Detox Your Life

By EdieK

Body cleansing has been around for thousands of years. In ancient times people cleansed the body and the mind.

Detoxification is even more important today, because we are exposed to millions of pounds of chemicals in our environment. Toxins such as pesticides, herbicides, plastics, petrochemicals, heavy metals, pollutants in our water, additives in our food, and residues from drugs, cigarette smoke, dental fillings and paints, irritate our bodies, making them more prone to disease and ailments such as allergies, cancer, arthritis, and heart disease.

Our bodies are overloaded and have to work overtime to eliminate toxic materials from tissues and organs. Detoxification helps the body open all channels of elimination to remove toxins and waste deposits.

The following are a few detoxifying techniques that you can easily incorporate into your life.

Ingredients

• Drink water
• Eat organic nutrient-rich food
• Exercise
• Dry skin brushing
• Infra-red sauna

Details

Adapted from bmagazine.ca

Preparation

Step 1

1. WATER
Remember to drink water! It is essential for healing. Water lubricates tissues, flushes wastes and toxins, hydrates the skin, and transports minerals, vitamins, proteins and sugars around the body for assimilation.

The recommended daily dose of water is approximately ten glasses (of reverse osmosis water). This amount depends on climate, stress, exercise, and the amount of cooked food that you are eating daily.

Coffee and colas dehydrate your body, and contribute to aging. Water gives you moist and supple skin, keeps your brain sharp, and your elimination system regular.
2. EAT ORGANIC NUTRIENT-RICH FOOD
Foods are your first line of defense against the negative effects of lifestyle, stress, pollution, chemicals and disease. Eating natural, live, raw food will provide a slow and gentle detoxification of the body. Detoxification is an ongoing process and it can be easily integrated into your lifestyle.

The following are essential foods to eat when detoxifying. They provide higher levels of vitamins and minerals, and possess energies that are important for healing, maintaining, building and cleansing the body.

A) FRUITS
Lemons
Lemons are excellent liver detoxifiers and are antibacterial, astringent and antiseptic. They are high in vitamin C and Potassium, and cleanse the digestive system, purify the blood, lower cholesterol and stimulate bile production, which helps cleanse the liver.
Have a glass of warm water with freshly squeezed lemon first thing in the morning to start your detox day.

Apples
Apples contain malic and tartaric acid which promote good digestion and cleanse the liver. Apples are rich in flavonoids and polyphenols, and are an excellent source of vitamin B, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and pectin (a soluble fibre that can help remove toxins from the body). Have at least an apple a day, preferably before noon, on an empty stomach.

Cherries
Cherries remove toxins from the kidneys and liver, and help to eliminate uric acid from the body’s tissues and joints. Cherries are rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene, B vitamins and pectin, which help to clean up heavy metals and cholesterol.

Grapefruit
Grapefruit contains anticancer compounds such as flavonoids, terpenes and coumarins.
It has been suggested that grapefruit can help prevent cancer, especially cancers of the pancreas and stomach. Grapefruit contains vitamin C, beta carotene, phosphorous and potassium, and has antiviral, antiseptic, intestinal and liver-cleansing properties.

Raspberries
Raspberries have antiviral and anticancer properties, and are cleansing and anti-inflammatory. Raspberries are rich in pectin, vitamin C and potassium.

Cranberries
Cranberries have antifungal, antibiotic and antiviral properties, and contain Hippuric acid, an anti-bacterial agent that reduces harmful bacteria that adheres to the walls of the urinary tract.

B) VEGETABLES
Carrots
Carrots are one of the best body cleansers, and contain Beta-carotene, vitamin B, calcium, vitamin C, pectin and fibre. Carrots have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and strengthen the liver, kidneys, lungs and digestive system.

Celery
Celery is an excellent blood cleanser, diuretic and laxative, and contains vitamin C, potassium, calcium, magnesium, silica, fibre and coumarins, (anti-cancer compounds that may be beneficial in cancer prevention). Celery helps to neutralize acids in the body. Drink celery juice after exercise to replace lost electrolytes.

