My 3 Step Simple Detox & Why It’s Important to Me

Simple detox is a process of giving my body a break! I do this by eliminating potentially harmful substances from my diet for a period of time, usually 3, 5, or 7 days. It’s important to do this once or twice a year to allow my body to heal from the 10% indulgences I enjoy.

Plus, the overexposure of ultra-processed food and things in my environment are causing stiffness and joint pain. Maybe you can relate!

Chemical laden items in packages sold in the grocery store and labeled “food” are filled with preservatives, additives, flavorings, inflammatory oils, salt, and sugar. Even some of my favorite “healthy” items which are good for others, may not be good for me.

I know this, yet I am a creature of habit and I’m still overcoming the culture around me and what it says is OK!

3 step simple detox

Although my body is constantly in detox mode when I consume these items, it’s nice to give it a break between meals by fasting. I can also offer fresh, clean, fruits and vegetables for several days to help it remove wastes more effectively.

In the process I can identify and eliminate food intolerances. So, here is my personal 3 step process for a simple detox.

Simple Detox in 3 Steps

1. Prepare Mentally

Preparing mentally will not only make the process easier, but it will also make the purpose of detoxing clear. Why is this valuable to me at this time?

Praying for guidance is always a priority for me, as well as consulting a health care provider to determine possible personal contraindications.

For instance, if I am very young, or have young children, detox will entail removing all sugar, processed meats, and chips from their eating plan and replace them with all fruits and vegetables. The rest of the eating plan would stay the same.

The same idea works for the elderly. However, pregnant or breast-feeding women are not good candidates for detoxification because stored toxins can be released into the breastmilk and given to the infant. Good thing, I’m not pregnant!

Nor am I taking medications that lower blood sugar or blood pressure, which requires extra caution because both will naturally be lowered as I produce my own nitric oxide and let the body do what God designed it to do!

3 step simple detox

Asking myself some basic questions is helpful too:

  • What do I hope to accomplish with this detoxification process?
  • What reliable resources have I found that will help me do this safely?
  • How will I handle the discomfort of withdrawal?
  • Do I want to purchase a prepared kit from my health care provider or just eat clean and remove toxins?
  • Last, but certainly not least, what scripture can I memorize to help me remember why this is important?

2 Corinthians 10 ESV – Paul Defends His Ministry – I, Paul, – Bible Gateway

2. Plan Sufficiently

Simple detox is doable with some sufficient planning. If my family is not participating, I will have to get some meals prepared ahead of time for them to consume. I need a grocery list of items that support detox, like organic fruits and vegetables, a good water filter, and some herbal teas.

3 step simple detox

Here are some ideas I use to plan sufficiently for the three, five, or seven days:

  • If detoxifying by eliminating processed foods— I Purchase only whole food items at the store
  • I also buy plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds. (No peanuts. . . goodbye 1 jar a week!)
  • Omit dairy (milk, cheese, sour cream, yogurt) eggs, meat, and bread. (Bread, eggs and yogurt are hard for me to give up!)
  • Stock up on quinoa and brown rice.
  • Consider a multivitamin for any possible lack of intake.
  • Drink green tea and herbal teas instead of coffee or soda. (Um, coffee. . . . .the hardest part of all for me!)
  • Pick a day to begin that I can rest and feel bad, because headache and general malaise are common and going to take place with withdrawal.

3. I keep a Journal

Journaling my progress via FB video was helpful in articulating the changes taking place in my body through the 7-day process. It also helps me identify possible food intolerances as well as addictions I need to lay before the Lord.

I normally fast by eating very clean and removing ALL ultra-processed foods–So, organic tortilla chips/coffee/ 72% cacao chips with minimal sugar/ all-natural crunchy peanut butter/homemade kombucha are out!

Friend, if I can just be vulnerable here a minute, I need you to know. . . coffee is such a stronghold for me, I wanted it after every meal, like a smoker wants a cigarette.

KNOWING it leaches vitamins and minerals out of the meal I just ate and vital minerals out of my bones did not stop me from drinking it. . . .many times.

The struggle is real! I need this time of reflection and restoration.

For this detox I purchased the Core Restore 7 Day Detox because it was doctor approved and I wanted the extra support of specific nutrients for detoxification. I was told I could eat all the organic fruit and vegetables as I wanted “as much as I want”.

I’ve felt deprived doing detox before, but the idea of eating as much as I want did not sit well with me. I am prone to excess eating. Therefore, I do expect limitations on the amount of fruit I eat when I detox. Excess fruit spikes blood sugar unnecessarily.

I think about this as day 5 of my detox fell on Mother’s Day and I kept walking past the bowl of grapes and blueberries. . .grabbing a handful with each pass. No wonder there was no weight loss for me personally, when others lost several pounds.

