Before having children, I regularly enjoyed the occasional 1 – 2 day detox, and found that detoxing enabled me to enjoy food much more, eliminated cravings for sugar, salt or fat, and boosted my energy levels dramatically. Since having my daughters, I haven’t attempted a detox day at all. Rather, since being pregnant, I’ve adopted a pretty bad habit, which is eating right before bedtime, and it’s taken me a long time to lose the weight I gained during pregnancy.
However, I have to say that at no point did this bother me, or was I frustrated. In fact, gaining over 40 kilograms (yep, 40!) has made me appreciate my body all the more, for it has truly taught me to love myself inside and out.
We need to embrace our bodies, always, and love ourselves fully, regardless of our physical appearances, if we are to live whole, authentic lives and if we are to walk in our woman energy. You are who you are, now, in this moment – so make the most of it.
The last week, I’ve been subconsciously gearing up for a cleanse. It comes with me transitioning out of one career and into another, and walking my talk as a coach. Using a detox as an opportunity to expel or eliminate negative feelings, beliefs, or phases or your life is a symbolic act that you are welcoming and feeling that positive change is emergent. It is healing and cathartic, and allows you mental space to think upon other things. In fact, many religions and faiths use fasting as a way to improve their relationship with God, by thinking more upon Him, our mortality, and life giving bounty: it is, therefore, a highly spiritual act.
On a biological level, detoxing is very much about elimination. It’s about giving our bodies a rest from processing and digesting foods, and also eliminates toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymphatic system, and skin. It’s very very healthy to do, and although it might sound a bit hard core, it’s really not that difficult to do if you use it as an excuse to knuckle down and focus on purifying mind, body and soul. Or treat yourself by having a relaxing bath, getting a massage or doing some gentle stretching.
I’ve included the drinks and recipes for this 1 day detox. I never felt hungry, but relished dinner by the time it came. Let me know if you have any questions or comments below.
Amanda. X
HOW MY DAY LOOKED
After waking
Hot lemon water
Apple and celery juice – Juice 1 green apple and 2 sticks of celery. Serve with ice.
Breakfast
Green tea
1 poached egg
Mid morning
Hot lemon water
Water (aim for filtered)
Lunch
Cucumber, kale, pineapple and grape juice – Juice 1 cucumber, 1 stalk kale, a handful of green grapes and a slice of pineapple. Serve with ice.
Afternoon
Hot lemon water
Water
Afternoon tea (4pm slump)
Beetroot, carrot and kale juice – Juice 1/2 raw beetroot, 1 carrot and 1 stalk of kale. Serve with ice.
Dinner
Chicken and vegetable soup (see recipe below)
Bedtime
Chamomile tea
1 glass milk of choice
Chicken and Vegetable Detox Soup
1 free range organic chicken
Chicken stock
1 litre water
1/2 broccoli
2 carrots
1 stick celery
1 zucchini
100 g green beans, cut in half
Place chicken in a large pot and add water and stock. Bring the the boil, then simmer for 30 – 35 minutes. Remove chicken and shred into pieces, discarding bones and carcass. Skim and remove excess fat from the soup. Add shredded chicken, cut and diced vegetables and allow to cook for a further 15 minutes.
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