We hope you enjoyed learning the basics about detoxification last week. This week, we will present you with a few more details about this revitalizing process. We hope it will get you going, or perhaps a better word is “glowing,” on track to a healthier lifestyle.

We also want to emphasize that a nutritious diet for weight control goes hand in glove with your regime of ocassional detoxification. Just because you know the secrets of detox does not mean you should ingest all kinds of toxins, and then expect to detox away the harm you might be doing to your body.

Baby Steps to Detoxification

Perhaps you have only read about detox in the tabloids or heard about it from friends who have embarked on an unsupervised or erroneous program. If you are seriously investigating detox for the first time, you will want to know the first requirements; we call them “Baby Steps.”

1.  First, any program you choose from the hundreds that are available, will recommend that you completely stop consuming alcohol, coffee, and cigarettes.
2.  You will also eliminate refined sugars and saturated fats from your menu. You might not have even thought of these substances as “toxins,” but they are. They can be blocking you from feeling your best, and even preventing your body from healing.
3.  You will avoid or mitigate the use of chemical cleaning supplies.
4.  Check your make up and vanity for any cleansers, shampoos, toothpastes and deoderants. Fear not, there are natural alternatives that will keep you just as clean and fresh and socially acceptable as their chemical counter-parts!
5.  Daily stress should also be reduced. Here’s the science behind stress: it causes your body to release stress hormones. If you are utilizing an adrenaline rush to race through each day, you are causing a build up of a large amount of these hormones, which in themselves release toxins and slow down the function of the liver. Thus, we recommend that you detox stressful life situations with such activities as yoga or meditation.

Detoxification expert, Dr. Frank Lippman, who has been detoxing his patients for 20 years with great success, states “No matter which detox you choose, be sure that it supplies all of the critical components needed for an effective detox.” He adds, “Remember that a good cleanse is not about deprivation or starvation, it’s an active process. It’s not just about juices or powders or pills, but equally about supporting yourself with fresh nourishing food to replenish your system.”

The Center for Natural and Integrative Medicine website brings you more details about detoxification. We hope you will take a tour of our pages of information, and glimpse the beautiful natural science behind it. We also caution you to never embark upon this or any other program of supplements, diets or fasts unless you first discuss it with your physician.

A Special Treat For Your Valentine

Grain free and dairy free, this special recipe from our friends at nutritious meals, is sure to please your special someone. With sliced strawberries on top, and topped with coconut cream, this rich cake is pretty enough to substitute for any box of chocolates, and so full of natural deliciousness that your Valentine will never suspect it is healthy!

Ingredients:

1 cup creamy roasted almond butter
2 large organic eggs
1/3 cup melted coconut oil
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond flavoring
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8 x 8-inch pan with coconut oil.
2. Combine all ingredients into a food processor fitted with the “s” blade. Pour into the pan and spread out evenly. Bake for about 30 minutes. Cool, slice, and serve. Source: www.NourishingMeals.com

Next week the Center for Natural and Integrative Medicine blog plans to bring you a new meaning for TLC. Yes, the initials go beyond “Tender Loving Care.” Plus you will love our tips on healthy weight loss.