Cheery Cherry Detox Smoothie

by ALEXA

As the sun rises, the first sounds coming out of my kitchen are the drip, drip of the coffee maker and the whir of the blender. Most mornings start with a smoothie—my way of packing a good nutritional punch into a single glass.

This Cheery Cherry Detox Smoothie is a new favorite. I’d describe it as happy. Cheerful. It’s tart with just enough sweet for balance and offers a good dose of greens and antioxidant-packed cherries.

We’ve been drinking a lot of these lately, and not just for the yum factor but because they are loaded with the fluids, fiber, and antioxidants that are helping Miles flush some nasty toxic heavy metals from his little body.

If you are interested in the progress we’ve made with chelation, be sure to read through to the end of this post. If you just want the recipe : ) … here ’tis.

Cheery Cherry Detox Smoothie

Gluten-Free | Casein-Free | Citrus-Free (do not use Emergen-C) | Corn-Free (do not use Emergen-C) | Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Fish-Free | Nightshade-Free | Peanut-Free | Potato-Free | Rice-Free | Shellfish-Free | Soy-Free | Tree Nut-Free | Wheat-Free | Grain-Free | Sesame-Free | Sweetener-Free (do not use Emergen-C) | Yeast-free | GFCF | Vegetarian | Vegan | Easily Raw

Makes: 4 cups
Prep Time: 3 minutes 

Ingredients:

1 cup frozen CHERRIES (in the U.S., check Costco for organic)
2-4 KALE CUBES or a handful of fresh kale
1 cup non-dairy MILK (I use SoDelicious® Coconut Milk Beverage)
2 cups WATER
2 tablespoons fresh LEMON JUICE
2 tablespoons CHIA SEED
1 teaspoon gluten-free VANILLA EXTRACT
Liquid vanilla STEVIA to taste
Optional: 1 pack Emergen-C Kidz Fruit Punch (if tolerated)

Directions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender (like a Blendtec or OmniBlend) and blend on high until super smooth.
  2. If you like your smoothies cold and frosty (like I do) throw in a few ice cubes at the end and blend until smooth.

A Quick Update On Our Journey to Recovery

We are seeing great progress with our little guy. He has not had a flare-up of Candida in over two months. His gut is well on it’s way to being healed, if not already there! We continue to steer clear of gluten, dairy, eggs, nuts, most fruit and excess sugar—all of which have set him off in the past.

He has made fabulous strides in speech. The other day I found myself crying as I held him in my lap. You see, we are finally connecting and conversing and there are no words for that—the feeling of finally connecting with your child. We continue to work on appropriate social behavior—specifically who to hug and who not to hug and to do it gently : ).

Now, with his gut in shape and supplements to support the methylation process, we are seeing good things. This next phase involves chelation. Here is an update on that front …

Heavy Metals Versus Toxic Heavy Metals

Living organisms require varying amounts of “heavy metals.” Iron, cobalt, copper, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc, for example, are required by humans. Lead, mercury, aluminum and a host of others are not and can be very toxic. In particular, lead and mercury are known to interfere with how nerves communicate.

Chelating with DMSA

For some time we have known of our son’s heavy metal burden. Before tackling it, we’ve had to restore his gut health and fine-tune his supplement regimen. The next step, chelation. We are using the oral DMSA method under the supervision of Miles’ doctor. The process is nicely outlined here.

Following are most recent Toxic Heavy Metals Urine Test results. I find them quite fascinating. It’s in test results like these that we find hope and determination to continue in this journey of healing.

NOTE: Though DMSA can be purchased without a prescription, I strongly advise chelating under the supervision of a doctor. Along with lead and mercury, DMSA can pull and deplete the body of zinc and essential minerals. A doctor can monitor these levels to ensure you are not putting your health at risk.

“Pre” Toxic Heavy Metals Urine Test

Before adminstering DMSA (dimercaptosuccinic acid) capsules, these were the minimal levels of heavy metals our son was peeing out—likely on a daily basis.

“Post #1” Toxic Heavy Metals Urine Test

After taking the “Pre” test urine collection, he was given a single dose of DMSA to see if DMSA would be an effective treatment. The answers were in the results. This next report shows that the DMSA is pulling metals out of the system and that they are being excreted. Without the help of DMSA his lead number was 0.4 and mercury 0.7. With the help of DMSA those levels jumped to 8.3 for lead and 13 for mercury. Proof that it’s coming out is in the pee!

