Morning Health

Healthy, Wealthy & Wise

You are here: Home / Archives for detox

Things You Can Add to Your Water That Aid in Digestion and Eliminate Toxins From Your Body

By Leave a Comment

Water is so essential to the body, and it processes, the benefits of drinking clean and sufficient water regularly and unbounded. Water can do everything for your body including aiding in digestion and cleansing your body of toxins.

Drinking water all by itself is a way to help flush the body of toxins on a daily basis, but with a few added ingredients you can get even more benefits from it. This is something you can do every day, or as part of a more broad detoxing strategy. Each one of the ingredients listed here will provide slightly different benefits, so be sure to choose according to the particular goal you have.

1. Freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice.

Lemons and limes are a good source of Vitamin C, which is a very important antioxidant because it helps neutralize free-radicals in the body. Lemons are also good for alkalizing the body as well as aiding in digestion because their make up is very similar to our own digestive enzymes.

2. Cucumber slices

Cucumber adds a crisp and refreshing taste to your water, and even add for a nice little snack while drinking. This helps eliminate toxins from the digestive system and is extremely hydrating for the body.

3. Strawberries

Strawberries are a great way to add a familiar flavor to almost anything. They are full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

4. Fresh Mint leaves

Mint improves the flow of vile and can help with activating salivary glands and digestive enzymes that help absorb the nutrients from your food. Mint is also very calming and soothing and can be used to settle an upset stomach.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a handy detoxing aid, and it’s good to keep a bottle of it in the cupboard. You can instantly improve the quality of a glass of water by adding a bit of ACV to it. Apple cider vinegar can help balance the Ph balance of the body. It is also wonderful for eliminating toxins and killing bacteria, maintaining a healthy weight and improves overall digestion.

6. Ginger Root

Ginger is also another wonderful remedy for indigestion, cramps, nausea, and gas. It has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. It is an anti-inflammatory, anti-viral root that boosts circulation and may also kill cancer cells.

7. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is another traditional herb that is also anti-fungal and anti-viral and is used to relieve indigestion. It many also be good for circulation, metabolizing fats during digestion, and regulating blood-glucose levels by slowing the time it takes for food to go from the stomach to the small intestine.

Source: worldtruth.tv

The Top Inflammatory Foods + How To Detox From Them

By Leave a Comment

There are a multitude of diets to choose from, or exercise programs that run the body ragged. The simple truth is that our bodies weren’t meant to eat Lean Cuisine meals or to be engaged in hours and hours of intensive exercise. If a person examines the evolution of our body from the caveman days, they would see that the body thrives off of whole foods, clean meats and exercise that involves lots of walking.

Fast forward a few thousand years, and as a society, we are stuffing our bodies full of inflammatory food-like products that make a person sick, fat and depressed. The key to fat loss, optimal health and joy is so simple, it’s easy to overlook.

Eat whole foods that are plucked from the earth. Foods that do not come in a package, can, bag or jar, and automatically the inflammation will dissipate in your body, freeing up space for your liver to begin processing fat. The best part, you can eat all you want, as long as it’s clean whole foods.

No longer is a deprivation mentality of dieting or extreme exercising required. By pivoting our thinking, we can create a healthy relationship with food. One that creates a foundation of values based on fueling the body, and giving it health through whole foods, rather than limiting the amount of calories a person eats.

To help you with this clean eating journey, I have compiled a list of the top 6 inflammatory foods along with substitutes that allow you to eat many of the foods you enjoy, but with ingredients that give you health, rather than take it away.

1. Processed Sugar

Swap out processed sugars for raw honey, organic maple syrup, liquid stevia or fruit.

2. Sodium

talking-sodium

Photo:healthunit.com

Swap out table salt for sea salt or pink Himalayan salt. By eliminating processed and packaged foods, you will significantly eliminate the amount of daily sodium intake.

3. Wheat Flour

Swap out wheat for almond flour or coconut flour. While these two flours do come in a bag (unless you make them on your own with a food processor), they are minimally processed are a great substitute for baking many foods that typically contain wheat.

4. Certain Oils

Swap out highly processed oils such as vegetable oil, canola oil, safflower oil, partially hydrogenated oil (just to mention a few) for high-quality omega-6 and omega-3 oils. The best source for oils are from extra-virgin coconut oil, extra-virgin olive oil, hemp seeds, chia seeds, avocados or avocado oils.

5. Cow Dairy

Swap out cow dairy for that of sheep or goat. Around the age of 1.5-2 years, our bodies significantly decrease in the amount of digestive enzymes created that specifically help to digest dairy. The molecular make-up of the sheep and goat dairy is more easily digested in the human body. Another reason cow dairy does not work as well is because the feed is typically made up from genetically modified corn and soy which creates inflammation in the cows. This is then passed on to us when we eat cow dairy. Last, casein is used in much dairy and many people are highly sensitive to it. When shopping for sheep and goat dairy, read the ingredients so that you can chose a dairy product free of casein.

