As the New Year approaches, many among us will be feeling a little tired, bloated and lacklustre.
This is why the Australian holistic chef and nutritionist, Lee Holmes, recommends it as the perfect time to try a one-day cleanse.
Here, speaking to FEMAIL, the best-selling author explained why a cleanse can give your body and mind the chance to refresh and reset.
It might also help you shift a bit of unwanted festive weight, too.
Australian holistic chef and nutritionist, Lee Holmes (pictured), spoke to FEMAIL about why this time of year is perfect for a one-day cleanse
Before you think about a cleanse, Lee said it’s important to realise that it’s okay to indulge over the Christmas period – she added that you don’t have to feel bad about a little excess
Before you even think about a cleanse, Lee – who runs the blog Supercharged Food – said you need to get rid of any negative feelings you have around indulging over Christmas:
‘It’s important to realise it’s okay to splurge and enjoy yourself with food,’ she told FEMAIL.
‘There really is no need to punish yourself with a rigidly strict diet and exercise routine.’
Instead, the holistic chef advocates a ‘gentle start to the New Year’ and advises people to ‘give yourself a break from excesses’:
‘A cleanse doesn’t mean starving yourself or only drinking green juices. It’s all about refreshing the body by eating lighter amounts of clean foods which are rich in nutrients.’
‘It’s all about refreshing the body by eating lighter amounts of clean foods which are rich in nutrients,’ Lee (pictured) explained
So how does Lee recommend you do a New Year cleanse?
‘In the morning, I would recommend a cup of lemon water with my Love Your Gut powder. It’s helpful to remember to stay hydrated during a cleanse day – one to two litres of water is what you need to feel good all day long.’
Next, Lee said that you’ll want something gentle and balancing on the gut for breakfast:
‘A gut blended smoothie or smoothie bowl with coconut milk work well,’ she explained. ‘Coconut supplies energy building medium chain fatty acids, micro-flora support and defence against parasites and pathogens.’
The food author added that bananas are a good addition to your breakfast, ‘as they are high in postassium, vitamin B6, immune-boosting vitamin C and also contain nutrients which moderate blood sugar levels’.
Lee shared her berry and avocado smoothie bowl recipe with FEMAIL below – saying that avocados are a great source of healthy fat.
First thing in the morning on a cleanse, Lee recommends a cup of hot lemon water to help with digestion (pictured: a selection of vegetables)
Berry and avocado smoothie bowl
Ingredients – serves two
Pictured is Lee Holmes’s berry and avocado smoothie bowl
2 cups of frozen mixed berries
1 cup chopped spinach (frozen or fresh)
2 firm, ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
1 tablespoon of Love Your Gut powder
1 1/2 cups of coconut water or coconut milk
Handful of blueberries
Handful of raspberries
2 tablespoons of flaxseeds
2 tablespoons of granola
3 pieces of dried mango
Method
1. Add all smoothie ingredients into a blender and blend until creamy and smooth.
2. Divide into two bowls.
3. Top with any of the toppings you have to hand, whether fresh fruit or seeds.
When it comes to lunch, seafood is one of Lee’s ‘top supercharged ingredients’:
‘Fish is a great source of macro and trace minerals,’ she explained. ‘For something new, why not try scallops, which are high in protein, low in calories and taste delicious.’
Lee also shared her sauteed scallops with mushrooms and spinach recipe with FEMAIL.
Lee (pictured) explained that it’s a good idea to eat lightly in the evening when doing a cleanse – as this can help with sleep and establishing a good sleeping regime
Sauteed scallops with mushrooms and spinach
Pictured is Lee Holmes’s sauteed scallops with mushrooms and spinach
Ingredients – serves two
1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil
200 grams of scallops, rinsed and pat dry
Celtic sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 garlic cloves, crushed
140 grams of mixed mushrooms, whole or sliced
1 teaspoon of dried thyme
1 teaspoon of dried oregano
200 grams of English spinach leaves
Splash of apple cider vinegar
Chopped parsley or rosemary sprigs, to serve
Lemon wedges, to serve
Method
1. Heat the oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Season the scallops with salt and pepper, sear in the pan for one-to-two minutes on each side, until golden brown, then remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Add the garlic, mushrooms, rosemary, thyme and oregano to the pan, then cook, stirring frequently, for five minutes.
3. Add the spinach and apple cider vinegar, then cook for one-to-two minutes, until the spinach just begins to wilt.
4. Return the scallops to the pan and cook for one minute to heat through. Serve topped with parsley or rosemary and lemon wedges on the side.
When it comes to dinner, on a cleanse, Lee advocates eating lightly. Enter, her vegetable soup in a jar – which is a delicious, nutritious way to fuel your body and reset the mind before bed.
‘I want to point out that a cleansing day isn’t about deprivation,’ Lee explained. ‘You should be able to love your food and make eating a joyful experience.
‘Since you’ll be consuming fewer calories on a cleansing day, it’s a good idea to invest in good-quality organic, or at least chemical-free wherever possible.’
The nutritionist also highlighted that good fats – such as olive oil – are your friend:
‘Fats boost brain function, cognitive function and have a range of anti-inflammatory effects,’ she said. ‘You can eat them when you’re cleansing.’
Lee said that herbal teas after dinner and thoughout the day are great during a cleanse day, too
Vegetable soup in a jar
Pictured is Lee Holmes’s vegetable soup
Ingredients – serves one
1 small zucchini or courgette, spiralised and cut into thin strips
1/2 large carrot, spiralised or grated
1/2 red capsicum or pepper, cut into thin strips
1 spring onion or scallion, sliced
6 snow peas, or mange tout, roughly chopped
45 grams of baby English spinach leaves
1 lemon or lime wedge
Method
1. Add one tablespoon of wheat-free tamari.
2. Mix in one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, coriander leaves and a Thai flavour hit made from ginger, chilli, sesame oil, coriander and thyme.
3. Pulse all the ingredients to a paste in a food processor and store in a small airtight container in the fridge.
4. Put all the base ingredients in a mason jar and then unscrew the lid when you want it, add boiling filtered water until three-quarters full and add the seasoning.
5. Top with coriander leaves to eat.
A couple of words of advice on a cleanse from Lee, who said she recommends countless herbal teas to keep cravings at bay and an early dinner:
‘I recommend eating an early dinner on a cleansing day to let your body have lots of time to digest and recover,’ she explained.
‘Base your meal on lots of veggies, with a range of quality proteins, seasonings and fats. After dinner, have a cup of herbal tea and go to bed slightly earlier to let your body restore.
‘Not overloading at dinnertime can help you to sleep better and establish a better sleep routine.’