If you have an excess of grapefruit in your home, either because you bought a bunch or you have a tree, you want to use them before they go bad. Making fresh grapefruit juice to enjoy is a lovely idea, but you may not want to drink a lot for several days straight. Fresh-squeezed juice expires in a matter of days, unlike store bought juice, which contains preservatives. You can incorporate fresh grapefruit juice into many things, such as smoothies, salads, desserts, or salad dressings.

Adding fresh grapefruit juice to a homemade salad dressing adds a lovely, surprisingly sweetly tart flavor. It adds a little extra zest, especially when you pair it when the apple cider vinegar. Plus, you never really see a dressing that includes fresh grapefruit juice, and it’s never a bad idea to have a few homemade dressings sitting in the fridge, especially if you are cleansing. You want to make sure that you vary your dressings and your salad ingredients to keep your taste buds interested in salads. That isn’t to say that you have to eat salad for every meal, but it is an easy and viable meal option for many of our cleansers.

When it comes time to make the vinaigrette, it is nice to use a blender because it helps emulsify the ingredients into a smooth dressing. You can whisk the ingredients together in a bowl, or you can even add them to a jar, screw on the lid, and shake well to combine. The resulting vinaigrette will not be as smooth. Additionally, if you choose not to blend the dressing, juice the grapefruit by hand, because you can just toss the grapefruit pieces into the blender without juicing if you go that route.

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If potato chips were healthy for you, a lot more people would not be searching for dietary advice. People love to snack, though, and chips are highly addictive. With this recipe, we are aiming to give snackers a more nutritious option to satisfy their salty, crunchy cravings. Air fryer peas are seasoned perfectly and easy to prepare. They won’t last long if you have people over, so make sure to hide them for yourself or make extra.

Unlike a bag of chips, these air fryer peas are only good for about three to four days, so long as you store them in an airtight container. That is because they do not contain preservatives, flavoring agents, excess sodium, and other ingredients that extend their shelf life. Should you have specific seasonings that you want to use instead of the ones listed in the recipe, feel free to do so. For example, you can use chili powder, a squeeze of lime juice, and sea salt if you want a chili lime seasoning. You can also keep it simple and only season the peas with sea salt and black pepper.

A lot of people neglect green peas, and we don’t know why. They have classically been the vegetable in frozen TV dinners, cafeteria lunches, and other similar meals. People just leave them and focus on the other components of the meal. They happen to be rich in vitamins A, C, and K, folate, manganese, fiber, thiamine, protein, and polyphenol antioxidants. Because they are rich in both fiber and protein, they help fill you up and curb cravings. By snacking on these, you may realize that you don’t need to eat the entire batch because they actually fill you up, unlike chips.

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It’s a fact that nearly five million people worldwide live with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Rates continue to rise fastest in countries where ultra-processed foods dominate the diet. They are convenient, shelf-stable, and engineered to please your palate and so much more. When real, whole foods seem unattainable because of the cost, ultra-processed foods usually win.

What Are Ultra-Processed Foods

Ultra-processed foods are shelf-stable food and drink products that have undergone extensive processing. More often than not, they contain a long list of ingredients, including preservatives, additives, flavorings, emulsifiers, and other substances. They are manufactured to be ready to eat, and some of their characteristics include:

• The production of ultra-processed foods involves industrial techniques, such as extrusion, molding, and pre-processing of certain ingredients. 
• Ultra-processed foods are convenient, designed for quick consumption, and are typically ready to eat (think instant noodles or packaged snacks).
• The ingredients in ultra-processed foods are not commonly used in home cooking, often containing preservatives, additives, flavoring agents, and so much more. 
• Unfortunately, they are low in nutrients, despite being energy-dense. Ultra-processed foods lack many of the essential nutrients compared to whole foods, and they contain unhealthy amounts of added sugars, fats, and sodium.

What Did The Research Look At?

A growing body of research suggests that ultra-processed foods may be altering the gut, especially in regards to Crohn’s disease. A new narrative review compiled more than a decade’s worth of research examining the relationship between ultra-processed foods and Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Rather than focusing on one study, researchers analyzed population data, dietary interventions, and mechanistic experiments to detect whether a consistent pattern emerged. 

