Why You Should Eat Organic

There is a good chance that you have seen an organic food aisle at one of your local grocery stores.  In fact, you may have even driven past a farmers market where organic food was sold.  Unfortunately, if you are like many other Americans, there is a good chance that you kept right on walking or driving by.  This is because many individuals do not eat or understand the benefits of organic foods.

However, more and more health conscious individuals are making the organic choice.  Many claim that eating organic foods helps to promote lifelong health and happiness.  Organic food consumption has increased in popularity over the years and that increase continues to rise at a relatively steady pace.  If you are interested in eating organic foods, but if you have never done so before, you may be wondering what the benefits are.  If so, please continue reading on.

Image by lorises via FlickrWhen it comes to organic foods and their benefits, you will find quite a few reasons to make the switch.  For starters, did you know that organic foods can help the environment?  They can and this is a point that many do not take into consideration at first.  Farmers who put pesticides in their fields and on their foods are not only putting consumers at risk, but the environment as well.  Depending on which pesticides and other chemicals are used, the soil and other nearby areas can suffer damage.  By eating organic foods, you are providing a small, yet still helping hand to help protect the environment, as well as your fellow human beings, from the effects of these toxins.

Another unique benefit to eating organic that many individuals do not think of right away is the assistance that is provided to organic farmers and organic food manufacturers.  Right now, the number of organic food manufacturers is quite small in comparison to conventional producers, and many are small to medium sized businesses.  The same can be said for farmers.  The decision for many farmers and companies to go organic can be difficult and risky.  Therefore, by purchasing organic foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, you can take comfort in knowing that you are helping many small to medium sized farmers and organic food companies stay in business.

Organic foods can also help to improve your body and health.  In fact, organic foods may be able to help cleanse or detoxify your body from harmful chemicals.  When you stop eating foods that are tainted with pesticides and other chemicals, your body will expel the current and remaining toxins from your body.  This means that your body should be clean, chemical free, and pesticide free after a specific period of time.  Of course, remember that you want to stay healthy.  For that reason, if you decide to start eating organic foods, try to stick with it as much as possible - this isn't one of those fad diets.  If you are a parent, one of the best ways to help ensure that your child has a happy and healthy life is to get them started on eating organic foods as early as possible. (Check back later this week for some helpful info on buying or making your own organic baby food.)

Image via WikipediaAnother one of the many benefits to eating organic foods is the quality.  In fact, many individuals claim that organic food tastes much better.  Many conventional fruits and vegetables are picked completely green, then sprayed with chemicals to "ripen" them. However, the taste of a real, ripe fruit is missing. These chemicals cannot be used on organics, so they are often picked at a riper stage. Also, organic fertilizers provide much more natural and complete nourishment to the plants, so there is some evidence that the resulting produce tastes better because the plants are healthier.

As you can see, there a number of benefits to eating organic foods.  In fact, the above mentioned benefits are just a few of the many reasons why organic food should be given a close examination.  If you would like more information on organic foods, including the benefits of eating them, keep an eye on this blog, and also visit your local farmer's market and ask about organic foods. You may also wish to visit our CSA page, which discusses a great way to find locally grown organic foods.

Oh, and one last thing - while many people think that eating organic is too expensive, there are ways around this. Often, by eating local, you can switch almost entirely to organic food, for close to the same price as what you've been spending on conventionally grown. See our previous blog post on this topic.

Garden of Life Perfect Cleanse - Final Review

Okay, so I finished the cleanse, and here are my final thoughts/comments. I will share them in the form of pros and cons, and you can make up your own mind.

