The Winter Solstice is drawing near as the days shorten. It is a time of rest, reflection, cleansing and preparation. As the year draws to an end, many are making their New Year’s resolutions for how we will make the coming year better than the one before.
Cleansing is an important aspect of self maintenance. We clean our homes, our cars, our closets, we daily clean our exterior bodies. It is important to clean our internal bodies as well to ensure that we can function at our highest potential. I usually recommend that people detoxify and cleanse to optimize the ability for our bodies to assimilate the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that our bodies are to utilize for our benefit. There are many different ways to cleanse. I will name a few options however, now that there are whole books written on the very topic of cleansing and fasting for the purpose of detoxification.
There are many ways to achieve a cleansing. One way is to use water. Water is very essential. We are made of more than ¾ water. Water is essential for our well being and keeps everything flowing to carry nutrients, essential vitamins, minerals, oxygen to each cell, tissue, & organ. Also, drinking plenty of water aids the flow of waste products, toxins, etc…out of the body. It is wise to drink plenty of fresh water (at least ½ body weight in ounces). Water ideally will be the first thing that you consume for the day. There are other uses of water such as bathing and other forms of hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy comes in many forms such as steam baths, saunas, sweat lodges, enemas, colonics, as well as hot and cold therapy. A simple detoxing treatment that you can do at home is to soak in a mineral or sea salt bath. I do not encourage this for those with high blood pressure. However, baths with essential oils such as geranium, angelica, citrus (lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, etc), black pepper, patchouli and even calming scents such as lavender, rose, sandalwood, frankincense, are highly therapeutic and relaxing.
This is the time to slow down, relax, rest, recharge and rejuvenate. Release the stress that usually accompanies today’s modern lifestyle. If you can take more time for yourself, please do so. It is important to clear time and space for your own nurturing. Release yourself of toxic relationships, habits and thought processes that no longer serve you. This is the time to free yourself. Clear your space of clutter. Organize your affairs. It rings true that it is wise to have a clean start. Let us begin this new cycle clear in spirit, mind, & body. As we move forward in clarity, may we gather our energies to manifest the vision and desire that is already placed in us.
Get the junk out before you invest your time energy and nourishment to your body. I want to emphasize that it is important as you are cleansing your system, that it is important to either fast or ingest only cleansing foods. Does it make sense to cleanse our bodies only to pollute them again immediately afterwards or even during? While cleansing we all should be mindful of what you we are taking in regarding foods. During this cleansing time, be it 1 day, 3 days, 7 days or 21 days. Keep a clean diet refraining from mucus forming foods such as dairy, fried, flesh, processed, & fast foods. Also it is wise to steer clear of artificial sugars, high fructose corn syrup, white sugar& white flour products.
When transitioning to a clean mucus-less food intake over an extended period of time, you will notice that your taste buds will change to desire more of what is healthful. You may also notice an improvement in energy, overall health and well-being. I suggest that cleanses are best done gradually and with care. Be mindful that if one has deep latent toxins and undergoes a rigorous cleanse, then what is known to be a cleansing crisis may occur. As the toxins are being removed, they are now in the bloodstream and certain effects may be felt such as headaches, skin break outs, eruptions, boils, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, moodiness. If this is the case, usually if one perseveres and has support, they will overcome this obstacle and should notice an improvement within a number of days depending on the circumstance. This is why I strongly encourage those who choose to cleanse/fast to do any binge eating before or after. Many times I witness that before a cleanse, people want to gorge themselves with the foods that they will not be eating during their designated cleansing period (like the food will not be there when they are done). You are setting yourself up for a possible cleansing crisis and making more work for yourself.
Who will benefit from a cleanse? Just about anyone. If you are trying to conceive, on medications for extended period of time, eat animal products, eat processed foods, exposed to toxins,radiation, pesticides, pollutants, over weight, hormonal imbalance, inflammation, prone to illness, or looking to prevent illness. Even those who eat a complete organic, plant-based diet that does not get sick should still cleanse at least once a year to keep up the maintenance. THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR PREGNANT & NURSING MOTHERS, especially if this is big change for you. As babies are developing and getting all it needs directly from mom, you do not want to cleanse your body from toxins for the toxins to flood the blood stream and go directly to baby.
During cleansing it Aim for 50%-100% raw (live) food consumption or juicing fresh herbs, vegetables, & fruits during this time. It is strongly recommended to partake of organic or foods without chemical pesticides as pesticides are pollutants and add to the toxins that we aim to cleanse ourselves of during this time. Drink plenty of water, herbal teas, and fresh `fruit & vegetable juices. Do NOT drink store bought juice! Most of them contain too much sugar and not enough fiber.
Vegetable sources include green leafy vegetables such as kale, mustard greens, turnip greens, collards, chard, spinach, parsley, cilantro, cabbage, green leaf lettuce, & broccoli. Other vegetables include celery, carrots, beet root, cucumber, string beans, onion, garlic, radishes, alfalfa sprouts, bean sprouts & sea weeds (kelp, dulse, irish moss, chlorella, spirulina, etc). Any fruits consumed during time should be low-glycemic fruits such as apples, pears, oranges, lemons, peaches, grapes, strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.
All grains should be whole grains such as wheat berries, spelt, millet, amaranth, rice (black, brown, & wild), whole or steel cut oat groats, rye, & quinoa. Raw nuts (soaked), lentils & various legumes, especially mung beans are permissible. Flax and pumpkin seeds are highly beneficial and cleansing. Fennel and chia seed will aid in keeping hunger at bay if you do decide to cleanse. Chia seeds also are an excellent source of omega-3s.
Wheatgrass, spirulina, chlorella, alfalfa, & various sea weeds add that needed boost to supplement the cleansing process, add energy, rejuvenate & nourish the body on a cellular level.
Excellent mucus busters to consider are cayenne pepper, lemons, limes, citrus, apple cider vinegar.
Bitter herbs cleanse and aid in digestion such as dandelion. Goldenseal, echinacea, garlic, olive leaf & ginger fight infection. Black walnut hulls, wormwood, garlic, St. John’s Wort & raw pumpkin seeds remove parasites.
If you would like to enhance your cleansing experience visit Serenity Suites or call 866-944- 9560 ext 703 & set up an appointment or request a cleansing package that includes infra red sauna, ionic foot bath, massage, & herbal cleansing tea. I am available to you especially during this time for food preparation instructions, recipes, advice or suggestions.
Thursday, December 22, 2011 will be a day of cleansing and fasts at Serenity Suites that will continue into the evening. We can share in the experience together if you would like. Bring a cleansing dish and a $10 donation to make the most out of your experience. Our future begins right now.
