DAY TEN • Detox (giving your cells a rest too)

​​Along with the need to rest physically, comes the need to rest at a cellular level.  Our body's cells work hard.  They may be small, but they are mighty, and every day they do a profound work.  DAY TEN of our No Excuses November challenge is Detoxification, giving your cells a rest too.  ​

Today's challenge is a simple one -- give your body a break from the less than great.  Detoxification can be attained in many ways but the basics of it is this, eliminate the harmful and flood with good. 

So what is good?  Water is good.  Fresh air is good.  Fresh, whole-food nutrition is good.  Our challenge to you today is a 24-hour fruit and veggie buffet, this will be especially beneficial if paired with nuts, nut cheeses, and dairy-free (low cholesterol) dip and spread options.  Bread, a little oil and vinegar, crackers and hummus are also good to include.  Beans and tortillas with tomatoes, olives, lettuce, and salsa is a good option for those in need of a heartier food.  Your body cells will better be able to heal with a concentrated influx of whole, fresh food.  ​

​Other options include preparing whole-grain oatmeal or cooked whole grains (such as rye, barley, kamut, brown rice, millet, flax, et cetera) with fresh or dried fruits for breakfast (or veggies if you prefer) for breakfast -- an excellent way to start the day.  Whole grain toast with garlic avocado spread, a baked, stuffed sweet potato and side of salad for lunch, and for dinner, a fresh spread of fresh finger foods that will easily digest before you go to bed.  Or make a sandwich with tomato, cucumber, alfalfa sprouts, avocado, and cooked sliced beets!  (Beet sandwiches are one of our favorites.)  You can simply let your imagination soar to come up with all kinds of delicious things!

While you are increasing the volume of fresh foods over the next day, be sure to keep up with your recommended water intake.  With the influx of nutrients, you will want to ensure that any toxins that are released are readily flushed out with adequate water intake.  Adding a slice or two of lemon to your water throughout the day can also boost alkalinity and help your body to detoxify too.

There are more radical detox routines, but we thought we'd start you off with something simple.  You may experience symptoms of detoxification (headache, nausea, need to frequent the bathroom, mood changes or the need to be alone, et cetera) but coupled with the extra rest over the weekend, it shouldn't last very long.  While not all methods are great for every body (example: diabetics will need to pay close attention to the changes they make, for more info try this link), please remember these are only suggestions for you to try -- adapt them as necessary to your particular needs.  Always use your best judgement, and if in doubt, don't (it may be necessary to talk to your doctor if you are currently under a physician's care). 

​NOTE:  Once again, we will be taking a rest from our daily work week, but will catch up with you again at the start of next week.  Be sure to keep up with your current wellness challenges and have a restful week end (at the cellular level too).