Detoxing has recently become a lot more “popular” and though it can be quite good for your system to help jump start a healthier lifestyle or provide a good inner bodily cleanse, it is important to know how and when to do it. The best times to detox are when the seasons change. So spring into summer, or summer into fall are great times. If you wanted to get really specific, you could also coordinate your detox with the tides and moon cycles.
Whenever you do decided to detox, the best way to go about doing so is to ease yourself into it. So, if you currently eat everything and drink caffeinated beverages and alcohol- you need to step yourself into a cleaner state before going for the full liquid cleanse. I usually start by eating a vegetarian diet for one week, followed by a vegan and gluten- free diet the second week, and in the summer I like to do a third week with all raw foods- all the while abstaining from alcohol, caffeine, sugar, processed foods, refined carbohydrates and genetically modified fruits and vegetables.
The point of detoxing is to get out all the toxins that have built up in your body from eating meats that have hormones, alcohol that is being processed by your organs, or refined and processed foods that contain many preservatives and chemicals (just to name a few). So, choosing local, whole, organic and hormone-free foods are exactly what you want to feed your body. It is also very important to give your body fuel to push all of these toxins through, so drink loads of water and bring in some fresh lemon to help aid digestion and the detox process.
On the final week of the cleanse, I will go all liquid. The thing about going all the way liquid is that it really gives your body an opportunity to both rest and push those toxins out. You will likely go through an adjustment period in the first two to three days. Headaches are likely in those first days, but take it as a good sign- you are pushing those toxins out! Then around day three or four you will start to feel more energetic and even satiated. If you can’t make it a week with just liquids, go for at least five days, because that is how long it takes to get to the place where you are successful pushing toxins through.
The truth is, I can’t really outline a whole detox program within this one post, and I would recommend consulting a health practitioner or detox specialist if it is your first time. There are also many books you can pick up for more information. I will also refer you to the detox program Gwyneth Paltrow put up on her site Goop. I do like this one, and of course, I would go all liquid. But I think it is a good one to start with and there are also some good tips. I would also say to add in young coconuts if they are available and drink the coconut water as it has the same electrolytes as blood plasma and thus is very good during a detox. I also drink lots of fresh juice that I juice myself with a juicer. I like carrot, beet, ginger and apple. You can play with the combinations, and will reap from the very hearty nutrients that you get from consuming fruits and vegetables in this way.
Ok, please do some more research and find a detox program that resonates with you. Try doing it with a friend or significant other to keep each other on track and motivated. It is not easy, but it really does feel amazing once you have completed a cleanse. Also, remember to ease yourself back out of the cleanse. Don’t shock your system with meat the day after you finish… start slowly with easily digestible foods like rice and slightly steams vegetables or tofu. I hope this was helpful and I have a feeling I will be writing out an actual, detailed detox program as well. ;)