Pros:

• Lots of energy throughout the cleanse
• Felt I did rid my body of extra waste
• Drank lots of water
• Didn't feel sick or uncomfortable
• Easy to take/work into my schedule, since you take everything in the evening
• Didn't get the stomach flu many others had at the time (not sure if this was actually related, but I have heard that doing a cleanse can rid your body of harmful bacteria, and can stop the stomach flu quickly)
• Affordable

Cons:

• Couldn't take all my vitamins on my regular schedule, since I didn't want them flushed out of my system
• Really really bad (smelly) gas for the last few days(!!)
• Having to plan dinner around the cleanse/keep track of timing of when to take things

Other observations/notes:

•  I did "cheat" and skip one day, as I had plans to go out for dinner, and couldn't really gulp down a big glass of brown slime at the restaurant! I hope that didn't affect the results too much - it didn't seem to.... (I did finish the whole 10 days - I just skipped one night - I think #6 - and then picked back up the next night)
• I didn't put this in the cons, because it wasn't really that bad, but drinking the powdered mix part was a bit gross at first. Actually it wasn't - it had no smell, and tasted only mildly nutty, but it was both slimy and gritty, so the texture wasn't that fun, and it looked like a glass of brown slime (due to the psyllium husks and flax seeds). But by the 3rd night I was used to it, and really didn't mind it at all. I found it was best to let the powder settle completely into the water before stirring, to avoid lumps. Then continue to stir while drinking, as it settles fast.
• Other than the gas, the other "cons" were really minor. It did fit well into my schedule (other than the restaurant dinner), and was easy to take. I do feel cleaner afterward, and well-hydrated, with good energy.

I am glad I did the cleanse, and would (and may) do it again - just not for a while.  It is definitely affordable compared to many of the other systems out there, and I know the ingredients are really pure and all-natural - no fillers or artificial anything (I am really impressed with the quality of all the Garden Of Life supplements I have seen so far).

If you are interested in trying a cleanse that is affordable and easy to take, you may want to try this one. Just be prepared to shun society for a few days if the gas hits! :-)  (Although it may not, since every body works differently....) You can find it at many health food stores or online, including on Amazon.com.

Garden of Life 10-Day Perfect Cleanse:
  

Video - Detox Smoothie Recipe

Here is a quick video with a recipe for making a tasty fruit and fiber smoothie that can help to clean toxins out of your system. Make sure you are using organic fruits, to avoid adding toxins back into your system. You can use this with your detox program, or just as part of your regular diet to keep you clean and healthy.

You can find Stevia (which is the all-natural sweetener she uses - she used the liquid, but there are powder forms available too) and flax seed online very easily.

How to Make Vegetable & Fruit Smoothies : Detox Recipes for Healthy Fruit & Vegetable Smoothies
Learn the basic ingredients to make a detox smoothie recipe and the health benefits of a detox smoothie in this free nutritional video on making healthy fruit and vegetable smoothies. Expert: Nili Nathan Contact: earth911.org Bio: Nili Nathan, host o...



Some Ingredients from this Video:
  

Home Body-Detox Programs

From birth up to the present, your body has accumulated a build up of many toxins (often called your "toxic load"). Some of the chemicals from all the foods and beverages that you've taken in your entire lifetime will build up because the body can't handle the detoxification process alone, due to the sheer amount of toxins we are now all exposed to.

Image via WikipediaThus comes the detox program. Many people swear by detox programs as the solution to their unhealthy way of life. (Unhealthy meaning you are doing things which are somewhat harmful to your body. A typical example is cigarette smoking and drinking alcohol. Cigarettes and alcohol have many harmful chemicals that are considered toxins once they entered a person's body.)

Through a good detox program, you can expect to gain higher energy levels, relieve symptoms of asthma/diabetes, and slow down your aging process, as well as other desirable effects. The detox program can also aid your body's natural detox process. Since almost everyone has some sort of 'bad' eating habit, not to mention their 'other' unhealthy ways of life, the body can't cope with all the toxins that need to be removed, which causes an imbalance in the body.

Detox programs can be easily done at home. There are a number of home body-detox programs available, lasting anywhere from 5 days to 2 weeks or more. These programs are focused in helping you lose weight, enhance circulation, increase body elimination, colon cleansing, detox diet, and provide nutrients for the liver. If you still don’t know yet, the liver is the main organ of the body which is responsible for the detoxification process. So you really need to protect and support this body organ.

