Should I Do A Detox?

Whether it's your friend handing you their latest diet book, or the newest detox program on Dr. Oz,  most of us are hearing about detoxification. Detoxing is defined as taking a period of time to abstain from unhealthy substances to allow the body to cleanse and heal. This can include anything from a water fast to just giving up one substance for a certain length of time.  Is it worth it?  Should I bother?  Here are some points to keep in mind along with a $25 discount for you or a friend.
                                                                                                                     

• AVOID A HEALING CRISIS. Making a dramatic change to your diet all at once can possibly cause a healing crisis.  Your body reacts with withdrawal symptoms such as gas, cramping, headaches, fever, fatigue or some other form of pain and discomfort.  This is why people who eat the standard American diet should not fast out of the blue.  One must build up the body to be able to process out all the toxins.  Starting small by adding in more healthy foods and cutting out a few key items for a short period is a great way to begin.
• ADD IN LOADS OF FRUITS, VEGETABLES, AND WATER. Many people choose to do a week long detox from one to four times a year where they add in a lot of healthy juicing and plant foods along with cutting out all processed, sugar filled, junk foods. This can be a great way to help balance out some of those poor choices we make from time to time. The key is to add in plenty of the healthy foods to build up your nutrient base which will allow healing and cleansing to proceed.
• TRY AN ELIMINATION DIET. If you have allergies, migraines, or digestive issues it can be very revealing to do an elimination diet.  You cut out all chemical additives & preservatives, dairy, wheat, corn, eggs, nuts, soy and fish. After two weeks you begin adding one food back at a time, wait twenty-four hours and see if it gives you a reaction. This can be extremely valuable in helping people know what they need to avoid.
• STICK WITH IT. Many people find after giving up certain foods for a week they feel more energetic, their skin may clear up, or their pain may decrease.  If this happens, stick with it and keep away from the foods that aggravate your condition. 
• CUT CRAVINGS. Often times going through a detox will help reduce cravings.  You won't be thinking about your favorite foods or drinks all day!  It can be mentally freeing as much as physically freeing.  This just shows how addictive sugar, chemical additives, gluten, dairy, caffeine and other substances can be to us.  Seriously consider how beneficial it is to think clearly, with improved focus and energy, before adding them back into your diet.
• MAKE IT A LIFESTYLE. Finally, I challenge you to make the short term detox a long term way of living. After all, if the typical diet we eat is so harmful to us that we need to detox from it, then let's just stay eating healthy the majority of the time and see what a transformation it will bring to our lives! Who wouldn't want more energy, balanced blood sugar, less pain, anti-aging and a reduction of heart disease and cancer!
  
  I would love to help you transition into a healthier lifestyle. I am offering a $25.00 discount off of an initial consultation for anyone who contacts me this week to make an appointment.  I want you to get ENERGIZED FOR LIVING WITH NUTRITION! 

Contact me at  HLS@nancyparlette.com, 443 253-9761

GREEN Smoothies

In honor of  St. Patrick's Day, I wanted to share with you the power of GREEN smoothies.  Everyone needs more greens in their diet becaue they are so full of minerals.  From colds to cancer, greens are powerful healers.  Greens consist of the leaves of plants such as lettuces, spinach, collards, kale, chard, dandelion, arugula, watercress, parsley, sorrell, cilantro, etc. The problem, however, is that most of us don't LIKE the taste of greens! No need to fear! Using a blender to combine lucious ripe fruit with the greens, you can create amazing, delicous, antioxidant rich smoothies to enjoy every day.
What do Green Smoothies do for you?  They -

• boost your immune system, helping to preventing and heal disease
• improve digestion and elimination (who wants to be constipated?)
• support weight loss
• boost your mental and physical performance
• reduce cravings
• support your liver and kidneys
• balance your body pH to help reduce aches and pains
• increase energy and focus
• hydrate your cells creating clearer and smoother skin

How do we make a Green smoothie?
You start with a blender. (Depending on it's strength you may find you need to put the greens in at the beginning with the liquid rather than at the end.)  Have your greens and fruit washed and ready to go. In the blender you will put:

• 1 cup of either water,  juice, or nondairy milk
• 1 medium banana; the riper the sweeter. (You can use frozen ones too.)
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh or frozen fruit (frozen makes it thicker so you may need more liquid)
• 1 scoop of plant based protein powder (optional).  I like to use Juice Plus Complete Powder.
• 1 handful (about 1 cup) of  torn up fresh or frozen greens (spinach, kale, chard, or frozen wheat grass cubes). The more you make these the more greens you are able to add.
• some people find if they need more sweetness they can add a pitted Medjool date.  I also sometimes add a dash of cinnamon or other spice.

Put the lid on the blender and start low and then go to high and blend it until it is smooth, but not so long that it gets warm.  Depending on the blender, you may need to stop and push down the greens to get them all mixed in.  This will make about 16 ounces.  You can easily double or triple the recipe depending on how many hungry people you have standing by.  Below are a few of my recipes.  There are more in my book, The Busy Mom's 10 Minute Guide to a Healthy Happy Family.

Pineapple Escape 
1 cup water or coconut water
1 tip of fresh ginger (1/2 tsp)
1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
1/2 cup strawberries
1 cup spinach leaves
1 scoop vanilla powder

 Berry Yummy

   1 Banana
   ½ cup strawberries (or 1/3 cup raspberries)
    1 hand size piece of Romaine or spinach
    1 cup water, soy, rice milk, or coconut water
  

 Minty Melon Medley

  1 cup water

     1 or 2 sprigs of fresh mint
     1 cup chunks of cantaloupe
     1 scoop of protein powder
     1 cup spinach

    Peanut Butter Sip
     2 cups water
     2 Tb all natural smooth peanut butter
     1 banana
     1 cup berries of choice
     1 scoop chocolate or vanilla protein powder
     1 cup torn kale leaves (stem removed)
   
DISCLAIMER:  The information in these pages is presented for educational purposes only. The publication of this information is not intended as medical advice nor does it constitute the practice of medicine.  Any changes you make in your diet or lifestyle due to this information is your personal privilege and your responsibility to discuss with your health care provider.