It is finally Spring and it is time to clean, detoxify, rejuvenate and nourish your body.
There is no good health without regular fasting either through a simple water fast or a juice fast.
I generally prefer and recommend the juice fast, as it is very clean and simple to follow.
All you need is a juicer, preferably a masticating or slow juicer to preserve as many nutrients as possible.
Juices are easily assimilated into the blood stream giving the body an immediate source of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, micronutrients and electrolytes. The juice cleanse allows the body to easily remove toxins improving liver and kidney function. The intestinal tract is prompted to get rid of old debris from the walls of the gut that accumulated over time.
Some symptoms that can be experienced during the detox:
– Headache and some fatigue may occur in about 2-3 days of the cleanse. It is a sign of toxins being released into the blood stream. Do not worry. It will pass.
-Cravings for solid foods,it is important not to eat any solid foods during this time. If you have a strong craving, prepare an extra glass of juice and sip on it.
Important steps during your juice fast:
- Every morning drink a glass of warm water with a slice of lemon.
- Prepare fresh juices every day and drink at least 16 oz 4-6 times per day.
- Drink water between juices for hydration.
- Try not to eat any solid foods.
- Go to bed early.
- Do stretching exercises every day for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Do dry skin brushing before showers.
JUICE RECIPES
Rich green Juice
-4-6 kale leaves
-1 medium size cucumber
-3 stalks of celery
-1 Granny Smith apple
-1 cm ginger root
-may add some lemon juice
Carrot/Beet juice Plus
-2 large carrots
-1/2 medium beet
-1 Granny Smith apple
-1/3 Romaine lettuce
-1/2 cucumber
-1/4 lemon peeled
Super Intestinal Detox juice
-3-4 celery stalks
-1 cucumber
-juice of half lemon
-fresh cilantro (just enough to taste)
After 5-7 days of your cleanse, start to consume easy to digest foods: lightly steamed vegetables, avocados and berries.
Gradually (over 3-5 days, return to a clean, no sugar, no wheat and no dairy containing diet), so your body can heal and rejuvenate. The benefit of this hard work will be your great satisfaction that you have accomplish your goal to detoxify your body, weight loss and tremendous boost of energy. It is worth it!!
For more details and for many other detox protocols, healthy weight loss nutrition guidelines and proper supplementation contact me at The Green Heart Naturopathic Clinic.