Hello my dears! So you've been wondering about the detox!?
Well today is 'day 13' and it is all going well and smoothly. In fact, this time it has not been all that hard for me (thankfully) and I am more enjoying the benefits than dwelling over the sacrifices or not-so-great side-effects. I feel pretty comfortable actually and am not too upset about only being half-way through my programme. I know that it is doing me the world of good and that I'll feel fantastic at the end of it!..
Many of you have been so sweet with supportive comments & emails, which has been great! Thank you for that - it has helped me a lot! xx
There have also been a fair few questions that I thought I'd answer here rather than sending individual replies. Though of course you are more than welcome to email me for more info if you feel this is not enough. x
By Sweet Memories via Sweet Memories
A good detox programme will give your whole body (,spirit and mind) a much needed 'rest' from having to deal with the pollutants we tend to consume & surround ourselves with daily.
Think of it as a way of de-congesting your internal organs, external features, your mental ability, and emotional self.
Your entire body will be given a chance to 'cleanse' itself from within and get rid of stored toxins that prevent us from looking & feeling our best, and performing at maximum capacity. I will go so far as to say that everyone needs a detox once in a while!
In essence, the cornerstones of any good detox are:
Eliminate key pollutants such as caffeine, alcohol, red meat, dairy, sugar, salt, wheat, processed foods etc.
Expel stored toxins, parasites and blockages.
Nourish your body with 'clean foods' loaded with nutrition and goodness.
Restore the natural balance in your body to enhance key organ function and digestion.
Refresh your external features, brain and emotional balance.
What are the benefits? Do you loose weight?
The core and most important benefit is that your body will heal itself from within. Not only will this result in your liver being able to deal with daily filtering of toxins in your blood, it will also mean your digestive functions will operate at a normal capacity.
All of this will result in a number of physical, psychological and emotional benefits such as:
- Your skin will become clearer, smoother and rosier
- Your eyes sparklier & the colour enhanced
- Your stomach flatter, less unsettled and/or bloated)
- Your hair shinier
- Your senses stronger (smell, taste etc)
- Your energy higher
- Your sleep better
- Your bood & oxhygen circulation better.
- Your brain more alert (incl memory)
- Your 'toilet habits' more regular & frequent
- Your breath fresher (check the colour of your tongue..)
- Your mood more stable
- Your spirits up
.. and you will generally just feel lighter, brighter, happier, and more refreshed...! People will notice and comment!
And of course, because you are helping your internal organs to function as they are intended, your digestion & metabolism will speed up and you will likely shed a few kilos.
Though please don't use a detox for this purpouse only. Instead focus on the inside of your body and know that when it is well nourished and free of blockages, your outer body will feel and look fantastic (including being lean and slim).
Living a toxin-free life, eating clean & pure foods, and regularly helping the body to function at maximum capacity can add years to your life, help relieve allergies, heal injuries, cure illnesses, boost your immune system, and lift clinical depression! I speak from first-hand experience here, so please trust the process!
How often and for how long?
In the past few years I have done a 2-4 week detox three or so times a year, however this time I am doing a full 6+ weeks as I know the body benefits the most when completing a minimum of 30 days.
Though any kind of 'cleansing programme' will be beneficial, I think that gradual and long term change is the most sustainable.
In my opinion bad, unhealthy, or negative habits can truly only be broken after a good month (2-3 months is ideal) of slow and persistent adjustments. Again I say this with experience, and know how easy it is to be good for a while and then fall back into old routines and thereby end up where you started. Is there anything more frustrating than having to start over..!?!
If you are breaking a so called 'candida cycle' (click on the term and read more), or need to 'rebuild a fatty liver' you may need to stay on a detox programme for up to 8 weeks (or longer). NB! I would not recommend you embark on this without professional guidance. Please speak to a qualified Naturopath first! Also, whilst on 'not recommended' - I am very much against the so called 'Lemon detox'. Not only does it shock your system (which can be dangerous!) but it also deprives your body of essential nutrients that are required when you are expecting it to clean and heal itself! Remember, the focus is to gently help your body heal itself, not deprive it!
How do it and do you need to follow a programme? Is it hard?
To kick start the programme, I usually buy a so called 'detox kits' and our favourite one is the 'GNC Detox Kit'. I know it is by an Australian brand so you may not find them where you live, but perhaps print the content sheet and bring to your local health food store or naturopath for input on similar products.
I just realized that you may not know what I mean when I say 'detox kit'.. Sorry.. Basically it is a box containing an outline of the programme, including instructions, diet recommendations, common side effects, menu plans etc.
