It’s been awhile since we had an elimination diet adventure post. Several weeks ago, I started the stage that I was most excited about, food reintroduction. It’s the phase of the elimination diet where you slowly and methodically begin eating the foods that may have been causing our bodies to react negatively.

This part, while fun, has also been very challenging. It’s basically a scientific test and I’ve found that it requires a lot of attention, planning and determination. This is how it’s supposed to go down:

1. Continue eating hypo-allergenic foods from the elimination diet.
2. Take one day and eat 2 – 3 servings of a possibly offending food, e.g. eggs.
3. Note any digestive disturbances throughout the day.
4. Wait 1-4 days and choose another food to try, repeating the process until you’ve tried all possibly offending food groups (wheat, gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, sugar and nightshade).

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Many people arriving here on the Live Lighter blog have come in search for detox drink recipes . It seems as if people all over the world are realizing the immediate and future health benefits of eating a diet high in veggies.

What are some of these benefits, again?

Veggies are nutrient-rich and calorie-deficient, which means they will help you lose weight and also help you maintain a healthy weight. We also learned a few days ago about how nutrition is integral to stress management . A few months back we found out how true the statement is, “we are what we eat ” in 8 Foods to Grow Yourself a Younger Bod . And what about their enormous cancer-fighting properties: phytochemicals (with antioxidant capabilities)?

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This smoothie was created out of necessity: ran out of protein powder yesterday and my pineapple was on its last skin knuckles. Try using mixed berries, rice milk and vanilla protein powder for your next “Country, Meet the Tropics” smoothie. Yum.

½ cup – Walnuts, chopped
1 cup - Blueberries, frozen
1 medium - Kiwi Fruit, without skin
1 cup - fresh Pineapple, chopped
1 cup - Soy Milk
1 medium - Mango, peeled and sliced

Blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Makes 2 servings, about 24 oz.

Want this smoothie’s nutrition facts? Follow the link…

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Feeling stressed? Uncomfortable, especially in the digestive area? These might be signs of toxicity or side effects of extra seasonal detoxing. Try a gentle cleansing but if you’re looking for something quick to make you feel better, replace a few meals during the week with green detox juice recipes.

There are a few green juice recipes floating out there that are perfect for juicing in a juicer. But the more I use my blender, the more I’m convinced that it is a better choice rather than just a substitute. Blending maintains the insoluble fiber in the greens (great for gently scraping your intestines clean), plus you can add tasty nuts to the green detox blender recipes for added flavour, substance and muscle building protein.

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This elimination diet adventure has both ups and downs , a thrilling rollercoaster I like to call, The Diet Decimator! It’s been both challenging and extremely rewarding. Between the yummy recipes , the cleansing and, most importantly, a notably improved digestion…I could possibly stay on this diet forever!

Ya, ha! Riiiiiight. I could – since necessity calls for creation and these recipes I’m trying are truly deeeelish - I just don’t want to. Truth be told, I’ve cheated almost everyday since starting this extensively restrictive diet. Mind you, they’ve been healthy cheats, like a handful dried fruit and chocolate chips or a small, black organic coffee.

For awhile, I was feeling guilty about cheating because I know I can do this perfectly… under the right circumstances. If all I had to do was this diet? No problem. There would be no stress and therefore no cravings. And doing it perfectly isn’t just my ego talking, Folks, it means the difference between 3 weeks and nearly 3 months!

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These elimination diet-friendly recipes are just as tasty as regular food, and they ease your woes as you work within your restrictive diet trying to find out if you have any food sensitivities or allergies.

Whether you’re on an elimination diet, have some digestive troubles or just want to watch your waistline, the following 3 recipes are sure to be pleasing in more ways than one. They are super easy to make and if you’re like me, you’ll be expanding your food repertoire at the same time.

Millet is a grain similar to quinoa but less expensive and a little less tasty (quinoa has a nutty flavour while millet does not). Washing these two grains is tricky. The easiest way is to purchase a sieve but if you don’t have one handy: put the grain in a pot of water, swish it around, strain with your fingers and repeat at least once more before cooking.

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Coconut-almond crusted, organic chicken fingers with spicy homemade mustard dipping sauce (or honey garlic dipping sauce), steamed garlic asparagus and broccoli drizzled with olive oil and finished with fresh ground sea salt and pepper. For dessert, a watermelon-berry fruit smoothie.

How scrumptious does that sound? AND it was an elimination diet-friendly dinner!

Rachael Ray , eat your heart out.

But where did this magnificent meal come from and will I share the recipes with you? But of course, Live Lighter Readers!

Friday nights are a special night in this household. My good friend Krista comes over armed with a smile, some Friday treats and her extraordinary culinary talents. This woman has mad skills in the kitchen, what she can do with appetizers will make your head spin, not to mention she’s the best hostess I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.

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The following recipes are safe if you’re on an elimination diet and the like, or if you haven’t been feeling quite like yourself lately. I’ve found replacing meals every now and again with a green detox juice drink helps me get back on track.

If you lack a good juicer, you can use a blender. Vegetables are often hard to digest but the blender does it for you! Plus you get the benefit of more fiber. The only problem for some is the consistency, but you can fix that as you become more accustomed to your blender.

The Walnut Apple Green Meal is sweet and tasty while the Fennel Cleanser requires a more…acquired taste.
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Did you know that many of us have food allergies or sensitivities to food without even knowing it? Symptoms to food reactions are varied, the most severe resulting in death, but most are subtle, such as gas, an uncomfortable belly or even forgetfulness.

So how do you find out if you have food intolerances and what foods your body dislikes? Well, one way is to go on an elimination diet . This is a super restrictive diet that cuts out all food allergens known to affect some people. This includes:

• Sugar
• Dairy
• Gluten (wheat, rye, barley, spelt, oats)
• Peanuts, pistachios and cashews
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A friend recently complained that he’s been feeling full, bloated and generally uncomfortable for several days in a row now, despite being regular. He’s been super busy at work all of March and under a lot of stress due to tight deadlines.

From my observations and discussions with others, the seasonal transitions of both Spring and Fall here in the Northern Hemisphere seem to trigger extra detoxing in the body. I suspect that the stress my friend is experiencing has been inhibiting the body’s natural and rhythmic functioning.

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