6. Alcohol

Swap out alcohol for water, bubbly water, Kombucha drinks (without added sugar), tea or cold pressed juices. Alcohol tops the list of most inflammatory and toxic foods, and with a pause from the holidays, it seems like a reasonable time to take a break in order to regain and experience the most optimal and vibrant health.

Source: mindbodygreen.com

Diuretic Foods to Detox, Lose Weight, and Lower Your Blood Pressure

By 2 Comments

 

Source: theheartysoul.com

Diuretic foods can be helpful if you’re looking to lower your blood pressure, or if you’re retaining water. Some dieters also use it to help them lose weight, and purging the body of excess fluid is good for your overall health and wellbeing. One option is to take water pills in order to get your body to release extra water and salt, but before going that route it may be a better idea to make a few dietary changes and see if that helps. Here are our picks for the best diuretic foods available to keep things natural.

1. Lemon

Adding lemon to your water doesn’t just make it taste better, it can help you if you have high blood pressure, and is often one of the first foods recommended to those suffering from certain medical conditions. It’s easy enough to start getting more lemon into your life, because it’s the juice that does the trick, so you don’t actually have to eat lemon slices or wedges, just add the juice to water or other foods and you’ll get the benefits. It is also used to help treat cases of urinary tract infection.

2. Oats

Oats consistently rank as one of the best foods to eat when losing weight, and surprisingly enough they have a diuretic effect on the body. Most of the time it’s hydrating fruits and vegetables that are diuretics, and oats seem to be a food that soaks things up, the way it soaks cholesterol up. But oats can also give you relief if you’re retaining water. This is just one more reason why a bowl of oatmeal makes a great start to your day, regardless if you’re dieting or worrying about your cholesterol levels.

3. Celery

Celery contains plenty of water, and will therefore get you to go more often. It’s great for hydrating the body, and recent research has shown that it’s not just the water we drink that hydrates us, but the water we take in from foods as well. If you don’t care for the taste of celery, or don’t like having to chew it up, try adding it to a diuretic smoothie with other fruits and vegetables found on this page. You’ll be giving your body a big boost of nutrition and also make it easier to digest and process.

4. Brussels Sprouts

Perhaps you don’t enjoy the taste of Brussels sprouts, but they’re so good for you that you may just have to learn to like them, or at least tolerate them. They are just one of several cruciferous vegetables to make our list, and this is a low calorie food that has plenty of antioxidants and is great for your overall health. If you can’t stand the thought of a pile of Brussels sprouts as your side dish, try mixing them with other vegetables or incorporate them into your main dish so you’re not just eating them straight up.

5. Ginger

It’s not easy to eat a lot of ginger, and luckily you don’t have to. Using it to zest up your meal, or adding a bit of ginger root to a glass of water will give you the benefits you need from it. It has a nice cleansing effect on the body, and is often used in detox programs to help flush out toxins. It also serves as a diuretic, and will help your body get rid of any built up fluid it may have. Next time you’re grocery shopping, buy some ginger root. You’ll be surprised how often you use it when you have it handy.

6. Beets

In addition to being a diuretic, beets are also a rich source of antioxidants and have a specific antioxidant, betalain, which is only found in a few select foods. When choosing what style of beet to eat, go for fresh beets that you can either grill, boil, or steam. These are better for you than the pickled variety, and will yield more antioxidants for better overall well-being for the body. Unfortunately most beets you’ll find for sale in supermarkets and grocery stores are the pickled kind, so you may have to check out a farmer’s market or other vegetable stand to find fresh beets.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has a number of uses, and one of those is that it’s a natural diuretic that can encourage your body to purge itself of unneeded fluids, leading to better urinary function and overall health. You can use apple cider vinegar to help purify water, and to help stir up a sluggish digestive system. You’ll also find it used in plenty of recipes, but if you’re trying to use it as a diuretic it’s best just to add it to water and drink it down. You don’t need to use very much of it in order to benefit from it.

8. Cabbage

Cabbage is a healthy food no matter how you cut it, and part of the benefits it provides is being a diuretic food. It’s also been shown to be helpful in preventing cancer, and is a vegetable that can help reduce the risk of heart disease. One great way to eat cabbage is in soup form. This entails chopping or shredding the cabbage so it’s easier to eat, and also cooking it until it’s very tender. The key is not to use too much salt when you make your cabbage soup, as that will reduce the diuretic effect of helping the body release stored up sodium.

9. Cranberry Juice

Perhaps you’ve heard that cranberry juice can be good for a urinary tract infection, and that’s partly because it acts as a diuretic. The nice feature of cranberry juice is that it leaves your potassium levels intact, and also provides extra antioxidants to help your body battle free radicals. Be sure to opt for organic cranberry juice for the most benefit, since you’ll be avoiding the use of conventional berries which most likely have been treated with chemicals during the growing and preservation process.