“Post #2” Toxic Heavy Metals Urine Test

This is the most recent report. This reflects 3 days on DMSA and 11 days off, repeated 3 times for a total course of treatment of 42 days. Pesky cesium hasn’t changed, however that’s to be expected as DMSA is most effective at pulling out lead and mercury. And where did that Thallium come from? Our son is being exposed to it somewhere some how. As for the lead and mercury, the levels have come down which is a good thing, a great thing! We will proceed with another round of DMSA to see if we can bring those levels down even further. We are not as concerned about being “Outside Reference” range as much as we are getting mercury and lead levels down to within 5 times the “Pre” test levels. Our goal; lead 5 x 0.4 = 2.0 and mercury 5 x 0.7 = 3.5.

What has been your experience with DMSA? Share your experience with us.

More Good Stuff

38 comments

Ricki May 21, 2012 - 1:44 am

Yay for his progress! I used DMSA for a while as well but we never finished. . . this reminds me I need to do a few more cycles! Your smoothie looks amazing. I'm so ticked that I can't find those frozen cherries here in Toronto!

Reply
Heather May 21, 2012 - 2:00 am

Just had 20 year old mercury amalgrams removed from my "head" at the advice of a friend who had it done and suffered thorugh the same things that had happened to me over the past year, I have good and bad days now, the good ones are really great but the bad ones are HORRIBLE! I did a mercury detox for 2 weeks with supplements, I do a liver shot and intestinial detox every other weekend and I drink Manna 360 on a daily basis, these detox smoothies are awesome I have done several will try yours sometime this week, I have yet to get a heavy metals urine test as insurance dosent cover it, but I do know removing the mercury from my mouth was no cheap fix either… Thank you for posting your experience and please continue to post detox regimines:) Blessings to you and yours!

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Lexie May 21, 2012 - 3:31 am

Ricki—we are so happy and feel we are getting to a real good place with him. Day by day, I feel the cloud lifting. Who knows what the future holds but for now we are in a good spot. I feel like I can finally breathe.

Heather—all my wishes for continued recovery. Thank YOU for sharing your experience with us. So encouraging.

xoLexie

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Cara May 21, 2012 - 12:55 pm

This smoothie sounds delish and just like what I am already planning to make this morning. If you knew what I ate this weekend, you'd understand the need for detox 😉

Happy to hear your guy is doing well too!

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Tracy May 21, 2012 - 1:12 pm

I have a 9 yo non-verbal son how suffers from autism and mild cerebral palsy. We are trying our hardest for him. He is fully impacted and we are seeing a GI out of pocket. Maybe DMSA will be in our future.
Lexie, what supplements do you give your son?
BTW, this smoothie looks yummy! I looooove cherries and so do my kiddos.
xoxo Tracy

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Cassidy @ Cooking Gluten (& Dairy) Free May 21, 2012 - 1:53 pm

I'm so glad he's is making progress… your cherry smoothie looks de-lish!

Cassidy 🙂

Reply
Cassidy @ Cooking Gluten (& Dairy) Free May 21, 2012 - 1:53 pm

I'm so glad he's is making progress… your cherry smoothie looks de-lish!

Cassidy 🙂

Reply
Cassidy @ Cooking Gluten (& Dairy) Free May 21, 2012 - 1:53 pm

I'm so glad he's is making progress… your cherry smoothie looks de-lish!

Cassidy 🙂

Reply
Cassidy @ Cooking Gluten (& Dairy) Free May 21, 2012 - 1:53 pm

I'm so glad he's is making progress… your cherry smoothie looks de-lish!

Cassidy 🙂

Reply
Cassidy @ Cooking Gluten (& Dairy) Free May 21, 2012 - 1:53 pm

I'm so glad he's is making progress… your cherry smoothie looks de-lish!

Cassidy 🙂

Reply
Cassidy @ Cooking Gluten (& Dairy) Free May 21, 2012 - 1:53 pm

I'm so glad he's is making progress… your cherry smoothie looks de-lish!

