Detox Details!

On the 1st October I started a detox......a 6 week detox.  Here is the why, what, how and more........

Who

The detox plan was provided by a wellness clinic called Vitality (I go there for chiro regularly).  A group of us eager health beavers have embarked upon our detox mission. The boy had a boys weekend planned for the middle of October and has therefore just started his detox on Monday of this week.  I’m planning to keep going with him for moral support....making mine a 9 week challenge wahoo!

What

The detox itself constitutes the following:

• Protein - choose chicken, eggs and turkey.  Beef is ok.  Eggs are good.  Fish is great.  Avoid shellfish and pork.
• Veggies (minimum 4 cups of salad and 3 cups of vegetables a day) 
• Fruit - limit to 3 pieces and avoid bananas and dried fruit due to the sugar content
• Beans and pulses are good.  
• Grains and starches - brown rice, amaranth, millet, quinoa and buckwheat (these are all gluten free options) are the go, limit to 30g per day as grains contribute to an acidic PH and fill you up when veggies are the priority.  Avoid gluten grains such as wheat, spelt, rye etc....
• Goats cheese, milk and yoghurt are good, butter is ok.  Organic soy milk and nut milks allowed.  Avoid cows milk.
• Herbs and spices are good as well as good quality sea salt - check here for more info.
• Nuts and seeds - keep to 1/2 cup per day and a couple of tablespoons of good quality oils such as sesame, olive, flaxseed, avocado, macadamia (aim for organic cold pressed).  
• Herbal teas are great - just one cup of green tea per day.  
• Heaps of water

The following is also a no go -  sugar, honey, caffeine, alcohol, stimulants (i.e. cocao), bread, pasta, cakes, biscuits etc..., dried fruit.  Cows milk.

In addition there are supplements to take.

1. The first 10 days is a parasite cleanse with parasite and immune boosting supplements to take.
2. The second phase lasts for two weeks and is to detox and heal the gut and kidneys.  Supplements include a green ‘jungle juice’ which includes spirulina, turmeric, licorice, coriander and kelp.  Probiotics are also taken.
3. The third and final phase runs for two weeks and is for liver detoxification.  Just what I need!  This involves a liver detox powder packed full of vitamins and minerals as well as milk thistle and an additional herbal support tablet for the liver. 

In order to detox properly our bodies need rest and to conserve energy (something I find a challenge).  This involves eating lightly as digestion uses a lot of energy (something I find to be an EXTREME challenge - I tend more towards eating around the clock).

The following can help with the detox process:

• Lymphatic massage
• Dry skin brushing - this gets rid of dead skin and allows the new skin to breathe and assist in ridding of toxins - for further info click here
• Breathing deeply - assisting lymph in removing toxins and to relax - link
• Epsom salts baths - I had a bath full of black indian salt.  It stinks of egg (sulpher), felt great though and skin was super soft.
• 3-4 gentle sessions of gentle exercise a week - I have been cycling to work, going to yoga and walking.  Body feels much more toned already and i’m quite sure my cellulite is decreasing wahoo!
• Chiro appointments are great.  My last adjustment addressed my tummy pains, lower back pain and relaxed my neck.  I slept like a baby afterwards!  Love it.
• Detox the environment - I use natural non toxic house cleaning products, cosmetics and body wash and moisturiser.  
• Avoid toxic emotions and stress - beware of that rogue voice in your head and give it some positive attitude back!!!
• Spa treatments - yes please!

When

My detox started on the 1st October and finishes on the 8th November.  However, I will carry on with the boy until the 29th November.  A coffee and my favourite museli slice is like a dream to me!!

Why

Aha - this is the good one.

I read the following and signed up straight away.  

Do you experience any of the following:

Tiredness

Bloating

Digestive issues

Do you laugh less than you used to?

Do you need a glass of wine to unwind?

Do you need a coffee to wake up?

Do you have trouble losing weight?

Do you suffer brain fog?

Do you feel the burden of an endless to do list?

Why am I specifically doing it? 

