HOW TO GO ON A DAILY DETOX + GLOW DETOX SMOOTHIE

There are tons and tons of detox recipes out there. There are even 3, 5, or 7 day detox plans. The act of detoxing is great because you'll be getting rid of nasty little (and big) toxins in the body.

The concept of detoxing is daunting to some though because they think they'll feel deprived. Truth is that you will feel deprived if you approach it the wrong way. Quite frankly I think the word detox is thrown around so loosely that its lost its meaning, kind of like the word love.

I truly believe that a detox should be an everyday thing. Everything we ingest should aid in detoxification, that means eating foods high in alkaline & low in acid.

Our body functions on a pH scale, keep in mind these numbers 0-7-14. The lower the number the higher in acidic, the higher the number the higher in alkaline, and 7 is our natural balance of alkaline & acid. We want to keep our pH balanced and eat foods predominantly in the 6-8 range.

Don't get confused with acidic tasting fruits such as lemons, limes, or oranges. They taste acidic but are digested  as an alkaline.

Foods high in alkaline

• Fruits
• Sprouts
• Vegetables of all kinds (excluding starchy ones)

Foods high in acid

• Alcohol
• Animal Protein
• Artificial Sweeteners
• Caffeine
• Dairy Products
• Drugs (antibiotics, steroids)
• Nicotine
• Processed Foods
• Refined Sugar
• Soda

The benefits of one, three, or five, detoxes can be wonderful but the best kind of detox is the one where we constantly eat nutrient dense foods that will detoxify our body on a daily basis.

To help get you started on a daily detox I wanted to share with you my ultimate go to green smoothie.  This is my go to smoothie and like I tell Simon, I never go a morning without it.

I call it my GLOW SMOOTHIE.

FLOURLESS PEANUT BUTTER BANANA MUFFINS

In January I became gluten free.

I think people think that going gluten free means the end of all things delicious, but, let me tell you something, going gluten free can be delicious!

Like these flour less peanut butter muffins.

Booty Call Workout!

Happy Monday!!

How are you?? I hope you're doing awesome! I've been so inspired by all of the requests pooring in on Facebook and Instagram! Now you can follow me on Twitter and subscribe to SUTWU's YouTube channel!

Use #shapeuptowakeup on both twitter & instagram so that I can see all of your pics! :)

So many amazing things are happening this year and I can't wait to share my journey with you!

You can become a Shape Up To Wake Up Girl and receive all the latest posts, news, recipes & so much more! Did I mention giveaways?!

All you have to do is email angel.redefiningbeauty@gmail.com with the subject line "SUTWU GIRL". It's free, fun & fiercely fabulous!

I'm so excited today because today is the day I release my very first workout video! All the ladies spoke and mostly wanted a booty workout!

Click the video above & begin your Booty Call Workout!

Click "Read More" to get the Booty call Workout printable & a delicious post workout recipe!! :)

Fruit Infused Coconut Water

There are 2 brands of natural & fresh coconut juice that I really like.

"O.N.E." & "Zico"

I've tried VitaCoCo twice. The first time I didn't like it, it seemed to have a mild salty taste to it. I thought maybe I just got a bad batch of coconut juice. Since all fresh coconut juices are not created equal I decided to give it one more chance when I saw that brand again at the store.

Nope. It still had a mild salty taste to it. It made me wonder if they were mass producing these because it tasted the same and I have never tasted fresh coconut juice that salty before??

Anyways

I grew up drinking fresh coconut water and I loved everything about it. Everything about coconut.

Coconut cake

Coconut fruit

Coconut scent

Coconut water

Coconut, coconut, coconut

Did I mention coconut? I think you get the point here.

I also love fruit.

So when I thought of these infused coconut water, I had to share it with yall!

Infusing water/coconut water/ anything liquid is super easy.

