CLEAN… remove * restore * rejuvenate

Dr. Alejandro Junger MD created The Clean Program during his cardiology fellowship in New York.  The foundation behind the Clean Program is,  given the optimal conditions, our body will naturally heal itself. Provide the right tools to reactivate your detoxification system, nutritionally support the detox process, and enhance elimination.

As a scientist who seeks proof of theories, but also, a keen observer with an open-mind who needs no scientific proof of the obvious, I became aware of Another Inconvenient Truth: the toxicity of our planet.  Toxins in our air, water, and food have become obstacles to the proper functioning of our body processes and system. Dr. Junger

I do love good foods and an evening without a good wine was just uncivilized.  I noticed my morning energy was low and I was feeling old. No, not yet, no time for slacking.  Time to readjust my approach, to food, to alcohol, to our environment in general.

The holidays, that time between Thanksgiving and New Years, has always been an undisciplined food time for me, and this year it was my good fortune that the scale broke - I took this as a gift!  My holiday weight gain for 2009 remains a mystery.  Historically, I gain fifteen pounds during this glorious season.  Not a worry, as I love to exercise, and I’m becoming better and better at discerning the mechanics of healthy foods.  My educated guess (from the school of tight jeans) was that I started close, on either side, of one hundred forty pounds and after completing 21 days of the detox program, my lowest was one hundred twenty-three pounds.  A good thing, but weight loss wasn’t the only goal.  Feeling and looking healthy was now a mission!

Dr. Wayne D. Hey, Urologist and my son-in-law, doesn’t miss much.  He did the math, ( wine over time) and suggested that the wine, we so happily consumed, effects on the liver, not to mention the brain, are negative. We all know this.  Unfortunately, symptoms of liver disease are vague.  For some, genetics comes into play.  Hispanics, Native Americans and African-Americans are especially susceptible to liver disease.  A routine blood test can measure liver enzymes.  I added this blood test to my yearly wellness exam, and for me, no more wine!  I find not craving wine to be a direct result of detoxing my body… I look and feel healthy.

The liver is the body’s gatekeeper.  Processing everything you eat, breathe, or absorb through your skin.  Now we bring into play everything! The liver has more than 500 responsibilities, maintaining blood glucose levels, ridding the body of toxins, and breaking down fats.  Watch your diet.  Reduce toxin exposure.  Supplement responsibly.

The Clean Programs results, for me, exceeded my expectations, that being said, I was nearly giddy to be done with the regime, and next year I’ll have more techniques to pass the time. (Thinking about fastest “shake” time awards.)

This is a dietary program based on removing all the foods from our diet that are known to cause food allergies, food sensitivities, and cause disruptions in the digestive process.  When we generate allergic responses to foods, our body is consuming energy that could be used to detox and repair functions, or simply contribute to our sense of alertness and physical strength.

Those for whom this is a radical change in habits will respond in many different ways.  While in the long term most people experience profound benefits, the first few days may be the hardest.  Breaking a habit is difficult at all levels. The Clean Program ~ www.cleanprogram.com

Note:  Remember to detox your medicines. Six common medications that can harm the liver.

1. Acetaminophen, Tylenol (with alcohol especially)
2. Statins, Lipitor or Zocor
3. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin or ibuprofen
4. Antidepressants, SSRIs
5. Anti-fungal antibiotics, Sporanox and Lamisil
6. Anti-hypertensives, Ace Inhibitors and Diuretics

Here’s to a healthier happier life…

“Never eat more than you can lift.”  ~Miss Piggy

QUINOA, APRICOT, AND NUT CLUSTERS

Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is a highly nutritious gluten-free seed, originally from the Andean region of South America.  It’s mild flavor allows for a variety of uses. Quinoa comes from the seeds of a plant related to chard and spinach.  Praised for its excellent nutritional profile, it is rich in protein, containing all eight amino acids. A good source of dietary fiber and also contains B Vitamins and Iron.

Done with The Clean Program 21 Day Detox and I feel amazing!  My energy has increased and the bad habits I picked up over last year have no power over my dietary choices… amazing really.  Gone from my diet is; morning coffee time, I now drink Green Tea, afternoon Wine, no Alcohol (maybe a special event), and Pizza, Pasta, and Breads must be whole wheat using only cheese and butter substitutes.  I work like this until November when the lure of delicious holiday foods declare their worth.  So far they have been memorable, fattening with a tendency to induce a stupor, but memorable, and I won’t give them up completely.

Along the way we discovered a wonderful substitute for brown rice called QUINOA.  I confess prior to this years Detox, Quinoa was not to be found in my pantry.  The recipes for Quinoa are as varied as are the benefits from this ancient seed.  Surprisingly delicious… Enjoy!