Needless to say, most of my eating pattern did not change. Since, my weight is normal, that was not my intention.

However, the severe stiffness in my joints and creaky ligaments that felt like early rigor Mortis were gone after day 5! I literally felt 10 years younger!

Summary Results of My Simple Detox

I felt so good after this 7-day restoring process, that I continued to omit coffee, bread, peanuts, and yogurt. I believe those three items are the reason I am so stiff and sore most of the time.

The amazing thing that happened is I can now eat peppers and tomatoes again without reflux, when I could not tolerate them before—because of too much acid.

Moreover, the bloating and discomfort after eating is also gone—thanks to no bread or beans, I’m sure! I reintroduced eggs and did not notice a problem. I am also drinking kombucha without any symptoms.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience and I’m happy to move on to the next phase of my restoration with a Fasting Mimicking Plan. So, stay tuned. If you are looking for some clean vegan detox recipes I have plenty on my blog!

I’d be happy to coach you through your doctor supervised program, too! Locally I have one to suggest for best results! Contact me here: Mysty Pfeffer Wellness Coaching – Georgetown, OH (clientsecure.me)




2 Day Recipe Guide to Maintain Your Metabolic & Immune System Reset

A metabolic and immune system reset is possible with the goodness from God’s garden. Is it a cure all? Well, there is some solid research it has been a cure for some people. In many areas of disease, it has been a life saver.

I like anything that works as a jump start to reset the way we fight disease and get our metabolism functioning better. More to the point, it was God’s plan to provide it for us when He created our first ancestors. Everything is in the garden to keep blood pressure stable, reduce painful arthritis, and eliminate multiple gut issues.

So, if you’ve heard of the Fasting Mimicking Eating plan, developed by Dr. Valter Longo stay tuned. He perfected i a detox meal plan and many have felt the results. If that is you, continue with that 5-day meal cycling plan as instructed by your health care provider.

However, if you have already done the plan for 3 months or 6 months as suggested to restart metabolism and improve the autoimmune system and want similar recipes to mimic as a maintenance plan a couple of days per week, this post if for you!

Now, remember, this way of eating is only temporary, and it is not medical advice, you have to follow your health care provider or dietician for that, right?

Also, in his book Dr. Longo advises people with kidney problems, people taking blood sugar lowering medications, and those over 70 or under 18 to obtain medical supervision, or not do a fasting mimicking plan at all.

This 2-day Recipe Guide is intended for those people who have already been approved to follow the plan by their doctor or healthcare provider and have not experienced nutritional deficiencies or medical problems.

Oh, and you’ll lose a few pounds or maintain weight loss when you use the recipes in your two-day per week maintenance routine.

Prep Day for System Reset

The following recipes can be prepared in 2 hours with clean up! You’ll need plenty of storage containers for these handy snacks and entrees.


Coconut Almond Bars

  • 1 Cup Ground Almond Meal
  • 1/2 Cup Flaxseed meal ((optional))
  • 1/4 Cup Walnuts
  • 1 Cup Coconut Flakes
  • 1/2 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips
  • 1 Tbsp. Coconut Oil
  • 2 Tsp. Cinnamon
  • 3/4 Cup Water
  • 1/2 Tsp. Salt
  • 2 Tbsp. Pumpkin seeds
  1. Grind the flaxseed into a meal, then grind the almonds into a flour (Of course, you can use the already ground meal and flour if you like). My gut does not tolerate flax seed meal, so I use 1/2 cup ground chia seeds instead of flax. So, flaxseed is listed as optional. You can substitute the amount for more almond flour if you like.

  2. Place the ground meal in a bowl and add the cinnamon and salt, mixing well.

  3. Add the coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and chocolate chips.

  4. Lastly add the water and stir well until it holds together. Let set a few minutes so the meal can absorb the water.

  5. Meanwhile, use the coconut oil to grease your 9×13 pan really well. Preheat oven to 350.

    **Remember coconut oil as natural MCT and will help keep you full. It's good for you.***

  6. Spread the dough into the 9×13 pan evenly. Bake for 20 minutes and remove to cut into your squares. Put in back in the oven another 8-10 minutes.

  7. Let them cool then enjoy one bar in the morning for breakfast.


Crackers for the System Reset


Kale Hemp Seed Crackers

  • 1 1/2 Cups Kale (Washed and dried)
  • 1 Tbsp. Nut Butter
  • 1 Tbsp. Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/2 Cup Flaxseed meal ((may substitute almond flour))
  • 1 tsp. Salt
  • 1/2 Tsp. Onion Powder
  • 1/2 Tsp. Garlic Powder
  • 1/4 Cup Hemp Seed Hearts
  • 1/4 Cup Chia Seeds
  • 1/4 Cup Sunflower Seeds
  • 1/2 Cup Water
  • 1 Tbsp. Pumpkin Seeds ( no shells, chopped)
  1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees, Yes 250! 350 is too hot and burns the edges.