Fruit Infused Coconut Water

(recipe given by counter clockwise)

Lime Coconut Water

• 1/2 - 1 cup ice cubes
• 1 8oz fresh coconut water (my two favorite so far are O.N.E. & Zico)
• a few slices of Lime (depends upon your personal taste)

Mandarin Orange Blueberry Coconut Water

• 1/2 - 1 cup ice cubes
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1 8oz fresh coconut water (my two favorite so far are O.N.E. & Zico)
• a few slices of Mandarin Oranges (depends upon your personal taste)

Raspberry Lemonade Coconut Water

• 1/2 - 1 cup ice cubes
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup raspberries
• 1 8oz fresh coconut water (my two favorite so far are O.N.E. & Zico)
• a few slices of Lemon (depends upon your personal taste)

Strawberry Coconut Water

• 1/2 - 1 cup ice cubes
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup strawberries
• 1 8oz fresh coconut water (my two favorite so far are O.N.E. & Zico)

Directions

Mix everything together in a drinking glass

Health Benefits of Coconut Water

• Packed with potassium (as much as a banana)
• Supports rapid hydration (great to drink after your workout)
• Has a lower acidity than all the other sports drinks
• Has 5 electrolytes (magnesium, sodium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus)
• All natural!!

Enjoy, my little hungry hearts!

Berry Medley Banana Overnight Oats

I'm a sucker for anything pink.

Literally.

As I look around my desk, I have a pink phone case, pink flowers, pink pen, pink pencil, pink calendar, pink markers, pink coaster, pink letter holder, pink ribbons...and that's just what's around my desk.

So yea, pink's my favorite color.

You know what else is my favorite?

Oatmeal.

But not just any kind of oatmeal...cold overnight oatmeal with berries & bananas.

This healthy oatmeal can be eaten any time of the day, maybe I'm over exaggerating. It's full of fiber, antioxidants, & vitamins and the best part? No cooking required! 

Aw yeaaah!! ;)

Berry Medley Banana Overnight Oats

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup quick oats
• 1/2 cup coconut milk (any milk works fine)
• 1/4 medium banana, sliced (freeze the rest for smoothies or ice cream!)
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1/2 tbsp chia seeds (optional)
• 1-2 tbsp honey (any sweetener works fine)
• pinch of cinnamon (optional)

Optional Topping

• 1 tbsp chopped pecans (or any nut)

Directions:

• Place all the ingredients in a jar, shake, cover and refrigerate overnight. Optionally add a topping like nuts, granola mix, etc.

Health benefits!

There are so many health benefits in berries that I could make my entire blog about it. I'll leave all the confusing big words like "polyphenols" and "anthocyanins" out so that I don't cause any confusion.

Blueberries 

• Can help improve memory
• Lower blood sugar levels
• Control blood-glucose levels in type-II diabetes

Raspberries 

• Control blood-glucose levels in type-II diabetes
• Lowers oxidative stress, reducing inflammation, and thereby altering the development or reproduction of cancer cells involving breast, cervical, colon, esophageal, and prostate cancers

Blackberries 

• Prevent cancer and heart disease 
• Rich in manganese and vitamin C which helps develop resistance against infectious agents, counter inflammation, and scavenge harmful free radicals from the human body

Enjoy, my hungry little hearts!

Cranberry Pear Sauce

I can already taste cranberry sauce in my mouth! This is one of those side dishes that can secretly be your dessert. This recipe isn't too sweet or bitter, it's just perfect!

And the best part?

There's pear in it! I always like making a recipe and added something in it to give it something extra special. I think the pear gives it something nice to look forward to eating!

This cranberry pear sauce is sweetened with honey and I love honey. I like it more than sugar and use it whenever I can to replace sugar.

Cranberry Pear Sauce

Ingredients: 

• 12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
• 2 ripe pears, peeled and cored, cubed small
• 1/2 cup agave (or honey to taste)
• 1 cup water

Directions:

Bring all ingredients to a boil on high heat in a saucepan.

When boiling, reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens. 

Remove from heat and let it cool before refrigerating.

Serve chilled or room temperature. Makes 3 1/4 cups.

Makes 3 1/4 cups

I seriously can't wait for Thanksgiving so that I can make this again!! :)

Enjoy, my hungry little hearts!

Love, Angel xo

Garlic Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Fall is here (although it feels like summer here in Texas) and I am so excited. There is something very nostalgic about the holidays and there's no better way to spend it than with family...and eating!

