Everybody’s talking about doing “detoxes” and “cleanses” … but what does that really MEAN, anyway? And is it even a real thing?
I want to flip the script on that idea as we dive a little deeper into “cleaning it up” this month.
I had a big shift about this a long time ago that completely changed my perspective.
So … a lot of “detoxes” focus on eliminating toxins and getting rid of wastes that are in your body.
Here’s the issue with that: Your body already has a complex and amazing built-in detox system, made up of your skin, lungs, kidneys, colon, and liver.
These organs all work together to filter out toxins and waste, and then help you get rid of them by sweating, through your breath, or when you’re in the bathroom. I still believe in a good cleanse/detox once or twice a year, but we can do so much in between!
FACT: If there’s a breakdown in this system, you probably should see a doctor!
BUT … what if the toxins in the foods you eat, the products you use on your body, or the chemicals in your environment start to overload your detox system, putting a lot of stress on it?
It can get to the point where your body can’t keep up with eliminating them as fast as you absorb them, and they start to build up in your body. This isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds.
Since we can’t actually SEE toxins, here’s a stat that can make it real:
Did you know that the average newborn baby has 287 known toxins in their umbilical cord blood (this is according to the Environmental Working Group)? 😳
And the breakdown of those toxins includes 180 that cause cancer in humans or animals, 217 that are toxic to the brain/nervous system, and 208 that are linked with birth defects or development problems in animal research.
Talk about a toxic load!
What if instead of focusing on CLEANING OUT toxins from your body ... you did your best to avoid them in the first place?!
That way, you’re “detoxing” your INPUT as much as possible, before it ever hits your system.
You can do that by upgrading the quality of what you feed your body and also what you surround it with. This will help reduce your overall toxic load. (I have a ton of info about this in my Clean It Up Challenge Guide.)
I’m talking about:
- Foods with fewer pesticides, antibiotics, contaminants, etc.
- Personal care products with fewer known toxins
- Staying away from plastic water and food storage containers
- Using more green home care products
With a little intention, you can lower the number of toxins you’re exposed to in the first place!
It’s a much more PROactive approach to your wellness.
So: I have a little bonus challenge for you today! One of the best things you can do to help your body’s detox system do its job is to DRINK WATER! (From a BPA-free container, obviously – and bonus points if it’s filtered water!)
This helps your system flush out all those waste products.
Exactly how much water you need every day depends on (among other things) how active you are, any health issues you may have, and your size.
But as a general rule, shoot for at least half of your body weight in ounces (Ex: 150lbs shoot for 75 ounces of water). If you struggle drinking water try adding a drop or two of Young Living Vitality Essential Oils (my go-to is peppermint, grapefruit, lemon, or lime)!
Track your intake today and post in the Facebook group!
It’s not the big things we do once in a while, but the small things we do CONSISTENTLY that bring results. Make sure and download my free 5-Day Clean It Up Challenge to give you a step-by-step guide to help removed the daily toxins!
REFERENCE:
Interested in ways to support your wellness with chemical-free options? Click HERE!
Did you know what you eat (and what you don't eat) can affect how you age?
I have a little assignment for you today that might lead you to a delicious project!
Go into your kitchen and look inside your pantry ... and then open up your fridge and take a look in there, too.
What’s inside can make a BIG difference in how you age.
A lot of times people talk about what you SHOULDN’T eat – like sugar, processed foods, etc. – because they are linked with a higher risk of disease.
BUT there are actually foods that help FIGHT a major factor in aging. Plus, they can reduce aches and pains.
There’s a process in your body that plays such a huge role in aging that it’s actually been called “inflammaging” – inflammation + aging.
- Research shows a key sign of aging is having more inflammatory markers in your bloodstream.
- Inflammation is your body’s immune response to toxins as it tries to remove them from your system.
- It can cause aches and pains – and over the long term it can actually trigger chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease & strokes, mood disturbances, and it’s even linked with Alzheimer’s!
- Low-grade inflammation is highly influenced by your gut microbiome … and by what you eat!
Science shows that changing your diet to include more anti-inflammatory foods can help slow, stop, or maybe even REVERSE low-grade inflammation.
Here’s your anti-inflammatory food checklist:
- Veggies – a colorful array that includes tomatoes & leafy greens
- Fruits – strawberries, blueberries, oranges, etc.
- Nuts – tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, etc.) are a good source of healthy fats
- Fish – especially fatty fish (like salmon) that contain omega-3 fatty acids
- Whole grains – contain important vitamins and fiber
If you don’t have many of those foods in your kitchen, think about adding them to your grocery list for this weekend!
Then … experiment with some fun recipes: here are some to check out: https://www.eatingwell.com/gallery/12952/anti-inflammatory-recipes/ )
Together, these foods provide antioxidants, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, prebiotics, and polyphenols to help your body function optimally.
Another possible add-on that research shows might help: probiotics – but be sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about supplements before you add them to your routine! This is what I have found to be extremely effective: Life 9
Another daily addition I personally add is 2-4 ounces of Ningxia Red. This delicious whole-body nutrient is packed full of antioxidants to combat oxidative stress, support normal cellular function, and promotes natural energy levels! It fills in the gaps I might be missing from my food.
As you can see, it’s not only what you don’t eat that matters for your health – it’s also what you DO eat!
We’re all about creating REAL sustainable transformation and change. Reach out if I can help you in any way.
REFERENCES:
Interested in ways to support your wellness with chemical-free options? Click HERE!
