No matter how much we work on staying at my optimal health, living in a big city and career obligations catch up with my body and mind. That is what brought me to my first cleanse many years ago. I was feeling overwhelmed, overweight and overextended. As a yogi I can’t praise enough the practice of regular cleansing in the year to observe, pamper and thank my body.
After studying and trying many ways to cleanse, this is what I know as a Yoga Health Coach, a good cleanse has to address both internal and external toxins. It has to deal with the toxins we eat, drink, breath and put on our bodies AND also with the internal toxicity created by the body as it performs its normal everyday functions.
I believe that cleansing isn’t about starving yourself or skipping meals. Ayurveda offers a straightforward approach to detoxing and to me the most efficient and with long lasting results because Ayurveda encourages your body to do it’s thing.
So how do you know if it’s time for you to try a cleanse?
YOU’RE FEELING SPENT, TIRED AND WANT MORE ENERGY
If you’re feeling lethargic and drained and don’t have the energy to live your daily life with vibrancy, your diet could be the culprit. A cleanse clears your system of any foods that are squashing your energy (the biggest culprits are usually sugar, dairy and caffeine) and gives your digestive system a reset.
YOU’RE CARRYING EXTRA WEIGHT, FEELING BLOATED OR PUFFY
If you want to lose weight in a way that nourishes your body and gets you on the right track for changing your habits for the long term, a cleanse can be a great place to start. By cutting out the foods that triggers weight gain and learning to find healthy replacements, you’ll be setting yourself up for sustainable weight loss.
YOU WANT TO CLEAN UP A SLUGGISH DIGESTION
If you often feel constipated, bloated, gassy, or have stomach aches and indigestion, it may be time to clean up your gut with a cleanse. A healthy digestion is one of the cornerstones of Ayurveda and an indication that you’re living optimally a cleanse can ignite your digestive fire.
YOU WANT CLEARER, GLOWING SKIN
Your skin is a mirror of the internal state of your body. If you’re having breakouts or other skin issues, it can be a sign that something on the inside isn’t right. Skin issues are often a result of inflammation in the body, so removing anti-inflammatory foods on a cleanse can result in your skin clearing up and having a healthy glow.
YOU’RE FEELING ADDICTED TO CERTAIN FOODS
We all know the feeling of being attached to foods – needing that coffee, glass of wine, cheese or chocolate. If you’re relying on certain things like caffeine and sugar to get through the day, a cleanse can help you reset, and begin to crave things that truly nourish you.
YOU WANT TO KICK-START A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE AND NEW HABITS FOR THE LONG TERM
Sometimes, being disciplined for a short period of time can help you find the middle way. If you want to create a lifestyle that is healthy, but you don’t even know where to start, a cleanse might be a great option. You’ll learn new healthy ideas, and reset your days to be more health-supportive.
WHEN SHOULD YOU NOT DO A CLEANSE?
If you’re feeling weak and run down, or your body is underweight, cleansing may not be the best choice for you.
Getting ready for the cooking season - aka Holiday Season- makes me a serious snacker. The anticipation of tasting a new recipe or eating my favorite ones makes me real hungry. I know I will be eating a big meal, so I try not to eat too much before a dinner party. This can result in either feeling frustrated (celery sticks are not exciting, I don't care what Dr. Oz says) or feeling guilty (once a bag of chip is open, it will be eaten; Oprah is right!). So I'm always trying to improve the quality of my snacks so they are pack with nutrition and are exciting to eat and, easy and fun to prepare. So I am presenting one of my favorite snack.
Almond butter is high in protein and easy to make. I know you can buy almond butter already made, but preparing it while cooking a dish, somehow makes me feel more satisfy (it's about the labor, not the fruit of it). Serving it with fruits, veggies or rice crackers proves to be a delicious and satisfying.
It’s that time of the year when Summer is upon us, and all of Winter’s extra calories and Spring’s extra allergens catches up with our bodies. As we progress into our Spring Cleaning, it is also a good time to do some good Digestive Cleaning. This Cucumber and Avocado Soup is a great Spring/Summer addition to your Detox recipes. The green color is so mesmerizing and the flavor is soothing and just kewl.