  2. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and let it set until all the water is absorbed.

  3. Spread the dough between two pieces of parchment paper and roll out onto a cookie sheet until thin, 1/16th of an inch or so.

  4. Bake for 30 minutes then remove to cut into squares. Flip them over and bake another 30 minutes until crisp. If they are still soft, bake another 10 minutes.



Qunioa Vegetable Soup

  • 1 Cup Quinoa
  • 6 Cups Kale
  • 4 Cups Cabbage
  • 4 Carrots (Sliced)
  • 4 Celery (Sliced)
  • 4 cloves garlic (Minced)
  • 1 Onion (Chopped)
  • 1 Tbsp. Oregano
  • 1 Tbsp. Thyme
  • 3 Tsp. Salt
  • 2 Tsp. Onion Powder
  • 1 Tsp. Garlic Powder
  • 1 Tsp. Pepper
  • 2 Tsp. Apple Cider vinegar
  • 1 Can Chick Peas ((rinsed and drained))
  • 8 Cups Vegetable Broth
  • 4 Cups Water
  • 1 Tbsp. Avocado Oil
  1. In a very large soup pot, sauté the onions and garlic in the oil.

  2. Add the chopped kale, and cabbage, stirring as you chop.

  3. Add the carrots, celery, garlic, herbs and spices, and keep stirring.

  4. Add the water, vegetable broth, and quinoa.

  5. Simmer for about an hour until vegetables are tender. Enjoy!


The Value of Intermittent Fasting for System Reset

Intermittent fasting is defined as not eating between meals or after dinner. Yes, it’s that simple. It always boggled my mind to follow Diabetes guidelines for instructing people with diabetes to eat three meals a day and two snacks.

SAY WHAT? Eating all day is what gets people with Type 2 DM in trouble in the first place. Notice, I said Type 2. If someone has Type 1 DM or Type 2, and is just starting insulin, the instruction process may be a little different until they adjust to their medication.

Regardless, continual eating (especially without moderate activity) will continually spike insulin and fat storage, whereas intermittent fasting lowers blood glucose and prevents excess insulin spikes.

It is a sad example of a broken paradigm that is counterproductive to a system reset a fasting mimicking plan offers.

Water with Lemon Balm, Ginger, & Rosemary for System Reset

System Resets Require Water!

While we are talking about the importance of fasting and eating clean, let’s not forget water. It is and always will be our appetite suppressant, fuel starter, and best nourishment! We are wise to start the day with at least 8- 16 ounces of water a day, before anything else!

In the hospital, when people are dizzy, and their blood pressure drops —-we give them fluid!

Let’s face it—we have to have it. Our cells crave it, and we feel like absolute crap when we don’t get enough of it for our joints and ligaments! And when we wake up from an 8 hour fast, we are dehydrated and need it to get our bodies ready for the day.

If you don’t like water, add a little cranberry juice or half of a lemon to flavor it more. Rest in the fact that your liver, kidneys, and bladder will be happy—even if your taste buds are not.

The amazing thing about repetitive action is, eventually, those taste buds come around too.

More System Reset Recipes

After all, taste is important when it comes to enjoying life, right? I want to arm you and your family with delicious soups, stews, and side dishes that leave you feeling full and satisfied, not deprived.

That is the whole purpose of this post and a system reset recipe maintenance guide. The Derailing to Detox in 7 Days post has many more ideas and recipes available too, so please check it out for more heart healthy, fasting mimicking ideas!

Remember what God puts in the garden is good! I am here for you and want the best for you and your family. If you need a RN health coach to help you out book a discovery, call here: Mysty Pfeffer Wellness Coaching – Georgetown, OH (clientsecure.me)

I will leave you today with some heartfelt prayers for restoration spiritually and physically! God’s word reminds us to resist the devil and he will flee. He is the god of this age and of “worldly” things that distract us from health and purpose.

We can be deceived in our hearts in regard to following Jesus and in our bodies by falling for marketing schemes and addictions that steal our health physically.

The disciples following Jesus suffered both, physical and spiritual pain, yet they remained steadfast in their trust and hope for a life with Him eternally. We can too!

 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

1 Peter 5:9-11 ESV – Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing – Bible Gateway

Thanks for stopping by and checking out the health tips and recipes! Share it with a friend if it is helpful!

God bless you!




Derailing to Detox in 7 Days!