10. Eggplant

Eggplant acts as a natural diuretic, and there are some weight loss enthusiasts that will make a special “eggplant water” by boiling eggplants and drinking the leftover water in an effort to lose water weight. That’s a bit excessive, but you can still consume these a side dish to just about any meal and experience the side effects a diuretic provides.

11. Parsley

Not just a pretty adornment to your plate, parsley has several benefits to it, including being a natural diuretic. Parsley contains several types of antioxidants in one tiny package. You can add parsley to your water for a fresh taste, or you can use it more in your cooking if you don’t want to eat it directly. The tart taste can act to freshen your breath in the process, but it might be too strong for some palates.

12. Caffeinated Beverages

Any caffeinated beverage will serve as a diuretic, including coffee and tea. It’s best to weigh the pros and cons of the foods that you’re thinking of consuming for their diuretic effect. The caffeine in these beverages might be disadvantageous enough to the body to choose other foods and drinks that provide a similar function without the use of a chemical like caffeine.

13. Water

Even though it might sound counterintuitive, drinking water actually helps your body rid itself of excess fluid. Conversely, not drinking enough water can lead to your body retaining the water it has in order to try to keep its water levels where they need to be. If you want to increase its diuretic effect try squeezing the juice of a lemon into it, or drinking hot water with slices of ginger in it for a sort of ginger tea. These methods will amplify the diuretic effect because these add-ins are also on our list of diuretic foods.

14. Tomatoes

For the diuretic effect you’ll want to eat tomatoes raw. The best way to do this is on a salad, or blending them up for fresh tomato juice. If you don’t like the taste of plain tomato juice consider adding carrots or watermelon to it to increase the effect and improve the flavor. Tomatoes are also one of the healthiest foods you can eat, with their large amounts of the antioxidant lycopene they’ve been shown to help battle cancer and prevent heart disease of all types.

15. Cucumber

Cucumbers are made up mostly of water and are a very hydrating vegetable. This is why you’ll typically see them being used in detox recipes. They’ll get your urinary system going as well, and they are a food that can be used to help with diabetes, weight loss, and even cancer. That’s because cucumbers contain antioxidants as well as minerals the body needs daily to keep functioning at its best.

16. Watermelon

Watermelon is aptly named and contains a lot of water, and also gets you to go more, so you’ll be helping to flush your body of excessive water and salt. You’ll want to be careful not to each too much watermelon in one sitting, as it can be hard to stop eating this sweet fruit, but its sweetness can cause your blood glucose levels to spike and can negate the healthy benefits of this antioxidant-laden fruit.

17. Carrots

Carrots are often thought of for their benefit to eyesight, but they do have a host of other benefits, and being a natural diuretic is one of them. Carrots are great because they come in a few different varieties depending on how you want to use them. Baby carrots are great for having as a snack or going on top of salads. Regular sized carrots can get sliced and chopped for use in recipes or cooked up as a side dish to a meal. No matter how you go about eating them, you’ll still get all of the nutrients as well as the diuretic effect they provide.

18. Garlic

Garlic provides a cleansing effect, and also acts as a diuretic, which is all the more reason to use it in more of your cooking. It has yet to be shown that garlic pills are a diuretic as well, and it appears that eating garlic in it’s natural form, or in powder form, is the way to go if this is your goal. You don’t have to eat clove after clove of garlic to reap the benefits, and just using it as part of the cooking process should be enough to see results.

19. Artichokes

Artichokes can have a powerful diuretic effect, and can rival the effects of prescription medication in some instances. The good news is that artichokes are also good for the digestive system, so if you’re looking to lose weight it can help you on two levels. They’re also packed with vitamins and minerals, so you’re replenishing the body at the same time you’re helping it to rid itself of excess fluid.

20. Asparagus

Asparagus is one of the healthier vegetables around, so you’ll be getting plenty of nutrients in addition to the diuretic properties it has. Many have noted that eating asparagus makes their urine smell, and this is one way to see the connection between this veggie and your urinary system. The odor is caused by an acid found within the asparagus that reacts in a certain way. It’s not harmful to the body, and in fact the antioxidants found in asparagus is going to benefit you in countless ways.

38 DETOX WATERS TO CLEANSE YOUR BODY AND MIND

By Leave a Comment

Source: detoxdiy.com

1. Fat Burning Detox Water

Drinking the right detox water can help you burn fat by providing your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to function like a well-oiled machine. Here are three different fat burning detox waters, each one delicious and ready to fuel you up.

INGREDIENTS
  • 2 apples, core removed, cut in thin slices
  • 2 tsp organic raw honey
  • 4 cinnamon sticks
  • 4 cups pure/tap water
  • Ice cubes, to serve

2. Morning Lemon Detox Water

Wake up and immediately start helping your body out with this morning lemon detox water. Lemon water is a great first beverage for your day, helping to hydrate you and providing enzymes to get your digestive system started up. This lemon water recipes is upgraded with a bit of apple cider vinegar and cayenne pepper.