So how the heck are you supposed to eat healthy around the holidays? Everywhere you turn there's Grandma Reindeer Sweater trying to feed you.

Well, you can still eat healthy and enjoy the foods you normally would eat around the holidays. Over the course of the holidays, I will have recipes that are healthier for you to eat!

I'm sure you realized by reading the title is says "cauliflower"...um what? How in the world is that vegetable supposed to match up to my carb filled potato?!

You're right, it probably wont.

But it probably will if you're not picky.

I love mashed potatoes. I don't care if they're super smooth or has chunky bits. I love mashed potatoes...and that does my waist line NO good.

I promise this recipe is just as good and way healthier!! And because I want to have a more mashed potato texture, I used one potato!

Garlic Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 1 head of garlic
• 1 tsp. olive oil
• 1 medium-sized russet potato (about 12 oz.)
• 5 cups cauliflower florets (about 1 head) 
• 3 tbsp. fat-free half & half
• 2 tbsp. light whipped butter or light buttery spread (like Brummel & Brown)
• 1/2 tsp. salt, or more to taste
• Optional: black pepper, chopped chives 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Remove papery outer layer from garlic, leaving skins around the cloves intact. Slice off the top of the garlic head, 1/4 - 1/2 inch, exposing the tops of the cloves. Place garlic on a piece of foil, drizzle with oil, and use your fingers to coat. Wrap foil tightly around garlic, enclosing it completely. Place in a baking pan.

Bake garlic in the oven for about 40 minutes, until soft enough to mash. Set aside to slightly cool.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove. While waiting for the water to boil, peel and cube the potato. Add potato and cauliflower to boiling water. Return to a boil, and then reduce heat to medium. Cook until potato and cauliflower are very tender, 15 - 20 minutes.

Drain water and transfer potato and cauliflower to a large bowl; set aside. Once foil-wrapped garlic is cool enough to handle, unwrap garlic and remove cloves; discard skin. Add the soft cloves to the large bowl.

To the bowl, add half & half, butter, and salt. Mash it all together with a potato masher, until completely blended. If you like, season to taste with pepper and additional salt. If needed, bring to desired temperature in the microwave or oven. Top with chopped chives, if you like, and enjoy!

MAKES 5 SERVINGS

Enjoy, my little hungry hearts!

Love, Angel xo

Strawberry Banana Protein Smoothie (all natural!)

Strawberries & Bananas!!

The two fruits that always come to mind when I think of a smoothie.

There are SO many health benefits from strawberries and bananas as well as all the other fruits. The best part about these two fruits are that they can be found year round at the grocery store so you can have this protein smoothie anytime.

This smoothie contains no artificial protein powders and is all natural, which is probably my favorite part! You're getting a great pre or post workout smoothie from natural sources found in food! Or even just a midday smoothie!

Do yall like my breast cancer water bottle?! I love it, besides the positive movement and research behind Susan G. Komen...it's pink! My favorite color ;)

I know a ton of people who will be participating in the walk this year. I unfortunately am not :( You can get some more info for walks in your city or just get a little information on Breast cancer here: Support Breast Cancer!! :)

Strawberry Banana Protein Smoothie

• 1 Ripe Banana
• 4 Strawberries, hulled
• 1 Tbsp. Raw Honey
• 1 small handful of Raw Almonds
• 1 Cup Milk/soy milk/almond milk etc
• Ice Cubes

Directions

1. Pour 1 cup of milk over ice into a blender
2. Put the remaining ingredients in the blender and blend together

So easy and healthy!

Enjoy, my little hungry hearts!

Love, Angel xo

Fruit Salad with Cocoa Nibs

When I think of a fruit salad, I think of those boxed, overpriced salad bowls at the grocery store. How boring...and plus, you have no idea if they washed them, how they washed them or how long they've been soaking in their "fruit juices". Gross.

When I think of dark chocolate, I think of chocolate cupcakes and delicious frosting. Yum.

Unfortunately, neither of those are...healthy or fresh.