Now and again I suffer from digestive issues (bloating and pain) so I want to ensure my gut heals properly and is doing the best job it can at absorbing in nutrients from my diet.  I am also constantly striving for optimal health and boundless energy.  

How 

Here are a few of my foodie choices and meals for the week in case you feel so inspired!

• Kale chips for a snack.  I have been buying them, however they are super easy to make - more on this another time.  
• Nuts - macademias are currently my favourite as they are so creamy, sweet and delicious.  Such a good treat.  Almonds are great as they are the only nut that is alkalising.  Walnuts are wonderful for the brain.  Go nuts!!
• Coconut yoghurt for something sweet.
• Lots of herbal teas.  I’ve found a dandelion chai tea which is so good.  Smells and tastes chocolatey for some reason.
• A chia and gluten free porridge for breakfast that I have managed to conjure up - recipe to follow
• Green smoothies are amazing as they are packed full of nourishin greens, quick and easy as well as effortless for a breakfast on the go.  Check out my post here for more info.
• Mini frittatas - click here for the recipe
• Sliced boiled eggs on tahini on rice crackers with a sprinkling of good quality sea salt - delicious
• Grapefruit or lemon squeezed into hot water to drink
• Lemon in warm water in the morning
• Slice up fresh ginger and turmeric (the ultimate anti oxidant) and squeeze fresh lime or lemon into hot water for a tea.
• Heaps of greens - they are packed to the brim with vitamins and minerals and your body will thank you by feeling full because it is being given the nutrients it needs
• I have been playing with the food combining philosophy to address bloating which is going well.  More on this another time

What have I noticed?

I have lost 2 kilos.  Not a goal of mine however it’s nice to feel light and springy.

The struggle 

Seeing as I generally eat by the detox guidelines and have only had to adjust a couple of things such as muesli slices, honey yoghurt, coffee and the odd piece of bread - to be quite frank it’s been rather challenging.  Firstly, I’ve been pretty tired (oh I forgot to mention that potatoes are out - and the humble potato would be my first choice if I was stranded on a desert island and could only take one type of food with me.  So the potato no go came as a shock - needless to say sweet potatoes are my new best friend).  I have been wanting to fall asleep at 10am in the morning for the last week.  I’ve also had a pretty sore stomach (have had digestive issues in the past), felt nausea in the beginning and I must say I also felt a little bit sombre.   All of which can be classic detox symptoms.  

Check out this interesting article on healing reactions if you’re intruiged.  In summary, when the body is provided the right conditions i.e. it isn’t trying to manage day to day bad food choices and toxins, then it has the ability to heal and do some clean up.  It starts with the organ needing the most help and works it’s way up to the organ least needing assistance.  Sometimes past symptoms can be experienced and illness replayed.  

I also read that pains may disappear when we eat.  This isn’t a sign that the eating is helping, as the energy that was going itno healing has just been diverted to digesting instead.  This is exactly what hapens with me!!  So i’m looking out for stomach pains and am planning to drink warm water through it instead or reaching for my lunch!!

Are you put off yet?  Don't be.  Moving into the 4th week I am starting to feel  better again.  I’ve heard that others are bouncing off the walls with energy by week 3 - so don’t let me put you off.  Also this has been totally manageable.  Apart from walking a little slower ;) taking it easy in the week and resting lots.  It hasn’t impacted my day to day life much.

What have I noticed is that I am finding more simple foods a treat, my taste buds are much more alive and i'm being more creative with the food I make.  Also, the focus on veggies means i’m building a habit of eating mountains worth.

A quick boy update.

He has ben fast asleep for most of the evening for the last two nights.  Will be fun to track his progress.  Tonight while I sat on the beach with my feet buried in the sand, eating coconut yoghurt and drinking turmeric, ginger and lemon tea, the boy was at a Pilates class.  I feel like a genius.

This morning over a breakfast meeting the angel sat there with a toasted cheese, ham and tomato croissant and cappuccino in front of him while everyone else munched into their food and didn't touch it.  What an inspiration.

Hope you enjoyed.  Let me know if you have any questions or comments.  Much love xxx