Recipe: the Clean Sweep Smoothie

Over the winter season, our lymphatic system (the body’s cellular waste-removal system) can become sluggish and congested, resulting in lethargy, itchiness, joint pain, swelling, and allergies.

The biggest cause: Carb-and-dairy comfort foods or processed ones. Heard of them?

Ayurvedics use the arrival of spring as a time to focus on clearing the lymphatic system. The thinking goes that if you don’t Drano your pipes, you contribute to year-round clogs—colds and flus, low energy, and overall low immunity.

This workhorse smoothie helps do the job. It’s powered by dandelion root tea, a lymphatic-system kickstarter with purifying properties for the liver, blood, stomach, colon, sinuses. Lemon and parsley help nudge the liver, blue green algae is purifying, and bee pollen adds a dose of buzzy energy.

And don’t forget colorful carrots (aka root-veggie maid service): when eaten raw, they bind to waste and help flush it out. —Jennifer Kass

THE CLEAN SWEEP SMOOTHIE

Blend all ingredients together and enjoy!

1 c dandelion root tea (steeped for 10 mins., the night before, and chilled)
4-5 leaves of organic romaine lettuce
1 big handful of sprouts
1/2 c chopped parsley
1 lemon (cut off the skin and use the whole fruit; pits, pith, and all)
1 organic carrot, chopped
1 tbs bee pollen
1 tbs blue green algae (or spirulina)
2-3 ice cubes

Got a friend who could use a little spring detox smoothie? Email her this recipe!