Detox: Body and Mind Cleansing:

A member of the Sacred and Fit Community called me up recently to talk about detox. Not detox from drugs and alcohol but detox from food. Here at S&F, we don't believe that you have to be 100% vegetarian (no meat), vegan (no animal products of any kind) or raw foodist (nothing cooked) to get the health benefit of a more restricted diet. We have found great health benefits can be obtained by simply eating LESS bad stuff; eating MORE good stuff and every now and then giving you digestive track a mini vacation- FASTING. 

Part of what makes a fast so difficult is the amount of toxins that are stored in the body. Most of the time, the steady stream of daily food leaves fat-stored byproducts in the digestive tract, liver and body fat. During a fast, the elimination of these toxins can be experienced as headaches, coated tongue, bad breath or fatigue. However, by the third day and with plenty of water, the effects dissipate.

 If you are not in a position to fast, then a less drastic step towards internal cleansing is a periodic detox. Essentially, it is a raw food/juice fast but for the purpose of cleansing and elimination. It can last a week or  1 day. One of my favorite raw food authors Nwenna Kai offers a 7 day detox program. There is also lots of information on detoxing on some websites that focus on, fasting. 

The fall of the year is a good time to think about a detox in order to prepare your body to be indoors for longer periods of time. In enclosed spaces,  the microbes that cause colds and flu will be in closer proximity to you for longer periods of time. Think of detox as preparing yourself to ward them off.

Think also of the psychological and emotional benefits of a day in which your focus is on your health and well-being. Fasting and detox can be used to turn the mind toward higher thoughts- producing a cleansing of both body and mind. 

It truly is not difficult and an added result is the release of weight (up to 1 pound per day!).  Of course, take care of yourself and if you are on  any medications, please check with your health professional before making a big change in your eating behavior.

In peace and in health,
  Cheryl