There are those who have time for 5k hikes in the woods, for overhauls to their physique, for yoga instructor certifications. I am not one of those people. Proudly, I do claim to have found many small inroads to health. I make time for my health in those minutes and moments available to me every day. This isn’t a unique claim – many of us have found ways to make our daily lives healthier. We take the stairs, we “walk the lot”, or bike to work. We hit the salad bar at lunch, we get our sleep. The bad news is: it’s not enough.The good news is: you can do more, and easily.
Do what’s easy – do what works
I’ve noticed that some people look worried when I mention DETOX, like it’s a complicated process that requires special certification. Don’t worry! Detoxification is really just reversing the process of “toxification”. We have natural processes in our bodies (and entire organs!), dedicated to this task, around the proverbial clock. Unfortunately, our urban and suburban environments make it difficult for these natural procedures to keep up. We have to help to flush the bad stuff, and that’s really all we are doing when we “detox”. For many of us, myself included, it helps to have an official name for what we are doing when we take care of ourselves in this way. When I start to feel sluggish, de-energized, achy and dull-witted, I know the clock is ringing detox o’clock.
Raid the Pantry
Your kitchen likely already houses several detoxifying agents. Have you got any of these magic ingredients? Here are a few to try. You don’t necessarily need a special recipe for these foods in order to benefit from ingesting them, but a quick internet search will render many delicious options (perhaps for sharing!).
- Chamomile – Most famously as a tea, chamomile is an anti-inflammatory that yields many benefits. Here’s a list of highlights!
- Apples – That saying about the apple a day? Not for nothing! A delicious, crunchy apple can help you to refresh. Although not for everyone, this apple detox diet can be done on a weekend to help you break from some toxic habits and their effects.
- Collard Greens – These leafy veggies can help you to detoxify, and in fact they are known for their antioxidant properties. If you are interested in juice as a source of detoxifying nutrients, check out Collard Greens and other options, here.
- Fennel – Too many benefits to list. This one isn’t suitable for everyone, so do your homework. Read all about fennel, here.
- Garlic – delicious, versatile, full of vitamin C and antioxidants, garlic will support your liver and kidneys as they work hard to jettison the toxins. Not a fan? You can get your daily dose of garlic goodness in supplement form.
- Walnuts – the magic bullet of salads and appetizers – a good dose of B-vitamins and omega 3! Read about other good-for-you nuts, here.
There are a few things that you likely don’t have, or that didn’t occur to you. These are easy and generally inexpensive (especially over the long term) to stock in your bathroom or kitchen cupboard. In my opinion, these are investments rather than expenses, because they pay dividends in energy, mental clarity, and (so I’ve been told) longevity.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – vitamins, minerals, and probiotics! The not-so-secret ingredient of many comprehensive detox plans.
- Goji Berries – These little berries are nutritious in so many ways. Your immune system will thank you! And they are easy and versatile – juice them, top a salad with them, or toss them in your trail mix.
- Magnesium – Most of us do not get enough of this important mineral, and it is essential to our health. But it is also particularly well suited to detox plans. This website sells magnesium, so perhaps there is a slight bias in favour of magnesium supplements here! But they break down the benefits nicely, and they aren’t wrong! You don’t necessarily need a supplement. Magnesium and magnesium fortified foods are widely available and often delicious! Speaking of magnesium-rich foods, dark chocolate made the list…
- Dark Chocolate (the good stuff) – basically, dark chocolate is a “super food”, if you get the right kind. Here’s an overview of what it can do for you.
- A sauna blanket – I have to admit that this product is new to me, but it has been a project of mine to figure out how to incorporate the benefits of FIR (Far Infrared) technology into my routine without breaking the bank. FIR tech is mostly associated with saunas, which are known to have energizing and detoxifying effects. If you have ever enjoyed one of these saunas, you know what I’m talking about. The blanket is somewhat controversial, as the detox effects haven’t been confirmed. However, in my humble, non-expert, opinion, an FIR sauna blanket is a relaxing way to forward your healthy lifestyle. But don’t take my word for it – read the reviews, or skip the blanket and enjoy a detox bath instead.
- Japanese foot patches – These detox patches are simple, inexpensive, and they integrate easily into your bedtime routine. Simplicity and convenience have been key for me. The results are easy to see, when you remove the patch in the morning. Toxins out, supportive nutrients in!
- Green Tea – drink your antioxidants and support your body’s detox process. Delicious, calming, and easy to integrate into your morning, lunchtime, or evening routine. Green tea is also a convenient substitute, available at most coffee shops, if abstaining from caffeine is part of your broader detox plan. Livestrong provides a nice overview.
- An absorbing book – I’m not sure what experts in the scientific, medical, or holistic communities have to say about this, but in my opinion, there is just as much toxicity in our lifestyles as in our environments. Imagine you’re enjoying your dark chocolate with your green tea, while snuggling under a sauna blanket with something you’ve been aching to read.
… Got that feeling in mind? Detox is easy, and easy to enjoy as part of your lifestyle! I rest my case!
