Fall Detox: Your Key to a Nutritional Makeover
What is a Detox?
Detox is a purification process through dietary and lifestyle changes that removes environmental and dietary toxins from the body to support optimum health. Toxins are anything that can potentially harm our overall body functions. To name a few, it can include chemicals in our processed food, household cleanser, pollution, cigarette smoking, and pesticides. We all live in a very toxic world and the detox program is designed to improve our overall body functions by transforming accumulated toxins to a less harmful compound to be excreted through our body.
Do You Need to Detox?
Are you struggling with wheat or sugar cravings?
Are you exposed to chemicals at work or in your household products?
Do you experience frequent indigestion, bloating, or stomach problems?
Do you struggle with mood swings?
Is your energy drained by mid-afternoon?
Do you experience food intolerance or allergies?
Do you have a hard time losing weight?
For the yogis, seasonal detox is the perfect complement to our overall practice as it further stimulates the lymphatic system to remove toxins from our body. In the fast-paced lifestyle of today’s Silicon Valley, all of us feel overburdened, depleted, and stressed-out, especially as we transition from warmer to cooler days. Fall is a perfect time to strengthen our immune system for the flu season by learning how to eat with the seasons by utilizing root vegetables and fall citrus fruits to clear out toxins from our body for HEALTH and VITALITY.
What are the Benefits of a Detox?
Everyone experiences the detox program on a very personal level depending on their specific goals. Generally, participants enjoy:
- Improvement in physical appearance
- Enhancement in digestion
- Attainment of ideal weight
- Detect food allergies that were causing bloating, respiratory allergy, etc.
- Reduction in sugar cravings
- Sharpening of mental capabilities
- Strengthening your immune system
- Boost in emotional well-being
- Educating your palate for clean and sustainable cuisine
- Learning how to eat with the seasons
How does the Detox Program work?
Our detox program has been designed for the participants to take incremental steps to the “deep cleanse” phase of the program. Depending on the participant’s diet before the detox, everyone’s experience may be slightly different. Under the guidance of a nutritionist and the support of the group, the participants will be able to individualize the program depending on their dietary needs and their specific goals. Unlike other detox programs, our plan does not require fasting, colonics, or strictly a vegetarian diet. The participants will be transitioning into whole-foods with the focus on seasonal, organic, unrefined, liver-supporting foods while refraining from highly processed, stimulating, and allergenic foods, such as gluten.
The key to a successful detox is an
Individualized program
- Participants will complete a 3 day food journal and a self-assessment forms which will be reviewed and returned with recommendations to support the participant’s individualized goals.
- Participants will join the online support group to sustain motivation on a daily basis where questions can be posted, nutritional information and recipes will be shared.
- 3 meetings will be provided for education and guidance through the different phases. Food demonstrations and tasting will be included.
Professional Grade Supplements:
To further support the cleansing process, our participants will have an opportunity to purchase professional grade, whole-food supplements following a consultation.
DETOX PROGRAM: 21 days/4 phases = VITALITY!
Phase One INTENTION PHASE (3 days)
Slowly start your cleansing process by incorporating seasonal vegetables to your diet while maintaining your familiar foods. Use the 3 days to slowly taper off from your caffeine, sugar, fried food, refined food, and other unhealthy habits that are unsupportive in reaching your goal.
Phase Two ROOTING PHASE (7 days)
Start to eliminate unhealthy eating habits with the focus on whole foods = SOUL (seasonal, organic, unrefined, liver supporting foods) including nutrient-dense, booster foods.
Phase Three CLEANSING PHASE (6 days)
While building on Phase Two, incorporation of mineral broth, herbal teas, soups, and healing juices will be added to deep-cleanse your system. The “7 sensitive foods” will be addressed.
Phase Four GROUNDING PHASE (5 days)
Going back to a more inclusive way of eating while strengthening the “gut flora” in your system and redefining the word “comfort food” as you continue with “life after detox!”
Testimonials from our past participants:
For the participants who have been able to commit to the program, the benefits have been very rewarding. Participants have been able to detect long-standing hidden food allergies, attain a healthy weight, cut-back on caffeine by naturally increasing energy with a new gained confidence and belief that long-term dietary changes are possible!
“It’s hard to believe this but I only have cravings for healthy foods. Somehow the detox program has reset my taste buds. The lesson learned is priceless…”
“ … the program did its job! These days I think more clearly and I make an effort to balance my diet. My yoga practice has also improved.”
“ I learned much more than I anticipated. .. the habit will continue is… using Chia seeds as an energy source for extended workouts instead of maltodextrin based drinks.”
“ I have already lost 5 lbs and on my way to my ideal weight. I can’t believe that I now crave veggies which I use to hate.”
"...it makes a big difference to be part of a community...this was way beyond my hopes."
DID YOU KNOW? Test your knowledge on Detox Diet:
What is the most effective way to detox?
- Juice fasting- drinking only wheatgrass
- Veggies, fruits, and protein
- Consuming only fruits
Answer: B (Veggies, fruits, and protein)
Yes! Protein is definitely necessary for proper liver detoxification. You will be guided during the detox as to what the best protein fit would be for you.
Is coffee allowed during a detox diet?
- Yes
- No
Answer: B (No)
For the coffee lovers, be assured that there are several effective coffee substitutes, like chicory root, to curb your cravings!
Which of the following fruit is a liver cleanser and triggers the digestive juices?
- Grapefruit
- Lemon
- Banana
Answer: B (Lemon).
Lemon is a great liver cleanser because it stimulates the digestive juices. During the detox, you will be provided with recipes and tangible tools that will support your overall digestion.
Here is a tasty detox friendly drink to try at home. It’s a great substitute for soda:
Lemon Lime Ginger Ale
Ingredients:
Handful of grapes
1 apple, cored and sliced
1/2 inch fresh ginger (less if taste is too strong)
1/2 lime
1/4 lemon
Sparkling natural mineral water
Remove the grapes from the stem. Juice the apple and ginger together, then juice the rest of the fruit. Pour the juice in a large glass and fill to the top with sparkling water. Enjoy!
Source: Clayton College of Natural Health