I like to reset my body in Spring and make the most of all the fresh seasonal produce that's available at this time of the year. Detoxifying is a way to eliminate the pollutants that our bodies are exposed to daily. Through food (consuming healthy ones and eliminating unhealthy ones), drink (taking in hydrating and cleansing liquids), and our skin (sweating flushes toxins out of the body), a detox is a great way to remove waste from our tissues.
Here are 4 simple tools for getting you started with your Spring clean slate. It's a great way to reset your system, assist your body in eliminating toxins, help enhance weight loss as well as your overall wellbeing and help clear up your skin.
Remember that a detox plan is not about starving or sipping on lemon water all day. In fact, I recommend you incorporate healthy fats, proteins and carbohydrates for effectively detoxifying your body.
4 Easy Tips To Get You Started
Studies show that it takes about 21 days to change a habit. I guarantee you’ll naturally lean towards this one and in return, you’ll get a healthier body weight and will feel amazing.
I believe that making small healthy changes lead to long-term positive results. For a healthy way to detox, I recommend implementing these 4 little tweaks to your diet for at least one week and notice how you feel. To make them a habit you only need to continue beyond one week, in 21 days you got it.
1. Eat and drink green
This is a time for healthier eating. Sugary, fried, fatty and high carbohydrate foods put stress on the liver, so it's best to keep your meals light and fresh, with a focus on green, nourishing foods such as dark leafy vegetables, cucumber, celery and avocados. Raw juicing and smoothies are a great way to get a concentrated source of nutrition, which can help to regenerate cells in our body. It also allows your body to receive plenty of phytonutrients that can’t be obtained by eating a large serving of fruits and vegetables.
2. Increase herbal teas intake
Whilst a cup of espresso in the morning will definitely wake you up, it also elevates cortisol—your stress hormone. The caffeine kick lasts pretty much for only an hour; after that, you begin to feel your energy drop.
There is a vast array of herbal teas and blends: thyme with squeezed lemon and honey, fresh ginger with lemongrass, burdock, dandelion root, red clover, nettle, liquorice, lemon verbena, milk thistle, calendula, rhubarb and so on… choose your faves and turn the kettle on! Brewing a herbal cup promotes a state of relaxation, supports the adrenal system and fights inflammation (the way your body reacts to stress).
3. Cut the C.R.A.P
This is an acronym that stands for Coffee, Refined Sugar, Alcohol and Processed foods. It basically means enjoying real wholesome foods that are full of antioxidants, vitamins and nutrition for optimal health & wellbeing. It’s also important to ensure you are including quality protein sources in your diet. This is essential as your body needs adequate amino acids for the construction of enzymes and other molecules that help your liver break down toxins into smaller components to be eliminated from the body.
4. Drink water
A staple in a detox plan. If you want to keep your digestive system moving and get rid of body toxins, thus drink plenty of water. I always drink a few glasses of water in the morning as soon as I open my eyes. You can squeeze a little bit of lemon for a major detox effect.
Our Detox Remedies for Skin
Detox Facial Steam
What about starting with a nice herbal face steam? Herbal steams are designed to clean and prepare the skin for a facial treatment. They clear pores of excess oil, dirt and bacteria, promote circulation, oxygenation and detoxification encouraging moments of deep and relaxed breathing. This detox remedy clears the maxillary sinuses and is very effective in alleviating headaches.
Add the essential oils to a bowl filled with hot water and breathe. You can cover your head with a towel to contain the steam concentrated in your face, this is optional.
Ingredients:
4 drops Spearmint essential oil (optional add mint leaves)
4 drops Rosemary essential oil (optional add rosemary sprigs)
2 cups of boiling water
Detox Body Oil
Detoxify with this gorgeous blend of juniper, grapefruit and rosemary oils, invigorating and deeply nourishing your skin. Use on its own as part of your bath ritual.
Ingredients:
3 tbsp Hazelnut carrier oil + 3 tbsp Sesame carrier oil
3 drops Lemon essential oil
3 drops grapefruit essential oil
2 drops juniper essential oil
2 drops rosemary essential oil
Vegan Charcoal Face Mask
For purifying your skin and bring your natural glow back.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon activated charcoal powder
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
1 drops tea tree essential oil
2 Lavender essential oil
2 geranium essential oil
How to prepare it
Mix the activated charcoal and aloe vera gel in a glass bowl. You may adjust the quantity of the gel to better suit your needs. Add the essential oil and mix to form a paste. Use a brush to apply the mixture on your face and let it dry. Wash it with warm water followed by cold water. Follow up with your face serum and moisturiser.
Considering the effects of chemicals in the environment, toxins that we ingest, and the stress from the frantic pace of our everyday lives, it makes sense to take some time to detox regularly during the changing season of Spring and Autumn.
Glow Naturally,
Sonia x