By Hilary Metcalfe 

Growing up in Mexico, our local juice bar served La Quemagrasa, the fat burner, a thin smoothie containing celery, parsley and grapefruit and blended with orange juice or water (for the die-hards). I love its refreshing tart taste and though not actually fat-burning, celery and grapefruit offer some amazing health benefits. 

Grapefruit’s refreshing scent is believed to be a natural anti-depressant (why it’s a signature note in our skincare line) with energising effects. It’s also abundantly available at the end end of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and at its best! 

Parsley is a blood-purifier and natural detox herb. Celery is excellent for digestion and for reducing bloating. This is thanks to *NBP, celery’s oily compound and its unique sodium-to-potassium ratio. These elements, combined with the liver-cleansing effects of dear celery, are great when you feel like a little detox or depuff around your period, post-surgery with fluid retention, or due to postpartum swelling. 

RECIPE

Serves: 2 tonics, or 4 small mocktails
Prep Time: 5 minutes

INGREDIENTS

2 stalks celery, roughly chopped
1 pink grapefruit, with the peel cut off
1 small handful parsley, chopped (stems too)
1 apple, cored and chopped (optional)
1 large glass or 300ml water or freshly squeezed orangeor grapefruit juice
1 handful spinach 

Optional sweetener: small squeeze of honey to taste

HOW TO

Cut off the pith from the grapefruit (the white skin attached to the peel, which will make your drink bitter). Quarter the grapefruit and dig out the seeds, or strain the whole smoothie later but this filters out fibre. Layer your chopped celery, parsley, apple, grapefruit and spinach in the blender, pour in liquid and blend. If you have grapefruit juice, try blending it 50/50 with water for a more concentrated flavor. 

Strain for grapefruit seeds and celery fibers if your blender didn’t pulverize them, so you’ll still preserve the toning tonic benefits and just miss out on the fiber. The honey suggestion will even out the tart flavour if it’s too much for you.

*NBP, also known as 3-n-butylphthalide   

Functional Nutrition Notes

• Grapefruit supports liver enzyme pathways and is naturally rich in vitamin C, great for skin health and immunity.

• Parsley contains chlorophyll + vitamin K, supporting circulation (especially helpful around your period).

• Celery’s sodium–potassium balance supports hydration and reduces puffiness.

• Spinach brings iron and folate, ideal for menstruating or postpartum women.

Together, these ingredients create a tonic that’s naturally hydrating, gently detoxifying, and supportive of digestion and fluid balance.

Ways to Serve It

• As a morning tonic: blend with water for a light, refreshing start.

• As a postpartum pick-me-up: mix with grapefruit juice for an extra lift.

• As a mocktail: serve over ice with a slice of grapefruit and a pinch of sea salt.

• As a period-friendly depuffing drink: add more parsley and spinach for extra freshness.

• As a travel bloat reset: blend with mostly water and sip slowly after flights.

Craving More Hormone-Loving Recipes?                                        

• Autumn Bowl Recipe: Thyme, Mushrooms & Kale
• Butternut Squash + Pea Dip: A Recipe for Radiant Skin
• Baked Cucumber Tartine
• Coconut Tzatziki: Creamy & Hormone-Loving
• Pumpkin Spiced Pancakes for Breastfeeding

Bon appétit!

Hilary is the Co-Founder of the SABI, a Holistic Nutritionist, natural, whole foods Chef, product developer and advocate for women getting to know their bodies, cycles and selves better. Born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Baja California, Mexico, she now lives in Los Cabos with her partner Kees, a curly-tailed rescue dog from Curacao, Flint and her rainbow babies Paloma and Bea.