Simple 9 Step Detox Plan ~

A detox will help to cleanse and revitalize the body by using real foods, herbs and simple exercises designed to help rid the body of accumulated toxins. Today, more than ever, our bodies are bombarded with toxins. This causes an overload on our internal cleansing organs like liver and kidneys. The organs become sluggish, allowing the toxins and bacteria to re-enter the circulatory system instead of being eliminated through feces, urine or sweat. When toxins build up the can result in fatigue, infections of skin and other organs, migraines, flatulence, heartburns, constipation and many other illnesses.

Chronic inflammation is another good reason to look at detoxing. Inflammation goes chronic when there is a persistent stimulus. The stimulus might come from an army of free radicals launched every day when we eat processed and convenience foods. The stimulus might be an allergy to wheat (gluten) which inflames the gut; or a low-grade, lingering infection; or the body being overloaded with environmental toxins like heavy metals, pesticides, and chemicals. There is a lot of opportunity in today's contaminated world for a combination of factors to constantly irritate the body's normal functions. More and more researchers are linking chronic inflammation to an increasing number of illnesses including Alzheimers, Rheumatoid Arthritis, cancer and heart disease.

A good detox diet plan can rid the body of the accumulated toxins and help you to lead an active disease-free life. Detoxification is about resting, cleaning and nourishing the body from the inside out.

You should plan on detoxing for at least 10 days, I would recommend 21 days. Remember it took awhile for your body to get in the condition it is in. It will take time for the body to cleanse and begin the healing process.

Simple 9 Step Detox Plan

Step 1 ~ Eliminate the following

• animal protein ( beef, chicken, fish, eggs
• dairy products
• alcohol
• coffee
• cigarettes 
• refined sugars
• saturated fats.
• The 3 Ps: processed, prepared and packaged food since they tend to be full of Trans fats, sugar and food additives.If you find ingredients that you can’t read or pronounce don’t eat it. These act as toxins in the body and are road blocks to your healing process. Instead choose fresh foods

Step 2 ~ Do eat lots of fruits and veggies. Try to eat 75% of your diet as fresh vegetables and fruits and make it raw when possible. Whole grains, beans, nuts, and good fats will make up he remaining 25% of your detox diet. I will be posting more on how to eat later this week!

 

Step 3 ~ Eat multiple small meals instead of 3 larger ones~ Small, simple meals eaten more frequently throughout the day not only help ease the burden on your digestive system, they also balance blood sugar levels and improve your mood. Eat organic when possible.

 

Step 4~ Use herbs to give your body a boost~

• Milk thistle is a proven liver-regenerator and detoxifier
• Dandelion and uva ursi are well-established kidney-restoring herbs
• Sea Buckthorn Extract Powder  helps heal the lungs
• Flax seeds help eliminate toxic material from the intestines.
• Or you can purchase an all in one herbal detox tea 

Step 5 ~ Drink your water and make it purified

• Start you day with a cup of lukewarm or room temperature that has ½ a fresh lemon squeezed in it. Do this on an empty stomach and wait about 20 minutes before drinking or eating anything else. Lemons help alkalize your body chemistry, contain more than 20 anti-cancer compounds and help cleanse your liver, kidneys and colon
• Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. Water flushes out the toxins from the body. Try my recipes for Homemade Vitamin Fruit Waters for a healthy alternative to plain water
  

Step 6 ~ Do a dry body brush daily ~A dry skin brush is inexpensive, and to brush your whole body can take as little as 10 minutes. You will be stimulating your lymphatic system as you brush, which is a very important detox system. Brushing removes dead cells that collect environmental toxins, while also keeping pores unclogged, so that the body can eliminate toxins through the skin. It also renews your skin cells, and can improve the way your skin looks and feels. Use a soft natural fiber brush with a long handle, so that you are able to reach all areas of your body. You will also want one with a with a strap for your hand to ensure a good grip. Later this week there will be a post on how to body brush so stay tuned.

 
Step 7 ~ Take a Warm Bath ~ Add a cup of Dead sea salts and baking soda to your bath (1/2 cup of each). Both alkalize the water to help neutralize acidic toxins. Epsom salts help your body to absorb magnesium–a mineral some experts estimate is deficient in 80 percent of people. Magnesium neutralizes acidic toxins, relaxes muscles and is required by hundreds of functions. Relax for 20 minutes or more. Do this 3 to 5 times a week during your detox

 

Step 8 ~ Exercise improves circulation, which brings fresh, oxygenated blood to your organs and tissues, thereby revitalizing them. Try to get in 30 minutes to an hour every day." Walking and yoga are great. Also try Qigong, a martial-arts based exercise system that includes exercises specifically for detoxifying or cleansing, as well as many other exercises with specific health benefits.

 

Step 9 ~ Detox the mind ~ Stess can lead to illness. While you're detoxing the body why not try to clear the clutter from the mind too. Try and do 15 minutes of meditation a day. If meditation is new to you start out with 5 minutes and then build up to 15. If you don't know how to meditate try using guided meditation download or try belly breathing. Start by placing hands palm down on your lower belly. Breathe in through your nose, counting slowly to the count 5. Feel your tummy rise with the breath. Breathe out, through your mouth, just as slowly, allowing the belly to drop. Do this 10 times and then just focus on breathing for the remainder of you meditation time. 

Detoxing is a wonderful way to jump start your health and start eliminating bad habits while introducing a healthy way of living.

NOTE: Do not detox if you are elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding, have high blood pressure, are underweight or against your doctor's advice. Any informaiton contained on this blog is not intended to diagnose or treat individuals and is not intended to take the place of professional medical advice.