Let’s face it, we all are exposed to toxins daily. No matter how clean you choose to eat or how natural your cleaning products are. Toxins are all around you and your body acts like a sponge just soaking them up. Luckily, for us, our bodies have our backs.
It seems like no matter where you look there is something about detoxing and cleansing. But what’s in it for you? There are several benefits to detoxing that make it ideal to incorporate into your lifestyle. Detoxing has been shown to help dramatically increase energy levels. Who couldn’t use a little bit of a pick me up from time to time? It aids internal organs and improves digestion. Detoxing reduces inflammation and slows down the aging process. It strengthens your immune system while also providing mental clarity. Detoxing also has amazing benefits for skin and hair such as hair strength, length, and shine, skin clarity, texture, radiance, and color. It helps balance hormones and improves mood. More importantly, detoxing helps with weight management and reducing body odor!
Detox Vs a Cleanse!
There are so many different things we can do to our bodies. Such as, detoxing, cleansing, dieting, and even fasting all of which serve a different purpose and are often put into the same category. Too often people miss label cleanse as a detox. In fact, it is one of the biggest switch-ups when someone is trying to eliminate toxins. Due to the high level of confusion, I thought it would be a good idea to distinguish between the different options. Back when your grandmother did a detox it was something similar to the cleanses of today.
A Natural Detox
However, when you fast for an entire day you will actually trick your body into burning fat while also naturally detoxing. At 24 hours of fasting, your body begins burning fat for fuel and will continue to do so until after the 72-hour mark. That’s right if you are planning on fasting do not exceed the 3-day mark! After 72 hours your body starts to break down muscle, bone, you name it! For anyone out there who is thinking about doing the “dry fasting” thinks again. Dry fasting is where you do not even consume water! Your body NEEDS water!
Method to The Madness
Detoxification is very important because it is a method of cleansing your body of the impurities you consume or absorb. Just like spring cleaning, when you clean from top to bottom and get rid of clutter, detox cleans out your body and removes unhealthy toxins. Toxins are substances that negatively affect your body, and they are unavoidable. You cannot stay incubated from pollution and environmental toxins, but you can adopt a lifestyle that helps minimize their effect on your health. Eating clean, healthy foods and exercising regularly are two simple ways to keep your body fit to fight daily toxins.
There are six primary organs that participate in the natural purification of your body: the skin, lungs, kidneys, liver, lymph, and colon.
- Skin
The skin is our largest detoxifying organ. It absorbs everything but has more surface area to release those toxins, especially through sweat and adequate water consumption. Some foods and herbs that help detoxify the skin are sunflower seeds, beets, blueberry, and nettle.
- Lungs
The main function of the lungs is to breathe in oxygen and exhale noxious carbon dioxide. Even the oxygen we breathe in is full of pollutants and other harmful substances, so healthy lungs are crucial to your body’s detoxifying process. Try to take at least ten deep breaths every day. Foods that keep your lungs healthy and functioning properly are green tea, ginger, garlic, apples, grapefruit, and dark berries.
- Kidneys
Your kidneys expel toxins through urine. The best way to detox is by drinking a lot of water (preferably room temperature) because the more water you drink the more toxins you are removing from your body when you urinate. Lemon juice, watermelon, apples, grapes, and other fruits with high water content are also very effective for kidney detox.
- Liver
The liver absorbs chemicals and toxins. It also stores the bile from the intestines and produces proteins important for blood coagulation and other functions. Foods that help detox your liver are beans, spinach, beetroot, greens, and water.
- Lymph
A lymph is a light liquid that has white blood cells. It passes through stations in the body and helps support healthy tissue. Goldenseal is a great herb for cleansing lymph.
- Colon
The colon helps to reabsorb fluids and waste products and prepare them for elimination. Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage help with colon detox.
Your body works hard to fight against the toxins and pollutants it faces every day, whether it is unclean air, fast food, or substances like alcohol or caffeine. Help it out, and add a few of these detoxifying foods to your regular diet.
What is Your Body Saying?
Did you know your body is constantly talking to you? Most of us only listen when it is regarding hunger or bathroom breaks. But our bodies are always actively communicating their needs to us. The hardest part is learning how to interpret the body’s different forms of communication. One of the most common ways the body likes to get its needs across is in the form of signs and symptoms. Ancient Chinese Medicine utilizes and interprets these signs and symptoms to create a plan of action on how to correct them. Because our bodies are unable to process large quantities of toxins, high levels tend to produce a similar set of signs and symptoms. Due to the fact that the skin is the largest organ, the majority of signs show up here first.
Do You Need to Detox?
As I mentioned before in this post, we all need to detox regularly. Depending on how healthy you are, you may need to detox less than others. For example, approximately eight hours after eating our bodies naturally enter detoxification mode, whereas for healthier individuals it takes about four hours. There are some signs you can watch out for that help indicate you NEED to detox NOW.
- Constantly feeling exhausted, stressed, or overwhelmed
- Lack of mental clarity
- Frequent headaches
- Constantly sick
- Digestive issues
- Breakouts or dull lack-luster complexion
- Carry excess weight
- Bad breath or BO
- Emotional instability
Get Your Priorities in Order
Let’s be honest, we all have those moments when it feels like everything and everyone is just draining everything we have. This is often a good indicator that you need to take the time to invest in detoxing your mind and body. Personally, I have standing days dedicated to just that. The reality is that I can’t really tell you what I do these days. Mainly because it changes constantly. One thing is consistent though on these detoxing days. I do whatever I need to, to reconnect with the world around me. This list of tips was born from the constants that always help me find myself again. With that said you may find that you personally need something else on top of this list. All I can tell you is to listen to your body.
Lettuce Wraps
Gluten-Free Vegan Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/2 White Onion, diced
- 1 Cup Bella Mushrooms, minced
- 3 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 lb Plant Meat (I like walnut or the Impossible meat)
- 1/2 Cup Carrots, shredded
- 2 tsp Rice wine Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Almond Butter
- 2 tsp Fresh Ginger, grated
- 8 oz can Water Chestnuts, diced
- 3 Green Onions, sliced
- 1 Head Butter Lettuce
- 1/2 Cup Coconut Aminos
- 3 1/2 tsp Sesame Oil
Directions:
In a large skillet heat olive oil. Add in onion and cook for 3 minutes. Next, add mushrooms and cook for 3 more minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Stir in the plant meat option and carrots cooking for an additional 3 minutes. In a small bowl combine 1/4 cup amino, 2 tsp sesame, 1 tsp rice wine, almond butter, and ginger. Whisk until smooth then pour over meat. Stir meat and add in chestnuts and all but 1 Tbsp green onion. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. For sauce combine remaining amino, vinegar, sesame, and onions. Spoon meat into lettuce cups and drizzle with sauce.
Need A Hand?
A happy and healthy life is closer than you may think. Our health is something that we all have to deal with daily, and when we don’t feel our best, it shows. If you are tired of just making it through your day then you NEED to start investing in your health today! You are not alone on this journey. If you ever need any help I am always here to do just that. Even if it is something as small as just acting as a sounding board. Do you have any questions or concerns I can help you with? Feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] or you can even book a one-on-one call with me. Be sure to subscribe to gain access to tons of free goodies and check back daily for more great recipes and information!