Spring Cleaning- beauty is more than skin deep

Spring is upon us the signs are everywhere new leaves, new flowers and best of all the perfect opportunity for a new you. I have been very fortunate that I was introduced to cleansing in my late teens. Regular cleansing has been a godsend.  I have cured my self of asthma and acne through my focused cleansing programs that I did in my early twenties. Cleansing works, everyone needs to take the time to flush the body and rebuild it with fresh foods, pure water, appropriate nutritional supplements, rest and proper exercise. 

Visualize the body as a river. A healthy river is pure, rushing and flowing on the other spectrum a toxic river is stagnant, infested with micro-organisms/algae and is quite unpleasant to be around. This is an effective metaphor for the human body. At its optimum it should be a well hydrated machine whose circulation is strong and most importantly there are no obstructions that can cause stagnation. 

What is the body's number one source of stagnation? The colon. The colon is designed to be an elegant plumbing system that processes ingested nutrition and breaks down food particles into essential nutrients to fuel the body. In its worst cast scenario it is a toxic cesspool that poisons, infects and ultimately leads to the degeneration of the body. Did you know that an impacted colon can actually drain 80% of the bodies immune system to process the junk in the trunk. 

The springtime is a great time to invest in your health and take your beauty ritual to the next level. When we face the process of detoxifying the body it can seem overwhelming. All sorts of anxieties begin to surface, can I do it, is it safe, is it necessary, what happens if I feel awful etc, etc. My simple suggestion is "just do it", the mind will always create excuses not to pursue a healthier state of being.

A good detox program should start with the colon. This is the most impacted area of the the body.  As much as all the foodies out there love good food, drink and dessert, accumulation of these delicacies over time lead to many not so yummy side affects. If you experience any of these symptoms, I predict a cleanse may be in your near future.

1. weight or fluid gain

2. poor circulation

3. sinus congestion

4. aches/lower back pain

5. skin problems (acne, blemishes, dullness)

6. lethargy/fatigue

7. depression

Yes, I know what all those symptoms feel like all too well, but the good news is with some diligence and a little discipline applying a focused detox program can have magical benefits in reversing these symptoms and bring back the feeling of OMG I am alive again! I feel fabulous again! Then you will be telling yourself, why did I not do this sooner and immediately you will be penciling in your calendar your next time for detox.

Getting Started:

Everyone is different and everyone will not experience the same type of cleansing reactions. For some it might be a mild discomfort to others a barrage of headaches to feeling like your giving birth to Rosemary's baby. All in all with proper preparation and a solid program, cleansing can be very enjoyable. It is a time to retreat from the world, be quiet and give yourself some much needed love and attention.

Hydration.

To prepare for a detox first consider hydration. Most people are dehydrated because they do no drink enough pure water but instead only imbibe beverages that have a diuretic effect such as tea, coffee, alcohol and sugary drinks. The body in a dehydrated state is like a stagnant and congested river and rehydration creates a healthy flow throughout the system that allows toxins to be mobilized and exited via the kidneys and colon.

Start by having about 2 liters of pure water a day, but avoid having more the 2 points within any one hour. 

Diet.  

Simplify, simplify, simplify. Start to reduce or cut out foods which are often very challenging to the body, and increase foods that are healthy for the body. Challenging foods can often include any of the following: wheat, dairy products, alcohol, coffee, strong tea, refined sugar, white flour, chemical additives, processed foods etc. 

Increase your consumption of organically grown and simple foods such as brown rice, quinoa, millet, buckwheat, barley and a wide variety of vegetables. Emphasize foods that naturally grow in this season and in your geographic region.

Environmental Clearing.

Do a spring clean of your possessions, home and garden and recycle anything you no longer need, un-clutter your home and this helps to un-clutter your mind. Letting go of things helps us to let go of the emotional baggage we all tend to carry around. As we are an integral part of the Earth our health is connected to the health of it. The rapid decline in the health of the Earth's environment has a direct impact on our own, make an effort to care for it.

Recycle, eat organic, reduce carbon fuel use by walking or cycling more. Plant trees, buy recycled and natural household products whenever you can. Subscribe to one of the green electricity companies such as 'Good Energy'. All this has the benefit of reducing toxins in your personal environment and in your body thus helping your health, the planet and everything else. 

The  Cleanse.

The number one question that I get asked is can I do this myself and at home. And the answer is most certainly YES. You can visit a spa or holistic clinic to have guidance, but you also can certainly have a very effective cleanse and rejuvenating experience right in your own home. With the help of these cleansing kits you will be on your way to looking and feeling great just in time to get that beach body before summer hits. These are my top favorite cleanses I have done each one numerous times and each one works brilliantly.

