Let’s face it: the #NewYearNewYou craze has only gotten bigger in recent years, and so much of that trend revolves around developing healthier habits. In fact, of the top New Year’s Resolutions for 2023, some of the most popular were exercising more, eating healthier, and losing weight. Making healthier choices is always a good idea—but it’s important to remember that the best goals for the new year are not only practical and sustainable, but also enjoyable. Resolutions rooted in self-criticism (or that you just don’t like doing) probably won’t last past February, and you’ll be back to square one. So, what to do?
For 2023, we propose making resolutions that are both tasty and healthful! This way, you don’t have to choose between feeling good and enjoying yourself. Read on for recipes from Juice + Nourish and The Taco Cleanse—two cleanses that strike the balance between doable and delicious.
The classic cleanse
Cleanses are most often used to help the body’s internal system work better, and many turn to them after the holidays to get back on track health-wise. The most classic of all cleanses? The green juice cleanse! Nothing says “feel better” like a ton of fresh, delicious fruits and veggies, blended to perfection. And this Green Cleanse provides a major boost to the liver, giving you all the nutrients you need to start detoxing.
THE GREEN CLEANSE
Ingredients
- 1 peach, pitted
- ½ cucumber
- 2 handfuls of any kale
- handful of Swiss chard
- juice of ½ lemon
- juice of 1 lime
Directions
Pass all the ingredients through the juicer, except the lemon and lime juice, stirring them in at the end.
The daring cleanse
Tired of the same old cleanse? Instead of feeling rejuvenated are you feeling depleted, anxious, and cranky? (Not to mention . . . hungry?) A group of vegan taco scientists in Austin, Texas, know just how you feel, and now reveal their one-of-a-kind cleansing journey that anybody can follow and stick to—the Taco Cleanse. If you’re looking for a new way to cleanse, try this cheap, easy, and delicious alternative to the same old thing.
BEER-BATTERED PORTOBELLOS
Fills 16 tacos
Ingredients
- Cooking oil
- 1½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 12 ounces (355 ml) beer
- 4 portobello mushrooms sliced into 1-inch (2․5 cm) wide strips
Directions
1. Pour a 1½-inch (4 cm) layer of oil into a deep pot. Heat the oil to 375°F (190°C). (If you don’t have a candy or frying thermometer, throw in a pinch of batter. The oil is hot enough if the batter sizzles and is immediately surrounded with bubbles.) In the meantime, line a baking sheet with paper towels.
2. To make the batter, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then add the beer and mix again. Coat a mushroom slice in the batter and place it in the hot oil with a slotted spoon. Repeat until the pot has mushroom slices in one layer with space between all of them. After one side of each mushroom is browned, flip it to cook the other side. Remove the mushrooms one at a time and place on the prepared baking sheet. You will have to do several batches depending on how big your pot is. Eat these as soon as possible for maximum crunchiness.
Tip: Watching your oil consumption? Don’t make Beer-Battered Portobellos! But consider why you are watching your oil consumption. Did you discuss it with your doctor or nutritionist? If not, maybe you should rethink it. After all, you only live once, and if you want to be happy in that time, eating deep-fried mushrooms might help.
***
We hope these nutritious-yet-delicious cleanses help you feel better, reach your goals, and enjoy your 2023! Juice + Nourish and The Taco Cleanse are both available wherever books are sold. Enjoy!
