Let’s talk about Detox. When that word comes up in conversation, the first thing that comes to mind is a traumatic week of lemon and cayenne water for the sake of loosing a few pounds, right? Ok, toss that idea right out of your mind because that is not what you're body needs or how to loose weight. The actual definition of detoxifying is to rid the body of poison or the effects of poisons. You can rid the body of poison without depriving it of the nutrients it needs. In fact, during detoxification, you can be getting rid of toxins and replacing them with vital nutrients that your body has been craving. Out with the old toxins and in with the new nutrients.
Today, we put such high value on instant results that we disregard the long term effects of toxic build up in our bodies, until we get a diagnosis. Over time we accumulate toxins from chemicals in our foods, products on our skin or in the water we drink. At the moment of consuming these foods or products we may feel fine or have some indigestion that we power through, but we are actually adding chemicals to our body that are flowing through our blood stream and being stored in our cells and in our fat.
I’d like to talk to you about what you can do about this and how it will effect your health and even weight loss goals.
Whether you live a life that is extremely organic and health conscious or whether you don’t, there is a certain level of chemicals and synthetic substances that we cannot avoid coming in contact with. For this reason, we should all make an effort to cleans our bodies a few times a year to prevent future disease and keep our bodies running at their best. When you’re not cleansing, there are certain foods you can also be aware of that will promote detoxification along the way.
Ok, let’s do a brief summary of what toxins may be transients in your body. Don’t let this part scare you, but simply educate and inspire you. Also, know that after you read this paragraph, I will be offering solutions and hope. So fear not! Here’s the low down. Ready?
When you don’t eat organic produce and grains, you are consuming poisons like Round Up weed killer, pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and other sprays which are known to causes cancer and disruption of hormones. Non organic meats and dairies contain antibiotics and growth hormones which wreak havoc on your gut and disrupt your hormones and endocrine system. Sugar, whether organic or not is a huge stress on our system and actually feeds live transients in our body. Fluoride is a product of the fertilizer companies that is then sold to be used in insecticides and has been proven to cause brain damage and even act as a transportation for aluminum to the brain resulting in ADHD and Alzhiemers. It has also been linked to decreased testosterone, sterility and fertility complications. Fluoride is most commonly in water and toothpastes. One of the biggest ways to increase our toxic load is through body products. You may think that our mouth is the only way that we consume but our skin consumes just as well through absorption. The list of chemicals in makeup, shower products, hair dye and hair care, nail products, skin care products, fabrics and fabric soap is so long, I’m not going to attempt it. Just know that it is absorbed through your skin, consuming it like food. The one way that you consume chemicals that you cannot avoid is through the air. Even if you do not work in a polluted industry, the air is sprayed with aluminum oxide and other contaminants. Ever wondered what those white stripes are in the sky? Whew! If you’re reading this, that means you made it through the dark side of this blog post. Congratulations! Let’s move on to some hope, shall we?
I know that was a lot but I hope it motivates you to not only watch what you put into your body but also that a cleanse here and there is pretty important. There are a few ways to address detox. I’m going to encourage you to pursue a particular plan but if you have been readying my blog from the beginning you know I have a rule. DO WHAT YOU CAN!
There are many detox programs out there but there is one in particular that has earned my trust. It is the 21 Day Purification by Standard Process. I don’t sell this or gain any compensation by promoting it. I’m sharing it with you because this company has earned my trust and meets my personal standards. The 21 Day Purification is a combination of diet, supplements and a shake.
Here is why I trust the Standard Process Brand. All of Standard Processes products are organic. Supplements are processed only on glass and stainless steal and nothing is heated above 90 degrees to keep high levels of nutrients in the ingredients. I always have a bit of skepticism about organics because I know that our government allows a certain percentage of chemicals in them and you can still deem your product organic. I also know that many farmers function organically, but end up with harsh chemicals due to run off from neighboring farmers. Standard Process is the first company that not only follows pure organic standards but they have built barriers around their farms to prevent any run off penetrating their land. They truly value their product and what they stand for, not just the bottom line. My family has experienced great healing over the past decade due to Standard Process supplements so I am a first hand testament to their function.
