Spring Cleansing

Many people think about doing a cleanse at this time of year. Spring cleaning isn't just for your home and garden, after all.

A cleanse is something I like to encourage my clients to undertake with knowledge and caution. Why is that?

There are many ways to detoxify the body: skin, colon, kidney/bladder, liver, lungs, lymph and blood circulation systems. These seven cleansing systems work well when we are in good health and eat well, drink pure water, and exercise regularly.

But how many of us do that all the time?

I like to think that we can all benefit from a cleanse if we start preparing ourselves 5-7 days before the actual cleanse or fast. Then, when we have completed the detox process, we re-establish healthy practices for at least 3 days afterward.

Here's an example of a general detoxifying program. First eat a good diet for a week. Not just sort of a good diet, but really focus on fresh nutritious foods, lots of pure water, limited animal protein, and healthy fats.

The first day of the general detox, you can eat normally, with additional water. The next day, eat more greens and less animal protein. On the third day, limit your proteins to fish and beans. Begin to limit grains, and eliminate bread, pasta, and any refined or processed foods.

The fourth, fifth and sixth days, eat only fresh foods, lots of water, avocado, coconut, and olive oil for fats. Eliminate dairy. Small servings of fish are fine. The seventh day, take in only water with lemon or lime juice, cayenne pepper, and just enough honey or agave syrup to make it palatable. You can add 1 ounce of pure cranberry juice to 16 ounces of water, some cinnamon, and ginger if you like.

Some people have sensitive teeth and lemon juice can weaken your tooth enamel. If you are concerned, brush your teeth immediately after drinking the lemon water.

For the following 3-5 days, in addition to raw greens and lightly cooked vegetables, slowly add back to your diet whole grains, soaked overnight before cooking, and cooked beans also soaked prior to cooking. Fresh eggs, wild caught fish, pasture raised poultry, beef, buffalo, and lamb, if you are an omnivore. If you are a vegetarian, be sure to have plenty of balanced vegetable proteins and healthy fats. Go easy on dairy, other than yogurt. Add in some fermented foods that are unpasteurized, such as kim chi, yogurt, sauerkraut, etc.

The fermented foods help to re-populate the intestine with healthy bacteria.

Here are some additional detoxifying activities to perform while on the cleanse. Skin brushing with a natural bristle dry brush. This helps move the lymph and increases blood circulation. Do this before showering every morning. Sauna or steam baths are also beneficial because they promote sweating. The increased water intake helps promote urinary detoxification. The lungs can be engaged for detoxification through deep breathing exercises.

Water is so important. Be sure to keep your system running well with pure, filtered water. After the 10-14 days on this program, you will feel cleansed and renewed.

Dieting Doldrums

Anyone who has dieted to lose weight knows the feeling. You're discouraged and frustrated at not losing those pounds. You're pretty sure you've been sticking to the meal plan, but the weight is just not coming off. Or, it's not coming off fast enough.

Here are ten things you can do to lift your spirits:
1. Get outside and go for a walk. Breathe some fresh air. It's almost spring.
2. Watch a funny movie. Laughter really is the best medicine, even for weight loss.
3. Do a strength training workout. Work your muscles, boost your metabolism.
4. Cut out ALL sugars and starches for 3 days. Excess sugar turns to fat. Excess starch turns to sugar.
5. Pour a big glass of sparkling water, add a lime wedge and call an old friend. It'll take your mind off food and you may share a few great laughs.
6. Volunteer some time to help out other people or try volunteering at an animal shelter. There are many positive ways you can help, and get your mind off eating.
7. Do some deep breathing exercises. Add some stretches, maybe a yoga or NIA class. Breath is intimately connected to digestion. Better breathing = better digestion.
8. Buy one new vegetable at the grocery store this week...and prepare it! Sometimes we get bored with our food and overeat.
9. Read a book with your meals if you eat alone. It slows you down.
10. This is the big one: put your fork down between each bite.

Post some of your suggestions.