Winter Cleanse

This time of year brings with it, for many people, a feeling of hibernation… when everything tends to slow down and go inward. During the colder months, your body’s natural processes of digestion, detoxification and elimination can become sluggish – and not helped by the stodgy food and rich meals that many of us favour during this season.

Because of this, and after talking to a number of people in the clinic about it, I’ve designed a Winter Cleanse program to help you reset. This program provides a  diet and lifestyle guide that is neither harsh nor difficult to adhere to, one that will aid digestion and detoxification, boost metabolism and energy, and improve overall wellbeing. All the recommendations have in mind the season during which you’re doing this cleanse, and help to ensure that you stay warm and nourished while the weather is cold and the days short.

The intention is for you to eat real, whole, delicious and nourishing food naturally rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants. You are also encouraged to get regular physical activity, include hydrotherapy practices to improve circulation and metabolic function, and steer clear of foods or practices that don’t serve your health. This program can be followed for just two weeks, or for a full month for those wishing to make longer-term changes.

Herbal or nutritional supplementation may be recommended for you also, to stimulate and support digestive and liver function, as well as enhancing energy production and general vitality. But this will depend on your individual needs, there is not a standard protocol of supplementation used for everyone: some will need additional assistance, whereas others will not.

My colleague Andee and I have been testing out the recipes and program recommendations on ourselves over the past couple of weeks, and enjoying the process immensely. We can recommend it, personally!

If you’d like to do a gentle cleanse during these winter months – one that lets you eat delicious food while giving your health a boost and improving overall wellbeing – then talk to me. I’ll take you through the program, tweak the recipes and recommendations to suit your needs, and work out whether additional herbal or nutritional support is warranted. Existing patients can work this into their usual treatment and appointment schedule. But for those new to the clinic, or if you haven’t been in for a while, the program details are below.

Here’s a sample of the kind of food you can enjoy, from the Winter Cleanse recipe list:

Roasted Beetroot and Garlic Soup (serves 4)

• 3 medium beetroots
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 6-8 unpeeled garlic cloves
• 1 large leek, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 2-4 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Preheat oven to 200°C. Drizzle beetroots with olive oil and wrap in foil, then roast in oven until tender, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, drizzle garlic cloves with oil and roast in separate foil packet for about 30 minutes.

Once finished, unwrap the beetroots and let cool, then peel off skin and quarter. Squeeze the garlic from its skin. Set aside.

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy-based pot over medium heat. Add leek and cook, stirring regularly, for 5-10 minutes, or until tender. Add beetroot and garlic, thyme, bay leaves, and 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Discard bay leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Let mixture cool slightly, then puree in a blender until smooth. Stir in lemon juice and serve warm

Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for several days. Reheat before serving.

Even my 3yr old loves it!

*Usual price for 3 appointments is $240. Consultations must be redeemed within four weeks of first appointment. Consultations can be claimed on private health insurance, depending on your level of cover.