Have the holiday festivities left you feeling tired, sluggish, irritable, and generally flat? Not to mention, are you having a hard time fitting into your clothes? It’s that time of year again, and the good times may have left us with a toxic build up that sits like lead in our bodies and weights heavily on our sense of well-being. We can either lament over the holiday excess, or we can turn our crummy feelings and snug fitting pants into an opportunity to move toward our 2012 health and fitness dreams. Here are some easy ways to detox and leave your cells singing.
1) I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. The best way to detox your cells of the holiday sludge is…WATER,WATER and more WATER. Remember to drink ½ your body weight in ounces a day. You’ll know your well on your way to a clean body when your urine is light yellow to clear.
2) Indulge by adding some of these Detox Delish Superfoods into soups, smoothies, or salads. If you’re like me and don’t carry the “Chef†gene in your blood, you may want to try what I call the “Everything but the Kitchen Sink Soup†route. Try mixing a bunch of vegetable and spices with some vegetable broth and simmer for an hour. Add some of these wonderful ingredients to super clean your insides.
Note: Remember that conventional produce and animal products can be contaminated with chemicals, so it’s best to choose organic when possible. Wholefoods Market or farmers markets are your best bets. Click here for a list of local Toronto markets. Yes – some of them are even open in the winter!
| Super Food | Detox Benefits |
|---|---|
| Apples | High in Fiber to help move the toxins out. Cleanses the bladder and improves circulation. |
| Beets | Great liver cleanser. Aids in digestion and supports the lymph system. Tones and cleanse the blood. It’s beautiful red color indicates it’s high in nutrient dense phytochemicals. |
| Broccoli | Helps protect cells from free-radical damage. High in fiber. Also high in cell cleaning phytochemicals. |
| Dandelion Greens | High in cell cleaning vitamins and minerals. Major Liver and Gallbladder tonic. |
| Garlic | A powerhouse of beneficial detox functions. Garlic is known as a cure all. Helps to treat infection. Protects and enhances circulation and fights various toxins. |
| Kale | Besides being the best anti-cancer veggie, Kale is high in cell cleaning phytonutrients. |
| Seaweeds (Arame, Dulse, Kelp, Nori to name a few) | Improves metabolism and digestion. Strengthens the immune system. High in antiviral and antibacterial properties that help scavenge toxins from the body. Supports the elimination organs such as the kidneys and colon. |
| Turmeric | A total body tonic. Great for reducing inflammation and a tonic for the gallbladder. A strong antioxidant. |
3) Need a quick fix? For a week, try switching your coffee to a herbal detox tea instead. Yogi brand, Lemon and Peach Detox teas are some good bets.
4) The best way to push those lingering toxins out of the body is to move. Our lymph and circulatory system needs an extra push this time of year due to the overload. Movement, especially in the form of Yoga and stretching can help to stimulate our organs and push those toxins clear out of the body. Try this super detox pose from the Yoga Journal.
Wishing you all a healthy and happy 2012!
Sarah Harris