This program offers an amazing recourse guide and cook book as well as whole food supplements and shake bases in a variety of options to nurture your body along the way. The following information is taken straight from their website. The Standard Process Purification Program supports the whole body’s natural toxin-metabolism processes. Patients who have finished the purification program found
• Increased energy and vitality
• Better digestion
• Less bloating
• Improved weight management
• Clearer skin
• Shinier hair
• Better sleep
• Clearer thinking
• Better management of challenges related to natural toxin load in the body*
Before ordering your 21 Day Purification Kit, take their toxicity questionnaire. It is also found in the cookbook as pictured above. On the website, you will be directed to a wellness practitioner that will use your questionnaire to assess your potential need for the purification program or other Standard Process or MediHerb® products. Click here to see more about the 21 Day Purification. You will see all the details for the program, research behind it, webinars and videos and more.
Ok, so you know why you should detox and you know how to detox but lets talk about the elephant in the room. What happens after the detox? Post detox, you’ll probably be experiencing more energy, mental clarity, easier digestion, less pain and headaches and you don’t want to let that go, right?
Picture this: Like a small child, you chew up a plate of Oreo cookies. Every crevice of your mouth is caked up with black cookie and white lard. In this story, the Oreo is the toxins in your body. Then you brush your teeth (with fluoride free toothpaste of course) and they are sparkling clean. Would you walk from the bathroom back to the kitchen and shovel in some more Oreos? My guess is no. After a 21 day detox, think about going back to non organic foods and about the products you’re using. Before you freak out, know that I have not forgotten about the premise of this blog. I want to lead you one attainable step at a time through the process of changing to a holistic, healthy lifestyle. If it’s too overwhelming to change everything from the dreaded dark paragraph above, just do what you can and keep reading my blog as I lead you further. However, I do want you to be mindful of the choices you make before and after your detox.
Along the way, there are some natural detoxification foods that are great to incorporate into your daily or weekly diet as well as when you’re sick. Lemon and Grapefruit are fantastic for this. Here are two ways to consume them each day.
Not very many people are grapefruit eaters but if you like them, have 1/2 a grapefruit with your morning breakfast each day. Grapefruit aides digestion and helps rid the body of toxins including viruses like the flu. It regulates and expels sugar from the body. Some pharmaceutical drugs do not work well with grapefruit as your pharmacist may have mentioned. If you are on medications, you can always add a drop of grapefruit essential oil in a capsule as the essential oil doesn't not have the protein associated with bad medication interactions.
Perhaps the best choice you can make for your day is to start it with a warm cup of lemon water. It’s ok to sweeten it with a little honey. If you can avoid it though, that would be better. Lemon and grapefruit are pretty similar in function. Starting your day with warm lemon water, wakes up your digestion and sets your body to work on healthy functions like detoxifying. Your body is working for you before you even get started on your day. Why warm water you ask? Drinking really cold or hot drinks is not necessarily bad. But by drinking liquids that are closer to your own body temperature of 98 degrees, allows for less stress for your body to regulate the temperature of the beverage and allows for a gentler digestion.
In the morning, your body has just woken from a mini fast and what you put into it first sets the tone for your day. Have you ever been jolted awake by an energy bomb otherwise known as your child? Before you were ready to receive all that the day had for you, you’re forced awake and into the days routines. This is how your body feels when you give it coffee first. Coffee is a stimulant and works against digestion adding harsh acids to our body. But what lemon water does for your body is like what happens when your kids sleep in. You wander into the kitchen at your own pace and prepare for your day. I heard a quote once that said “You want to wake up for your children not to your children”. Same goes for your body. Warm lemon water gently wakes up our digestion preparing it to function well for the day. The lemon promotes detoxification of junk in your body and feeds your immune system some vitamin A and C. Adding a drop of lemon essential oil to your water throughout the day will support your detoxification efforts as well.
Traditional Medicinals makes a detox tea that is great as well. It has a variety of herbs that promote detox but it focuses on dandelion root as well. Your body can only handle so much citrus so if you'd like to mix it up, consider any detox tea with dandelion root as it promotes gentle detox as well. You can find it here or at most grocery stores.
An other great way to promote detoxification is through epsom salt soaks. Epsom encourages the body to detoxify through the feet while nurturing the body with magnesium. My kids have a cup of epsom salt in every bath they take. Most adults only take showers so if you can’t make time for a relaxing soak in your week, try soaking your feet in the evening while watching a movie or reading a book. Simply add a cup of epsom salt to hot water and soak for at least 20 minutes. Adding essential oils, herbs or medicinal flowers to the soak is great way to absorb their powerful functions as well.
If you're new to my blog, please check out my intro post to find out the unique premise of this blog and how together we can life healthier, holistic lives one step at a time. Thanks for taking the time to read this today.