Mix any of the following:

  • 1 tbsp. Apple Cider Vinegar (it has to be raw, unfiltered, with the mother)
  • Juice from 1 lemon (I like this citrus juicer / squeezer)
  • 1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper
  • 1-2 tbsp. Honey (raw and local is preferred, if unavailable, this one is great)
  • Water – You can dilute this as strong or as weak as you prefer. I usually add about 1/4 cup water.

3. Citrus Detox Water

Citrus fruits can be very detoxing thanks to the alkaline effect they have on the body. This recipes uses both grapefruit and lemon to provide plenty of Vitamin C, and infuse the water with classic citrus flavor. It’s a beverage you can enjoy throughout the year, and will provide you with vitamins and minerals.

Ingredients:

  • 64 oz. of Water
  • 1 Sliced Grapefruit
  • 2 Sliced Lemons
  • 2 Sliced Cucumbers
  • 1 Handful of Fresh Mint Leaves, torn

4. Apple Cinnamon Detox Water

Get the delicious flavor of apples and cinnamon in this easy-to-drink detox water. You’ll also get the benefits come from both apples and cinnamon. Apples have a unique mix of vitamins and minerals, and cinnamon has long been used as a healing spice. They’re using organic apples, a great idea when making detox water so it’s free of chemicals.

Ingredients

  • 2 organic apples
  • 2 cinnamon sticks (food grade)
  • water
  • ice if you want

5. Chia Detox Water

This detox water is not only good for you, it’s also fun to drink which means you’ll drink it more often. Chia seeds are so small that you can swallow them without chewing them up, and get the fiber, protein, and plant-based omega-3s they contain. To make it taste even better there’s lime juice which also adds Vitamin C.

Ingredients

  •  12oz glass of water
  •  Tablespoon Chia seeds
  •  Juice from 1 lime
  •  1/4 teaspoon agave nectar

6. Wonder Water

This water is especially made for dieters, but you can use it to detox as well and it will help you flush your system. It’s loaded up with green apple, cucumber, and mint, so you’re getting antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals in each sip. This is a crisp and refreshing water you can enjoy as often as you’d like.

Ingredients:

  • 2 litres/quarts filtered water
  • ½ green apple (like Granny Smith)
  • 3 inch (8cm) piece of cucumber
  • small handful mint leaves
  • squeeze of lemon or lime juice (optional)

7. Orange Mint Coconut Water

This detox water is sure to hydrate you because it’s made using coconut water. This means it will include enzymes and electrolytes that you just don’t get from regular water. Leave out the club soda and you’ll still get a great water that’s even better at detoxing you.

Ingredients
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 cup club soda
  • 1 cup coconut water
  • a few springs of fresh mint
  • a handful of ice cubes

8. Mango and Lime Infused H2O

Detox waters are all about infusing the water with the nutrients from fruits and vegetables. In this case they’re using mango and lime for a delicious flavor, but you’ll also get the antioxidants from the mango, and the Vitamin C from the lime.

Ingredients/supplies

  • 1 ripe small mango sliced.
  • 1 lime sliced into rounds.
  • 1 small bunch of cilantro.
  • 1 pitcher that holds 24-32 ounces of water.
  • Purified water.

9. Refreshing Detox Water

You don’t have to feel lightheaded when you’re on a detox, and getting enough water is key. This refreshing detox water will keep you hydrated and clear headed thanks to a combination of oranges, mint, cucumber, and lemon. A cool drink filled with antioxidants and fresh flavor.

Ingredients
  • 2-3 liters water
  • 2 large oranges, sliced
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • ½ large cucumber, sliced
  • 1 handful of fresh mint

10. Super Simple Detox Water

Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of this detox water, it still does the job. It’s made with ingredients that have been hand-picked thanks to their detoxing qualities. It’s important to note the use of fresh ginger, which will help calm the stomach and improve digestion.

Ingredients
  • ½ gallon purified water
  • ½ lemon, sliced
  • ½ lime, sliced
  • ½ grapefruit, sliced
  • 1 cup cucumber, sliced
  • 1 tsp ginger, sliced (add more if you like)
  • A small handful of peppermint leaves

11. Lemon Cucumber Mint Water

You’ll see mint being used in a lot of detox waters. That’s because of its cooling taste in the mouth, and also the large amount of antioxidants it contains. You’ll see it paired here with cucumber and lemon, two other common detox water ingredients.

Ingredients:
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 1 small cucumber, sliced
  • 1 handful of fresh mint
  • Ice, for serving

12. Fruit-Infused Waters

Here you’ll see two different ways to infuse water with the power of fruit. She shows you how to make a strawberry water and a watermelon water. Each of these fruits contain antioxidants and a sweet flavor that encourages you to drink more water on your detox.

Ingredients:

  • 4-6 strawberries, hulled and quartered
  • 1/2 lemon, sliced
  • Small handful of basil, scrunched
  • Ice and cold filtered water

13. Blueberry Orange Water

Blueberries make a natural choice for a detox water thanks to their renowned antioxidant numbers. By letting the berries soak in the water the antioxidants are able to seep out while remaining intact so you can drink them up and absorb them easily.