Cassidy 🙂

Reply
Cassidy @ Cooking Gluten (& Dairy) Free May 21, 2012 - 1:53 pm

I'm so glad he's is making progress… your cherry smoothie looks de-lish!

Cassidy 🙂

Reply
Cassidy @ Cooking Gluten (& Dairy) Free May 21, 2012 - 1:53 pm

I'm so glad he's is making progress… your cherry smoothie looks de-lish!

Cassidy 🙂

Reply
Cassidy @ Cooking Gluten (& Dairy) Free May 21, 2012 - 1:53 pm

I'm so glad he's is making progress… your cherry smoothie looks de-lish!

Cassidy 🙂

Reply
Cassidy @ Cooking Gluten (& Dairy) Free May 21, 2012 - 1:53 pm

I'm so glad he's is making progress… your cherry smoothie looks de-lish!

Cassidy 🙂

Reply
Lexie May 21, 2012 - 3:20 pm

Tracy … you go mamma! Keep up the good fight : ) Not sure if you have read this post. It's the most comprehensive one I have on treatments we've tried:

http://www.lexieskitchen.com/lexies_kitchen/2011/7/5/diving-to-the-depths-in-search-of-healing.html

Of course every supplement "cocktail" is tailored to each child's needs but here is what ours is getting (it changes up every so often):

Pure Encapsulations Mitochondria ATP
Pure Encapsulations Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Learner's Edge Child Essence
Protocol CoQ10 Liquid
Thorne Folacal
SpeechNutrients Speak Smooth (all the oils DHA, EPA, GLA, E)
Learner's Edge Digest Right enzymes
Klaire Labs Therbiotic Complete probiotics
B-12 injections every 3 days
Liquid vitamin C
Elderberry liquid (bunch of other berries) for antioxidants
Vitamin D drops

This all comes to A LOT of money. A LOT, but we are hoping that the investment now will help correct things when he is young and that in time, some of these supplements will no longer be needed. I get overwhelmed sometimes with how much I have to give him, but I trudge through. I pay the bill and dole out these supps with faith that they will speed us along to recovery : )
Thorne Citramins (for off days during DMSA)

Reply
Alisa May 21, 2012 - 4:56 pm

Woohoo! When I voted, it tied you for 10th, and you're one vote away from 9th! Voting for Lex for the top three!!

I'm so happy for you and your kiddo, that must feel incredibly amazing to see so much real progress.

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Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy May 21, 2012 - 5:10 pm

yum! I love cherries! I can't wait to try this smoothie! thanks for the recipe!

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Maggie May 21, 2012 - 5:54 pm

So happy for you and your boy. Keep going Momma! xoxo

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Courtney @ Whole & Free May 21, 2012 - 10:26 pm

Lexie, this is SO encouraging! What a blessing to be finally connecting! with child! Thank you for the update! We finally have our autism diagnosis and are pursuing the mitochondrial testing…I'm right behind you, on your tail…

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Courtney @ Whole & Free May 21, 2012 - 10:26 pm

Lexie, this is SO encouraging! What a blessing to be finally connecting! with child! Thank you for the update! We finally have our autism diagnosis and are pursuing the mitochondrial testing…I'm right behind you, on your tail…

Reply
Courtney @ Whole & Free May 21, 2012 - 10:26 pm

Lexie, this is SO encouraging! What a blessing to be finally connecting! with child! Thank you for the update! We finally have our autism diagnosis and are pursuing the mitochondrial testing…I'm right behind you, on your tail…

Reply
Courtney @ Whole & Free May 21, 2012 - 10:26 pm

Lexie, this is SO encouraging! What a blessing to be finally connecting! with child! Thank you for the update! We finally have our autism diagnosis and are pursuing the mitochondrial testing…I'm right behind you, on your tail…

Reply
Courtney @ Whole & Free May 21, 2012 - 10:26 pm

Lexie, this is SO encouraging! What a blessing to be finally connecting! with child! Thank you for the update! We finally have our autism diagnosis and are pursuing the mitochondrial testing…I'm right behind you, on your tail…

Reply
Courtney @ Whole & Free May 21, 2012 - 10:26 pm

Lexie, this is SO encouraging! What a blessing to be finally connecting! with child! Thank you for the update! We finally have our autism diagnosis and are pursuing the mitochondrial testing…I'm right behind you, on your tail…

