A positive, guilty start
I know I totally go out of my way to indulge and I do love blaming it on life which keeps putting on my path lots of stuff I like for me to get carried away with.
A new year brings a false perception of a new beginning and some of us tend to review our actions and ponder all of the possible “what ifs”.
This review process can be exhausting and it can bring up a lot of stress and guilt. As a consequence, we might end up promising to the entire world and ourselves to make some dramatic changes to the way we live (especially if, like me, you’ve spent the last two months living la vida loca in Madrid and Caracas).
Most recently, I also ended up feeling silly after getting very tipsy, loud and disorderly with my rainbow flag at Margaret Court Arena during the Australian Open.
So, I decided to take action immediately and start my dry February (no alcohol) a week early. I’ve since seen on Facebook that many of my friends are doing Febfast or something similar.
My liver, just like yours, is a giant laboratory where most chemical levels in the blood are regulated. The liver’s main functions are to process nutrients from food, make bile, remove toxins from the body and build proteins. I know my liver will be very happy with me and I will definitely feel much better after giving it a break from alcohol.
I want to share some recipes for drinks that might help to restore some internal balance. You can go all high tech with the latest fruit juicers or take an old-fashioned approach with a blender.
1. The fruity liver
It would be the sweetest option and probably the one to go with if, like me, you are not a good friend of green stuff.
Two apples, one bunch of grapes, 1/2 beet, 1/4 grapefruit and 1/4 lemon.
2. The liver cleansing
It is a classic one and, as with any of these options, it is best to take it at breakfast time.
One carrot, 1/2 beet, one celery stick and one cucumber.
3. The liver and digestion helper
The cabbage can make this option a little hardcore, but give it a go and maybe add some honey.
Two pears or two carrots, 1/2 small cabbage, two celery sticks and a handful of watercress.
That’s it! Whether or not you’ve decided to give your liver a break, whether it is February or not, may the force be with you and happy dry month!
By CARLOS SEPULVEDA
