As I write this, we are just about to officially begin the holiday season.
In fact, as we inch towards yet another new year, this season makes it an ideal time to detoxify your body, mind and spirit!
That’s because with the change of seasons, our bodies go through a seasonal change as well.
Usually, two important and powerful times for detoxing are spring and fall. But you can detox at other times during the year, and the effects will be profound no matter when you do it, as the body naturally is shifting its rhythms and is able to more easily shed what’s no longer needed.
One of the fastest and easiest ways to detox is to simply focus on “Loving your Liver”!
Have you ever noticed that the word “liver” includes the word “live”?!
The liver clearly helps you LIVE better!
But our poor liver gets overloaded from junk food, medications, and environmental toxins. That’s because the liver is the body’s main filter, so everything passes through that hard-working organ.
Everyone can benefit from a liver detox from time to time. Think of it like an “oil change” for the body!
Detoxifying your liver will not only jump start any sluggish weight loss, but it helps in these areas as well, some of which are:
- Dramatically increases physical energy
- Reduces and heals skin issues like eczema and psoriasis
- Greatly improves the appearance and radiance of your complexion
- Regulates deep and rejuvenating sleep
- Eliminates puffiness, especially in the belly and legs
- Reduces appearance of cellulite
- Brings relief for aches and pains in the body
The easiest and most enjoyable way of detoxing your liver is by simply incorporating foods and herbs that help to heal your liver.
Here are four top foods to include in your diet during the detox:
(1) Lemons – keep drinking your Hot Lemony every morning! This is a proven fat-dissolving tonic, as the limonene in the lemons cleanse and heal your liver so it can turn its attention to creating energy and burning fat!
Squeeze 1/2 lemon into a quart of drinking water along with a few drops of stevia and you’ve got your own homemade lemonade!
Add lemon juice to your salads, squeeze into rice, on fish, veggies… up to 2 or 3 lemons a day should be fine!
(2) Beets – these stimulate the liver and help to cleanse the entire digestive tract. Beets also are known as a blood purifier and they help to normalize blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Beet juice in particular is thought to help dissolve stones in the liver, kidney and bladder.
Caution! When you eat beets, you might notice the “residue” when you have a bowel movement; don’t worry! That red color is NOT blood; it’s just the by-product of the beets, completely natural.
Shred the beets into a fresh salad or roast them in the oven – they’re super yummy that way!
(3) Artichokes – another fabulous food for liver support. Part of the thistle family, artichokes contain compounds that help to naturally lower cholesterol (which is made in the liver).
Steam and artichoke, drizzle with olive oil and eat it for a light detoxifying dinner.
Add cold, cooked artichoke hearts to salad and soups.
(4) Raspberries – helps heal and repair the liver; brightens the eyes (dull eyes and rough skin are two main indicators that the liver is overworked).
Enjoy a detox breakfast of unsweetened yogurt with raspberries.
Add raspberries to a fresh green salad.
Juice raspberries or add to a smoothie for a detox boost!
Liver Detox Guidelines
Whenever I’m doing a liver cleanse, I like to focus on easy-to-digest foods. This allows my digestive system to take a break so my body can turn to deeper healing. I also may a concerted effort to eliminate any processed, packaged foods.
Here’s a sample day of my Liver Cleanse diet:
Upon waking – hot lemony with 1 tsp raw, organic honey
Breakfast – yogurt with raspberries; sprinkled with 1 tablespoon unsweetened coconut flakes
Snack – Liver Cleansing Juice (recipe above)
Lunch – Green mixed salad with 1/2 sliced avocado, grated carrot, chopped celery, topped with 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
Snack – berries or another freshly squeezed juice
Dinner – whole steamed artichoke drizzled with olive oil; homemade hummus (1/2 cup chickpeas mashed with 1 tablespoon tahini and lemon juice to taste)
Between meals: I drink green tea, dandelion tea, mint tea, infused water; about 100 ounces total.
Follow this Liver Cleanse for 3 days in a row, then go back to your healthy 4×4 Eating Plan.
You can repeat this 3-day Liver Cleanse once a week for a month.
You will not believe the amazing results you’ll experience!
During the Liver Cleanse (and all this week), repeat this mantra: “I’m flooding my tissues with healing nutrients”
Your body will respond very quickly to this cleanse, I promise!
When I’m doing my Liver Cleanse, I also let my mind and body rest.
That means…
- no radio, TV news or Internet surfing
- only uplifting, inspiring music and reading
- no punishing exercise
- three 10-minute walks a day + easy yoga and refreshing swims
- sleep from 10pm – 6:30 am for most beneficial sleep
This is the time to heal and repair! You will come out of the cleanse lighter, stronger, happier!
*Recipe for the cleanse*
Liver Cleansing Beet-Raspberry-Spinach Juice
Serves 1
Make this at home in your juicer (I use the Champion Brand Juicer) or simply toss these items into a high powered blender (like Vita Mix) for a thicker smoothie.
Another option is to ask for this blend at your favorite fresh juice bar!
1 small red beet, raw; peeled, organic if possible
1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries, organic if possible*
1 cup fresh raw spinach, organic if possible
Juice and enjoy immediately for maximum freshness.
If blending instead, add 1/2 cup or 1 cup water for desired consistency.
*Organic food is always preferable, but berries are particularly sensitive as there are no outer peels to protect the fragile fruit from pesticides.
Juicing is a fabulous way of getting more nutrients into the cells of your body without requiring a lot of digestive energy.
All in all, remember that this is the ideal time to cleanse your liver and body of all toxins and the best time to start your fitness plan for the next year.
Many people start their fitness plan with a new year’s resolution, but I believe that those who truly stick with them are those who never even declare them. They simply… start doing it!
