The Importance of Cleansing YOUR Body

The seasons will be changing soon, and with it, many aspects of our lives will be adapting to it. We put the shorts and t-shirts away, and pull the jeans, sweaters and jackets out from storage. Air conditioning turns into heating, lawnmowing and hedge trimming make way for raking and snowblowing, and running outside in the park becomes running inside on a treadmill (well, it's the other way around here in Arizona). So what do we do to adapt our body's?

Cleansing in preparation for the change of season assists the body in adapting to climatic and physical changes. Doing a cleanse 2-4 times every year can really help to reduce the buildup of toxins and maintain optimal health. Cleansing when the seasons go through their most drastic changes (ie. Spring and Fall), can help the body rejuvenate from, or prepare for the Winter's cold weather, and can also make a big difference for seasonal allergy sufferers.

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In today's world, it be almost impossible to completely avoid chemicals, food additives and other environmental pollutants. These toxins, along with stress, allergies and poor digestion can really be rough on the body. Now, our bodies are naturally designed to eliminate toxins...however, as we get older and the body slows its production of enzymes, these chemicals begin to build up in our system and make it much harder to get rid of them. Cleansing and detoxifying our bodies every now and then can help to remove these toxins in a safe and natural way, and allow us to live healthier lives.

There are many different cleanses out there, and you just have to find one that is right for you. You'll find cleanses through herbal supplementation (fiber tablets or powders, milk thistle and a laxative, along with a proper food diet) as well as natural food cleansing (check out the 'lemonade cleanse', or a 'juicing cleanse'). These cleanses can also last for different lengths of time. Herbal supplement cleanses will generally be 5-10 days long, whereas the more thorough food cleanses will ask that you do them for 2 weeks and possibly even 2 months (for people with present health conditions).
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There are two good documentary movies out there right now that provide some great information about living healthy, taking proper supplementation and giving your body what it needs to heal itself. The first one is called Fat Sick & Nearly Dead, and the other film is called Foodmatters. To get a different perspective on things, go check out these two films...and who knows, maybe it'll change your life!

Recommended Diet for Cleansing
*Drink at least (8) 12oz. glasses of water each day, and choose fresh organic whole foods low in saturated fat to make the most of your cleanse.

Breakfast Options - Choose from whole fresh fruit, whole fruit juices, smoothies, oatmeal with fresh fruit and honey, whole grain cereal, whole grain bread or muffin, yogurt, eggs, tofu, decaffeinated coffee or tea.

Lunch Options - Choose from salad with colorful vegetables, legumes, fresh fruit, fish, chicken, soup and steamed veggies.

Afternoon Snack - Choose form whole grain bread or muffin, handful of nuts, trail mix or dried fruit, fruit bars, fruit smoothie, cup of decaffeinated tea, green tea or peppermint tea.

Dinner Options - Choose from fresh salad (with oil and vinegar dressing instead of blue cheese or ranch), fish, chicken ot tofu, veggie burger, soup, brown wild rice, whole grain pasta with tomato sauce, and/or fresh steamed vegetables.

*Avoid caffeinated drinks, soft drinks, alcohol, red meat, refined sugars, artificial sweeteners, and processed foods such as lunchmeats, boxed meals, individually wrapped cheese slices.

Do you have a favorite cleanse that you've tried, or are currently trying?