Feeling Toxic? Simple Steps To Start Rebooting Your System

If you're feeling gray, lethargic, clogged up, brain-fogged or even just less-than-excellent, you could be in need of an early spring clean-up. 

The truth is that when your body exhibits a symptom of imbalance or dis-ease, it is trying to let you know that the build-up of toxicity is too much for it to handle efficiently.  Think everything from pimples, excess weight and PMS to illnesses like diabetes and cancer.  Even though the groundhog hasn't even left his burrow yet, it's not too early to take some steps toward the natural detoxification that spring inherently provides. 

1. Take in more greens
Greens are superstars when it comes to cleansing and detoxifying, not to mention that they are powerhouses of chlorophyll, which transports oxygen to cells, keeping cancer out.  Introduce them in a number of ways:  green smoothies, salads, fresh vegetable juices, cooked, or in fresh veggie soups.

2. Vegetables are not a side dish
Get it out of your head that vegetables live alone and bland-tasting in a remote corner of your dinner plate.  Make them the shining stars!  Base your meal on the veggies, and think of the high-quality animal protein or whole grains as an add-in.  Start with this month's recipe, or check out my website for more veggie-based meals.

3. Sip hot water with lemon
This ancient Ayurvedic practice is both hydrating and detoxifying.  By sipping hot blasts of lemon water, you break through to the lymph, the body's major detoxifying vehicle.  Lemon aids to pull out stored toxins. (Also a great weight loss tip!)  Sip all day long.

4. Choose toxin-free when it counts most
You can find the most pesticide produce items at EWG.org - stick to buying (at least) the top of the list organic, and you will be eradicating a huge amounts of new toxins from coming in to your body.  Avoid traditionally-farmed shrimp, salmon and tilapia, and choose grass-fed beef, organic chicken and turkey.

5. Add in a superfood
Chlorella might be a good place to start.  This super protein algae is also efficient in removing heavy metals from the body, especially mercury. 

6. Dry brush
This bristle brush is not meant for the shower!  It is a daily practice used to stimulate circulation and energy flow throughout the body - a detox must-have.  Find them in Pier One, Whole Foods or Wild By Nature.

7. Try an essential oil deodorant
Most deodorants are also toxic aluminum-containing anti-perspirants.  Not only do they prevent the body from sweating, a natural detoxification process, but they also add to the body's toxicity with harmful aluminum, which has been linked to several cancers as well as brain disorders such as dimentia and Alzheimer's.  Essential oil deodorants work best to prevent body odor (see Living Libations' Poetic Pits), but once your body begins to rid itself of toxins, you will have less of that to deal with anyway.

These are great starting points, but they are the tip of the iceberg!  There is so much we can do to clean out the junk we've accumulated since childhood and to keep our bodies working cleanly and efficiently for us so that we feel energized and full of life every day - yes, I said every day!  It IS possible.  Intrigued?  Keep an eye out for the return of the 28 DAY DETOX....starting March 15...

To your greatest health,
Jennifer