 QUINOA COOKIE

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees

1 1/2 CUP WATER

3/4 CUP WHITE QUINOA, RINSED AND DRAINED

1 1/2 CUP OLD FASHIONED ROLLED OATS (not instant)

1/2 CUP RAW SHELLED SUNFLOWER SEEDS

1/2 CUP RAW SHELLED PISTACHIOS, COARSELY CHOPPED

1 CUP DRIED APRICOTS, PREFERABLY UNSULFURED, THINLY SLICED

1/4 CUP ORGANIC SUGAR

1/2 TEASPOON COARSE SALT

1/4 CUP ORGANIC HONEY

2 TABLESPOONS NEUTRAL-TASTING OIL, SUCH AS CANOLA OR SAFFLOWER

1 1/2 TEASPOON PURE VANILLA EXTRACT

2 LARGE EGGS PLUS 1 LARGE EGG WHITE, LIGHTLY BEATEN

VEGETABLE OIL COOKING SPRAY

*

Bring the water to boil in a small saucepan.  Add Quinoa; return to a boil.  Stir once; cover, and reduce heat to a simmer.  Cook until Quinoa is slightly underdone (it will finish in the oven) and has absorbed most of the liquid, about 12 minutes.  Using a slotted spoon, transfer the quinoa to a rimmed baking shet.  Bake, fluffing with a fork occasionally, until lightly gold, 30 to 35 minutes.  Transfer to a large bowl, cool.

Spread oats evenly on the baking sheet; bake, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted, about 12 to 15 minutes.  Add oats to bowl with quinoa.  Spread seeds on baking sheet; bake, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted, about 7 minutes.  Add Quinoa mixture, cool.  Reduce oven temperature to 300 Degrees.

Toss nuts, apricots, sugar, and salt with quinoa mixture.  Mix honey, oil, and vanilla into eggs; stir into quinoa mixture.

Line an unrimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; lightly coat with cooking spray.  Place 1/4 cup mixture onto sheet for each cluster, spacing them 3 inches apart.  Flatten to 1/4 inch thick.  Bake, rotating the baking sheet halfway through, until crisp, about 25 minutes.  Let cool completely on a wire rack.  Store covered for up to 2 days, at room temperature.

Makes 20 Clusters

By the numbers per serving (2 clusters):  320 calories;  3.4g saturated fat; 7.2g unsaturated fat; 42.3mg cholesterol; 49g carbohydrates; 10g protein; 139mg sodium; 5g fiber

“Be like the bird, who halting in his flight on limb too slight, yet sings–knowing he has wings.”

~Victor Hugo 

 

Coco’s Clean Veggie Burger

 

Coco's Veggie Burger

Vegetarian Athletes

If you’re thinking that vegan or vegetarians lack strength, endurance or athletic performance… Here’s a partial list that proves otherwise.

• Bill Walton, Salim Stoudamire (NBA), John Salley
• Scott Jurek (Ultramarathoner)
• Carl Lewis (Nine-time Olympic gold medalist)
• Bruce Lee (Martial Arts)
• Edwin Moses (Olympic gold medalist in track and field)
• Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, and Chris Evert (Tennis Greats)
• Mac Danzig (Ultimate Fighter, 6)

 

 THE CLEAN VEGGIE BURGER

From the kitchen of Coco Kreider-McDougal

 

   2 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL

 

1 MEDIUM ONION DICED

1 CLOVE OF GARLIC

1 CUP DICED MUSHROOMS

3 GREEN ONIONS (salad scallions)

1 OR 1/2 CUP BROWN RICE (Quinoa is an alternative to brown rice)

3/4 CUPS CARROTS – FINE DICED OR STEAMED AND MASHED (my preference)

1 CAN PINTO OR BLACK BEANS (will need 8 ounces mashed)

1/2 CUP BROCCOLI (tops only- steam with carrots)

SEA SALT (pinch)

RED PEPPER FLAKES (pinch)

1/2 TEASPOON CUMIN

PARSLEY OR CILANTRO

Pre-heat Griddler

 Choose the style of burger you would like.  The California Burger – choose veggies and spices appropriate to the region.  The Southwest Burger – choose hot spices and black beans.  Your ingredients will vary according to your taste.

*

Saute’  the onion and garlic in olive oil, until onions are translucent.  Add diced mushrooms continue to saute’ until the mushrooms are done.

Drain and rinse your choice of beans.  Mash them to the texture of refried beans.  NOTE: Use only low-sodium beans.  I sometimes use less depending on how the burger comes together.

In a large bowl begin to fold together your ingredients.  Mash beans,  sautéed onion and mushroom,  steamed then mashed carrots,  cooked brown rice,  parsley or cilantro,  steamed broccoli, diced green onion and seasoning.  The mix will come together like a burger.  *Add ingredients a little at a time, including the beans.  Stop adding when the consistency of the mix “comes together”.  I might not use all the beans,  rice or veggies.

Have your indoor grill ready – measure 1/2 CUP per burger and form into a patty.  Close the top of the grill.  I grill for 2 – 3 minutes per side until browned with a light crust and they are firm to the touch.

Wrap the burger in a lettuce leaf,  garnish with mustard, avocado and a squirt of lime. 

 ENJOY!

  ”A change in diet will make you look healthier.  Harvard researchers found that a plant-based menu is very kind to your skin,  while dairy-laden sugary diets have the opposite effect.  You will feel healthier, as headaches and joint pains melt away.”

~Neal Barnard, MD