Having spent an entire two-week holiday eating like a little piggy with both feet in the trough, the time has come, as I shake off the jetlag and do piles of laundry, to enjoy a nice detox!

Used to be that this (a detox) was, in my eyes, a punishment. People who detoxed were sad, masochistic people into self-flagellation. Not a bit of it! First day back I Googled 14 super-detox foods and have run amok in my local supermarket and have come home with some absolutely scrummy foods, all without a hint of guilt to them. Detox = punishment (not in my kitchen)!

Today, being day one of the detox I started with Beetroot, Cranberries and Purple sprouting broccoli, with a wonderful dressing of Humous and ginger. Beetroots help stabilize the bloods acid-alkaline balance (pH), which in its turn supports healthy detoxification. Beetroot also (after a seventeen hour flight) is a superb boost to the immune system, which is always invaluable. It also purifies the blood, cleanses the liver and is also said to improve the cellular intake of oxygen. All in all a good basis for my first detox meal!

Ingredients

1 large beetroot, steamed with salt
4 stems of sprouting purple broccoli
1 small handful of dried cranberries
2 tablespoons hummus
1 teaspoon fresh, finely grated ginger

To Drink

Unsweetened iced raspberry tea (Raspberry Teabag steeped in boiling water then chilled)