wolfberries

Detox for the Summer - Your Body and Your Mind!

We are all faced with baring our flesh, now the Summer months are upon us. In terms of how comfortable (or not) we are with our bodies, this may feel a superficial subject, but ultimately we all want to feel healthy, attractive and vibrant. How can we lose those winter blues (and reserve stores!) for a lighter and more dynamic summer physique and mood?

Simple detox tricks and tips to get you started…..

Tendencies show that if we want to lose weight, we stop eating. This actually gives the body the wrong message: as we starve the cells, they hang onto as much as they can – normally in the form of fat. Help… here are some easy ideas to start to revamp your eating habits.

Give up starving yourself. Chances are that you will end up binge eating on a chocolate bar, croissant, bread or crisps – whatever is closest to hand. When we are deprived of nutrients our bodies cannot make the right decisions about what to eat, or much else for that matter.

Never shop when you are hungry. All the messages will be for carbohydrate rich foods, which will provide quick energy but create an even quicker slump, which you’ll have to pull yourself out of. This will create an ongoing cycle of looking for quick fix foods and having spiralling moods.

Cut down on caffeine, nicotine, sugar and refined carbohydrates. All of these will create stress, zapping the magnesium and life out of your system. Unfortunately this leaves less energy for creativity, exercise, intimacy, and proactive thoughts, all of which will help to develop a more bountiful and energised existence.

Take healthy snacks, drinks and lunches to work or for picnics. When we are limited for choice we always make sacrifices in terms of our health, and more often than not we succumb to satiating flavours and unhealthy fats.

Introduce higher protein foods, which will sustain the bodies energy. These can include fat rich fish, meat or seeds and nuts (preferably pre-soaked). Some superfoods are very high in protein. These include wheatgrass, spirulina, barleygrass, bee pollen, maca and wolfberries.

Maca

Ensure you are getting enough fats. We are all so paranoid about fats but some are essential…fish oils or vegetarian equivalents, flax oil, omega blends, hemp and pumpkin oils are also great. Coconut Oil is great for cooking and deserts, and butter is better for us than we think – particularly compared to vegetable based low-fat spreads. Soya Lecithin will ensure that you are absorbing those healthy oils and assist the liver in breaking down those unhealthy fats.

Embark on a realistic exercise regime: walk up the hill instead of taking the bus, carry your shopping home instead of driving, have a half hour walk at lunch time, practise lifts and tightening your muscles whilst you are doing the washing up. Several long walks a week will energise the system and leave you wanting more. It will also energise your mind, libido and overall vitality.

Increase your water intake. Often we actually eat when we are thirsty. Use a good clean source of water and drink 2-3 litres per day. This will assist the body in flushing the toxins and help support all our bodily functions. Our body is between 70 and 80% water and needs all the help it can get.

	Wheatgrass

Where possible go for organic, wholefoods and locally grown. As well as supporting people rather than big corporations you are supporting your body by cutting down on excess toxins and fillers. Processed foods lose their life force and do not feed our cells, infact they take more of our energy in trying to eliminate them from our bodies.

Use appropriate supplements or superfoods to boost your system with vital nutrients. This will keep hunger at bay by supporting your body and mind’s cellular chemistry.

Spirulina

A few ideas to get your creative juices and taste buds flowing with some quick, easy and sustaining snacks:

Try vegetable boats, batons, oatcakes and sprouted wheat bread with houmous, homemade dips, topped with sprouts. Using nut and seed butters, avocados and oils in dips help to add a sustaining richness.

Make some energy balls combining ground almonds, dessicated coconut, seeds (sesame, hemp, sunflower, pumpkin) and dried fruits or syrup such as yacon or agave for sweetening. Tahini or nut/seed butters help with binding, and flavourings such as cinnamon, vanilla, lemon zest or rose water add real interest. Superfoods such as spirulina, barleygrass, cacao, maca, wolfberries add real interest and dense nutrition.

Smoothies combining fruit, seeds, coconut milk and 1 tsp superfoods are fantastic and tasty ways to get rich and nourishing sustenance. These can also be chilled for a filling dessert, frozen for a healthy ice-cream or drizzled over fruit salads, yum.

Barleygrass/wheatgrass/spirulina drinks are a light way to alkalise, and oxidise the system whilst taking in a vast range of vitamins and minerals which are hard to find in everyday foods. Simply mix 1-4 tsp with water in a litre bottle and top up through the day. If you need to add some sweetness whilst getting used to the flavours opt for yacon powder or syrup which will not play with your blood sugar balance.

And don’t forget…

Start small. Everything is relative, so make sure you are realistic. By introducing changes slowly you will avoid putting pressure on yourself and your body by going from one extreme to the other. This will in turn cut down on binges, apathy and cynicism making for an easier transition. Even if it is one change per week (i.e. introducing more water, having a few twenty minute walks or substituting sugar with alternatives) once you start to experience how simple it can be you may even start to forget about all those unhealthy ‘treats’.

Let's hear it for a vibrant and healthy summer, body and mind….Raw Intent

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