Ingredients:

  • pitcher of water
  • 2 oranges
  • handful blueberries

14. Grapefruit Water

Grapefruit has long been used as a weight loss aid, but it also works as a detox aid as well. When you let it sit in the water its nutrients become part of the water and its as if you’re eating the grapefruit without actually eating it. It’s full of Vitamin C and can get your metabolism going.

Ingredients:

  • 1 red grapefruit, sliced
  • 24 oz water

15. Oatmeal Detox Water

Dislike eating oatmeal but still want to get its benefits? Try oatmeal detox water, which provides the nutrients from oats without having to sit through a bowl of oatmeal. This is a healing water whose proponents say it can remedy everything from a cold to infections.

Ingredients:

  • 4 heaping Tbsp. (or more – I use a large handful) oatmeal
  • 4 quarts of water

16. Raspberry Watermelon Water

Raspberries and watermelon are two fruits that are tasty to eat all by themselves. But the goal with detox water is to get you drinking more water and making that water even more powerful with fruit. Watermelon contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant for detoxing, and raspberries are also known for the antioxidant content..

INGREDIENTS:

Fruit Infused Water Flavor Ideas

  • raspberry (or strawberry) lemon – any berry paired with lemon ends up with a light lemonade flavor!
  • watermelon mint – super refreshing!
  • tropical (mango pineapple) – this one comes out sweeter than the others, but in a totally good way!
  • citrus cucumber (lemon, lime, orange, cucumber)
  • Other fruits to try: apples, honeydew, cantalope, blueberries, blackberries, peaches
  • Try fresh herbs too! Rosemary, basil, mint

17. Strawberry Lemonade Probiotic Water

Your digestive system along with your liver represent your two most important detox systems, and making sure you take in probiotics will help your digestion and improve your detox capabilities, helping to whisk away toxins and prevent them from getting re-absorbed by the body.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups purified water
  • 1 cup Good Belly Probiotics
  • 1 cup strawberry, sliced
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon Aloe Vera Juice

18. Blackberry Mint Water

Blackberries tend to take a backseat to blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, but they’re still a great source of antioxidants, and taste great in this detox water. Mint is used for even more antioxidant power, which goes to work in your body fighting free radicals and the damage they cause.

19. Cinnamon Strawberry Detox Water

Cinnamon and strawberries may not sound like a popular combination, but it works in this detox water. You get the healing benefits of cinnamon mixed with the antioxidants of strawberries in one water. A lime helps to tie it all together and make it even more cleaning for the body.

20. Lemon Cayenne Ginger Detox Water

Cayenne can help your metabolism get going, and lemon will get your digestion in gear. Ginger helps to calm your digestive system, and is also deeply cleansing to the body. Put them all together and you’ve got a great detox water than you can drink anytime throughout the day.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 Gallon Water
  • 4 Lemons
  • 2 Inches fresh Ginger
  • 2 Tablespoons Cayenne Pepper

21. Springtime Strawberry Detox Water

Spring is a great time to detox, and this springtime strawberry detox water can help just about any detox program. It will help you stay hydrated as the weather starts to warm up, and is loaded with antioxidants from the strawberries as well as their signature flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1 gallon of water
  • 1 large lemon thinly sliced
  • 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 6 medium sized strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
  • 3 small sprigs of fresh herbs – basil or mint is nice

22. Pear-fect Detox Water

Enjoy this pear infused detox water made with two pears and a ton of fresh ginger. Be sure to use fresh ginger because it doesn’t have the same effect if you try using a powder. There are four other detox water recipes on this page, each one designed to help you release toxins.

Ingredients:

  • 2 Pears
  • 10 slices of fresh ginger (mix pear and ginger first)
  • 3 quarts of water

23. Sassy Water

You may have heard of Sassy Water, which is basically a detox water that has been shown to help people lose weight, especially in the tummy area. It’s a simple concoction of lemons, mint, and cucumber, but it’s remarkably effective and owes its success to its detox effect.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lemons
  • 1/2 cucumber
  • 10-12 mint leaves
  • 3 quarts water

24. Strawberry Kiwi Detox Water

Strawberry and kiwi goes together amazingly well, and each of these fruits is cleansing for the body. By soaking them in the water you release not only their flavor, but also their antioxidants and vitamins so you can drink them up in the water and be fully refreshed and recharged.

Ingredients:

  • 2 kiwis
  • 1/2 lime
  • 1/4 cucumber
  • A sprig of mint

25. Raspberry Lemon Detox Water

Raspberry and lemons both have a tart taste, but each one helps the body in a different way. Lemons do so with Vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant in the body, and raspberries are known for their high antioxidant content. Be sure to use organic raspberries for best results.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups organic raspberries
  • 8 cups (64 ounces) spring or filtered water
  • 1 large organic lemon—cut into ½- inch slices
  • 2 dried Medjool dates (optional but adds nice sweetness to the water)
  • 1 drop lemon essential oil-optional
  • 1 gallon clean glass jar with lid

26. Detox Water 3 Ways

When starting out with detox water it’s important to have a large list of different recipes so that you can tailor it to what you have on hand, or what you’re in the mood for. Here are three ways you can make fruit infused water that replenishes key nutrients.