Researchers found something that was both consistent and hard to ignore across large observational studies. People who ate more ultra-processed foods had a higher risk of developing Crohn’s disease. The link was much weaker for ulcerative colitis, which suggests that Crohn’s may be very sensitive to dietary exposures. The focus was less concerned with fat, calories, or carbs; rather, it was about the structure of the food itself. 

Why Do Ultra-Processed Foods Stress The Gut?

Ultra-processed foods are industrial formulations made from additives and refined ingredients designed to enhance texture, flavor, and shelf-life. Artificial sweeteners, thickening agents, emulsifiers, colorants, and more are commonly scrutinized ingredients in ultra-processed foods. According to mechanistic studies, some emulsifiers seem to thin the gut’s protective mucus layer. That ultimately makes it easier for bacteria to come in direct contact with intestinal tissues. Other types of bacteria can alter gut microbiome, which reduces the presence of beneficial microbes and increases the presence of inflammatory ones. 

There is no evidence that certain additives can increase intestinal permeability, or leaky gut. If that happens, bacterial fragments can cross into the bloodstream and activate immune responses. Over time, that low-grade immune activation can contribute to chronic inflammation common in Crohn’s disease. That does not happen overnight, but repeated exposure can slowly push the gut into a highly vulnerable state.

What is certain is that this research does not prove that ultra-processed foods cause Crohn’s disease. Most of the evidence is observational, but when population data aligns with biological mechanisms and clinical outcomes, the signal is hard to ignore. If you already have IBD, please understand that ultra-processed foods can worsen symptoms. Consider eliminating these foods from your diet to help induce remission, which has been proven in children.

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When you find a dressing that just hits all the right notes, it’s very difficult to let it go. You want to dress all of your salads with it, but doing that may cause you to not like it. What do you do at that point? Keep the dressing in your arsenal of dressing recipes and put it into your rotation when your taste buds are ready for a new flavor profile. This tahini dressing is similar to ranch, only much healthier, more herbaceous, and free of preservatives.

A lot of tahini available in grocery stores tends to be made from roasted sesame seeds. Try to select raw tahini, which is more mild in flavor and lighter in color compared to most other non-raw tahinis. It is also a bit runnier than other tahinis, which makes it great for salad dressings. Given that tahini contains natural oils from the sesame seeds, the dressing can solidify in the fridge. When ready to use the dressing, simply run the container under some warm water for a little before shaking it up. Alternatively, you can use some of this dressing on salads, and use the rest as a dip after it thickens in the fridge.

The key to success with this dressing is using fresh herbs. Although dried herbs and spices are wonderful, and some are in this dressing, fresh herbs take this dressing to another level. It is budget-friendly, raw vegan, and only takes five minutes to come together. There is really no excuse to avoid making it, so get to it and let us know how much you love it in the comments. You can even make it and tag us on social media because we love seeing our cleansers make our recipes!

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It is fairly common for people to gain an average of one pound per year during the holiday season. Unfortunately, that one pound doesn’t tend to go anywhere, and those pounds accumulate as the years go by. There are several factors that contribute to this weight gain, such as lack of exercise or motivation to go to the gym, stress, or seasonal depression. One of the most common factors, though, is the fact that many holiday-themed meals contain hard-to-digest ingredients that are quite fattening. 

Most holiday favorites, from stuffing and pie to peppermint mocha lattes and beyond, contain lots of sodium, fats, unhealthy carbs, and refined sugars. These dishes may taste delicious, but they leave you feeling exhausted because of the energy required to digest them. Holiday classics like turkey, ham, and stuffing can take between one to two days to digest. Next-day bloating isn’t inevitable, though. You can avoid sluggishness and discomfort with the following strategies. 

Avoid Allergies Or Intolerances

Sometimes, people will willingly eat foods they know do not agree with them simply because those dishes are specific to the holidays. Sure, there are lactose-free versions of many holiday staples, but the body can still experience some side effects from eating these foods. The body stores excess water when you eat carbohydrates and the class of sugars found in milk products. When planning your holiday menu or eyeing certain holiday treats, try your best to not overdo it with foods that slow you down. Aside from milk and wheat products, onions, garlic, beans, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower can cause digestive side effects in some people. 