Reply
Courtney @ Whole & Free May 21, 2012 - 10:26 pm

Lexie, this is SO encouraging! What a blessing to be finally connecting! with child! Thank you for the update! We finally have our autism diagnosis and are pursuing the mitochondrial testing…I'm right behind you, on your tail…

Reply
Courtney @ Whole & Free May 21, 2012 - 10:26 pm

Lexie, this is SO encouraging! What a blessing to be finally connecting! with child! Thank you for the update! We finally have our autism diagnosis and are pursuing the mitochondrial testing…I'm right behind you, on your tail…

Reply
Courtney @ Whole & Free May 21, 2012 - 10:26 pm

Lexie, this is SO encouraging! What a blessing to be finally connecting! with child! Thank you for the update! We finally have our autism diagnosis and are pursuing the mitochondrial testing…I'm right behind you, on your tail…

Reply
Courtney @ Whole & Free May 21, 2012 - 10:26 pm

Lexie, this is SO encouraging! What a blessing to be finally connecting! with child! Thank you for the update! We finally have our autism diagnosis and are pursuing the mitochondrial testing…I'm right behind you, on your tail…

Reply
Courtney @ Whole & Free May 21, 2012 - 10:26 pm

Lexie, this is SO encouraging! What a blessing to be finally connecting! with child! Thank you for the update! We finally have our autism diagnosis and are pursuing the mitochondrial testing…I'm right behind you, on your tail…

Reply
Ellen (Gluten Free Diva) May 22, 2012 - 12:14 am

This smoothie looks heavenly. It jumps right out of the screen and screams (nicely) "Drink me!!!". I've been thinking about buying some frozen organic cherries and now I have a good reason to do so! Thanks Lexie.

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Becky June 7, 2012 - 10:53 pm

Hi Lexie! Just started reading your blog and I love it. I'm also changing my son & I's diet and it's been very useful. I was wondering if you or your son was ever been tested for the MTHFR genetic defect. (LOL, no, this isn't a joke, I swear!) I suffer from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, ADD/ADHD, depression, anxiety…the list goes on. My doctor tested me for it over a year ago, and I tested positive for the C667t type. Anyway, I found out a lot of my problems (and possibly my 3 year old son who has a speech delay among other things) could be related to this. As far as I know, it's a relatively new thing and a lot of doctors don't know about it.

Anyway, I do like to let people know about it because supplementation can help (in addition to the already amazing things you're doing). As far as I know, those with the defect have a hard time eliminating toxins, metabolizing folic acid, and a myriad of other issues. I apologize if I'm not making sense. I sometimes have a hard time articulating myself (really hoping my dietary changes will help me with that). Anyway, some useful sites on the information:

http://mthfr.net/mthfr-mutations-and-the-conditions-they-cause/2011/09/07/
http://www.rawlins.org/mthfr/mthfr.html

There's a lot more information out there that you could find with a simple Google search. Again, I hope I'm not crossing any boundaries here. I just like to inform people about in case their issues might be related. 🙂

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Becky June 7, 2012 - 11:06 pm

Ahh, to be more specific, the MTHFR mutation interferes with methylation! I know it's linked to autism and similar issues. All of this is still over my head, and you may already know about it, but I thought I'd throw it out there in case it could be useful to anyone else too!

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Lexie June 10, 2012 - 10:40 pm

Becky, thanks for all the good info! Someone else mentioned MTHFR … we know that methlyation is part of our son's set of challenges and so we are supplementing to support and get the process (hopefully) running right and on it's own. I credit his "cocktail" of supplements and diet for the progress he has made. Big believer in the power of both : ) And you explained yourself very well … better than I can, LOL. xoLexie

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blender dude August 21, 2012 - 5:51 pm

Congratulations on your progress with your boy and all the best to you and your family going forward. Would love to borrow this recipe for my site and will, of course, credit you. Thanks!

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McMertz December 27, 2012 - 5:42 pm

Ricki–check Costco. They often carry them, though not at every store, all year long. But they're there!

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Summer McDowell January 11, 2013 - 9:23 pm

Congrats on his progress, what a blessing!

Reply
Ninja Kitchen System BL700 May 21, 2014 - 7:36 am

This could help me in my cleansing.

Reply

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