4 Simple Detox Tips for the New Year- Courtesy of Food Matters

New years resolutions can be challenging at times so why not simply start by adding more good things into your diet as opposed to taking things out. Add these 4 simple detox tips to your day and you’ll be sure to feel great in no time. Here’s to a healthy and happy 2012!

1. Drink More Water

Too often we misinterpret thirst for hunger. Our signal for thirst may cause us to eat as we mistake it for hunger pains. Reach for water first and make sure you are well hydrated before eating any meal throughout the day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Where possible make sure to drink your water at least 30 minutes before eating as this will allow time for the water to properly penetrate the cells of your body and hydrate your stomach lining in preparation for proper digestion.  Adding lemon juice and apple cider vinegar to water or green it up with barley grass powder, wheatgrass powder, spirulina or chlorella. Yum!

2. Add A Green Juice To Your Day

Green juices are an amazing way to add life giving and detoxifying plant chlorophyll to your bloodstream.

Green Juice Recipe Ideas:

Celery, lemon and pear (or apple) – Celery, cucumber, lemon (leave the skin on) and pear (or apple)- Celery, cucumber, kale, lemon and pear (or apple) – Celery, cucumber, lemon, parsley and pear (or apple) I also like to stir whatever green powders you have laying around the house add into  juices to green them up even more! Again try barley grass, wheatgrass, spirulina or chlorella powders

3. Add More Parsley and Cilantro (Corriander) To Your Diet

Parsley and cilantro (corriander) are very powerful natural green plant foods for detoxing heavy metals out of your body. Add these amazing herbs to juices, salads, soups and meals.

Heavy Metal Detox Pesto Recipe:

•    4 cloves garlic

•    1/3 cup Brazil nuts (selenium source) or macadamia nuts

•    1/3 cup sunflower seeds (cysteine source)

•    1/3 cup pumpkin seeds (zinc, magnesium sources)

•    1 cup fresh cilantro (corriander)

•    1 cup parsley

•    2/3 cup cold pressed olive oil

•    4 tablespoons lemon juice (Vitamin C source)

•    Big pinch of sea salt and or dulse flakes to flavor

Soak the seeds and nuts over night to release the enzyme exhibitors. Process the parsley, cilantro (corriander) and olive oil in a blender until chopped. Add the garlic, nuts, and seeds, salt / dulse and lemon juice and mix until the mixture is finely blended into a paste. Store in dark glass jars if possible. It freezes well also if needs be. Enjoy!

4. Breathe Deep Into Your Abdomen

Deep breathing, where you fill your belly and expand your diaphragm downwards, is one of the most powerful exercise you can do to activate your lymph system which helps to detoxify your body. Think of your lymph system as your own personal garbage removal system.

Practise 10 deep slow breaths counting 4 seconds in, 8 seconds hold and 8 seconds out. You can do this exercize watching the TV, walking the dog, during meditation or whilst practising yoga.

According to the ‘Tao of Breathing’ up to 70% of our body’s waste products are eliminated via our lungs and the rest through the urine, skin and feces. When the efficiency of our lungs is reduced due to poor breathing less oxygen is available to our cells, it slows down the flow of blood which carries wastes from the kidneys and lungs. Our lymphatic system which fights off viral and bacterial invaders is weakened along with a slower digestive process.Breathe long slow and deep in a mindful state as often as possible.

Here’s to a healthy, happy and wonderfully abundant 2012!

Winter is here! With it comes the cold and flu season and uncomfortable dry skin.  We can’t guarantee that you won’t be hit with a cold or the flu, but we do think  you can increase your odds of staying well with these natural strategies.

Drink Plenty of Fluids~

Water flushes your system, washing out the poisons as it rehydrates you. A typical, healthy adult needs eight 8-ounce glasses of fluids each day

Drink your lemons.~

Lemon is the ideal food for restoring acid-alkali balance. Drinking freshly squeezed lemon juice in water, or adding it to tea, salad dressings (in place of vinegar), baking or cooking, helps maintain the body’s internal “climate” at a pH which supports healthy bacteria instead of the viruses and harmful bacteria which thrive in more acidic environments. Apple cider vinegar is another great way to improve your body’s alkalinity.

Get gargling~

Japanese researchers found that a daily gargling with water reduces your cold risk. People who gargled with water were 36 percent less likely to be struck down when compared with non-garglers. The study suggests that simple water gargling is effective to prevent upper respiratory tract infections.