Take A Walk

It’s no secret that working out is quite uncommon during the holiday season. People are busy with end-of-year projects, traveling, holiday parties, school events, and so much more. Plus, a lot of people plan to lose weight or get fit in the new year, but we all know how that resolution tends to go. Take a walk whenever you can, be it on your lunch break or around the neighborhood before you leave for work. Additionally, take a 15- or 20-minute walk after you finish eating to aid digestion. Encouraging blood flow helps kickstart your metabolism and sweat helps flush excess toxins from the body. 

Save Room For Fiber-Rich Foods

We believe the saying, “Save room for dessert,” should be changed to, “Save room for fiber.” The reason for that is most people do not eat a sufficient amount of fiber in their daily diet. Dense foods that are full of refined sugars, simple carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats take forever to travel through the digestive tract. Incorporating more fiber-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, can make digestion a little easier this holiday season. Consider starting your meal with a salad or blended vegetable soup. Focus on fibrous greens, as they will help you feel full without overeating. 

Drink In Moderation

In addition to the fattening, hard-to-digest foods, alcohol also contributes to sluggish digestion and bloating. Mixed drinks tend to be high in refined sugar and air buildup from carbonated drinks like beer or champagne can cause excess gas. Additionally, the extra carbs in beer can leave you feeling slow, bloated, and sluggish. 

Check For Additives

We don’t want to generalize or insult any home chefs out there, so we’ll tread lightly here. Many holiday dishes utilize canned, boxed, or frozen foods that contain a lot of preservatives and excess sodium. Even a holiday staple like turkey can contain added sodium and pesticides. Additives can slow the digestive process and lead to water retention, two things that increase bloating. This year, opt for cleaner foods that are homemade. Consider roasting some seasonal vegetables or making blended vegetable soups. Knowing exactly what’s on your plate and in your food can help reduce the risk of bloating.

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Do you judge a restaurant or household by the condiments they have? What is the brand and what is the quality of the condiment? Do you love a homemade ketchup, chutney, or dressing? If you answered yes, then you, like us, prefer the preservative-free stuff made with love and care. That’s exactly what this pumpkin seed ranch dressing is: a salad dressing, dip, and sauce that contains tons of nutrients. It may just become a staple around your house!

Ranch dressing is beloved by many people and it is not uncommon for people to have serious opinions about the ranch dressing they enjoy. Usually, the valley is hidden, if you’re picking up what we’re laying down. Unfortunately, most store bought ranch dressings are full of fat, unhealthy inflammatory oils, preservatives, added sugars, and a lot of other problematic ingredients that should not be in a salad dressing. A good ranch dressing should be both creamy and refreshing, packed with herbs and spices, and completely gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, and low-carb friendly.

Such is the case with this raw vegan pumpkin seed ranch dressing. It uses pumpkin seeds, homemade almond milk, apple cider vinegar, onion, mint or parsley, dried dill, paprika, mustard powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Blend all of those ingredients together to create a lovely sauce/salad dressing/condiment. Make sure that you blend until the mixture reaches the consistency you prefer. If you enjoy a thicker ranch dressing, you can add more pumpkin seeds or less almond milk. Play with those measurements to achieve your desired result.

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Get the ingredients and ready your food processor because homemade energy bites are as easy as one, two, three. An easy-to-make snack that is rich in protein, fiber, healthy fats, and free of preservatives and added sugars? How many times can we say yes? When you need a boost of energy and want to enjoy something that is wholesome, nutrient-dense, and delicious, turn to these chocolate hemp and pumpkin seed energy bites. They take less than 10 minutes to process and then another few minutes to form into balls. Freeze them until firm and then enjoy!

You will need raw pumpkin seeds, hemp hearts, chia seeds, raw cacao powder, Medjool dates, raw sunflower seed butter, alcohol-free vanilla extract, and grade A maple syrup. Once you gather your ingredients, ready the food processor fitted with the ‘S’ blade. You will first have to process the pumpkin seeds with the hemp hearts. Once that becomes a crumbly mixture, add the chia seeds, dates, vanilla, sea salt, sunflower seed butter, and maple syrup to the processor. Pulse until that mixture is a dough-like consistency. It will almost turn into a ball in the food processor. Just make sure to stop blending, scrape down the sides, and continue blending in order to fully incorporate all of the ingredients.

