by Peter Minkoff, Contributing Writer
Winter is almost gone, we can sense the shift of seasons as the days grow longer, the air gets warmer and the energy around us gets an uplifting vibe. Springtime is just around the corner and it’s high time to get some spring cleaning done – not only in your house, but your body as well (your one true home, when you really think of it). The rich feast festivities are over and it’s the perfect opportunity to get all the toxins out of you and make way for a lean, mean, beach-ready body. There are a few simple steps to an easy detox routine:
Water – hydration is essential
The human body consists of almost 70% of water and our metabolic processes tend to use up about 1l of water per every 25kg of body mass. So when you add the numbers of liters up you get the amount your body uses and which you need to compensate during the day. The ideal way to start the day is to drink a glass of warm water first thing in the morning – it gets the bowels cleaned and ready for the day. For an extra metabolism boost, squeeze half a lemon into the water. The acids will help restore the pH balance in your digestive system and speed up the process.
Greens – simplify your meals
The key to any successful nutrition plan is to maintain a timely meal schedule, besides the proper food choice, of course. The optimum is to have 5 smaller meals per day in order to keep your blood pressure and sugar levels at normal.
After the glass (or two) of water that you drank, it’s time for a neat breakfast – start the meal with a veggie and fruit smoothie: mix greens like spinach or basil with chopped beets, carrots and apples for a kick start. While sipping this delicious detox blend, prepare the main breakfast dish – make it packed with organic whole wheat like brown rice, amaranth, quinoa or buckwheat.
Lunch should be centered around steamed vegetables and mixed with a fresh salad. Your go to ingredients are potatoes, green beans, broccoli, tomatoes, cauliflower, carrots, beets, asparagus, eggplant, kale and cabbage. If you need more protein, add one piece of organic turkey or chicken meat (avoid red meat and mercury filled fish meat).
Dinner should be plain, a simple green salad or even better – just a cup of herbal tea. Green tea is the best detox ally since its antioxidants help remove the free radicals (or cellular waste) and are even linked to belly fat lose.
Extra tip: if at some time you feel a little weak it’s completely normal since the body is discharging harmful matter out of its system. You can ease the process by aiding your diet with natural supplements like they have at Herbs of Gold. Before you do, consult your nutritionists or health practitioner.
Exercise – keep your body in motion
Whether you are looking to lose a few extra inches or just tighten the muscle tone regular exercising has numerous health benefits you are surely aware of. Find an activity you most enjoy: it can be group aerobics with your friends, hiking in the nearby forest with your dog, jogging, bicycle rides anything that keeps you motivated. Make that a scheduled activity at least three times a week and you’ll see the positive changes in time!
The key to a good cleanse is not to go overboard all year long and then dedicate a few weeks to compensate all the bad habits, but to maintain a balanced, healthy nutrition plan throughout the year. Skip processed foods, focus on fresh, organic groceries, find healthy substitutes for all the tempting, sugary sweets and your cleansing will come as a natural thing.
Water – hydration is essential
The human body consists of almost 70% of water and our metabolic processes tend to use up about 1l of water per every 25kg of body mass. So when you add the numbers of liters up you get the amount your body uses and which you need to compensate during the day. The ideal way to start the day is to drink a glass of warm water first thing in the morning – it gets the bowels cleaned and ready for the day. For an extra metabolism boost, squeeze half a lemon into the water. The acids will help restore the pH balance in your digestive system and speed up the process.
Greens – simplify your meals
The key to any successful nutrition plan is to maintain a timely meal schedule, besides the proper food choice, of course. The optimum is to have 5 smaller meals per day in order to keep your blood pressure and sugar levels at normal.
After the glass (or two) of water that you drank, it’s time for a neat breakfast – start the meal with a veggie and fruit smoothie: mix greens like spinach or basil with chopped beets, carrots and apples for a kick start. While sipping this delicious detox blend, prepare the main breakfast dish – make it packed with organic whole wheat like brown rice, amaranth, quinoa or buckwheat.
Lunch should be centered around steamed vegetables and mixed with a fresh salad. Your go to ingredients are potatoes, green beans, broccoli, tomatoes, cauliflower, carrots, beets, asparagus, eggplant, kale and cabbage. If you need more protein, add one piece of organic turkey or chicken meat (avoid red meat and mercury filled fish meat).
Dinner should be plain, a simple green salad or even better – just a cup of herbal tea. Green tea is the best detox ally since its antioxidants help remove the free radicals (or cellular waste) and are even linked to belly fat lose.
Extra tip: if at some time you feel a little weak it’s completely normal since the body is discharging harmful matter out of its system. You can ease the process by aiding your diet with natural supplements like they have at Herbs of Gold. Before you do, consult your nutritionists or health practitioner.
Exercise – keep your body in motion
Whether you are looking to lose a few extra inches or just tighten the muscle tone regular exercising has numerous health benefits you are surely aware of. Find an activity you most enjoy: it can be group aerobics with your friends, hiking in the nearby forest with your dog, jogging, bicycle rides anything that keeps you motivated. Make that a scheduled activity at least three times a week and you’ll see the positive changes in time!
The key to a good cleanse is not to go overboard all year long and then dedicate a few weeks to compensate all the bad habits, but to maintain a balanced, healthy nutrition plan throughout the year. Skip processed foods, focus on fresh, organic groceries, find healthy substitutes for all the tempting, sugary sweets and your cleansing will come as a natural thing.
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