Italian-style detox

I really exaggerated with the panettone and the multi-course Christmas extravaganza during the holidays. I do it every year. Don't blame me, it's tradition: the holiday eating stretch in Italy lasts over two weeks culminating with the Befana on January 6th.

For Italians this means detoxing after the holiday season is not just #1 on the list of new year resolutions, but ranks just as high in the health priorities. Bodies are begging for clean nutrients, crisp vegetables, vitamin-packed citrus, brassica and roots. Fortunately, us gourmands subjugated to our palate, won't need to undergo an excruciating juice cleanse to feel virtuous.

In Italian kitchens, tradition and family regional recipes rescue us, filling our plates with satisfying seasonal dishes while maintaining healthy standards. Here is a list of favorite resolution-friendly winter recipes.

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Detox after the holiday binge

Taken as a whole, the Italian holiday menu can defeat an elephant.

The food come initiation ritual begins as early as December 8th, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, with mugs of hot chocolate and doppia panna (double cream). Less than a week later comes Santa Lucia, she of the traditional buttery biscuits.

But Mission Impossible opens its real run on Christmas Eve, and continues through New Year's...

After the abuse, there's always a time of abdominal repose and deep repentance. But instead of fasting and making resolutions that involve promising never again to ingest anything other than liquids, I recommend you follow my "Big Eater's post-Feste Detox Ground Rules."

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