DIGESTIVE AID BEAUTY WATER

  • 8 ounces coconut water kefir or sparkling water
  • 2 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar
  • 2 inch piece of ginger
  • juice from one lemon

COOL CALM BEAUTY WATER

  • 20 ounces water
  • 1 cup fresh berries
  • 1 handful fresh mint
  • 2 tablespoons honey or 3 drops stevia (optional)

WEIGHT LOSS FLUSH BEAUTY WATER

  • 20 ounces water
  • 1/2 grapefruit slices (ruby red is preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons vitamin C powder or camu camu powder
  • 2 tablespoons honey or 3 drops stevia (optional)

27. Fruit Infused Coconut Water

Coconut water by itself is a great detox beverage, but for many the taste needs an upgrade. That’s where fruit enters the pictures, and here they’re showing you four different ways you can doctor up that coconut water so you’ll crave it.

28. Apple Cinnamon Cranberry Water

The more ingredients you add to your detox water, the more interesting it will taste and the more likely you are to finish the glass. In this recipe they’re using a trio of ingredients including apples, cranberries, and cinnamon. There’s also six more recipes on the same page for variety.

Ingredients:

  • apple slices
  • frozen cranberries
  • cinnamon sticks
  • whole cloves
  • fresh grated ginger

29. Mango Ginger Water

You might sometimes see detox water referred to as spa water. It’s the kind of water they serve in upscale spas, particularly because of the cleansing effect it has on the body. Here they’re using the antioxidants from mango coupled with the soothing power of ginger.

Ingredients:

  • 1 inch Ginger Root, peeled and sliced
  • 1 cup Frozen Mango- fresh is fine too

30. Lemon Pomegranate Infused Water

Pomegranates top the charts in terms of antioxidants, and here they’re making a detox water that will be infused with plenty of nutrients. The lemon helps the flavor of the water and also adds in Vitamin C. Four hours of chilling and the water is ready to go.

Ingredients:

  • a small handful of pomegranate seeds (about 20)
  • 2 organic lemon slices.

31. Watermelon Detox Water

Watermelon is more than just a summertime favorite. It’s made up mostly of water, and contains two key nutrients, lycopene and beta-Carotene. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant by itself, and the beta-Carotene is converted to Vitamin A in the body and has an antioxidant effect as well.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 a small watermelon
  • 1 whole cucumber
  • 2 lemons
  • a big hunk of ginger

32. Cran Water

Cranberries are good for more than just a natural remedy for a urinary tract infection. That same healing power can help flush toxins from your kidneys, and makes a great addition to a detox. Here they’re touting its ability to help with bloating, making it a great anytime drink.

33. Strawberry Mint Water

Strawberries, blueberries, and mint combine to load up this detox water with antioxidants. Surprisingly enough it’s the mint that adds more antioxidants than the strawberries, and is on part with the blueberries. Lemons add in Vitamin C and digestive enzymes.

Ingredients:

  • 2 lemons
  • 1/2 cup strawberries
  • 1/4 cup blueberries
  • 10-12 fresh mint leaves
  • 3 quarts water

34. Lemony Herb Cucumber Water

Adding lemon to water helps to alkalize the body all by itself, so when you add in more ingredients like cucumber and a trio of herbs like mint, rosemary, and thyme, you’re really stacking the deck in your favor. Each herb contains different types of antioxidants.

What You Need
  • ½ cucumber
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 sprigs rosemary
  • 1 handful thyme
  • 1 handful mint

35. Orange and Basil Infused Water

The orange will add in Vitamin C to support your immune system during a cleanse, or just as a daily re-up of this important water-soluble vitamin. Basil is an antioxidant storehouse. Here you’ll find an assortment of detox water ideas, each with their own benefits.

Ingredients:

  • Orange & basil
  • Cucumber & mint
  • Lemon & ginger
  • Cucumber & lime
  • Orange, lime & mint

36. Turmeric Lemon Water

Turmeric has been used for generations in India as a healing spice. You can get its benefits by adding it to your lemon water and giving the water a totally new dynamic. The biggest benefit you can expect from this water is in the form of its anti-inflammatory ability.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 of a lemon
  • 1/4 – 1/2 tsp of turmeric
  • warm water
  • a dab of honey (optional)

37. Pineapple Blueberry Infused Water

Two delicious fruits are used in this detox water, pineapples and blueberries. Blueberries are known for the high antioxidant content, but pineapple is no slouch in this department either. Let it sit for at least an hour, preferably more to give the nutrients time to leach out of the fruit.

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup pineapple cut into chunks
  • 1/3 cup frozen blueberries
  • ½ cup ice

38. Healthy Infused Water

There are tons of ways you can infuse water and make it a more powerful detoxing agent. Here they show you a number of different recipes, including pineapple and mint and ginger and lime. All are great choices if you’re looking to get more nutrients into your system.

