Each new year brings a time of hope and aspiration, reflection and review. Whatever your tradition or customs for the new year, we can all benefit from a detox of some kind.
Detox is a general term for following a diet or plan to remove toxins from the body. Detoxing comes under fire from the medical community at times who point out that the body is designed to eliminate metabolic waste and harmful chemicals (the toxins) on its own. While that’s true, in this day and age the body does sometimes need a little help and what better time than the new year, when you’re motivated and ambitious to achieve?
Meat Detox
Last January I went vegetarian for a month. While I maintain a pretty healthy diet throughout the year, it was fun to set a challenge and it spurred me on to embrace an 80% plant-based diet. This means I opt for more vegan options than before, with less meat, less dairy and more fruit and vegetables. The 80:20 rule allows me to choose when to indulge in a steak, some bacon, cake and chocolate, etc. Having no hard and fast rules can make eating healthily an easier commitment to stick to. Try reducing or eliminating meat from your diet to see the benefits.
Raw Fruit and Vegetable Detox
Choose a one, three or seven-day plan and adapt this to your needs. Eat only raw fruits and vegetables but eat as much of them as you like. This means you’ll never go hungry and you will give your digestive system a break from heavy meats, dairy, grains and processed foods.
Salt Flush Colon Cleanse
A salt flush only requires minimum effort and commitment. You can do this in combination with either of the other detox plans or on its own. Use high quality Himalayan salt that is rich in minerals. Fill a liter container with warm water and add a tablespoon of salt. Add some lemon juice if it helps with the taste and drink the solution within five minutes on an empty stomach in the morning. Do this on a day when you can stay home for a few hours, as the solution has a laxative effect and you will start eliminating waste within an hour.
If you have any contraindications to cleanses or high blood pressure, always check with your doctor first.
Wishing you a healthy and happy new year!
Sara Jones
Spa, Wellness & Lifestyle Expert, Spa Consultant,
Speaker and Founder of Spa & Wellness MexiCaribe magazine
