The time of the year to do a detox/cleansing is quickly approaching and I want to give you

theopportunity to do it right this time. Remember that a detox/cleansing is not a diet or  a reason to loose 10 pounds as spring and summer quickly creep up, (although this may well be the secondary benefits from this process). Participating in a detox is a way to clean out our body from the inside out from all of the pesticides, toxins, coloring in the foods that we consume and the environment in which we live. It is an opportunity to give our bodies a break from working overtime on a daily basis just to try to keep us healthy, so here are some suggestions you can try.  If you are able to follow along for at least 7 days hopefully 21 days you will  experience increased energy, less aches and pains, healthier skin and hair and just overall a feeling of being healthy.  Since we are all at different levels of health, some jobs are more taxing and less flexible than others the recommendations below are simple enough for everyone to comply with.   So choose to do what will be most successful for you.

First, let’s start by cleaning out your refrigerator of all temptations. Eliminating meats, chicken, eggs, fish and dairy from the foods we eat. You coffee drinkers may have a difficult time but no coffee, sodas or juice (unless you are making your own) and for us social drinkers no alcohol. Read labels and cut down on the amount of sugar.  No processed foods.  This is why preparing ahead of time is important for success.

 If you cannot do all of the above at one time just try cutting out 1 thing for a week. Try just drinking water. Or cut meats, poultry or fish out of your diet, or no sugar in your coffee’s or teas, or no white foods (breads cereal, bagels donuts or cake, or no eating food from fast food restaurant.  Then slowly implement another aspect of the detox.

Step #2: keep a journal, what you want to do is jot down how you are feeling, are you cranky, sleepy, have headaches etc.  Keep track of what your tongue looks like and how often you are having bowl movements and what they look like, don’t forget to also make note of your urine, how it smells what color etc.

Step #3: is to sleep your 6-8 hours every night, this is the time to get that massage you’ve been planning for, or taking that yoga class you have been itching to try. Trust that you will want to employ all the techniques to decrease stress, especially if you have stopped drinking coffee, it’s not that easy….

Step #4: avoid haters, some people will want to sabotage your progress, connect with those friends that will be a good source of support for this journey you are about to undertake.

Step #5: here are some suggestions of what you can eat, oatmeal, fruits and vegetables such as plantains, yucca, cucumbers, collard greens, asparagus, sweet potatoes, nuts, broccoli, avocadoes just to name a few.  Break out the juicer and smoothie; this is the time to use it. Go on my website as I will post recipes you can try www.excelwellnessnrehab.com  

Steps #6: keep me posted on your success, don’t think about how many days you have to go but live in the moment, in no time a week will have passed by. In the meantime enjoy it and have fun. Peace and health! Dr. Nivia