detox Meal Plan

 

  1. Manchali, A., Murthy, K.N.C., & Patil, B.S. (2012). Crucial facts about health benefits of popular cruciferous vegetables. Journal of Functional Foods, 4(1), 94-106. doi: 10.1016/j.jff.2011.08.004
  1. Lushchak, V. (2012). Glutathione Homeostasis and Functions: Potential Targets for Medical Interventions. Journal of Amino Acids, 2012, 736837. doi: 10.1155/2012/736837

 

  1. Sofi, F., Giangrandi, I., Cesari, F., Corsani, I., Abbate, R., Gensini, G.F., & Casini, A. (2010), Effects of a 1-year dietary intervention with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid-enriched olive oil on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients: a preliminary study. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 61(8), 792-802. doi: 10.3109/09637486.2010.487480

Cauliflower, Kale and Lentil Soup

While this hardy soup is a comforting fit on wet or cold days, it is also filled with ingredients that help support your liver, which is responsible for detoxification of toxins that have accumulated in your body.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 Yellow Onions diced
  • 4 stalks Celery diced
  • 4 Carrots medium, peeled and diced
  • 8 Cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 head Cauliflower chopped into florets
  • 4 cups Kale Leaves chopped
  • 12 cups Vegetable Broth
  • 4 cups Lentils cooked
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, over medium heat, heat the olive oil.
  • Add the onion, celery, and carrots to the pot. Cook for 8 - 10 minutes, until the vegetables are softened.
  • Add the garlic and cook another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Add the cauliflower, kale, and vegetable broth and bring to a rolling boil for 1 minute. Then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and simmer for approximately 20 minutes.
  • Add the cooked lentils. Stir to combine.
  • Sample and season to taste with salt and black pepper. Divide between serving bowls and enjoy!

Notes

Nutritional information per serving:
Calories: 312
Carbs: 44g
Fibre: 11g
Sugar: 8g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 10g

Spring Clean Your Diet

Spring Clean Your Diet

The robins have been spotted, the green tips of tulips are sprouting, and the smell of rain is in the air… Spring has sprung! So while you are spring cleaning the house, the yard and the garage… Why not take it a step further to clear out the kitchen cupboards and your body?

Spring time is when the body goes through a natural detoxification. When there are alot of toxins floating around, the body may become sluggish and inefficient. When this occurs, toxins are not properly removed from the body; instead they deposit themselves in our nerve cells and fat tissue. Over time this could lead to a variety of degenerative health conditions.


Here are four ways to cleanse away the winter hibernation bulk:

April showers bring May flowers!
It is time to rehydrate the body and flush the toxins out! Start the day with a gentle liver and kidney detox by drinking a tall glass of warm water with lemon. Try breaking that coffee habit and steep green tea instead. This liver-loving beverage is full of antioxidants and has the added bonus of fat burning properties. Replace other beverages with purified water. Not a big fan of the taste of water? Jazz it up with adding cleansing herbs, veggies and fruit, i.e. rosemary, cucumber and lime.

Say goodbye to the white snow!
And all ‘white’ products occupying your cupboards! Replace white bread, white rice and white flour with whole grains, such as brown rice, oatmeal, and quinoa. They are rich in B vitamins and are known to improve overall fat metabolization, liver function, and liver decongestion. This is your chance to eliminate unnecessary sugar and processed food from your diet.

Let the garden sprout!
Stick to foods that are as close to their natural state! By choosing whole foods, your body will easily digest and metabolize them. This will allow natural detoxification to take place. Think fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season; chicken, turkey, eggs and wild-caught fish; gluten-free whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds. Why not add raw veggies to your meals and snacks! Eating food raw keeps the nutrients and natural enzymes intact. It also requires extra chewing, which is easier on the digestive system and allows time for the brain to signal that you are full, which can help to reduce over eating.

Spring clean the house
It is time to clean out and replace toxic products used on a daily basis. Chemicals are everywhere… In our food, our water, the air we breathe and in the household products that we use. Give your make-up and skin care products a makeover by trying natural non-toxic products; our skin absorbs 60%-70% of topical products. Ditch the fragrant dryer sheets and try dryer balls. Stay away from scented candles and air deodorizers, and burn beeswax candles to produce negative ions that are natural air cleaners. Another great tip is to replace household cleaning products with all natural non-toxic cleaners.

Get your detox/cleanse kit today!

      
Try incorporating these liver friendly foods in your meals & snacks:

  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Grapefruit
  • Onions and shallots
  • Radishes
  • Lemons and limes
  • Leafy green vegetables
  • Beets and carrots
  • Green tea
  • Leeks
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Boy choy
  • Cabbage
  • Apples
  • Avocados
  • Turmeric
  • Walnuts
  • Broccoli and cauliflower
  • Parsley and cilantro
  Detox Smoothie Recipe:

Combine the following ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

  • 2 cups spinach, romaine lettuce and/or kale
  • ½ cup chopped cucumber
  • ½ cup chopped celery
  • ¼ cup of fresh mint
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley
  • 1 small pear or apple, cored and chopped
  • ½ frozen banana
  • 1 whole lemon, juiced
  • 1 cup water or coconut water
  • ½ tablespoon chia seeds
  • 2 tablespoons ginger root, peeled and grated
  • Pinch of cayenne
  • Pinch of cinnamon
  • Pinch of turmeric
  • Maple syrup or unpasteurized honey to taste, optional

 

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