It also contains herbal supplements aimed to help various parts of your body to release & eliminate stored toxins. For example, the 'GNC kits' contain tablets for the liver, stomach, small intestines and colon. The tablets are taken at various times per day during the entire programme and are excellent when used in combination with the recommended foods.
Other detox kits (put together by a naturopath) may include a 'parasite detox' agent. These are fantastic and I can highly recommend THIS company for many wonderful products!
What can't you eat?
As mentioned above (and in essence), the key restrictions are:
- White / refined flour products (wheat breads, white pasta & rice etc)
- Sugar, sweets and table salt You can use limited sea salt flakes at times, but try to cut it out all together by week 2-3. Salt retains fluid and binds fatty tissue like nothing else..!
- Dairy products deriving from cows (cheese, milk, butter, cream etc..). The only exception is 'live natural Greek style yogurt'.
- Alcohol, coffee/non-herbal tea, commercial fruit juices, soft drinks, energy drinks etc.
- Gluten and yeast.
- Red meat and small goods (i.e. sliced cold meats such as ham, bacon, salami, sausage, turkey etc)
- Pre-fab, modified and processed foods.
- And of course you mustn't smoke or take any other harmful chemicals during your detox! Or any other time for that matter! x
Though hard the first time you do a detox, it becomes easier to find substitutes and to establish a regular routine where you eat an array of clean and yummy foods that you know will nourish and support your body.
I am a huge believer in using certified organic, cruelty & chemical-free foods. Not only during a detox but full stop.
There is enough scientific evidence to prove that certified organic produce is higher in nutrients, and there are enough people swearing it tastes better too! If you can't afford to switch 100%, just replace the foods you eat the most of with organic brands and notice the difference in how you look and feel!..
As a mother I feel so much better knowing my children are growing up eating clean and toxin free foods!
So what can you eat?
My programme separates foods that I can have every day with ones that I can enjoy once or twice a week.
For instance you can eat as much vegetables, fruit, fresh fish, seeds, berries, hummous, seafood, nuts and sprouts as you want.
Lean (skinless!) chicken breast, eggs, tinned fish, live Greek style yogurt, pasta (made from spelt, corn, rice or millet), goats cheese, and tofu are allowed once or twice a week.
You can also enjoy all types of herbal teas, and I especially recommend Green tea and Dandelion tea as these enhance liver function as well as support the digestive system very well.
For me a typical day on the programme may look like this (though of course I don't stick to just this menu):
Breakfast:
Bowl of natural live yogurt drizzled with raw Manuka honey and topped with raw musli and sliced banana & blueberries. A big glass of freshly squeezed juice or filtered water with a squeeze of lemon/lime.
or
Toasted Spelt sourdough bread (yeast and gluten free) with mashed avocado, a faint sprinkle of sea salt and topped with rocket & sliced tomatoes. YUM!
or
And on a weekend (like this morning) I add a boiled egg to boost my protein and omega intake.
Lunch:
Bowl of pumpkin soup loaded with extra vegetables such as carrot, leek, cherry tomatoes and sometimes also fresh peeled prawns.
or
If I didn't have any bread for breakfast then I sometimes have two pieces of toast topped with grilled mushrooms, or smoked salmon.
Dinner:
Oven baked fish with a nice tray of roasted vegetables and a big salad.
or
We might fire up the BBQ and enjoy chicken fillets that has been marinated in natural yogurt, lemons, garlic, and fresh rosemary.
How to make:
1 large tub of Greek/Turkish style natural yogurt.
Crushed garlic to taste (I use 3 medium cloves), the juice of 1/2 lemon and the other half sliced, two large twigs of rosemary (bruised) and some chillipepper if you want a little 'punch'.
Put all of this in a zip-lock plastic bag along with your cleaned chicken breast fillets (3-4).
Squeeze the bag to 'exhale' the air and then massage it a little so that all ingredients mix with the chicken. Seal and leave on a plate (with the zip lock facing up) in your fridge for at least four hours. Remove from the fridge 1/2 before cooking. Remove it from the marinade (but don't rinse or scrape off what is stuck to the fillets) and BBQ till cooked through.
Snacks
Fruit salad
or
Dairy-free smoothie or frappe
or
Cup of salt-reduced miso-soup and corn crackers with mashed avocado or hummous.
or
Frozen natural live yogurt sweetened with fruit, berries or honey
Doesn't sound too bad does it? In fact, once you get the hang of it, the options are endless and you'll find yourself enjoying your detox rather than dreading what you have had to leave behind. I
If you log onto the GNC site and look in the 'food guide' you can see more menu options that you can try for fun, and without doing a full detox.