TRY THESE COMBINATIONS:

  • Ginger and lime — Peel 5-6 strips of fresh ginger and slice up two limes. I like to squeeze the lime juice into the water, let it sit for about 5 minutes, and then take the limes out. This was my favorite combination.
  • Cucumber and basil — Super refreshing. Slice up half a cucumber and then add 5 leaves of basil. Let the cucumber and basil infuse for 20 minutes, then drink up.
  • Pineapple and mint — I used about 1/4 of a chopped pineapple and then a handful of mint leaves. Muddle the mint into the bottom of the pitcher before pouring the water in to ensure the mint oils would be released and their flavor will be added. Should be flavor-ready in 5 minutes.
  • Melon and basil — I chopped up about 1/4 of a canteloupe scooped into balls (and ate the rest!) and 5 leaves of basil. Let sit 15 minutes and enjoy!

 

7 Easy Ways to Detox Every Day for More Energy and Vibrant Skin

By Leave a Comment

 

Source: youngandraw.com

While it is recommended to do a controlled detox a few times every year, detoxification itself is actually a continual physiological proves that our body is always going through. There are things you can do every day which will help to aid your body on going through this natural process of releasing toxins. By introducing these healthy habits into your daily life, it can help to keep your toxic load at bay by enhancing your body’s natural detox system to function effectively long-term.

1. Drink Filtered Water

As much as you possibly can, choose to drink clean water that has been filtered from heavy metals and chlorine. Use filtered water for drinking, showering and cooking when possible.

2. Do regular exercise

By moving your body every day, it helps to release toxins from your body by sweating. Exercising also helps to increase your body’s metabolic activity which aids effective in toxin removal, while also building lean body mass which assists in burning more calories. It also needs to be mentioned that moving your body is a stress relieving and produces a natural vitality boost.

3. Dry Skin Brushing

This relaxing activity takes just 2 minutes to do each day, but is a very powerful way to help your body’s lymphatic system to operate. You want to find a natural fibre brush that you will use to lightly brush over your body in a circular motion towards your heart. Do his before having a shower or a bath each day, which will also help to remove dead skin cells. Learn more about it here.

4. Have an Epsom Salt Bath

A hot bath with Epsom Salts can aid your body in drawing toxins out of your body, and not mention it is also calming and relaxing. The magnesium sulphate which is Epsom Salt is also a good nervous system relaxant. Adding some essential oils such as lavender to your bath will also aid in having a good night’s sleep.

5. Try an Infrared Sauna

Having a 15 minute sauna every day helps your body to remove toxins from your skin through sweat. If you can use an infrared sauna, you will also get extra benefits from the infrared rays which produce an energy like that from the sun, which will provide a cellular cleanse and increase metabolism and blood circulation. Sitting in a sauna is also very relaxing and rejuvenating, which is a healthy state for your body to enjoy.

6. Use only non-toxic skincare

Avoid using products on your skin that contain chemical ingredients and fragrances, which are easily absorbed by the skin. These toxic ingredient make your liver work harder in eliminating them from you body, and regular exposure to these ingredients have been linked to long term health conditions. Not only that, but they can block the detox pathways meaning that the toxins and chemicals your body is exposed to remain in your body, stored as fat cells that can affect weight loss and cause rashes, acne and wrinkles. Ironic, right?

7. Avoid Using Plastic

Plastics are an unstable compound and when heated, the harmful chemicals that plastics are made from will leach into the food that you then eat, or from the liquid you drink. Use glass or ceramic instead for cooking and drink from stainless steel bottles.

 

 

 

How To Completely Detox From Sugar In 10 Days

By Leave a Comment

detox-photo-785x521

1. Make a decision to detox.

In my book, there are three simple quizzes to help you learn if you need to detox. If you answer, “yes” to any of these questions, a sugar detox is your ticket to feeling great quickly and losing weight painlessly.

The first is the diabesity quiz.

diabesity-1024x576-785x442

  • Do you have pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes? (90 percent of Americans have not been diagnosed.)
  • Do you have belly fat?
  • Are you overweight?
  • Do you crave sugar and carbs?
  • Do you have trouble losing weight on low-fat diets?
  • Do you have high triglycerides, low HDL (“good”) cholesterol, or been told your blood sugar is “a little high?”

The second is a food addiction quiz.

sugar-addiction-2-orig-785x524

  • Do you eat when you’re not hungry?
  • Do you experience a food coma after eating?
  • Do you feel bad about your eating habits or avoid certain activities because of your eating?
  • Do you get withdrawal symptoms if you cut down or stop eating sugar or flour?
  • Do you need more and more of same bad foods just to feel good?