Have you ever gone on vacation and completely derailed your healthy eating habits? If you have, you are not alone! We’re talking about derailing to detox today, so we can get back on track.

Derailing happens to all of us, and it’s not a bad thing. It’s actually freeing to taste the scoop of ice cream we’ve been avoiding due to joint and muscles aches. Or to accept the side of fries with our burger as we did when we were living the American dream.

We are enjoying our free time. Celebrating with family and getting the rest God designed us to take when we go on vacation.

What Derailing Looks Like Biblically

It reminds me of the Feast of Booths in the Bible. God commanded a period of seven days to gather in booths each year so Israel could worship Him and rest as they enjoyed the fruit of their harvest. Of course, their derailing, or in this case, feasting, did not consist of fried foods or ice cream.

“On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the produce of the land, you shall celebrate the feast of the Lord seven days. On the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest. And you shall take on the first day the fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees and boughs of leafy trees and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. You shall celebrate it as a feast to the Lord for seven days in the year. It is a statute forever throughout your generations; you shall celebrate it in the seventh month. (Leviticus 23:39-41)

Leviticus 23 ESV – Feasts of the LORD – The LORD spoke to – Bible Gateway

They didn’t have to detox from chemicals in their food or inflammatory markers that get set off with preservatives and additives though! There were no dyes or altered forms of seed oils, either. The toxic ultra-processed boxed items we consume on vacation poorly resemble the fruit of the land they enjoyed.

However, the ideas of rest, celebration, worship, and enjoyment for seven days stands! And so can we. We can get back to the produce of our land and begin a 7-day detox right from the garden!

A Simple 7 Day Detox Plan for Healthy People —Not Taking Medication

Now, you know the usual disclaimer here: This is NOT a diet plan for you, and you MUST listen to your doctor or dietician’s advice about meal planning. Especially if you are on medication to lower your blood sugar or blood pressure.

By detoxing for 7 days, we healthy individuals are simply eating vegetables, nuts, beans, and a small amount of fruit for our meals, with plenty of water. Organic extra virgin olive oil, in small amounts for a dressing, is beneficial with all its polyphenols and healthy fat, too! There is no snacking between meals for a detox, nor is there sugar, corn, or potato chips.

If this sounds close to a vegan detox plan, it is. . .without the sugar or ultra-processed, packaged, franken food a few of them eat. And we can take encouragement because people all over the world eat the produce of the land, safely, every single day, while suffering no ill effects.

There is ZERO artificial sweeteners, colorings, additives, or flavorings. Also, zero diet anything, fried anything, or sugar of any kind. Did I say, “No sugar’ again? Yes, I sure did! I’m thinking excess sugar gets most of us into more trouble with inflammation than any other substance.

It’s black tea, black coffee, herbal teas, lemon water, and one of my favorites: A Derailing to Detox Smoothie

Derailing to Detox Smoothie


Derailing to Detox Smoothie

  • 1 Lemon
  • 1 Kiwi
  • 2 Cups Spinach/Kale Blend
  • 2 Tbsp. Blueberries
  • 1/2 Tsp. Celtic or Himalayan Salt
  • 2 Cups Ice Water
  1. Juice the lemon and peel the kiwi. Add it to the Bullet (or blender of your choice) with the spinach/kale, blueberries, and salt. Add the ice water and blend until a nice liquid. Enjoy!


Derail to Detox Summary

Friend, first of all I hope you enjoyed your vacation without guilt or shame! I pray God restored you with much needed rest and you had a chance to thank Him for all of His goodness! I also hope this little seven-day idea of healthy eating is doable for you as you imagine your own recipes forming with exploration through the farmer’s markets, grocery produce sections, or maybe even, your own back yard. The Highlights are:

  • *Consult your doctor or dietician for your individual caloric/nutritional needs with healthy eating*
  • General ideas for nutritional needs are also available for healthy individuals (not taking medication) at Calorie Calculator
  • Enjoy vegetables cooked or raw
  • Enjoy fruit cooked or raw
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Enjoy herbal teas, black coffee or tea
  • Enjoy beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds
  • No eating between meals
  • No sugar, artificial sweeteners, additives, dies, flavorings, fried foods, or preservatives
  • Take your usual multivitamin or supplements

It’s not a meal plan, but it’s a beautiful gift of good ideas from God’s garden to turn us from derailing to detox. I hope it has been helpful to open our eyes to proper feasting and fasting in a healthy, biblical kind of way. If you need further encouragement or recipe ideas check out the blog!

There are plenty! Here are three to get you started:

Black Bean & Bok Choy Soup

Almond & Chia Crackers

Coconut Pecan Prune Bars

Also, if you are looking for help changing lifestyle or behaviors let me know!