Some people who have undergone this type of home body-detox program say that they were able to lose weight much more quickly than other weight-loss products. Aside from that, they noticed that they now have clearer skin, improved digestion, improved energy, normal bowel movements, etc.

Image by Jeff Hester via FlickrHome body-detox programs also teach you what foods are best for the body. Fresh vegetables and fruits are great for almost any weight loss program, most especially with a home detox. You can eat broccoli, onions, and sprouts, green and red veggies, fruits, and more (you should really try if at all possible to eat ONLY organic foods during your detox program, to avoid introducing new toxins into your body through your food).

Virgin oils, lemon water, rice milk, and non-caffeinated, unsweetened drinks (like tea) are also good for a home detox program. Drinking at least eight glasses of water everyday is also advisable.

A good home body-detox program will help a person restore his/her body's balance, and efficiently removes many toxin build ups. Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean that you will no longer have toxins in your system. If you continue with your unhealthy lifestyle, over time you will again build up toxins in your body.

Start by slowly changing your lifestyle now. There are many resources which you can make use to aid you in changing little by little. This might take a long time, but your body will thank you for your efforts to adapt a healthier way of life.

Perfect Cleanse - Day 5

Okay, so I'm half-way through the Garden Of Life 10-Day Perfect Cleanse....  How clean am I? Not sure.... So far the side effects haven't been too bad except for (and forgive my over-sharing here, but this was about a detox cleanse so, what did you expect?) :-)  the toxic gas....   Yes, that is right, I said toxic gas - as in, it could possibly kill a horse, and definitely a canary (or a whole flock)! (Ha ha - see picture below....)

Image by macspite via FlickrFortunately it does not occur constantly, so I'm still okay as far as the "not interfering with my everyday life" - it's mostly first thing in the morning, or at night after dinner, so as long as I avoid people during those times, I'm not actually gassing anyone but myself.... and I manage to suffer through somehow.

I still feel that I'm not eating as clean as I should during a cleanse - way too much sugar (what was I thinking, starting this during Valentine's week?), and also white flour. But since I eat mostly organic anyway, and lots of veggies, I guess I'm doing okay. My hardest thing has been resisting my nightly small glass of red wine, and I have succumbed a couple of times I admit, but I've been pretty good there for the most part. I wish the instructions that came with the kit had given some guidance on what to eat or not to eat during this week - that would have been helpful.

Anyway, I don't have a lot to report. Other than the gas, there have been no noticeable stomach issues, and the only other thing is the being extra thirsty, which I believe I mentioned last time. That has continued, so I'm well hydrated these days!  The one other good thing I've noticed, and I can't say for sure that it is the cleanse, but I really suspect it is, as I can't think of anything else I've changed lately - my energy level is awesome! I'm typically not a morning person, and I like to sleep late whenever I can. It's often a struggle to get out of bed, and I also sometimes get tired in the afternoon. This week I've been bouncing up like an Energizer bunny (well, sort of), and I can go all day without slowing down - I feel very alert, fresh, strong, and motivated to work out, even late into the evening.  Even on the weekend when I sleep in, it's more that I choose to - not that I feel I have to.

So it's going well, but I am still looking forward to being done with it next week. Be sure to check back for a wrap up and final review then!
Have a great weekend!
Rose.

Garden of Life Cleanse - Day 3

Well, here we are - just wanted to post an update on the cleanse. I am into Day 4 now of the 10-Day Perfect Cleanse (well, I've taken it for 3 nights now - tonight will be the 4th).  So far, so good!

Image by anolobb via FlickrI was mostly worried about A. feeling sick the whole time, and B. running to the bathroom every 10 minutes - neither of which has happened. I feel normal - great actually - I seem to have a lot of energy this week, though I don't know if that's really from the cleanse or not. The only bad night was the first night, when I had some unpleasant stomach issues all evening - but these started before I even took any of the cleanse stuff, so I don't think it was related. Other than that, there has only been occasional (and minor) gas, and not sure if that is related either, but it could be.