The third is the FLC Quiz (or the Toxicity Quiz). FLC stands for Feel Like Crap. FLC Syndrome has a list of symptoms including bloating, gas, reflux, irritable bowel, joint or muscle pain, brain fog, memory or mood problems, sinus or allergy symptoms, and more. Millions of us have FLC Syndrome and don’t realize that we are only a few days away from health and happiness.

2. Be a turkey (a cold one).

There is no way to handle a true physiological addiction except to stop it completely. Addicts can’t have just one line of cocaine or just one drink. Go cold turkey. But you won’t have to white-knuckle it because if you follow these 10 ideas, you will automatically reset your body’s neurotransmitters and hormones.

Stop consuming all forms of sugar, flour products, and artificial sweeteners, which cause increased cravings and slow metabolism, and lead to fat storage. Also get rid of anything with trans or hydrogenated fats and MSG (watch for hidden names). Ideally, for 10 days you avoid any foods that come in a box, package, or a can, or that have a label. Stick to real, whole, fresh food.

3. Don’t drink your calories.

Any form of liquid sugar calories is worse than solid food with sugar or flour. Think of it as mainlining sugar directly to your liver. It turns off a fat storage machine in your liver, leading to dreaded belly fat. You don’t feel full, so you eat more all day and you crave more sugar and carbs. It’s also the single biggest source of sugar calories in our diet.

That includes sodas, juices other than green vegetable juice, sports drinks, and sweetened teas or coffees.

One 20-ounce soda has 15 teaspoons of sugar; Gatorade contains 14 teaspoons of the stuff in one bottle. One can of soda a day increases a kid’s chance of being obese by 60 percent and a woman’s chance of type 2 diabetes by 80 percent. Stay away.

4. Power up the day with protein.

Protein, protein, protein at every meal—especially breakfast—is the key to balancing blood sugar and insulin and cutting cravings. Start the day with whole farm eggs or a protein shake.

Use nuts, seeds, eggs, fish, chicken or grass-fed meat for protein at every meal. A serving size is 4 to 6 ounces or the size of your palm.

5. Eat unlimited carbs (the right ones).

Yes, that’s right, unlimited carbs. Did you know that vegetables are carbs? And you get to eat as much as you want. There is one catch.

I only mean the non-starchy veggies such as greens, anything in the broccoli family (cauliflower, kale, collards),asparagus, green beans, mushrooms, onions, zucchini, tomatoes, fennel, eggplant, artichokes, and peppers, to name a few.

Avoid potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squash and beets—just for 10 days. Also skip grains and beans for 10 days. It supercharges the results so you lose weight and feel great.

6. Fight sugar with fat.

Fat doesn’t make you fat, sugar does. Fat makes you full, balances your blood sugar, and is necessary for fueling your cells. Along with protein, have good fats at every meal and snack including nuts and seeds (which also contain protein), extra virgin olive oil, coconut butter, avocados, and omega-3 fats from fish.

7. Be ready for emergencies.

You never want to be in a food emergency when your blood sugar is dropping and you find yourself in a food desert such as an airport, the office, or in a maze of convenience stores, fast food joints, and vending machines. You need an emergency food pack. I have one with me all the time and it’s filled with protein, good fats, and good snacks so I never have to make a bad choice. Here’s what’s in mine:

  • Packets of Artisana nut butters and coconut butter
  • Almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds
  • Salmon jerky or turkey jerky

 

  • A can of wild salmon or sardines
  • Unsweetened wild blueberries.

8. Swap distress for de-stress.

If you are stressed, your hormones go crazy. Cortisol goes up which makes you hungry, causes belly fat storage, and leads to type-2 diabetes. Studies show that taking deep breaths activates a special nerve, called the vagus nerve, that shifts your metabolism from fat storage to fat burning and quickly moves you out of the stress state. And all you have to do is take a deep breath.

Try my Take Five Breathing Break. It’s something you can do anywhere, anytime. Simply take five slow deep breaths—in to the count of five, out to the count of five. Five times. That’s it. Do this before every meal. Watch what happens.

9. Put out the fire (of inflammation).
Studies show that inflammation triggers blood sugar imbalances, insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and type-2 diabetes. The most common source of inflammatory foods other than sugar, flour, and trans fats are hidden food sensitivities. The most common culprits are gluten and dairy. We often crave the foods we’re allergic to. Without them we feel lousy and want more.

Quit gluten and dairy for 10 days. Getting off them isn’t easy, but after just 2 or 3 days without them, you’ll have renewed energy, relief from cravings, and will see many of your common symptoms disappear.

10. Get your Zzz’s.

Getting less sleep drives sugar and carb cravings by affecting your appetite hormones. In human studies, depriving college students of just two hours of the recommended eight hours of sleep led to a rise in hunger hormones, a decrease in appetite-suppressing hormones, and big cravings for sugar and refined carbs.

You want more energy if you don’t sleep, so you go toward quickly absorbed sugars. Sleep is the best way to fight against the drive to overeat. You literally can sleep your cravings and your weight away.

About Us

MORNING HEALTH

1808 W 103rd Street Chicago, IL 60643 Email: [email protected] Phone: