"The best time to do a detox is in the spring. During the dark and chilly days of winter, the tendency is to be less active and many of us also tend to eat more in order to deal with the harsher climate. So by the time the first green shoots start to sprout and reach towards the sun, we are also ready to shake off the lethargy of the wintry months and prime ourselves for renewal." - excerpt from Happy Foods
As within, so without. Just a few words to live by. Simple, yet not so easy to accomplish. But, start with these basic steps and you'll be amazed. Best of all, lacto-fermented foods are part of the journey to ridding toxins so that you may enjoy an active and healthy life eating delicious, naturally detoxifying fermented superfoods that you can make in your very own kitchen.
5 Tips for Cleansing Your Body:
- Depending on your schedule and level of commitment, carve out 7, 14, or 21 days to do a gentle,
food-based cleanse.
- Upon waking, drink 8 oz. (237 ml) of room temperature water with 1 - 2 Tablespoons (15 - 30 ml) fresh lemon juice. This hydrates your body after a long night's slumber, and the lemon helps to alkalize and jump start your liver and metabolism.
- Cut processed sugar, gluten, coffee, alcohol, corn, and dairy. These are the most troublesome ingredients that cause acidity and toxins to accumulate.
- Add liver-supportive herbs and spices, such as dandelion, nettles, turmeric, milk thistle, and burdock. Drink herbal teas that include the above ingredients, or use a liver tincture.
- Have 1/3 cup (80 ml) of sauerkraut, kimchi, or other fermented veggies with each meal + drink 2 - 3 shots of fermented kraut or pickle juice per day.
(Sauerkraut and kimchi have been the subject of research for their powerful cellular detoxification abilities. See end of post for references.)
Want to learn more about doing an effective detox that won't make you hungry all day or dash for the toilet at inopportune times? My new book, Happy Foods, has an entire chapter devoted to detoxification, without pain.
5 Non-Toxic Ways for Cleansing Your House:
- Instead of chemically toxic spray cleaners, try this gentle alternative:
mix 2 cups (480 ml) white distilled vinegar + 2 cups (480 ml) water + 10-15 drops of lavender, rosemary, or cedar essential oil (optional) in a glass spray bottle. Shake well before using.
- Lemon is a miracle fruit that is not only good for us to eat, but also contains great cleansing and whitening properties. Here are a two ways to utilize the skin after you have used the juice with your morning cup of water:
1. To clean and whiten dirty dish towels: Place dirty towels in a big pot and fill with water to cover.
Place the peel and pulp of one or two lemons into the pot and simmer for about 10 minutes.
Rinse towels, wring out, and allow to air dry in the sun.
2. To clean your wooden chopping board: Cut a lemon in half. Place about 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) of salt on the dirty surface of your chopping board and rub the salt into the board with the cut side of the lemon for a few minutes. Rinse with hot water and air dry the board.
- To make a creamy cleanser that you can use to scrub your bathtub and tiles:
2 cups (480 ml)baking soda + ½ cup (120 ml) liquid castile soap* + 4 teaspoons (20 ml) vegetable glycerin** (a preservative) + 5 -6 drops of essential oil of lavender, rosemary, or tea tree.
- To clean your toilet bowl: Sprinkle with baking soda, drizzle with white wine vinegar, and allow to soak for 30 minutes, then clean with a brush.
- To purify the air: Burn a sage/cedar smudge stick to clean stagnant energy and elevate positive vibrations.
Happy spring cleaning!
Karen
Chief Fermentation Officer
References:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814611003153
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/07/16/this-food-helps-you-to-detox-pesticides.aspx
http://www.thekitchn.com/10-ways-to-use-a-lemon-around-the-kitchen-good-ideas-from-the-kitchn-217997
Resources:
*To get castile liquid soap:
https://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/category/LIQUIDSOAP.html
**To get liquid glycerine:
https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/vegetable-glycerine/profile
