Simple Changes
The word “detox” might conjure up images of someone starving on just lemon water and cayenne. Or, maybe you imagine a friend that did a juice cleanse and had a migraine for three days. Detox doesn’t have to be that extreme! It can simply mean that you focus your efforts on changing some of your routines to help create a more balanced mind and body.
Due to environmental exposure, we can become overwhelmed by toxins that enter into the body via water, air, food, pharmaceuticals, or other drugs.
Cleansing the body does not have to be as extreme or restrictive as some of the many popular diets you’ve likely heard of or even tried yourself. In fact, simple changes, like the ones shared below are a great way to begin the detoxification process:
Water
Start each day with a glass of spring or filtered water and the juice of one lemon to help flush toxins and alkalize the body. Be sure to also continue drinking water throughout the day.
Vegetable Juice
Drink a freshly made vegetable juice daily that includes hearty greens such as kale and spinach to help cleanse the cells of toxins. Or, if you really want to kick it up a notch, enjoy a tall glass of freshly juiced celery first thing in the morning like my husband and I do. Celery’s alkalizing, cleansing, restorative and nutritional properties give you a really big bang for your buck, as the saying goes.
Oils
Eliminate toxic oils from your diet such as vegetable, peanut, and canola. Instead, use oils high in omega-3s, -6s, and -9s, such as extra-virgin olive oil, coconut oil, hemp oil, or avocado oil. Better yet, avoid oil altogether and get your fat from whole food like avocado, nuts and seeds, in moderation of course!
Tea
Teas such as dandelion, milk thistle, and nettles are great for detoxification.
Raw Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables contain enzymes that improve nutrient absorption and aid digestion. Grapes, berries and melons are the best choice for cleansing, especially when used in combination with the right herbs chosen based on your body’s own unique needs.
Sugar
Avoid white sugars and any other artificial sweeteners, as they can toxify the body. Instead, opt for natural sweeteners such as dates, fresh fruit or maple syrup. Fresh fruit is my recommended choice.
White Flour
Consuming white flour overworks the digestive system and can cause digestive disorders. And much of the wheat being grown in the US is sprayed with pesticides that are having a negative impact on the gut. Coconut or flax wraps are a healthy and delicious alternative to commonly eaten grain-filled breads.
Kick off your morning with this Sunrise Detox Smoothie:
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup frozen mango
- 1/2 cup pineapple
- 1/2 cup frozen raspberries
- 1 cup coconut water
- juice of one lemon
Instructions
Place ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.
This smoothie is layered to look like a sunrise, so to get that gradient effect, blend the raspberries and other fruit separately and then pour in layers to create the effect. Of course, it tastes just the same and has the same benefits if you just throw it all together too.
Remember, small changes can yield exponential results. Choose something from this list and implement it for one week and watch what happens. I’d love to hear about your progress.
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"Thanks again, the class was great. So many wonderful recipes! I will be watching the granola video and making notes. My daughters enjoyed it as well. It was great to be able to have them hear about raw food and taste wonderful creations from someone other than me! In fact I made a green smoothie for them this morning and they both enjoyed it. Before your class they would have balked. Now we have several recipes that they would like me to make."
— Donna Thoen
Abbotsford, BC
"Madeline's passion for raw food translates into an ability to simplify the complexities of all the choices associated with raw foods. And even better, she does that while making it look like fun!"
— Rena Ashmall
Veyo, UT
"Madeline is a true teacher and cares deeply for Mother Earth and those who share it. She is passionate in her love of raw food and shares her enthusiasm with those who seek her wisdom."
— Kati Peters & Al Miller
Sammamish, WA
