ayurveda, blissful living, health and wellness, healthy eating, healthy living, stress reduction, Uncategorized

The Top Five Detoxifying Foods – Part 1

Detoxifying the body can be a relative easy thing to do. In fact it is not necessary to starve yourself, do fad detoxes that may do more damage than good or have the detoxification be an extremely difficult thing to do. In fact you can detox your body by eating food that naturally assists your body with the detoxification process. Below is a list of the first five detoxifying foods and how they work.

Apple – Scientist in the Ukraine have used apples to purify the area around Chernobyl after the nuclear leak. Apples contain Vitamin C and quercetin, antioxidant nutrients that lower fat/cholesterol levels. Pectin, a fiber also found in citrus fruits, beets and berries that binds heavy metals (such as lead and mercury) in the colon and encourages their excretion. It also helps the body excrete food additives, including tartrazine, which is linked to hyperactivity, migraine headaches and asthma in children.
Avocado – Avocados contain Glutathione, an antioxidant that fights free radicals. This combines with fat-soluble toxins, particularly alcohol, to make them water-soluble. Levels of glutathione decrease as we age (one reason why hangovers worsen as we get older): researchers at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, USA, found that elderly people whose levels of glutathione were higher, were healthier. They were also less likely to suffer from arthritis, which many experts believe is a disease aggravated by excess toxicity.
Artichoke – The Artichoke increases bile production. One of the jobs of bile is to carry toxins to the bowel where they can be excreted. According to research, artichoke can increase bile flow by 127% 30 minutes after being eaten. Artichokes contain antioxidant nutrients that are shown to decrease damage to the liver caused by free radicals when the artichoke extracts are present in the system.
Beetroot– beetroot has been used for many years by Roman civilizations as a blood-purifying tonic. Ingredients in it may also absorb toxic metals. At Leadville, a polluted mine site in Colorado, USA, beets and other crops such as carrot and banana are being used to filer 70% of pollutants from water. Beetroot contains methionine, which helps to purify natural waste products from the body. Batanin, which helps the rate at which the liver can break down fatty acids. This takes pressure off the organ, allowing it to fight more dangerous toxins.
Cruciferous Vegetables – Cabbage, kale, brussel sprouts, spinach and cauliflower all cruciferous vegetables and are very powerful detoxifiers that neutralize particular toxins. As study at Cornell University in USA found that brussel sprouts inhibited aflatoxin, a toxic mold linked to liver cancer. Cruciferous vegetables have also neutralized nitrosamines, produced by cigarette smoke. They also contain glucosinolates, which prompts the liver to produce vital enzymes.

Water – Water is needed to flush toxins through our system, yet most of us spend the day dehydrated. You have probably heard that eight glasses of water a day is the required amount, but just aim to drink a glass of something as often as you can. Remember that its not just plain water that hydrates you. Coconut water is an excellent source to utilize for hydrating the body. It is full of electrolytes that the body uses and needs and it is very cooling to the body. You can also eat high water containing foods such as watermelon, celery, cucumber, pears, and grapes to boost your water supply and to provide vitamins to your body.

Other Useful Detox Foods

Alfalfa, Asparagus, Bananas, Bran Cereals, Brazil nuts, Carrots, Eggs, Tofu

Have fun with this list and try to incorporate as many of the above foods as possible. Watch how your body responds by giving you more energy, vibrancy and clarity. You will feel amazing.

Wishing you healthy energy, vibrancy and clarity!

Namaste,

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

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ayurveda, blissful living, health and wellness, healthy eating, healthy living, stress reduction, Uncategorized

Welcome Fall

When autumn arrives we definitely know that change is in the air. Leaves began to turn colors and fall off the trees. The air feels crisp and dry and in Ayurveda, we say Vata dosha tends to increase, which may lead to imbalances. This is likely to remain until February, when changes occur once again.

You may have noticed that you are prone to go out of balance in the fall; its restless, sweeping qualities can disrupt your physiology and psychology. Occasional constipation, dry skin, irregular appetite, difficulty sleeping, stress and fatigue, to name a few can cause you to feel out-of-sync. The predominance of the elements, especially the wind can cause all of these problems and more. The season of fall can bring with it great excitement for change but can also be quite overwhelming to us all with the advent of the holiday season. I would like to offer you some suggestions to help you transition into the fall season without too much disruption to your normal flow of life.

With fall being the onset of dry and cold days and nights, the first tip I would like for you to consider is a diet that is warming, nourishing and comforting to the body and soul.

Following you will find other ways to help keep you balanced and well during this season.

6 Ways to Maintain Balance This Fall

First and foremost, you must regulate your mealtimes. Have lunch between 12 and 2 p.m., and dinner early in the evening. Don’t skip or neglect breakfast. This simple schedule will regulate your metabolism and hunger cycles, generate healthy agni (digestive fire), and help reduce the accumulation of toxins. I recommend herbal formulas for my clients that assist with toning the digestive tract, promotes healthy elimination and increases assimilation of all nutrients.
Start by going to bed early – ideally by 10 p.m. Get in the habit regardless of the hours you have been keeping. Your body will thank you in the morning.
It is important to pay attention to your diet. If you experience a lot of gas or air digestive challenges then opt for warm, unctuous foods cooked with healthy oils and spices.
Eating leftovers, raw foods, or processed and canned foods will create an imbalance. Fall foods should include hot soups, as well as freshly cooked and lightly spiced split-mung Dahl. In the morning, have a warm stewed apple, or cream of wheat cereal or oatmeal with warm almond milk. For midday meals, try sautéing vegetables in ghee and warming spices. Get wholesome nutrition with whole wheat bread or chapatti. If you’re hungry between meals, snack on almonds, dates or fresh fruit. Warm a cup of almond milk, flavored with a little cardamom, cinnamon or nutmeg or a warm cup of almond milk with a bit of ginger and a touch of honey (be sure the milk is lukewarm before adding honey) or even a little nutmeg before bedtime will enhance the quality of your slumber.
Because the fall season is drying, skin that is neglected in this season tends to wrinkle and age faster. Give your body a daily massage with Organic Sesame Oil and support facial skin with the lipids and healing properties found in vitamin C and the B-complex will help to stop the aging process. With the rich body of the natural organic products and the usage of healing herbs and vitamins you will be able to pamper your skin and keep it soft and subtle during the fall and the winter.
Imbalances in the fall can cause an increase in restlessness, anxious feelings and day-to-day mental stress. Making time for light yoga exercises, a brisk walk in nature and meditation will help combat those stresses. To calm the mind and emotions, connect with nature by taking short walks outdoors, weather permitting and find time to be quiet for a few minutes each day. If you can try to meditate for 15-30 minutes each day that’s great however if you can only get 5 minutes in that is perfect too. By doing these vitality enhancing things you will not only support your natural resistance to emotional stress and fatigue but you will be aiding your body to increase its immunity.

Happy Fall!

Wishing you much health and wellness!