And may I say here that I am not sponsored by these guys. I just happen to like their products. They work for me, but you may prefer some other brand. x
What are the negative side-effects?
Of course there are some not so great side-effects, but that said I honestly believe that they are worth all the benefits you will enjoy later!
The hardest part of the programme are the first four days. That is when you will feel your worst and you might get/feel:
headaches
sore joints
aching internal organs (kidneys - lower back)
mood swings
hunger pangs
sweating
nausea
diarrhea (or at least 'loose stools') Sorry for being graphic..
vulnerable
..and a general feeling of coming down with the flue or a cold.
You may even get sick for real, as the body is encouraged to eliminate blockages and expel impurities. This is all good though and try to see it as part of a 'good process'. You will reap so many rewards after this limited and one-off rough patch.
I know all of this may sound scary, but think of how bad it is to have all the toxins sitting in your body rather than being eliminated...!
In fact the more toxins are in your body when you start, the worse you will feel so you may want to start cutting down on (toxic) things a week or two before you start the actual programme. E.g. reduce the number of coffees a day/week, halve the amount of sugar, stop fizzy drinks, have a 'bread or meat free day' twice or so a week etc..
The best thing is to also be prepared and to time your first detox so that those first few days fall partly over a weekend or an extended break.
Most of all though, persist, stay focused and be kind to yourself! All of these nasties will only last a few days and that after that, you'll feel great!
Do you do special exercises or treatments during the detox?
The typical stressed out 'working mother' that I am, I don't get to enjoy a lot of free 'me time'. But I do try to spend as much time as I possibly can outside - I walk, stretch and try to be active without diving into some particular exercise routine.
Having said that, it is proven that doing aerobics, pilates, yoga and/or any other exercise will help stimulate the detoxification and help your body eliminate faster. So if you have the time, do try and exercise a few times a week but the most important thing is to listen to your body and don't force yourself. Remember change has to be gradual and should be reasonably enjoyable in the process!!
On a more pleasant note.. Having reflexology, acupuncture, deep tissue massage, infra-red sauna and mud wraps will help immensely (both physically and emotionally).
If you don't have the time or money for spa treatments, enjoy long hot showers, scrub your body with an exfoliation mitten daily (your skin is the largest bodily organ and it will expel toxins to the surface), walk rather than drive, massage your feet before you go to bed, and generally just be kind to yourself.
Also sleep! Sleep is the single most beneficial and rewarding thing you can give yourself. There is nothing that doesn't feel easier, better or more manageable after a good night's sleep!
Are you still with me.. We are nearly done... ;) Just a final summary..
1. Do it together with a partner/friend
Marshall (my dear sweet husband) and I always do this together. I can't tell you how much of a difference this makes and how nice it is to have someone who is in the same boat! So encourage your own husbands, boyfriends, partners and/or house mates to join you on this journey and have fun!
Though don't inflict this on your children. Detoxing is for grown-ups only! x
Start cutting down on key pollutants a week or so ahead of the programme to ease the side-effects. Weaning is a whole lot easier than going 'cold turkey'!
3. Plan ahead
Make sure you choose your timing well, and that you stock your pantry and fridge with 'allowed foods' only as it is easy to slip when temptation is staring you in the eyes.. Also avoid starting the detox at times when you know you will need to perform your best or won't have time to rest and recharge.
5. Go organic and pesticide free!
Swap to organic and pure foods if you can afford it - it makes a real and tangible difference. Especially in children!! You will be amazed.. Thank me later! ;)
6. Be kind to yourself, rest and take it easy!
Make it as easy as possible, don't abandon the programme if you slip once or so, allow yourself to rest & take it easy, treat yourself to a massage, praise yourself on your great work and enjoy your self!
7. Drink LOTS of water & herbal tea!
Unless your house is fitted with a water filtering system (if you can afford it - do it!), buy a Brita filter jug at your nearest health food store or super market. Unfiltered water may be deemed 'safe' but is full of pollutants, parasites and pesticides. Also, indulge in freshly squeezed juices (though not orange as this will bloat you terribly!).
8. Enjoy the benefits and congratulate yourself on a brilliant job!
Notice the difference in you appearance and enjoy the compliments your friends will give you!
So that's it my friends - a long and detailed post..!
After this detox round, I will do my next one after Xmas and if anyone wishes to join me then, please let me know. I'd love the company and welcome all blog-detox-buddies along on the journey! ;)
Happy 'New Week' and hugs to all!
xx Charlotta
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