Detox Diet
Is it a chore just to make it through the day? Do you feel tired in the morning even after having slept all night? Does it seem as though you catch every illness that comes along? Are you having a hard time losing weight? These are all indications that your body may be weighed down by dangerous toxins. Every day we are exposed to numerous types of toxins from our regular diet as well as from our environment. The good news is that a detox diet can help you to clear out these toxins for improved health. A detox diet provides many different types of benefits for the entire body.
Benefits of Detox Diets
There are many different types of cleanse diets that are geared toward helping specific body systems. You can even do a total body cleanse that will clean several bodily systems at once. The benefits of a full body cleanse are numerous:
- Improved concentration
- Increased clarity
- Improved digestion
- Clearer skin
- Regular bowel movements
- Increased energy
Perhaps some of these are benefits you never even considered.
- More Energy – When you detox your body and get rid of all the sludge that’s holding you down and making you feel heavy and sluggish, you’ll feel more energetic than ever. Usually, it takes at least a three-day to cleanse to get these benefits, so don’t expect one day to make it work. Shoot for at least three days.
- Emotional Release – During a detox, when you are restricting your diet severely, you have less opportunity to drag yourself out of thoughts that make you think. This will often cause pent-up emotions to be released. It’s shocking how food acts as a drug on your body to hide your emotions.
- Less Anxiety – After experiencing an emotional release, you’ll start to feel less anxious about your life and the things that happen in it. You’ll realize how much you do different control aspects of your life.
- Feeling More Connected – Getting in touch with nature can make you feel connected to the physical world and other humans on a whole new level. You’ll increase your connection to the earth, and that will make everything better.
- More Control – The act of putting yourself through a detox may seem impossible, but if you take it one day at a time you’ll make it through. You’ll learn that you have so much more control over yourself than you ever thought possible.
You can reap all these benefits and more detoxing your body. There are many types of detoxes you can try, and you’ll have to decide which one best addresses your issues. But, pretty much all of them will give you these benefits.
I Don’t Know How to Detox or I Don’t Have Time to Detox
No problem! There are so many different types of good cleansing that you can easily choose one that can be accomplished at home on the weekend. Detoxing your system for improved health does not have to be difficult. It just involves knowing which foods and herbs to take to affect specific body systems.
You can easily cleanse your body of dangerous toxins with common foods and herbs that you can find at your local supermarket and health food store. There are a variety of different detox recipes and low-calorie recipes that can be used to help you cleanse your system and kick-start your diet.
Is it Dangerous?
No! Detoxing is a healthy way to clean out your body systems, such as your colon, liver, kidneys and lymphatic system. Leaving dangerous toxins inside your body to build up over time is dangerous. Cleaning out your system will help you to enjoy improved health and increased vitality.
Basic Detox Tips – How to Get Started
While many detox cleanse diets are quite simple, there are some tips for success that you can use to get your detox diet started for improved results. The idea of following a very simple cleanse diet plan for a few days can seem to be quite simple, but if you want to have the best results it also important to know what you need to do in the days leading up to your full body cleanse as well as what you need to do when you come off of your detox diet.
Clear out All Temptations
One of the biggest stumbling blocks for many people who undertake a whole body cleanse is staying away from temptations. This is why it is imperative to go through your pantry and cabinets, and yes, even the fridge and freezer before your detox diet and remove foods that might tempt you while you are on your full body cleanse. Be brutal. Take it all out. Toss it in the trash or give it away, but avoid the temptation to binge right before you go on your detox diet.
Hydrate your Body
When you are doing a natural body cleanse, your body is going to be eliminating a lot of toxins. This usually takes on the form of increased perspiration and urination. As a result, you need to make sure that your body is fully prepared for this higher level of elimination to ensure that you do not become dehydrated. So, in the days leading up to your healthy cleanse make sure that you are getting plenty of water to drink. If you have a habit of not drinking enough water, now is a good time to start improved, healthy habits.
