Holiday Detox

If your holiday celebrations are leaving you feeling fat, achy, and lethargic, you’re not alone. Millions of your fellow revelers are in the same swollen boat.

Good news! This 3-day detox will blast away bloat, boost energy, burn fat, and ensure you regain your mojo in just 72 short hours. The meals are vegetarian (no meat or poultry—you had your fill on Turkey Day), and they’re loaded with the ideal mix of antioxidants, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Here’s how it works:

• Follow the same daily menu for three days in a row.
• Eat only what is listed on the menu–no added sugar, honey, sugar substitute, salt, salad dressing, condiments, etc.
• Drink only what is listed on the menu—no soda, fruit juice, alcohol, or diet beverages.
• Enjoy black coffee or tea at breakfast (regular or decaffeinated).
• Drink two 8-ounce glasses of water within 30 minutes of eating your lunch and dinner meals.  Drink as much additional water as you’d like throughout the day.
• Drink one cup of regular or decaffeinated green tea after your lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner.
• The plan is vegetarian, but if you’d like to make it vegan see simple substitutes at breakfast and dinner.

Ready, set, go.

Daily Menu

Breakfast

Joy’s Protein Power Smoothie

In a blender, combine ¾ cup skim milk (for vegan plan, substitute soy or almond milk), ½ banana, ½ cup frozen raspberries, ½ cup frozen blueberries, 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (for vegan plan, substitute soy, rice, or pea protein powder), ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, and 5 ice cubes. Blend until smooth and frothy.

Optional black coffee or tea

Lunch

Drink two 8-ounce glasses water (with optional lemon) within 30 minutes of eating. Drink as much additional water as you’d like during the meal.

Large spinach salad

• Unlimited spinach leaves
• Unlimited antioxidant-rich produce (Best choices include bell peppers, tomatoes, carrots, red onions, broccoli, and sliced beets. You may also add cucumbers, mushrooms, celery, and cauliflower.)
• ½ cup red kidney, pinto, or black beans
• 1 tablespoon toasted, chopped pecans
• Dress with 1 teaspoon olive oil and unlimited balsamic or red wine vinegar

1 pink or red grapefruit

1 cup green tea

Snack

½ cup unsalted pistachio nuts (in shell)

1 cup green tea 

Dinner

Drink two 8-ounce glasses of water (with optional lemon) within 30 minutes of eating. Drink as much additional water as you’d like during your meal.

Unlimited baked, grilled, broiled, or poached fish

Good choices include cod, halibut, haddock, and wild salmon, seasoned with fresh lemon and black pepper (for vegan plan, substitute Sautéed Tofu—see recipe below)

Unlimited steamed broccoli with optional fresh lemon and black pepper

1 cup green tea or naturally caffeine-free herbal tea 

Recipe: Sautéed Tofu

• Oil spray (canola or olive oil)
• 1 block extra firm tofu, drained and pressed for at least 30 minutes
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Fresh lemon juice or balsamic vinegar

Liberally coat a large nonstick skillet with oil spray, and preheat the skillet over medium-high heat.

Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes. Add the tofu cubes to the skillet in a single layer and cook, without stirring, for 2 minutes.  Toss the cubes and cook for 6 minutes, stirring every few minutes to brown the tofu evenly on all sides. Add additional oil spray as necessary to prevent the tofu from sticking to the skillet.

Add the garlic and sauté for 30 more seconds (watch the pan closely to make sure the garlic doesn’t burn).

Transfer the tofu to a plate and dress with unlimited fresh-squeezed lemon juice or balsamic vinegar.

For more information on losing weight and healthy living, visit joybauer.com and follow Joy on Facebook and twitter.

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