Kale
Kale is rich in iron, sulfur, vitamin C, beta-carotene, chlorophyll and calcium, and contains powerful anticancer compounds that protect against breast, lung and colon cancer. Kale has a cleansing effect on the body, and its high fibre content helps cleanse the intestinal tract. Kale can be added to salads or included in vegetable juices.

Cabbage
Cabbage contains beta-carotene, calcium, vitamin B1 and B6 and vitamin K, and is a good source of fibre and has antiseptic, antiviral and antibacterial properties. Cabbage cleanses the liver, detoxifies the stomach and helps with digestion. Cabbage contains phytonutrients that remove free radicals, toxins and carcinogens from the cells. Cabbage is especially potent when eaten raw or juiced.

C) SEEDS
Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Flaxseeds are a potent laxative, and are beneficial for intestinal tract and cardiovascular system.

Quinoa
Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is an ancient grain-like seed that has been cultivated in Andes, South America for more then 5.000 years. Quinoa is high in insoluble fiber which helps prevent
continued on page 60
Detox Your Life Food & Other Essentials continued from page 59

formation of gallstones, constipation, colon cancer, and heart disease. Quinoa helps to balance blood sugar levels, which is very important during a detox, when you may be eating less than your body is used to. Quinoa is a highly nutritious food, packed with complete protein, iron, and high levels of potassium, B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, copper and manganese. Quinoa has a delicate taste and a nutty flavour when cooked. Have a bowl of quinoa every day.

D) SEAWEED
Seaweeds are superfoods with remarkable health benefits, and are abundant in minerals and antioxidants such as beta-carotene, calcium, iron, magnesium, selenium, iodine and zinc.
Sea vegetables also contain alginic acid which binds in the intestines with heavy metals and eliminated by the body through the stool.

E) WHEATGRASS
Wheatgrass is a superfood with a good source of minerals, beta-carotene, B vitamins, vitamin C, E, calcium, magnesium, zinc, sulfur, chlorophyll, and amino acids. Wheatgrass is anti-viral, anti-bacterial and a potent anti-oxidant, and detoxifies and alkalizes the blood, cleanses the gastrointestinal tract and liver, eliminates heavy metals and improves digestion.

F) SPIRULINA
Spirulina is a green superfood, rich in chlorophyll, and contains complete protein, minerals, carotenoids, all B-complex including a high amount of B 12, and essential fatty acids. Spirulina is also a powerful antioxidant; it works on the lymphatic system, boosts the immune system and increases energy. Energize your mornings with a green spirulina drink.
3. EXERCISE
Physical exercise speeds up removal of toxins by stimulating circulation and perspiration. Exercise stimulates the lymphatic system, transports oxygen and nutrients to the cells, and carries toxins and wastes from the cells to the elimination organs.
Regular exercise increases strength and well-being, energizing both body and mind, and lowers blood pressure, improves mood, reduces stress, and raises feel-good hormones such as dopamine and serotonin.
Rebounding, cycling, swimming, dancing, yoga, stretching, walking, and aerobic exercise are excellent forms of exercise during a detox. Exercise daily and you will feel energized, self confident and emotionally high.
4. DRY SKIN BRUSHING
Dry Skin brushing is a wonderful way to stimulate circulation and help with lymphatic drainage. It increases cell skin renewal, makes skin smooth and soft, removes cellulite, tightens the skin and strengthens the immune system.

