D is for Detox . A to Z challenge on Wellness

Detox. It has become the new “it word” for health, beauty, and lifestyle magazines. We can detox from anything such as bad food substances to Facebook. I know. (Rolls eyes). Having done a few of these detox things myself – I do however see their benefit. Stick around. I’ll try not to bore you.

Standard Detox:

Your standard detox consists of trying to flush toxins from your system. This can be anything such as M.S.G. generally found in spices to residues of pesticides, which have inevitably made it into our food.
The general rule of thumb is to buy “organic” when doing a detox. That means you need to check the label and you are most likely to fork out a little bit more on your food. Additionally, you must never forget to read the disclaimer. Don’t try this if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic or pre-diabetic and if you have any other types of chronic illnesses, please consult your doctor first.

A simple 7-Day detox:

Day 1: Liquids only
Day 2: Liquid and fruit only
Day 3: Add raw vegetables
Day 4: Add cooked vegetables and brown rice
Day 5: Add beans, lentils, nuts and seeds
Day 6: Add grains and live yogurt
Day 7: Add fish
It is important to remember that throughout your seven-day detox you must abstain from all those unhealthy foods and spices. That means no coffee, no sugar, no alcohol and defiantly no smoking. Through the period you must not forget to drink plenty of the good stuff, the general populous refers to as water.

Oy this disclaimer is too heavy!

Anything advising me not to eat will have me pulling my face in disgust. I mean seriously – you tell your brain no food –and instantly find yourself feeling famished. Furthermore, that is one heavy disclaimer. The people who most likely need a detox would probably fall into the “don’t try this if” group.

So what now?

There may be a different approach to detox. Firstly, make sure you get in plenty of the good stuff (water). Then introduce some foodstuffs known to aid in detox. This is much more sustainable since you can make this part of your every-day life.

Items which are known to aid in detox:

• Rooibos tea
• Green tea
• Apples
• Cayenne pepper
• Fennel
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Grapes
• Onions
• Parsley
• Lemons

There are much more. Just Google “foods rich in antioxidants” or “Food’s for detox”.

Five-day liver detox

The liver is one of the body’s natural ways to removing toxins. It would thus make sense to keep this organ in good working function to aid in natural detoxification of your body.
A liver flush aids with allergies, persistent headaches and digestive problems such as bloating. It benefits the immune system and helps you feel more energetic. It may be a good idea to try this if you become nauseous at the sight of fatty foods (and your doctor can’t find anything wrong with you).

For five days, try the following cocktail first thing in the morning (before eating or drinking anything else)

• 1 cup 100% Apple Juice (organic)
• 1 Lemon Juice and peel
• 1 Clove Garlic
• 1 Piece of Ginger
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• Half a cup of distilled or mineral water
• Blend the above ingredients and drink

Leave out the Ginger if your liver is hot. (Read here for explanation of what that is)

Fifteen minutes after consumption of the above liver flush cocktail – have a nice relaxing cup of peppermint tea followed by another. You should wait for about two hours to have your first meal, preferably a fruit.
During this five-day period, you should cut coffee, black tea, and foods containing large amounts of sugar or fat. Do not forget to drink plenty of water. Doing the occasional liver detox is a very gentle way to detoxify.

For a sustainable lifestyle toxin free change add foods high in antioxidants into your every day diet. An apple a day as they say…

Further reading:

N.B. I’m not a doctor, I only have a healthy interest in all that is healthy. It is advisable to see your doctor at least annually for a routine check up with all the precautionary blood tests.

About the Author

Sarina often sat on the peaks of the dunes of Southern Africa watching the ocean tide drift in. A daydreamer, often dreaming up stories for lands somewhere over the rainbow. She is a mother, a wife, a blogger and an overall creative spirit. Above all, she is a human being.

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