Living Foods
As mentioned, the foundation for detox at the Complete Retreat is found in the nutrient-rich living foods, wheatgrass that is taken several times a day, and the consumption of live sprouts - grown fresh in our own kitchen.
Benefits of Living and Raw Foods
The benefits of living food are numerous. Consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables, combined with nuts, seeds, grains and beans – a raw food diet provides the maximum amount of nutrition for your body. Raw foods have more nutrients, vitamins, minerals and fiber than cooked food. They contain the enzymes needed for digestion, and also helps us find the alkaline state where our body functions most efficiently. Once food is heated above 117 Fahrenheit, those essential qualities that we need - are lost. Not to mention raw foods are digested easily and quickly.
On a pure enzyme-rich diet, you will lose weight, strengthen your immune system and have more energy than you ever thought possible!
Drinking wheatgrass juice throughout the course of the day is another way we provide your body with an opportunity to find optimal health. Wheatgrass is a blood purifier, cleanser, and detoxifier. It also contains chlorophyll, which carries oxygen to every cell in your body. It is celebrated as being a complete protein, and is assimilated very quickly into the bloodstream. It is an essential element to building wellness.
Give your Body A Gift
Another gift we give your body is fresh juiced vegetables. This give you an instant boost of nutrients, enzymes, vitamins and minerals- again in a form that the body can easily absorb and digest. Green juices also contain chlorophyll which is incredibly effective in detoxifying our bodies. Basically, juicing allows the addition of more vegetables to your diet, giving the body energy, boosting the immune system and the body's cleansing process.
Sprouts contain an abundance of highly active antioxidants, and are of the foods highest in vitamin and mineral content. They supply us with the energy needed for generating healthy cells in the body. You will not only enjoy fresh sprouts daily, you will learn how to grow your own at home!
All of these elements provide the perfect environment for you to thrive! You will find a new awareness of your body and its strength!
Eating delicious raw cuisine is simple to incorporate into your life even after you leave the Complete Retreat- and our recipes are easy to prepare!
Recipes courtesy of our Raw Food Chef, Michelle Cerise
Almond Milk
1 cup raw almonds, soaked 6-8 hours
3 cups filtered water
4 medjool dates, pitted and soaked 15 minutes
1 tsp vanilla
Blend almonds and water until smooth. Pour the almond mixture into cheesecloth (or a nut milk bag if you have one) and squeeze until all the liquid is released. Put back into the blender and add dates and vanilla - blend well. Store milk in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Honey Mustard Dressing
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 tbsp dijon mustard
2 tsp honey
dash Celtic sea salt
Blend all ingredients well. Enjoy on your favorite green salad!
Store in the refrigerator in a glass jar up to 1 week.
Easy Coleslaw
1 cup green cabbage, shredded
1 cup red cabbage, shredded
1 medium carrot, grated
1/4 cup diced red onion or chopped scallions
1 tbsp parsley, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 tbsp agave nectar
1 tbsp maple syrup
dash Celtic sea salt
Mix vegetables in a bowl. Whisk together remaining ingredients and pour over coleslaw. Combine well and enjoy!
Green Juice
1 bunch spinach or kale
1 cucumber
1/2 small apple
2 celery stalks
1/2 cup chopped green cabbage
1/4 piece fresh ginger
1 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
Juice first 6 ingredients - stir in lemon juice. Serve immediately!
Gazpacho
3 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1/2 cucumber
1/4 red pepper
1/4 onion, chopped
1/2 ripe avocado
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Blend all ingredients until smooth. Garnish with a few small avocado pieces and a small drizzle of olive oil.
Rainbow Salad
2 cups baby spinach
1 beet, grated
1 ripe avocado, cubed
1 carrot, grated
1/4 cup cherry tomatoes
1/4 yellow pepper, diced
1/4 cup minced red onion
1/2 cup alfalfa sprouts
1 tbsp chopped walnuts
Dressing:
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp agave nectar
dash Celtic sea salt
Combine all salad ingredients in a bowl. Whisk dressing and gently toss with salad.
Hummus
4 cups chickpeas, soaked and sprouted
1/2 cup water
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup tahini
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp cumin
1/2 teaspoon of salt
parsley (chopped) for garnish
Blend chickpeas and water well - add remaining ingredients - blend again until smooth. Top with parsley.
Energy Soup
1 bunch spinach
1 stick celery
1 apple
1/2 cucumber, seeded
1/4 peeled lemon
large handful alfalfa sprouts
1/2 avocado
salt and pepper to taste
water (optional)
Blend first 6 ingredients- then add avocado last. Add water to achieve desired consistency.
Guacamole
4 avocados, diced or mashed
3 limes, juiced
1/2 small onion, diced
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients well - serve immediately!