Lay off the Caffeine
Regardless of which type of best cleanse diet you ultimately choose, you will need to forego caffeine as well as alcohol and tobacco when you are on a diet. One of the biggest problems for many people is the caffeine withdrawal they experience while on a diet. To help yourself, try tapering off caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco several days before you plan to go on your detox diet to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Full Body Cleanse at Home – What Do You Need to Get Started?
Many people think they need to go to an expensive spa or resort to enjoy the benefits of a healthy detox. This is not the case. Indeed there are plenty of spas and resorts that offer detox plans for a variety of purposes, including weight loss detox plans. You do not necessarily need to go to a spa or resort and spend your hard earned money to enjoy the benefits of a detox plan. You can do a detox right at home with some very simple equipment and ingredients.
Exactly what you need will depend upon the type of detox diet that you want to do. For example, if you are interested in losing weight, then you might need a juicer, to do a juice fast or diet. Clay is also commonly used in many detox diets, but you can easily get that from your local health store.
The Importance of Distilled or Purified Water
One critical key to the success of any ultimate cleanse is making sure that you are using plenty of purified or distilled water. If you normally drink tap water, you need to ensure that you have a sufficient amount of distilled water on hand. You will need the water not only for making the detox diet recipes that you will use for your detox diet but also drink while you are on a diet.
The reasoning behind this is very simple. When you are doing a body flush, you are trying to clean out unwanted toxins from your body. You certainly do not want to put more back in at the same time! Drinking purified or distilled water will provide you with nothing but the cleanest, purest water. You might even consider having a filter installed so that you will have access to clean, pure water all of the time—even after your detox diet is finished.
Master Cleanse Diet – What a Detox diet can do for You
The first day of a cleansing diet plan, if it is a multi-day detox cleanse, can be difficult for many people. You may be quite tempted to just throw in the towel and quit. Before you do that; however, you should know what you can expect to receive from a detox diet.
When toxins are allowed to build up inside the body, they can lead to many unpleasant, and even dangerous, consequences. Not only might you feel lethargic and sick all of the time if you have toxins built up inside the body, but you may also be at risk for developing even more dangerous health conditions, including liver and kidney disease. When you are tempted to quit your detox diet, just think of the health problems you will be saving yourself from by completing your detox diet.
A Detox Diet Helps you Cope with Stress Better.
It seems that today everybody is weighed down by stress. Stress can come from many different sources; your job, your family, the economy, even the morning commute to work. When your body is weighed down by dangerous toxins, you are more likely to be irritable and that can make it even more difficult to cope with the daily grind. If you are having problems coping with stress, then cleaning out your system of all of those dangerous chemicals and toxins can help you to cope with stress better by making you less irritable.
A Detox Diet Improves your Immune System.
Every day you are exposed to germs and bacteria. This is particularly true if you work with or interact with the public at large. Sure, there are all sort of antibacterial products on the market, but the best thing that you can do to reduce your chances of illness is to make sure that your immune system is strong and healthy and the best way to do that is to clean out toxins that may be preventing your immune system from working properly.
Detoxing with Exercise
If you are in the middle of a body cleanse, it’s essential that you still keep exercising. However, the type of exercise you do should take into consideration the kind of detox you’re doing.
- Water Detox – You don’t want to move around too much and use up too many calories. So, the best exercise to do while water fasting is to do easy stretching exercises and posing exercises like yoga. The reason is that you will not have enough energy to do much more. But, you want to avoid too much muscle loss, so incorporate some very careful resistance moves using bands, or your own body such as planks.
- Raw Food Detox – The great thing about the raw food diet is that you do not need to slow down the type of exercise you do. You should be able to work out harder than ever. Consider bike riding, rowing, rebounding, and pretty much any type of exercise. Don’t forget to hydrate in advance and after.