The only other issue I have noticed that seems unusual is that I am VERY thirsty - I'm drinking about one and a half times as much water as normal throughout the day (and this does not include the combined 24oz which is needed each evening with the cleanse stuff). But I don't seem to be using the bathroom more, so maybe I was just dehydrated!

Also, just to avoid introducing other toxins into my body during the cleanse (and to prevent flushing away expensive vitamins), I am not taking my normal vitamin regimen (although the package did not say to discontinue this), except for my probiotics and whole-food supplement (also by Garden of Life), and Vitamin D - all of which I take in the morning, so it's not too close to the cleanse products.

Anyway, I'll post another update in a few days, so stay tuned!
Rose.

Review - Garden of Life 10-Day Cleanse - Part 1

I know we usually share news articles and resources here, but this week I'd like to share a story that's a bit  more personal.

As we are all aware, there are hundreds of different "detox" and "cleanse" products out there - how in the world are we supposed to figure out which ones are best? Here are a few common concerns, when considering a cleanse:

• Does it work? Is this product actually going to do anything or just be a waste of money? How will I know it is actually doing what it says it will do?
• Will I feel so crummy during the cleanse that I won't be able to continue and finish it, or that it disrupts my daily life?
• Is it actually a high quality product, or is it going to actually introduce new toxins into my body that weren't there before?
• Do I have to drastically change my diet or stop taking medications, vitamins, or supplements during the cleanse, or will it it interfere?

At least, these have been concerns that have come to mind for me. You may have others as well. I have found a couple of detox programs that looked really effective, high quality, and were from trusted sources, but they were very expensive, and since I was worried about all of the concerns mentioned above, I couldn't justify purchasing the system without answers.

But one of my goals this year, for health reasons, was to go ahead and do a cleanse of sorts. I eat pretty clean, but I'm sure there's still some gunk in my body that could stand to be cleaned out....  So I decided to try the 10-Day Perfect Cleanse from Garden of Life, as they are one of the few supplement manufacturers that I trust (mainly because they are high potency, very pure, dissolve extremely quickly, are supposed to be highly absorbable by the body, and most contain whole foods and probiotics). I take a lot of their supplements and am very pleased with them, so I'm hoping this one will be no exception.

According to the box, Perfect Cleanse is easy (you only take it in the evening), doesn't interfere with your daily routine ("formulated to enable a normal lifestyle without disruption during your cleanse"), and will purify, capture, and remove toxins from the body. It contains capsules and powder, to be taken before dinner, after dinner, and before bed, every day for 10 days, which isn't as daunting a prospect as some of those 30-day cleanses. It is also much more affordable (I think I paid less than $15 for the kit, on Amazon.com).

But of course, as you know if you've been reading my blogs for a while, I'll never post a review until I've tried it myself!  So (lucky you) you get to go with me on my 10-day journey...   I just started the cleanse last night, and though I won't post daily, I will try to post several times throughout the cleanse, and will give my final overall review of this system at the end.

Be sure to check back soon for updates throughout the week!

Avoiding Processed (Toxic) Foods

Have you ever seen a picture of your blood plasma after you’ve eaten a meal from McDonald’s or Burger King? It’s not a pretty picture. It looks thick and cloudy. Fast foods are loaded with artificial fats and sodium. They use white bread and rolls, which means they’ve used white processed flour, with very few nutrients in it.

Image via Wikipedia
And how do you feel after a Big Mac and french fries? You need a nap, don’t you? All that fat will drag you down and make you feel sluggish and toxic.

