Have you been reading about the benefits of organic food and living? Usually before you begin on anything new, you need to learn how to detox your body and begin well! Today, we share some tips and benefits of this process, while also sharing a weekend detox plan for those interested in this healthy process! This is not about starving yourself, but allowing your body to recover and cleanse itself from all the toxins that may already be present inside you.
There is a popular theory that our body reconstructs itself every 2 years. Even if it is not true, this is very much proven that our cells die and regenerate very frequently. The second fact is that most of the diseases have their start in cell malfunctions which are generally attributed to nutritional deficiencies and increased toxicity in the body. To make sure our bodies are functioning at the optimum, the switch to a more organic and holistic life and diet is recommended. As a first step to this change, nutritionists advise that it is best to begin with a detoxification of the body.
The very toxic environment we live in and the chemically treated food we eat go a long way in damaging our bodies severely and causing ill health and non reversible diseases in the youth of today, let alone the elderly. Some of the common pointers to the cell-malfunctions we should watch out for include: Headaches, Skin issues, Allergies (any and all), Muscle soreness (not from working out), Vision loss, Hair loss, Body odour, Yeast infections, Slow healing, Digestive issues, Cavities, Trouble focusing, Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, Back pain, High blood pressure, Joint pain etc.
The modern lifestyle is often blamed as the cause for our bodies to be overwhelmed. Toxic food systems, polluted air and water, and environment make cleansing the body more important now than ever. The burden of over-pollution may be responsible for deleterious effects on the immune system, a scenario which makes us highly susceptible to chronic degenerative diseases.
Many religions actually encourage people to fast as a means of cleansing both the body and the mind for spiritual practices. But the feeling of alertness and dynamic energy that one feels after detoxification is truly an amazing feeling.
1. JUICING - This method is all about having only freshly juiced fruits and vegetables for one to three days or longer. Helpful, cleansing fruits and veggies include apples, carrots, beets, ginger root, spinach, pears, celery, kale, cabbage, pineapple, cranberry, and other dark leafy greens. Citrus fruits are usually avoided while fasting.
2. RAW diet - This detoxification method is about using only uncooked fruits and vegetables, combined with smaller amounts of raw nuts, seeds and sprouts. This is an excellent way to detoxify the colon, liver and other bodily systems.Vegetables, whole coconuts, avocados, and granny smith or crab apples are on the diet.
Food :
Squeeze the juice of half a lemon in a cup of hot water. Drink first thing in the morning before breakfast to kick start the digestion and cleanse the system.
For breakfast: Have hot ginger-lemon-honey water and fruits.
For lunch and dinner, keep a diet of salad and soup.
For snacking, eat nuts of any kind. (editor's note: get the organic variety via Pure Mart easily)
For those needing some more of the solid food, one time a day it is permissible to have khichdee.
During detox, aim to strenuous exercise for one hour daily as it increases lymph flow and circulation to help sweat out toxins.
Cut out the cooking process and the various condiments like salt, sugar, strong masalas and eat mainly raw and uncooked food. Input more soups and salads, nuts and fruits into the diet. Try to avoid milk and milk products for this duration.
Aim to drink three litres of fluid daily - in the form of water, fresh vegetable juice and herbal teas(without milk).
During and/or after the detox, watch out for detox symptoms such as headaches, nausea, irritability, inability to focus, and fatigue. Once you restart eating regular food, start slowly and input 2 regular meals into the weekend diet. Switch slowly to eat more healthy and organic options. Decrease the amount of salt, sugar and masala in your regular meals.
Include more of the following food groups: Organic fruits and vegetables of all kinds, Legumes, Eggs, Unsalted nuts, Fish and lean meat (limited servings)
While the process of detoxing the body is going on, try to keep the mind as calm and relaxed and in a state conducive to healing. Clear the clutter from the mind and body and live a more rejuvenated and fulfilling life.
If you go ahead and try this, do not forget to tell us how it went! Do share your experiences with us!
Original image: Bertholf