- High Carb Plant Based – This diet incorporates a lot of cooked starches, and you will need to burn off the extra calories you may ingest. You’ll have a lot of energy so that you can do anything during this type of detox. Perform exercises that make you sweat for extra results.
- Juice Detox – When you do a juice detox you will still be eating enough calories to exercise. However, you may experience some measure of weakness so you should be careful about the type of exercise you do until you’re sure about how the juice detox will affect you. Try careful exercises like walking, stretching and swimming.
Even if you aren’t doing a specific diet detox for your body, you can use exercise to help detox by doing work that make you sweat. Stay hydrated the entire time before, during and after the exercise, and make sure that you listen to your body as you work hard enough to sweat. Take a shower after to wash all the toxins away and off your body to avoid rashes associated with sweat.
Detoxing your body is good for you, will improve your health, and make you feel great. You can get started today.
When your body is free and clear of all those toxins, your immune system will have the best chance possible to fight off germs, bacteria, and viruses. There are even specific detox skin plans that will make your skin less permeable to bacteria and germs! Not only will you have improved energy, but you will also have improved health after doing a detox diet. And that is certainly something worth celebrating!
THREE DAY DETOX MEAL PLAN
NOTE: This program involves eliminating all processed foods as well as foods to which most people are allergic or sensitive to such as dairy and gluten, and consuming mostly fruit, organic vegetables, gluten-free whole grains, seeds, nuts and lean protein.
DAY 1
BREAKFAST: 1 Serving Avocado, Egg & Superfood Kale Tapenade Detox Toast
AM SNACK: Handful Almonds
LUNCH: 1 Serving Master Detox Salad
PM SNACK: 1 Serving Nutty Date Rolls
DINNER: 1 Serving Coconut Lemongrass Lentil Detox Soup
BEDTIME SNACK: 1 glass Fresh Grapefruit Juice
DAY 2
BREAKFAST: 1 Serving Granola-Berry Detox Oats & Chia
AM SNACK: 1 Serving Baked Apple Chips + glass of lemon water
LUNCH: 1 Serving Raspberry Detox Salad
PM SNACK: Handful Blueberries
DINNER: 1 Serving Healthy Thai-Style Green Chicken
BEDTIME SNACK: 1 Glass Fresh Orange Juice
DAY 3
BREAKFAST: 1 Serving Berry Detox Porridge
AM SNACK: 1 Grapefruit
LUNCH: 1 Serving Coconut Kale Cleanse Salad
PM SNACK: 1 Serving Coconut Oil Roasted Beets
DINNER: 1 Serving Greened Mushrooms
BEDTIME SNACK: 1 glass fresh Lemon Juice
DETOX BREAKFAST RECIPES
Granola-Berry Detox Oats & Chia
Yield: 2 Servings
Total Time: 5 Minutes + Chilling Time
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: N/A
Ingredients
• 1 cup almond milk
• ¾ cup rolled oats
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• a sprinkle of granola
• ¼ cup raspberries
• 3 strawberries, sliced
• ¼ cup fresh blueberries
Directions
In a bowl, mix together almond milk, oats, and chia seeds; stir until well combined. Divide the mixture between two serving bowls and refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, top each serving with granola and berries.
Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories: 425; Total Fat: 32.7 g; Carbs: 37.3 g; Dietary Fiber: 8.2 g; Sugars: 9.2 g; Protein: 8.3 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 22 mg
Berry Detox Porridge
Yield: 3 Servings
Total Time: 12 Minutes
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 7 Minutes
Ingredients
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 3 teaspoons raw honey
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil
• 1 peach, sliced
• Mixed nuts and seeds (hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and chia seeds)
DIRECTIONS
In a saucepan, combine milk and oats and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Simmer, stirring, for about 5 minutes.
Transfer to a blender and stir in honey, berries, and coconut oil; blend until smooth.
Divide among three serving bowls and top each serving with extra honey, peach slices and mixed nuts and seeds. Enjoy!
Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories: 369; Total Fat: 22.7 g; Carbs: 40.3 g; Dietary Fiber: 6.5 g; Sugars: 18.2 g; Protein: 6.3 g; Cholesterol: 93 mg; Sodium: 14 mg
Avocado, Egg & Superfood Kale Tapenade Detox Toast
Yield: 2 Servings
Total Time: 5 Minutes
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: N/A
Ingredients
• Gluten-free toasts
• 2 teaspoons tahini
• 1 ripe avocado, sliced
• 2 free-range poached eggs
• 2 teaspoons toasted pumpkin seeds
• 2 teaspoons chia seeds
• Freshly ground black pepper
For the tapenade
• 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoons spirulina
• ½ cup green pitted olives
• 1 cup chopped fresh kale
• 1 teaspoon toasted pumpkin seeds
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• A pinch sea salt
Directions
In a blender, combine all tapenade ingredients and blend until very smooth.
Drizzle each toast with tahini sauce and top with avocado slices and poached egg. Top with two tablespoons of superfood tapenade ad garnish with chia seeds and toasted pumpkin seeds; season with salt and pepper and serve.
Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories: 319; Total Fat: 29 g; Carbs: 14.7 g; Dietary Fiber: 7.9 g; Sugars: 0.7 g; Protein: 5 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 146 mg
DETOX LUNCH RECIPES
Coconut Kale Cleanse Salad
Yield: 2 Servings
Total Time: 10 Minutes + Chilling Time
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: N/A
Ingredients
Salad
• 1/2 cup crushed almonds, soaked overnight
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup edamame
• 1 bunch of kale, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Dressing
• 2 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro
• ¼ cup filtered water
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
Directions
In a large bowl, mix all salad ingredients until well combined.
In another bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients until well blended; pour over the salad and toss until well coated. Refrigerate for about 3 hours before serving. Enjoy!
Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories: 509; Total Fat: 34.1 g; Carbs: 34.5 g; Dietary Fiber: 12.3 g; Sugars: 11.2 g; Protein: 23.3 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 269 mg
Master Detox Salad
Yield: 2 Servings
Total Time: 10 Minutes
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: N/A
Ingredients
• 1 cup chopped watercress
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 small broccoli head, chopped into florets
• 1 small red onion, sliced into thin rings
• 1 avocado, diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup toasted almonds, crushed
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
Directions
In a large bowl, combine vegetables, red onion and avocado.
In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt and mustard until creamy; pour over the salad and toss to combine well. Add almonds and chia seeds and mix well. Let Sit For At Least 5 Minutes For Flavors To Combine Before Serving.
Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories: 371; Total Fat: 33 g; Carbs: 18.2 g; Dietary Fiber: 10.4 g; Sugars: 4.5 g; Protein: 6.7 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 513 mg
Raspberry Detox Salad
Yield: 6 Servings
Total Time: 10 Minutes
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: N/A
Ingredients
• 4 large red potatoes
• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• 1/2 large red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup snap peas
• 4 cups mixed leafy greens (baby spinach and arugula)
• 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
• 1/2 teaspoon raw honey
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil over medium high heat; add potatoes and lower heat to medium. Cook for about 10 minutes or until tender. Remove the potatoes from heat, drain and run under cold water to cool; dice and place them in a large bowl.
Add the remaining ingredients and toss to combine well. Divide among salad bowls and enjoy!
Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories: 234; Total Fat: 3.7 g; Carbs: 46.4 g; Dietary Fiber: 7.2 g; Sugars: 5.2 g; Protein: 6.6 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 110 mg
DETOX DINNER RECIPES
Coconut Lemongrass Lentil Detox Soup
Yield: 6 Servings
Total Time: 45 Minutes
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Ingredients
• 8 cups homemade vegetable broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cups red lentils
• 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, grated
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 tablespoon lemongrass paste
• 1 can coconut milk
• 2 cups diced butternut squash
• 2 lime leaves, fresh
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• salt, to taste
• hot cooked brown rice, for serving
Directions
In a 4-quart pot, combine vegetable broth, red onion and lentil; bring to a simmer. Cook, covered, for about 20 minutes or until lentils are tender. Stir in garlic, ginger, lemongrass paste, coconut milk, squash, lime leaves, curry powder, and salt.