Due to the fact that these energy bites have sunflower seeds, hemp hearts, chia seeds, and sunflower seed butter, they are not lacking in healthy fats, protein, or fiber. That makes them great for enjoying when you want something to hold you over between meals. They are also great to enjoy pre- or post-workout, as the nutrients in them aid both muscle performance and recovery.

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Fresh peaches, sweetener, some lemon juice, and a jar…that’s all you need for this beautiful summer creation. This peach jam contains absolutely no preservatives or other chemical ingredients that you can’t pronounce, all of which are in store bought jams. You can gather as many peaches as you can and make a large batch, dividing it into smaller jars that you freeze and later defrost to enjoy throughout the year. Peaches don’t just have to be a summertime fruit to enjoy now that you have this recipe!

Maybe you are fortunate to have a peach tree in your yard. Perhaps you have a connection with a local farmer who has a plethora of peaches that he can’t get rid of fast enough. Whatever your peach source, guard it with your life! Obviously, you can enjoy peaches raw, but they can start to turn on you quickly. To prevent the fruit from going bad, you can make this simple peach jam. Peaches contain a good amount of sweetness, so you don’t need to add too much agave, but you can always adjust the amount based on the sweetness level of the jam.

The reason that you add lemons to the jam is because they contain natural pectin. This will help set the peach jam into the thick consistency that you know and love. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice and consider adding a little lemon zest for added flavor. For the peaches, just wash them, remove the pit, and chop them into smaller pieces. If your peaches do not have any bruises, feel free to leave the peel on. That said, you can always peel your peaches prior to making this jam. We hope you love it as much as we do!

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If you are a busy person, time is precious, especially if you regularly run around the house cleaning up after your kids. That is exactly why we love this simple avocado mango salad, because it is easy to meal prep. If you have it prepped and ready to go, all you have to do is dress the salad when you are ready to eat it. Just take it out of the fridge and you have a healthy meal ready to go. That is far better than not having anything and resorting to the closest fast food place to your house, or some packaged snack or meal with excess sodium, preservatives, and sugar.

To make this a successful salad, make sure you gather the right ingredients. You will need the following for your avocado mango salad to shine:

• Avocados: Naturally, you need avocados for a salad that has avocado in the name. Look for avocados that are ripe, but retain some firmness, as that will provide great texture and flavor.
• Mangos: Choose ripe mangos because they will burst with a tropical sweetness that balances the other strong and acidic ingredients in this salad.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Not only do cherry tomatoes bring a vibrant color to the salad, but they also supply a wonderfully juicy, sweet, and slightly acidic flavor.
• Red Onion: Offer a mildly sweet crunch, red onion is a great ingredient that adds a little zing to your salad. Don’t worry about a potent onion flavor because the other ingredients offer a refreshing balance and sweetness.
• Cilantro: If you are one of those people who thinks that cilantro tastes like soap…better luck next life. We are here for this aromatic and herbal flavor that cilantro brings to the party!
• Jalapeño: Although optional, we encourage you to include it in this avocado mango salad. Remove the seeds to tame the spice, or leave them in to kick things up a notch!

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If you look at the ingredient label on a pint or quart of ice cream, you will notice a long list of ingredients, with sugar being high on the list. The more complicated your flavor (think moose tracks, or sea salt caramel with chocolate swirl), the more sugar and ingredients the ice cream has. This apricot sorbet is the opposite of that. Not only is it free of excess sugar, but it also doesn’t contain stabilizers or other preservatives. It is pure, raw vegan goodness!

When life gives you apricots, you make apricot sorbet, because you sure can’t make lemonade out of apricots! Apricots have a slightly tart and sweet flavor profile, but every now and again, you can come across a batch with subpar flavor. Sure, you could dehydrate that batch to make dried apricots, or you could turn the apricots into a magnificent sorbet. We did exactly that because making sorbet is very simple and requires almost none of your time. You simply blend the ingredients together, add them to a freezer-safe container, freezer until firm, and then scoop to enjoy.

From start to finish, this sorbet takes about 10 minutes to prep and blend. Make it a little after lunch and it’ll be ready to enjoy by the time you finish eating dinner. Even though the sorbet is sweetened with maple syrup, it is not overly sweet. The fresh lemon juice brings a zesty acidity, so the sorbet is not overly sweet. It is beautifully creamy and smooth, so make it now while apricots are in season. Get them before they leave supermarket shelves!

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