1. Arise and Shine (Aggressive)

This program is like jet fuel, Arise and Shine was my very first cleanse almost 15 years ago. A&S is by far the most comprehensive and deep internal cleanse on the market. This cleanse will get deep down to the mucoid plaque from the intestinal wall. It is not for the faint of heart, this is serious business.  A&S is a 28 day cleanse. You can do all 28 days or choose to do 1, 2 or 3 weeks. It is up to you on how you can balance your schedule. The full 28 days is best, but hey 1 week is also fantastic. A&S consists of 5 products: Chomper, Herbal Nutrition, Psyllium Husk Powder, Hydrated Bentonite Clay and Flora Grow. Together theses products help to condition, soften and break up mucoid plaque and to remove toxic waste from the alimentary canal, organs and cells. The Psyllium and Bentonite clay are used to make up a shake that is taken 3-5 times daily, it is not the typical shake from the DQ, but a rather bland, thick concoction that acts like a broom to sweep your insides clean.

This cleanse is the most aggressive of the ones that I recommend. Especially in the Master Phase, 6 days without food. This cleanse will by far give you the most dramatic detoxifying results but it is very difficult to do much else but cleanse. If you choose to do the A&S program you might need to take at least 1 week off of work and solely focus on the program.

Retail Price. $240.00

For more information about the Arise and Shine Program.

Check out their website. www.ariseandshine.com

2. Blessed Herbs (Medium)

Blessed Herbs is a family owned and operated herb company based in rural Massachusetts. I love BH they rock! Their quality is second to none and I feel that their product is some of the very best available. Not only do they produce great cleansing programs they also offer over 600 different herbal products to the medicinal trade. Through their vast network of wildcrafters and certified organic farmers they deliver the highest potency and effective blends on the market. Martha VolChok, BH's Master Herbologist is the brainchild behind the company. Her blends and formulations are classically inspired with the main focus to restore and maintain health.

I have used the BH colon cleansing kit quite a few times. And I love, love it. It is more gently that the Arise and Shine program. Personally I like to do Arise and Shine every 2-3 years for a major deep dive and then BH's program is the perfect bi-yearly tune up. It is powerful enough to see results yet gently enough to be able to somewhat still be able to function and go about your normal business. I always suggest a major time out, at least a week off when you cleanse.  But with our crazy schedules it is difficult sometimes to get away for that length of time.

The cleanse consists of two products, Digestive Stimulator and Toxin absorber. The kit provides a 30 day supply. Toxin Absorber is a mix that comes in individual packets that are used to make a shake. You can use plain water or organic apple juice. This cleanse like the Arise and Shine can be followed for the full program in this case 30 days or as long as you can dedicate to the process. I don't suggest doing the cleanse less than 7 days.  The Benefits of the BH Colon Cleansing Program are:

1. Assures Regular & Comfortable Bowel Movements

2. Removes Old, Accumulated Waste from you Small & large (Colon) Intestines

3. Rejuvenates the Digestive System

The BH cleanse is the perfect program for those that cleanse more frequently, and prefer the option to cleanse more gently so not to distract from normal daily activities.  

Retail Price. $89.50

For more information about the Blessed Herb Colon Cleanse

Check out their website www.blessedherbs.com

3. Ejuva (Mild)

Ejuva is also a terrific cleanse. It is probably the most comprehensive of all the cleanses, in that it helps purify the colon, blood and organs. It is a joy to use Ejuva, it is the most mild out of all the cleanses, it is so gentle. Ejuva also works on your body energetically, you will feel lighter and happier when on the Ejuva program. Ejuva consists of the following products, Power, Balance, MoFlora, Combi Shake, Renew and Vibram. It is much the same philosophy as the other cleanses, intensive herbal formulas to loosen and break down toxins, and an herbal shake to help move it on out. 

The program is broken down in 4 phases. You can choose to do all 4 or just 1 it is up to you. 

Phase 1 (7 days). The initial phase that prepares the body for deep cleansing. Three meals a day may be eaten.

Phase 2 (7 days). Two meals per day.

Phase 3 (7 days). One meal per day.

Phase 4 (7 days). Most potent phase of the Ejuva program. No food is eaten during this phase, which allows for maximum detoxification.

Ejuva also uses extremely high-grade ingredients in their products. Ejuva is kind of considered the Cadillac of cleanses. Also as an added treat Ejuva gives you an aromatherapy incentive. Vibram is included with the kit, it is a very nice gem enhanced aromatherapy blend that encourages clarity of the emotional body. It actually really makes a big difference.   

Retail Price. $325.00

For more information about the Ejuva Intestinal Cleansing Kit.

Check out their website www.ejuva.com

Cleansing has greatly increased my quality of life on many levels. The body is our temple and it is our responsibility to keep it pristine. The benefits are so great, it easily outweighs the discomfort or inconvenience of making the choice to commit to a serious cleansing program.  I love the cleansing programs that I have outlined, they are the best on the market and you can be sure that they will help create the best spring break that you have ever had. 

Have a beautiful day

David Parker

The Cosmetic Chef