Detox has a bit of a bad rap, doesn’t it? Traditionally viewed as a time of restriction with little food and low energy, say ‘detox’ to the average person and you’re sure to see them shudder. Luckily, current trends show a movement away from juice fasting and towards nourishment – meaning you can detox without restriction and feel amazing doing it!
Why detox? Well, there are many reasons! Our bodies naturally detox every day, but when they are subjected to an array of assaults (think stress, pollution, poor diet and alcohol) that natural process (and every other metabolic function in the body) can become less efficient. We suggest helping your body’s daily detox along with some easy to implement rituals to keep you feeling vital, vibrant and energized every day!
Wake-up + Stretch
- We love starting the day with a few gentle stretches right out of bed. After a night of sleep and stillness, this is an excellent way to wake up the body and encourage healthy blood flow and circulation. Start with a few deep, grounding breaths and bring movement to your wrists and ankles.
Get (Lymph) Moving
- Along the same lines, before you step into your morning shower, make sure you reach for your dry brush and give yourself a little treatment. Have you heard of lymph? Lymph is a fluid in the body that carries waste and toxins out, but it relies on gravity and movement to do so - which is where dry brushing comes in. Not only does dry brushing help move lymph, it also helps to gently exfoliate skin, another very important organ for effective detoxification.
Sip on This
- Before you worry about breakfast, make sure to sip on a large glass of water – we love spicing ours up with a squeeze of fresh lemon! Starting the day with a heavy breakfast when the body isn’t fully awake is just asking for a slugglish, tired digestive system. Lemon water gently stimulates this system, encourages gentle detox and prepares your body for food.
Detox - With Food!
- Whether a big green salad or a smoothie packed with nutrients, the trend away from restrictive cleanse and diet programs makes it easier than ever to detox on a regular basis. This style of detox also ensures you receive all the essential vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy metabolism and balanced energy levels. Wondering what to do? It’s simple! Get rid of all the junk (sugar, alcohol, caffeiene etc…) and focus on nutrient rich foods like whole grains, lean proteins and of course, fruit and vegetables!
One of our favourite detox recipes is an easy green smoothie containing our fresh Spirulina! Spirulina is an amazing food for detoxification because it nourishes the body with a wide array of nutrients while also supporting the three main organs of elimination (the colon, liver and kidneys). Spirulina contains super high levels of chlorophyll which helps to naturally remove heavy metal accumulation, as well as B vitamins, vitamin E, zinc, selenium and potent antioxidants like phycocyanin and beta-carotene to help fight free radical damage and protect cells from damage.
Ingredients:
1 cup organic spinach
1 cup chopped cucumber
1 tsp peeled and minced ginger
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp cilantro
1 cup filtered water
1 cube of SpiraVeg Fresh Spirulina
2-4 ice cubes
Directions:
Add spinach, cucumber, ginger, lemon juice, cilantro, water and ice cubes to blender + blitz until smooth
Add your cube of frozen fresh spirulina to smoothie and allow it to melt before stirring or shaking to mix further (to protect the fragile spirulina cells!).
Enjoy! Let us know if you give this recipe a try :)
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