Dry Skin Brushing Techniques:

Use a soft natural fiber brush; avoid synthetic bristles as they can be too hard on the skin
Always dry brush your skin before you shower
Start at your feet and toes, and use long strokes to brush toward your heart and up
Avoid tender areas where the skin is thin around the breasts and face, and avoid moles and birth-marks
Brush your stomach using circular motions clockwise
Brush your hands, from your fingers up to your shoulders, towards the heart
Dry-brush your skin for 5 minutes in the morning, and again in the evening
After brushing, shower to remove the dead skin cells
Towel dry the whole body and apply sesame, coconut or almond oil to soften the skin

Cleansing the body is one of the best ways to restore vitality and remain healthy in the polluted environment.
5. INFRA-RED SAUNA
Studies show that infra-red sauna therapy can eliminate a wide range of chemical compounds such as heavy metals, PCB's, pesticides, and prescription and non-prescription drugs. Heat causes fat-soluble chemicals to be released from the fat cells and tissues into the lymph fluid. These toxins are then expelled from the body through the sweat. Infra-red sauna can be applied to a wide range of conditions such as chemical sensitivities, auto-immune conditions, allergies, chronic fatigue and cancer.

The benefits of infra-red sauna:
Infra-red sauna improves circulation, regulates blood pressure, and promotes a better skin tone and healing of skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. Infra-red sauna relaxes muscles, reduces fatigue and physical and emotional stress.
NUTRIENT-RICH FOOD RECIPES
I created special recipes to provide a slow and gentle detox for your body. These will give your digestive system a chance to rest so that your body can concentrate on the elimination of toxins.

SHREDDED GREEN CABBAGE WITH HIJIKI SEAWEED AND SCALLIONS
This is the best cleansing salad I have discovered!

1 green raw cabbage, small size, shredded
1/2 - 1 cup dry Hijiki seaweed, soaked, drained
3 scallions, chopped
1 tsp cilantro or parsley, minced
Celtic sea salt according to taste
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, cold-pressed
½ lemon, freshly squeezed

Soak Hijiki seaweed in cold water for 15 to 20 minutes. Drain Hijiki and mix with shredded cabbage and scallions. Season with salt, lemon, olive oil, and sprinkle with cilantro.

STUFFED RED PEPPERS
Rich in colour, texture, flavour and easy to prepare

1 broccoli florets, finely chopped
2 tbsp, capers, pickled
½ red pepper, chopped to little cubes
1 red pepper for decoration
1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Pinch of dry oregano
Pinch of dry basil
Pinch of dry sage
½ lemon, freshly squeezed
Salt to taste

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for one hour. Remove the top of the red pepper. Fill the pepper with the broccoli mixture. Serve as an appetizer.

SPINACH-AVOCADO SOUP
This soup is cleansing and refreshing – you can eat it every day

2 cups baby spinach
½ - 1 cup parsley
1 avocado, peeled, stoned
½ lemon, freshly squeezed
1 garlic clove
Bragg amino acids or Celtic sea salt to taste

Using a blender, mix all ingredients together to a smooth consistency.

HOMEMADE JUICE FROM APPLE-GINGER-CARROTS
A refreshing drink for an afternoon snack

1 apple, cut into pieces
2 carrots, scrubbed
½ inch piece ginger root

Mix apples, carrots and ginger in a juicer. Stir and pour into a glass.

QUINOA RISOTTO WITH CARROTS, LEEKS, AND GREEN PEAS

1 cups Quinoa, organic
2 cups water
½ cup frozen or fresh green peas
1 medium leeks, sliced
4 medium carrots, sliced
¼ cup parsley, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
Celtic sea salt to taste.

Bring Quinoa, water, garlic, carrots, leeks, peas and parsley to a boil in a pot. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes or until the water evaporates.

VEGETABLE BROTH WITH CARROTS, PARSLEY, CELERY, BROCCOLI, KOHLRABI, KALE AND DULSE

4 carrots, halved
4 celery stalks, chopped
1 bunch broccoli florets
2 kohlrabi, cubed
1 bunch kale
2 tbsp. dulse flakes
1 tomato
Water accordingly

Place vegetables in a large pot, and cover with water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes or less, until vegetables are crunchy tender. You can strain the vegetables and drink the broth! Eat a bowlful of warm broth with quinoa.