Detox and improve your health
Added 27 Nov 2007
Time to Detox:
Most people feel that detoxification can almost be a ‘dirty word’. There are so many different detox diets, pills, kits and wonderful ‘gizmos’ out there all aimed at helping you to detoxify. Some are extremely radical leaving you not much choice left of what to eat, if you are allowed to eat at all, some require you to take different pills throughout the day, others involve liquid; BELIEVE ME I HAVE TRIED JUST ABOUT ALL OF THEM OVER THE YEARS.
What really works?? To what extent to we need to go to???
It is like anything really – we all respond differently to things. This is something that needs to be taken into consideration when undertaking a detoxification program. Many of the products on the market offer a good general detox, especially if you follow the dietary guidelines set out by them. Almost every Naturopath has there preferred system of detox, and it depends to what extreme you want to go to. Consider what you want to achieve, do you have current health issues, and observe what is happening in your body physically. It is no good starting a detoxification program if your system is not eliminating properly, as this may only create more issues.
I like to recommend several different detoxification programs, and these depend on a persons current dietary regime, there work schedule, exercise program and the level of commitment to the task at hand. It is no good to recommend an awesome detoxification protocol for a client to follow if after 5 days they just keep up with the requirements. We are all different, and we need to look after health in a way that suits us.
Spring is naturally a time of the year when we awake from our winter slumber, and begin to feel more energy and desire to eat ‘cleaner’ foods. Look at nature, the animals are more active, plants begin to grow and flower. We naturally follow this cycle.
SO WHAT TO DO???
A great start is to change your diet slightly and add a little exercise. Here is an easy recommendation.
Start your day with a brisk walk in the early morning sunlight, incorporate some stretching, and if you like a meditation. Try not to drink water during your walk, have a glass before leaving home and then consume two more when you finish. If possible drink water at room temperature; it puts less stress on your digestive system.
Before Breakfast have a warm glass of water, add the juice of half a lemon. Wait about 10 – 15 minutes before eating. The lemon helps prepare your system for digestion and alkalises the body.
Breakfast: Not everyone can tolerate eggs for breakfast, but if you can they are a great start to the day – poached or boiled with one piece of wholemeal toast with real butter not margarine. NO FRIED EGGS WITH BACON. If eggs are not for you, then rolled oats slightly cooked are another option. Please use raw oats and those that do not have additives (you would be amazed) and no microwaves!!! If neither suit you, then make up a smoothie, good quality whey protein concentrate (available form health food stores), a banana or berries, yoghurt, honey (not to much), water. If you feel adventurous, other things that go well in a smoothie are ground linseed, sunflower and almond meal, ground pumpkin seed, flax seed oil, molasses (again not to much as is very strong in flavour).
Morning Tea: Handful of nuts, unroasted and unsalted, an apple or banana and a cup of Herbal Tea, green tea, ginger, dandelion, just to name a few. NO MANDARINS OR ORANGES!!
Lunch: Salad, lots of greens, cucumber, celery, alfalfa and/or snow pea sprouts, carrot (but no tomato or capsicum they are acid forming, and in our little detox we are trying to maintain an alkaline system) Add some fetta, and some chicken, turkey or fish. You can also have some quiche or frittata if you like.
Afternoon Tea: Fruit, a different piece to what you have already had. Melon, Kiwi Fruit or strawberries are a good choice NO MANDARINS OR ORANGES!!
Dinner: Steamed Vegetables, anything but potato and corn; ALL THINGS GREEN ARE EXCETPIONALLY GOOD FOR YOU. A portion of chicken or fish, grilled or poached, but have a different protein to lunch.
NO ALCOHOL, NICOTINE, CAFFEINE, TEA (EXCEPT HERBAL) PROCESSED FOODS, CAKES, PASTRIES, WHITE BREADS, WHITE PASTAS, BISCUITS, SUGAR, SOFT DRINK, JAM, VEGEMITE, FRUIT JUICE, RED MEAT, AND WHEAT.
If you can do this for 6 weeks, you will feel amazing. You should have more energy, be able to taste your food, may lose some weight and have a greater sense of well being and vitality.
We can truly experience first hand the link between body, mind and spirit; simply changing to a purer diet lifts emotions!! As we cleanse, our blood has to transform from acid to alkaline. This changes our whole sense of well being, as negative thought forms are lifted and we naturally feel happier.
