| Body detoxification and intestinal cleansing have | | | | squeeze in the juice of half a lemon and sweeten |
| become essential ingredients of a lifestyle that | | | | with some honey or maple syrup. It is a great little |
| promotes a healthy body, proper weight | | | | mini-cleanse before you start your day. |
| management and disease prevention. Our | | | | Learn the difference between real natural and fake |
| modern-day life and the mounting cost of health care | | | | natural. The fake natural foods and ingredients are |
| necessitates that more than ever. Most of us are | | | | fairly easy to spot: we're all more aware of the |
| exposed to hundreds of chemical substances every | | | | growing variety of artificial flavors, colors, |
| day. That, combined with poor choices in diet, lack of | | | | preservatives and such that are in our food. Thanks |
| exercise, lean nutrition and lack of water causes our | | | | to industry regulation, ingredients must be printed on |
| livers to get congested with its detoxification | | | | every package of a consumable food or drink. |
| function | | | | Chances are, if you can't pronounce an ingredient, |
| The result is fatigue, depression, sluggishness, poor | | | | you shouldn't be eating or drinking it. More difficult to |
| complexion and a vulnerable immune system, which | | | | spot are the "natural" foods that are laboratory |
| then makes us sensitive to to many types of | | | | modifications of a natural substance. The sugar |
| disease and possibly even cancer. | | | | substitute Splenda is an example of a fake natural. |
| Body detox and intestinal cleansing are most known | | | | Though it is, indeed, made from real sugar, by the |
| as seasonal actions, performed a few times a year | | | | time Splenda makes it into those tiny yellow packets, |
| for 3 or 5 or 7 days, and then it's complete. We then | | | | it's been through so much chemical processing, it has |
| slip slowly back into our normal diet and lifestyle, and | | | | become unrecognizable to the body as food. It might |
| soon after, it's time for another detox. | | | | as well be plastic. |
| Although the seasonal body detox is a smart lifestyle | | | | Treat yourself to a big, extravagant salad several |
| choice that should be followed by most all of us, | | | | times a week. Start with a bed of greens (a blend of |
| more important is cleaning up our daily routine. A | | | | the darker greens is best, include chard, romaine, |
| better idea than the seasonal body detox program is | | | | spinach, even a few snips of parsley). Add at least 10 |
| a detox lifestyle, where you preclude as much as | | | | additional raw vegetables, chopped or grated. Go for |
| possible the need for a serious detox program. Here | | | | bright color vegetables. These pack the most |
| are some great ideas for creating a detox lifestyle | | | | nutrients and phytochemicals. Red cabbage, carrot, |
| for yourself: | | | | radish, yellow bell pepper,... you get the idea. Be |
| Keep fresh fruit washed and ready to eat. Arrange it | | | | creative and make it an enjoyable. You can invite |
| in a bowl in your kitchen. Instead of getting a treat | | | | girlfriends for a potluck salad bar, or go out to one of |
| from the cupboard when you need a quick bite, pick | | | | your favorite salad bar restaurants. Skip the cheese, |
| up a piece of fruit instead. Fresh fruit is low in | | | | and choose an olive oil based dressing. |
| calories, naturally hydrating, packed with nutrients and | | | | If nothing else, drink more water. If you do nothing |
| enzymes, and naturally cleansing. A general rule: the | | | | else for your health and vitality, drink more pure |
| more sweet the fruit, the more calories and energy it | | | | water, unsweetened and fresh. At minimum, drink 3 |
| will provide, the more tart the fruit, the more | | | | quarts a day. Other drinks do not count as your daily |
| cleansing it will be. If it's available, get organic fruit. | | | | water requirement. There is one exception: |
| Dry skin brush a few times a week. Purchase a | | | | decaffeinated herbal tea. |
| medium soft natural fiber brush (you'll see them | | | | Bottom line, it is how you live your life day to day |
| where stores sell loofahs). Brush your entire body, | | | | that really shapes the contours of your physical |
| feet and legs first, buttocks and torso, then hands | | | | health and quality of life. Longevity and happiness are |
| and arms. Avoid delicate skin. Take a couple of | | | | associated with a life of healthy habits. Make a |
| minutes to do this before your shower. You'll give | | | | commitment to trading in your bad habits with good |
| your skin a good little detox and energize your body | | | | habits, and at least once a year, add a few more |
| in addition. | | | | good habits. You'll live longer, stay healthier, keep trim |
| Drink fresh lemon squeezed into hot water first thing | | | | and fit, and probably become a shining inspiration to |
| in the morning. Your liver will benefit from it and it | | | | those you know. |
| may also stimulate your colon. Heat some water, | | | | |