Going on a diet may seem hard, but think about some of the things you do when you go on a diet. You eliminate those high fat, processed, high-sodium foods. You eat less, true. But you also eat more raw fruits and vegetables. You drink more water. And the results of eating this way are increased energy, better sleep, less illness, less toxins in the body, and generally better health over all. You can do some of this, without having to give up everything that you enjoy - just cut back on the processed stuff.

Processed foods, with their high fat content are hard to digest. They take an enormous amount of the body’s energy to consume. When your body’s energy isn’t used up digesting all that fat, it’s available for YOU – for work, play, love, exercise – in other words, for LIFE.

These aren’t drastic concepts. You don’t necessarily have to make drastic changes in your lifestyle to be healthier. But take a good look at what you consume without even thinking about it. We reach for the potato chips, or stop at McDonald’s or Taco Bell when we’re hungry and we want something in a hurry.

Image by Public Domain Photos via FlickrIt’s much easier these days to have healthy snacks on hand so you don’t have to stop at a fast food place when you’re hungry. If you’re on the road a lot, and get hungry but haven't packed anything with you, stop and pick up a bag of vegetables or apple slices at a grocery store. Yes, it may be easier to go through the drive-thru at  Wendy’s, but taking a few extra minutes, not to mention a few extra steps, will be well worth it in energy and vitality, and in reducing the toxic load on your body.

Related Articles on Fast Food and Toxins:

• What's Really Going on in Your Fast Food? (grub.gunaxin.com)
• "American Food Policy: Toxic, Starting With Children, Especially From Poor Families" and related posts (downwithtyranny.blogspot.com)
• Taco Bell Sued For Not Using Enough 'Real Beef' In Their 'Beef' (mediaite.com)
• New Dietary Guidelines Show Politics Still Trumps Science (healthland.time.com)
• Healthy at McDonalds? (psychiclunch.com)

Healthy CSA News

As a follow-up to our post from Monday on CSAs (community supported agriculture programs), here are some recent articles on CSAs in the news. This method of farming/eating is growing more and more popular, as people become increasingly aware of the effects of commercially grown, chemically treated foods on our health, and the environment. Participating in a CSA, or patronizing your local farmers' market is one of the best ways to reduce toxins both in your body, and the world at large.

Here is some more info on this interesting community-based method:

How to Pick the Right CSA for You
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a popular and growing business model that allows consumers to become more connected with their local farms and the food they eat. We are just entering into the registration time for Community ...
Publish Date: 02/06/2011 7:55
http://faces-of-local-living.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-to-pick-right-csa-for-you.html

Winter. Or is it?
We farm using natural methods because we care about the health of our families, workers, and customers, and we want to be good stewards of the portion of this earth that is temporarily under our care. ...
Publish Date: 02/03/2011 0:31
http://farmyardcsa.com/blog/?p=332

Utilize your local CSA for the modern Paleo lifestyle
What is a CSA? CSA is an acronym for community supported agriculture. My family uses the Full Circle Farm CSA program at www.fullcirclefarm.com. Every week we receive a "family" sized box of ALL organic fruits and vegetables DELIVERED ...
Publish Date: 01/27/2011 1:38
http://www.kirklandcrossfit.com/kirkland_crossfit/2011/01/utilize-your-local-csa-for-the-modern-paleo-lifestyle.html

CSA News 35: Working Fast to Slow Climate Change, Featured ...
In contrast, organic agriculture - it's called “organic” because it increases soil organic matter - uses natural fertilizers (compost, manure, cover crops, crop rotations, and intercropping) to improve soil health and clean greenhouse ...
Publish Date: 01/24/2011 17:42
http://avalongardens.org/report/2011/01/24/csa-news-35-working-fast-to-slow-climate-change-featured-vegetable-garden-cress-recipes/


Image via WikipediaImportant Note: Remember that CSA sign-up season is NOW! Most CSAs try to fill their memberships by April or May, so don't wait too long, or those in your area may be full. If you are having trouble finding a CSA in your area, post a comment below to let us know, and we'd be happy to try to help!

