Warning: This is not a 30 day detox where you eat lettuce every day or drink a homemade lemonade. I am not knocking either of those, either. What I have here is a list of 30 simple things you can do to cleanse and energize your life, family and home. Each day pick one to do. By the end of 30 days, you will have done 30 different things that are healthy and cleansing. Many of them you will want to do everyday and make it a habit for life. Think of the changes you can make in your body, in your home and on the earth. And remember that April 22 is Earth Day.
1. Buy something organic today. Most foods contain pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics, hormones, and other chemicals that harm the body. Download the Environmental Working Group's pocket guide to shopping: www.foodnews.org. This list will tell you the top 12 produce you want to purchase organic and the top 15 that have the lease pesticides.
2. Clean out the pantry. Open up those cabinet doors and pull everything out (this might also coincide with your spring cleaning). Get rid of anything that contains high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors and colors, preservatives and other harsh chemicals. Some, such as sodium nitrite, propyl gallate, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) have been linked to cancer. Others interfere with the liver's natural detox function. Also, get rid of everything with artificial sweeteners, especially aspartame (NutraSweet).
3. Disconnect! Today we are always connected or not far from our computers, cell phones, tv, video games, etc. Everything we use all day is plugged in and electronic. Try taking a break from your electronics for your body and soul. Electromagnetic pollution from all our gadgets can interfere with the body's natural magnetic fields. Pick up a book or get the family together for game night.
4. Make a meatless dish. Diets that are high in meat have been linked with inflammation, heart disease, and cancer. Try eating nothing but plant foods for a day, and on an ongoing basis. Focus on vegetarian sources of protein such as beans, nuts, seeds and soy in moderation. Beans are high in clean protein and rich in fiber. Don't buy canned beans - most can linings contain BPA, an endocrine disruptor. Soak the dry beans overnight and cook on low in a slow cooker (make a big batch and freeze the excess for later).
5. Try Tai Chi. Stretching stimulates circulation and lymph flow, and keeps muscles supple. Tai Chi uses gentle flowing movements to reduce stress and improve health. To do tai chi, you perform a series of postures or movements in a slow, graceful manner. Each posture flows into the next without pause, ensuring that your body is in constant motion. During tai chi, you focus on movement and breathing. This combination creates a state of relaxation and calm. There are also numerous health benefits to Tai Chi.
6. Exfoliate your skin. Dry brushing your skin stimulates the body's detoxifying lymph system. Using a soft-bristled brush, lightly rub your skin, starting from your fingers and toes and moving inward toward your heart. Follow with a warm shower to further boost circulation and move lymph.
7. Skip the coffee. Coffee is hard on the liver, hampers detox efforts and stimulates the release of stress hormones. If you can't completely kick the habit, at least try to cut back. Wean off slowly so you don't get a headache by mixing decaf with your regular or switch to tea. Green tea combines gentle doses of caffeine with compounds that boost liver detox.
8. Make a super smoothie. Pre-packaged smoothies and smoothie shops are popular now, but they are high in sugar and added ingredients. Instead combine almond and/or coconut milk in a blender with Kefir (all plain, unsweetened), half an avocado, 1/2 a scoop of a super food blend (I recommend NatraBurst by One24, http://rpporter.one24online.com, because of the protein blend, along with fruits, vegetables and antioxidants), a banana and 3-6 large handfuls of spinach. Makes two servings.
9. Start a journal and detox your soul. Toxic thoughts and feelings can also harm your body. Start a journal, and make notes of troubling emotions, log your foods and exercise, good conversations with a friend and favorite recipes. Write all your feelings down, then assess: Is there anything you need to clean up? Where can you let go and move forward? Do this each day for a daily spiritual detox.
10. Switch to cooking in coconut oil or steaming foods. Heating vegetable and cooking oils can create toxins. Instead use pure coconut oil or saute your vegetables, chicken and fish in 1/4 inch of stock. You can also steam your foods in an inexpensive bamboo steamer or stainless steel insert, then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil after cooking.
Try one thing each day and stick to the ones you can until they become a habit. At the end of the 30 days, you will feel more energy and your body with have gotten it's own spring cleaning! Happy Easter!
My Healthy Helper
www.myhealthyhelperonline.com
myhealthyhelper@gmail.com
630-697-6932
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