This fruit salad is rather exciting. It's refreshing and it definitely cures your desire for some chocolate. It's a really easy recipe and the best part is, you can eat this as a dessert or replace it with your side salad.

Fruit Salad with Cocoa Nibs

• 1 Cup Strawberries, sliced
• 2 Fresh Kiwis, sliced
• 1 Cup fresh Pineapple Chunks
• 1 Tbsp dark chocolate cocoa nibs (directions below)
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup

Directions

1. Throw all the fruits together in a bowl
2. Drizzle maple syrup over salad & toss in cocoa nibs

Cocoa Nibs Directions

1. Take the cocoa nibs and place them on a cutting board
2. With a sharp knife begin chopping the chocolate as if you are mincing an onion
3. Now you have cocoa nibs!

Enjoy, my little hungry hearts!

Love, Angel xo

Tropical Papaya Smoothie

As the summer months slowly come to an end, this is what I imagine in my head. However, since I'm from Texas, beaches such as this photo don't exist...so I'm trying really hard to pretend that that sunset is right outside my window. Hey, a girl can dream right?

I can only assume you're here right now because you either have the August workout calendar and are checking out the smoothie recipe or you really are interested in the things I write...I'll take either answer!

If you've been following the calendar (first 4 days!), congratulations! I hope you have a fun time while going through each day.

Let me know how you're doing and feeling about it. Also let me know if there's anything specific you might want to see so that I can put it onto the September Calendar!!

Tropical Papaya Smoothie

• 8 oz. Coconut Water 
• 1/2 cup Frozen Pineapple, cubed
• 1/2 cup Frozen Mango, cubed
• 1/2 cup Fresh Papaya, cubed
• 1 Fresh Banana
• 1 tbsp. ground flaxseed (optional, but so healthy!)

Directions:

1. Add in the Coconut Water
2. Add in all of your fruits, if using ground flaxseed, add this in at the same time
3. Blend and drink!

Enjoy, my little hungry hearts!

Love, Angel xo

Berry Mandarin Salad

This salad is so great and refreshing for a hot summer day! I've been using fruits in my salads a lot lately, it gives my usual salad a burst of flavor. It makes it more interesting and not to boring. I'm a big spinach and fruit lover so incorporating the two into a salad has recently become one of my favorite things to do & eat. I don't know why I've never thought of it before!

I have a lot of other salad recipes that I will definitely be posting as soon as I can!

Also, I will be working on workout videos very soon for yall! ;)

While you're reading, come say hi to me! You can easily talk to me through these two links:

INSTAGRAM (username: "angelyangxoxo" if you're searching on your phone)

FACEBOOK

Berry Mandarin Salad

• 4 Iceberg lettuce leaves
• 1 big handful of baby spinach leaves
• 4 whole strawberries, cut into fours
• 1 handful of grapes
• 6 mandarin oranges
• 1 small handful of raw almonds

Directions:

1. Mix everything together and use your desired salad dressing. (I used a light balsamic vinaigrette)

Enjoy, my little hungry hearts!

Love, Angel xo

PB&J Banana Roll

This recipe is perfect & easy for breakfast or even a snack on the go!

I personally like my banana's to be super fresh, in the sense that they are not very ripe. I'm very sensitive to sugar and too much of it makes me feel sick. This PB&J Banana Roll is a good balance for me and those of you who don't like too much sugar.

Let's get a few things straight with our nutrition facts:

Peanut Butter VS Almond Butter

• Both nuts are healthy for you.
• Natural and organic is the best way to go (so you don't get all the sugar and bad oils they put in the ever so popular and cheap brands)
• Neither one is better than the other. They both have their own health benefits.
• Almond butter yields a much milder taste with a tad of almond.

Sugar Free VS Sugar Filled Jams

• Smucker's sugar free is my favorite & it's sweetened with Splenda.
• Ton's of flavors & it's only 25 calories per tablespoon (I don't count calories)
• If and when you can, make your own homemade fruit jams/jellies. So much healthier and you know what is going into them + they're all natural.

Whole Wheat VS White

• Whole wheat has fiber (keeps you full people!) while white doesn't. PERIOD.
• So switch. Okay?

Click "Read more" for the recipe!