Yes, it’s spring cleaning time – inside and out!  Just as everything in the universe freshens and lightens up – we, too can do the same!  When the seasons change it’s a perfect time to detoxify especially during spring or fall.  Giving our body a rest ensures that we will have more energy, better looking skin and remove any feelings of sluggishness or lethargy.  I call this article Cleanse with Friends – simply because it can often be easier to do this with a friend or spouse.

Let’s talk a little about the process…   

Three Steps to Detox
Detoxification regimens generally start with the liver, the body’s major detoxification organ. When the liver is working efficiently and effectively, other organs often follow suit. Once the detox process begins, digestion, brain function and other physiological processes also tend to work better.

The actual detoxification process is typically broken into three stages, varying in duration depending on the individual. The stages include:

1) The Elimination
The elimination process is the first step, and can begin if a person is relatively healthy and free of any serious chronic health conditions such as cancer, colitis, diabetes or heart disease. The elimination phase rids your diet of any potential food allergens such as wheat, dairy, soy.  We also will take coffee and other caffeinated beverages out of your diet for the period of the cleansing.

2) The Intensive
The intensive stage of this process comprises at least three days of drinking an alkaline or vegetable broth, eating non starchy steamed vegetables and also drinking a Detoxifying Formula which contains a powerful antioxidant called Glutathione. These alkalizing foods reduce acidity and inflammation. If you find yourself becoming hungry during this stage, nuts and seeds — such as almonds, sunflower and pumpkin seeds will be added to your program.  These additions are also alkalizing and usually non allergenic.

3) The Experimental
The experimental phase slowly reintroduces foods into your diet to see if they are tolerated. During a detoxification program, you may find yourself becoming more sensitive to certain foods. If a new food is introduced and if it triggers a reaction, it will once again be eliminated from the diet and added one or two weeks later to verify a food sensitivity or allergy. You often become more aware of the foods that are best for you and your behavioral addictions to certain foods during this period. This is the longest phase and often requires additional emotional support and education.

Eliminating the Toxins

Every person’s detoxification process is quite unique. Diet and the possible addition of antioxidants is only part of a mind and body detoxification. We often require to not only detoxify our bodies but also our minds from past behaviors that no longer serve us and may be very toxic.  An example would be such as remembering a bad childhood – where we get caught in never ending re-hashing of all the bad things that happened.  We forget the existence of even an ounce of goodness during that period. I often have clients re-write their childhood story and create a New Story.  This exercise alone tends to liberate my clients having them feel refreshed, lighter, brighter – having a new sense of hope about not only their future but also about where they came from.

One final comment about Detoxification …

Some people incorrectly believe that a detoxification program is a great way to lose weight. Most people do lose weight, but it is only temporary. Permanent weight loss requires a concerted lifestyle and dietary changes. Detoxification can, however, reduce and eliminate food cravings, reduce overall food consumption and make the body feel more functional, whole and balanced.

Be Healthy and Strong!