Continue cooking until squash is tender. Ladle the soup over hot brown rice and garnish as desired. Enjoy!
Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories: 314; Total Fat: 2.8 g; Carbs: 48.6 g; Dietary Fiber: 21.3 g; Sugars: 4.1 g; Protein: 23.9 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 1052 mg
Greened Mushrooms
Yield: 3 Servings
Total Time: 40 Minutes
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Ingredients:
• 1 cup baby spinach, coarsely chopped
• 1 can green peas
• ½ large red onion
• 1 cup mushrooms
• 2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
Directions:
In a large sauté pan, on a medium heat, cook the onions in avocado or olive oil.
When they are browned, add in the mushrooms and cook until the mushrooms soften.
Then add the spinach, sea salt and garlic powder, turn down the heat and cover.
Lastly add the green peas and cook for another couple of minutes.
Serve over cooked brown rice
Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories: 138; Total Fat: 9.7 g; Carbs: 10.8 g; Dietary Fiber: 3.9 g; Sugars: 4.4 g; Protein: 4 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 91 mg
Healthy Thai-Style Green Chicken
Yield: 4 Servings
Total Time: 7 Hours 5 Minutes
Prep Time: 6 Hours 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes
Ingredients
• 4 chicken thighs
• 1 ¼ cups fresh basil
• ¼ cup fish sauce
• 1 cup chopped sweet onion
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled
• ¼ cup fresh mint
• 1 cup fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons fresh apple juice
• Grated zest of 1 lime
• 2 limes, cut in wedges
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
Directions
Combine the basil, onion, garlic, mint, apple juice, fish sauce, black pepper, red pepper flakes and lime zest in your blender. Pulse until you get a smooth puree. Taste to ensure the seasoning is right.
Place the chicken thighs in a large zip lock plastic bag and pour in the marinade and shake well. Squeeze out the air from the bag before sealing it. Marinate the chicken in your fridge for a minimum of 6 hours for the best results.
Preheat your oven to 4000F and place the rack in center position. Place a rimmed baking tray that is lined with kitchen foil beneath the rack so that all juices pour down to the foil. Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer on the rack and roast for up to 40 minutes, flipping the thigh halfway through cook time and rotating the rack as well.
If you are roasting on an outdoor grill, set to medium-high heat and cook for about 20-25 minutes, turning the chicken every 5 or so minutes.
The thighs will be ready when the juices run clear. Remove the cooked from oven or grill and cover loosely with a kitchen foil tent and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve with the lime wedges.
Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories: 284; Total Fat: 8.2 g; Carbs: 19.3 g; Dietary Fiber: 1.7 g; Sugars: 14 g; Protein: 32.5 g; Cholesterol: 93 mg; Sodium: 1725 mg
DETOX SNACKS RECIPIES
Baked Apple Chips
Yield: 3 Servings
Total Time: 1 Hour 10 Minutes
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 1 Hour
Ingredients:
• 3 apples
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Method:
Preheat oven to 220°F.
Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
Slice the apples thinly and place onto the baking tray. Dust some cinnamon on top of them and place them into the oven for 1 hour.
Then flip the slices and cook for another hour.
Take them out of the oven and allow them to cool.
Serve and enjoy this tasty little treat!
Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories: 88; Total Fat: 0.3 g; Carbs: 23.3 g; Dietary Fiber: 4.2 g; Sugars: 17.4 g; Protein: 0.5 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 2 mg
Nutty Date Rolls
Yield: 4 Servings
Total Time: 10 Minutes
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: N/A
Ingredients:
• 1 cup cashew nuts
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• Desiccated coconut flakes
• ¾ cup pitted dates
• ½ cup trail mix
• 1 tablespoon almond meal
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Directions
Place the nuts, dates, trail mix, almond meal and cinnamon into the food processor.
Blend using a grinding blade (add in the orange juice when the blades stick).
Sprinkle the coconut over an area of the worktop.
Shape the mixture into rolls or balls, in the palm of your hand.
Roll the balls in the coconut.
Refrigerate in an airtight container.
Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories: 305; Total Fat: 16.8 g; Carbs: 38.3 g; Dietary Fiber: 4.8 g; Sugars: 23.3 g; Protein: 6.8 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 6 mg
Coconut Oil Roasted Beets
Yield: 4 Servings
Total Time: 55 Minutes
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes
Ingredients
• 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
• 2 1/2 pounds diced beets
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
Directions
Preheat oven to 400˚F. Spread the beets on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with coconut oil; toss to coat well and sprinkle with sea salt. Toss again to coat and bake for about 45 minutes or until beets are crispy, caramelized and tender. Enjoy!
Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories: 183; Total Fat: 7.3 g; Carbs: 28.2 g; Dietary Fiber: 5.7 g; Sugars: 22.6 g; Protein: 4.8 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 458 mg
After the Detox, Now What?
What you do in the days following your detox diet can be quite important. Many people make the mistake of going right back to their regular diet as soon as they come off their detox diet. No matter what kind of detox diet that you are on, this is a huge mistake. While you are on a detox diet, you will be getting plenty of vitamins and nutrients, but your diet will be much different from what you are accustomed to.
As a result, you need to make sure that you gradually work your way back up to your regular diet again. The best way to do this is usually to start out eating some fruits and vegetables, then work your way up to brown rice and unbleached pasts and then some light protein, such as fish or chicken. Doing so will help your digestive system to gradually readjust to your regular diet and prevent unpleasant side effects. Also, make sure that you continue to drink plenty of pure water for the best results.
Eat healthier than you did before the spring detox! Don’t backslide and go back to eating the way you did before. Make a promise to yourself to use this experience to catapult you forward into a healthier way of eating for life.
Using the principles of making small changes every day towards your goal, make minor improvements in the food you choose to eat and how you eat it: mindfully and just enough to feel full. Chew every mouthful 20, even 40 times.
You will find that the more you chew, the more the true nature of the food comes out. For instance, next time you are eating raw veggies, really chew one 40 times. Then when you are eating something processed, chew that 40 times. Notice the difference? Which one did you want to keep chewing after those 40 chews?
Be a front loader! People who eat breakfast are happier, healthier and have more energy. Instead of skipping breakfast, which can lead to bingeing later on in the day because you are hungry, eat your breakfast and feel like you’re ready to face the day with out sacrificing your health goals.
You don’t have to eat a lot, but a little protein, like an egg, cottage cheese, or a protein shake will go towards revving up your metabolism and help you lose weight if that is a goal for you.
During the winter we tend to hibernate and not go outside much. By spring, we are ready to let go of this stagnation of body and mind.
The spring is a time of renewal, so natural shedding and lightening is a normal process the body goes through. In springtime, we have a sense of opening up. Think of the ritual of Spring Cleaning.
Opening windows and airing out all the closed, dark places in the home. It is like we are replicating what our body is doing. We can’t take deep enough, cleansing breaths of spring air.
We want our bodies to be clear of all the sinus-congested, throat-coating phlegm and achy muscles. We want to expand our chests and breathe freely again.
You feel the need to eat lighter, fresher foods, like raw vegetables, salads, and fruits. And drink more water, fresh cold water. And you want to be outside. Feel the sun on your skin, feel the warm breezes.
A spring detox may be the portal for you to see changes going on, and new goals being created to move you in the direction of your health goals.