Hangover Helper

Sober-up Smoothie

1 banana
1 c. frozen berries
1 c. ice cubes
2 c. orange juice

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth, adding water or ice to reach desired consistency. Garnish with fresh fruit.

Benefits: Bananas are a great source of potassium and will help to replenish electrolytes and the orange juice and berries will boost vitamin C, this will increase your blood sugar levels and jump start your metabolism. Follow with a tall glass of water, this will help to rehydrate your exhausted liver.

Hangover Helper

No-fry Sweet Potato French Fries:
1 medium sweet potato, cut lengthwise into ½ inch sticks
½ tsp. chili powder
½ tsp. cayenne pepper
½ tsp. garlic powder
non-fat cooking spray

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with the non-fat spray. In a medium size mixing bowl, combine sweet potatoes, chili powder, cayenne pepper and garlic powder. Spray with non-fat cooking spray and toss to coat thoroughly. Arrange the sweet potato sticks on the creased cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes, turn and bake for another 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Sausage Gravy:
½ lb breakfast sausage
4 tbs. flour
3 c. milk

Brown breakfast sausage in a medium size skillet over medium high heat. When brown, reduce heat to medium. Add the flour one tablespoon at a time, stirring constantly. With each tablespoon, allow flour to turn brown before adding the next amount. After adding all of the flour, mix in the milk and stir with a whisk until smooth.

Additional Ingredients:

2 over easy eggs
¼ c. shredded cheddar cheese
2 tbs. fresh parsley
1 small Roma tomato, diced

On a large plate, arrange French fries and top with sausage gravy. Place two over easy eggs on top of the gravy and then sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese, fresh parsley, and diced Roma tomatoes.

Benefits: Sweet potatoes are a great alternative to starchy white potatoes, also baking instead of frying is a better alternative because fried foods can irritate the stomach. Gravy will help to create a coated lining on the stomach walls and the sausage is a great source of protein. The eggs are important because they contain cysteme, a substance that breaks down the toxin acetaldehyde that lingers in the liver as a result of heavy alcohol consumption.

Avoid drinking coffee or caffinated beverages as they will cause further dehydration and only lead to an eventual crash.

Drinking more alcohol is not the cure for a heavy night of drinking, it will irritate the liver further and cause more harm than help.