 

Other Related Articles on CSAs:

• It's CSA Time Again! (thegreenists.com)
• Joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Cooperative - The Pros! (symbolandsubstance.wordpress.com)
• What You Need to Know About CSAs Before Joining (moneyning.com)
• Healthy Eating Tip: Join a CSA (fitsugar.com)
• My CSA Experience: Farm-Fresh Veggies All Summer (and Possibly Winter) (wisebread.com)

Eat Less Toxins and Save Money

We talk a lot about detoxing here on this blog - that is, removing chemicals from your body to reduce your toxic load. But it is equally important (perhaps even more so) to prevent those chemicals from entering your body in the first place. Reducing your toxic load by not contributing to it is actually one of the best and healthiest things to do for yourself. We often share articles and resources on the importance of using natural/organic products on your skin and around your home, but what about your food?  We focus more on that on our Cooking From Scratch blog, but it is also fitting here to talk about just how helpful it can be to "eat clean."

Image via WikipediaSo what does it mean to eat clean, and is it really feasible for most people to eat only (or mostly) organic foods?  First of all, eating clean and healthy does not necessarily cost a lot more money. By watching what you eat, and focusing the majority of your diet on foods that contribute to health, rather than cause health problems, you can actually lower  your cost of living (and your medical bills). Fruits and vegetables are full of healthy vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They also tend to be much cheaper than meat and processed foods, especially if you buy less exotic varieties that grow closer to home.

Also, depending on where you live, you may be able to participate in a co-op or CSA, which can lower your costs, while providing your family with fresh, locally grown, often organic foods, and supporting your community at the same time. I have been a member of a CSA now for almost 3 years, and I can say that while my grocery bills maybe have not gone down, they certainly have not substantially increased - and 95% of the fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy I now consume are organically or naturally grown. I feel so much healthier - have great energy, my skin is better, and I rarely ever get sick with anything - even during the cold winter months of the Midwest.

Image via WikipediaSo, what does all this fresh, local, organic food cost me?  I'll get personal here, and share a breakdown of approximately what I spend - keeping in mind that I get all my meat and eggs through a CSA, and veggies, fruit, and milk about 9 months out of the year. (FYI - the photos on this page aren't from my CSA - sorry - I keep forgetting to take pictures! But the two links below will take you straight to the websites of the CSAs I'm a member of, if you're interested.)

Veggie/Fruit/Milk CSA (Veggies are 100% certified organic, fruit is spot-treated only with minimal chemicals, milk is from pasture-fed, non-hormone, non-antibiotic cows): $640.00 for 20 weeks at a time (Summer and Winter seasons) ($32/week).

Meat/Eggs CSA (Most is organic, all is pasture-fed, no hormones, no antibiotics): $260 for 30+ lbs (and 6 dozen eggs), which lasts me about 6 months, as I try to limit meat consumption for health reasons. (About $11/week.)

Prior to joining a CSA, I spent between $150-$200/month on groceries (as a single person, in a large city in Ohio).  Now I only grocery shop once or twice a month, instead of weekly (or more often), for things like flour, pasta, beans, rice, and that sort of thing. This also cuts down on impulse buys!  My CSAs combined cost me a total of about $175/month. With the occasional grocery shopping trip, I probably do cross $200 once in a while, but not by much.

Image via WikipediaEssentially, I am spending the same amount, to a few dollars more, to eat fresh (usually harvested that morning, in the case of the veggies!), locally grown, mostly organic foods for the majority of my diet. And I also have the pleasure and satisfaction of meeting and supporting local farmers who contribute so much to the community.

If you've never looked into a CSA, make it a point to try one this year. Now is the time when most CSAs are accepting signups - typically they will fill their membership slots before planting time, so they can plan for the season ahead. So don't wait 'til summer, as most do fill up. Check out LocalHarvest.org to find a CSA in your area, or learn more info on CSAs first at http://www.newholisticliving.com/csa.html. Get healthy, reduce your toxic load, and get connected to your community by joining a CSA today!

