The word clarify is used in facial products; clarifying serum or clarifying skin wash. It’s used to describe how butter is turned into ghee, a clear heat stable cooking oil. It’s definition is ‘to make something less confusing or more clearly comprehensible’.

I’m coining this term today for how you eat; what makes sense to you and creates the building blocks for feeling well.
You might feel that this is somewhat akin to fasting or detoxing, or ‘a clean diet’ but this is your day to day strategy that you craft to create better health.

Morning breaks your fast. Start with purpose. Some love water and lemon juice. Others an herbal tea. Hey, water works great! This can be your first serving to hydrate for the day.
Problem with water? It’s a reality; some people just don’t like straight water. We’ve learned this makes a lot of sense and by changing the ‘solution’  hydration can happen in a tastier way. Add lemon juice, cut vegetables or fruit, blend a smoothie or why not eat soup for breakfast! To keep it ‘clear’ there are many great broths ready to warm up or eat cold. Another option is instant Miso Soup that comes in ready to go packets. I have no affiliation with companies but here are some brands that taste great and you can choose, organic, natural, low sodium etc.  Pacific Natural Broths.  Edwards and Sons Miso packets.

For you, clarifying your diet may just mean getting the wheat (gluten) and dairy out.
This is a great step! Here’s some ideas:
-Unsweetened Almond, Rice or Hemp milk in your coffee (organic of course!) or smoothie.
-Make an eggy crepe with 1-2 eggs and a few tablespoons of rice flour and seasoning to take the place of toast, english muffins or wheat pancakes.
-Hot buckwheat cereal with butter and an alternative milk mentioned previously.
Alternate days of high protein breakfasting with these low on the food chain ideas. Eating this way will prime your mind and body for even better diet choices as the day goes on.

Lunching at work. Plan ahead. Many people will prep on Sundays and make to-go choice packs of cut veggies and hummus dip, mason jar salads, etc. Find great ideas and recipes on Pinterest! Or make a chicken or roast that can be taken in servings to keep you going throughout the day.
Marinate and/or braise tofu slices. Make up portions of tahini butter or almond butter to go with sliced apples/fruit and you have a super tasty lunch!

Hydration is the major word throughout the day and especially on your breaks to clarify your diet. Sensations we thought were hunger may just be de-hydration! Check it out, drink first. Sigh, breath in and out, close your eyes and relax. Then after a few minutes check in and see if you need some nourishment.
When you need a snack, instead of high sugar treats, have some fresh almonds, pumpkin seeds or macadamia nuts to pick up the energy in the late afternoon. Keep something stashed if you have a commute home so the temptation to do the drive-through is diverted.

Easy dinnertime. Your dinner can be quickly built with a base of salad vegetables, steamed vegetables or a cooked grain topped with some of those proteins you prepared earlier in the week. Top with chicken, beef, fish, tofu, eggs all giving you the building blocks for clear nutrition. Choose grains like quinoa that cook in about 15 minutes or organic rice that takes a little longer but can be prepared ahead of time.

When you find the components you enjoy for your Clarifying Diet, you’ll like eating them all the time by varying the combinations and seasonings!

If you have questions about which specific proteins, fruits and vegetables are right for your individual plan, talk to your Naturopathic doctor.  For a free 10 minute consult to find the best fit for your healthcare go to http://www.keepitvital.com or call 602-421-6237.