Cleansing. Sound a little scary and in the mind may seem like deprivation and starvation but trust me, really it is not.
Here we are at the beginning of a new year and I bet you that at the top of the list you have to eat better, lose weight, and exercise more. Now add to cleanse at least four times a year on your list.
The main purpose of cleansing is to help the body rid itself of the toxins that we put in it through the foods we eat as well as the environments we are in. It is not to lose 20 pounds for that special occasion or upcoming wedding. How often should you cleanse? Once every three months. How long should you cleanse? That really depends. You can do it for 1 day, 3 days or 5 days and for a longer period, consult your doctor. Although you are getting rid of toxins, you don’t want to dehydrate your body or add any stress.
How to Get Started
Preparing to cleanse will take some research and homework. You want to find out what ingredients are key in the process as well as the ones you like, what your meal plan through the day will look like and most importantly, what steps to take prior to beginning.
Once you have set your date to begin, experts say you should back out 3 days or so to stop drinking alcohol, caffeine, processed foods, meats, white flour and sugar as well as anything else that is not good on the body like smoking. Start preparing your body slowly. Once you start, you should be eating a vegan or plant-based diet which will make the transition to your cleanse easier. And lastly, be sure to drink plenty of water from start to finish.
You can make your own cleansing drinks, juices, etc. by researching which ingredients act as an agent to help clear toxins from the body. Essentially, you are eating fruits and vegetables in their purest form to get all of the nutrients to just naturally clean the body. You don’t have to be fancy with it but you do need to experiment to find the right ingredient combinations that work for your body and taste buds.
Ingredients to consider include:
- Carrots
- Beets
- Ginger
- Cayenne
- Lemons and limes
- All greens especially kale
- Cucumbers
- Apples
The combinations are endless and just take some exploring and experimentation. Some recipes worth trying include 10 from The Cultureist and Dr.Oz. These will at least get you started and from there you can venture off on your own. More additional guidance, be sure to check out our Dining Out article with Karyn Calabrese or pick up her book, “Soak Your Nuts, Cleansing with Karyn.”
Whether you choose to make everything yourself or pick up a cleansing system at a local grocery or health store, commit to making cleansing a part of your health and wellness routine. The results will include being more alert and a cleaner system which means more energy to do what you want and love to do every day.