10 Best Detox Recipes

Cleansing and detoxing your body is a necessity for almost everyone these days - at least everyone living in an industrialized modern society. It can sound pretty, well, "icky"....  But actually there are some easy and even very tasty recipes that can make the process easier, even while getting your body cleaner and less toxic.

Here are a few good ones to try. And feel free to share your own below!

Detox Recipes: 10 Best Recipes to Clean You Out
A detox diet removes toxins and poisons from the body. It is a low-fat, high fiber diet that will aid in cleansing the body. But, even it is a low-fat,
Publish Date: 01/27/2011 8:11
http://www.thedetoxrevolution.com/273/detox-recipes-10-best-recipes-to-clean-you-out/

And once you're clean and feeling great, you may also want to check out our Cooking From Scratch blog for some good healthy recipe ideas (we often feature vegetarian, healthy, and delicious recipes - often using organic ingredients - as well as more "standard" fare, but always without preservatives, artificial fats, or other unhealthy ingredients).

Other Detox Recipe Sources:
    

Try a 5-Day Body Detox Plan

In today's world, you can not realistically go a single day without encountering pollution. At work, you may not be so sure of the cleanliness of the water you drink or of the food you eat. We are all surrounded by people every day, and you can can't escape the fact of air pollution, be it from smokers, perfumes, air "freshener" sprays, or from the exhaust of vehicles. This greatly affects your health in one way or another, whether you know it or not. Don’t be so sure that when your body does not visibly react, that means all is well - many (if not most) chemical interactions may not show any symptoms in your body for months, if not years, down the road (and by then, you won't even know what caused them).

Image via WikipediaFor these reasons, detoxification is necessary in order to maintain a healthy body, contributing also to a healthy mind, and healthy relationships with others.

Our body has its own means of healing and detoxifying. However, when pollutants that enter our body have  accumulated more than the our body's capacity of self cleansing can handle, we are giving our inside mechanisms a hard time. Then the tissues are stressed and therefore can malfunction. And because they are weakened, the internal cleansing process is also affected.

We definitely want a clean body. But we also need to help our system in regulating the body processes. However, you should not wait for your body organs to be stressed out and overworked before doing something. The 5-day detox plan will do a great help in keeping the body systems at work. This 5-day detox plan will rejuvenate the body as well as the spirit, keeping it clean and toned.

A detoxification diet is a part of the 5-day detox plan. During the period of detoxification, certain foods should be avoided. Your meals consist mostly of fresh fruits and green, leafy vegetables. Fats, oil, preservatives and food additives are a big no-no when undergoing the process of detoxification. (YOU SHOULD AVOID ALL PROCESSED AND ARTIFICIAL "FOODS" DURING THIS TIME.) Also, meats should be kept out of the diet during the detox process because they are hard to digest, which makes it harder and slower for the body to rid itself of toxins.

Ideal foods that can be part of your diet are as follow: garlic, broccoli, beets, greens, sweet potatoes, squash, and beans or nuts. Fresh fruit juices can be taken as beverages except for grapefruit. And since water is a universal solvent, six to eight glasses of this should be recommended daily. Water is also a major factor in the detoxification process. It flushes out the toxins in the forms of perspiration, urine, or stool.

Image via WikipediaAlthough you seem to eat less when detoxifying, rest assured that you will not starve, and ironically, you will even boost your stamina. This is because your food intake is limited only to foods which are healthy and are good to the digestive system.

A detoxification plan should be done at least quarterly. To ensure that you are doing your detox correctly and safely, it is best to consult a nutritionist or an alternative healthcare professional. You should also seek a doctor’s advice to ensure that what you will do during the process is actually detoxifying, and not an addition of toxins to your body.

Through the process of detoxification, the toxins are flushed out in your body and new energy is supplied to the body providing you both physical and mental alertness. Cleanliness will then be obtained not only on the outside, but also on the inside.

A Few Detox Resources: