Feeling sluggish or out of sync?
Having skin problems, aches and pains, or digestive problems?
Straying from your healthier habits lately?
Then it’s time for the Spring Detox to cleanse the liver and gallbladder!
Practiced for centuries by many cultures around the world, detoxification is about resting, cleaning and nourishing the body from the inside out. By removing and eliminating toxins, then feeding your body with healthy nutrients, detoxifying can help protect you from disease and renew your ability to maintain optimum health.
How Does Detoxification Work?
Basically, detoxification means cleaning the blood. It does this mainly by removing impurities from the blood in the liver, where toxins are processed for elimination. The body also eliminates toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymph and skin. However, when this system is compromised, impurities aren’t properly filtered and every cell in the body is adversely affected.
A detox program can help the body’s natural cleaning process by:
1) Resting the organs through fasting;
2) Stimulating the liver to drive toxins from the body;
3) Promoting elimination through the intestines, kidneys and skin;
4) Improving circulation of the blood; and
5) Refueling the body with healthy nutrients.
Spring Equinox Cleanse
You must experience the Spring Equinox Cleanse (SEC) to know its true benefits. While any length of time on the SEC is beneficial, only with a SEC of three days or more do you really start to see the power behind this practice. The best time to start is March 20th. The only “rule” is NOTHING COOKED.
One day on juice only:
It is important that you consume only fresh juice for 24 hours.
For one day, intermittently throughout the day, take in only juice, either fruit or vegetable or both. Fruit juices work best for the first part of the day, with vegetable juice in the second part, and more fruit juice in the evening, but any way you want to do it is fine. As long as it’s only juice you’re taking in, it doesn’t matter which you have or when. Also, when having juice, it’s best to consume approximately 10 to 14 ounces about every 2 hours. Again, that is only a guideline; feel free to alter it to fit your particular needs and desires.
Three days of juice, whole fruit, and smoothies:
In addition to fresh juices throughout the day, you also eat pieces of fruit and fruit smoothies. Any fresh (organic preferred) fruit is okay, and dried fruits such as dates and raisins are acceptable as long as they are dried naturally and do not contain sulfur dioxide. Dried fruit is very concentrated, so go lightly when having it.
A week on only uncooked food:
For a week eat nothing but raw, uncooked food—all fruits and vegetables, their juices and salads. Have as much juice and whole fruit and vegetables as you like. Have a good-sized mixed salad late in the day with a salad dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, and your favorite herbs and spices. After you consume the salad, refrain from eating fruit and fruit juice for three hours.