Microwave your toothbrush~

Run your toothbrush through the microwave on high for ten seconds to kill germs that can cause colds and other illnesses. You think it gets your teeth clean — and it does. But once you’re done brushing, your toothbrush is a breeding ground for germs. Sterilize it in the microwave before you use it, or store it in hydrogen peroxide (rinse well before using), or simply replace it every month when you change the page on your calendar and after you’ve had a cold.

Thyme for a Cough~

Try this as a natural way to make that cough feel better,
Add three tablespoons of dried thyme to one pint of boiling water. Let cool, then add one cup of honey. Take one teaspoon every hour as needed. You can store the mix in the fridge for up to three months.

Vitamin C to Prevent Colds~

Cold and flu season in the U.S. stretches from November to March. And most people come down with a cold – two or three of them per season.
Boost your immune system with natural food sources of vitamin C. Some examples are:  Sweet Red Pepper, Kiwi, Sweet Green Pepper, Oranges, Grapefruit Juice, Vegetable Juice Cocktail, Strawberries and Brussel Sprouts

Tea for Sore Throats~

For a sore throat, the tea remedy is as old as time, it seems. Try jujube tea for an extra vitamin C boost.

Carrots for Headaches~

Phytonutrients in fresh produce, like the beta-carotene in carrots, can reduce inflammation in the blood vessels of the brain. Eating two cups a day can help some people reduce headache incidence by 70 percent!

Lavender for Anxiety~

Lavender can help. Apply lavender oil or a sachet to your pulse points — the arteries at your wrists, neck and feet are a good start — for a subtle soothing experience.

Walnuts for Dry Skin~

Dry, cracked skin is a part of the season for many — but it doesn’t have to be so bad.

Fortify your skin by eating one ounce of walnuts daily. Within two weeks, the natural omega-3 oils will not only keep your energy levels up, but improve the elasticity and natural moisture in your skin.

Honey Yogurt Lotion for Dry Skin~

If dry skin has already set in, set about soothing and restoring cracked, itchy spots with this natural salve.
2 tablespoons honey?1/2 cup plain regular yogurt ?1 teaspoon grapefruit zest?1 cup iced black tea

Apply mixture of first three ingredients to skin and leave for 15 minutes. Splash off with the tea.

Nurture yourself~

Make sure you take time to yourself, spend some time with friends, and indulge yourself in a massage, a hot bath, or an energy work session when you want one. Our bodies respond to our emotions – if you’re feeling harassed and anxious, it can manifest in a sore throat or a cold.

Create a space within yourself and your living environment for harmony, self-love and joy (giving thanks, prayer and blessing the abundance in your life and of the world around you helps). Pay attention to warning signs of sore throat or exhaustion so you can keep them from getting worse. Take a “mental health day” every few months to make sure your emotional needs are met. When you’re happy, you’re far less likely to get sick.

Here’s hoping that we made your winter season a little more healthy!

S’well bottles are a great green gift for everyone on your holiday shopping list. The unique double-walled construction keeps drinks cold for 12 hours, even in hot Arizona conditions and also keeps drinks hot well into the chilly winter evenings.

•    S’well bottles merge style and function with environmental and social consciousness. Through a year-long design process involving hundreds of prototypes and dozens of focus groups, the S’well bottle was born.

•    The shape of the S’well bottle has been designed to fit ergonomically into each customer’s hand, bag and car cup holder. The first-edition S’well bottle is engraved with the S’well motto and has a space on the bottom for personalization for each user’s name or initials.

•    An estimated 50 billion plastic bottles of water are consumed each year in the US and over 200 billion bottles globally, not for purity sake, but for convenience and portability.

•    Even in this era of conservation of resources, less than 20% of these plastic, disposable water bottles are recycled.

Water is essential for life, but one billion people, one sixth of the world’s population, do not have safe access to it. To address this crisis, for every S’well bottle sold, 10% percent of the proceeds are donated to WaterAid, a non-profit organization that for the past 30 years has been working to deliver water solutions to world’s poorest communities. Every bottle sold provides almost a year supply of water for someone in need, and every five bottles sold provides a lifetime supply.

Order today for everyone on your shopping list and use the code SwellPals at checkout for 10% off.

Visit their website for more information and ordering your Swell Bottle today: Swell.com

Set at the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains, Miraval is a top-rated, all-inclusive destination desert oasis that caters to complete tranquility.  A focus on healthy living drives every aspect of the serene atmosphere. Take part in unlimited opportunities to reflect, learn and grow from Miraval’s Clue-In™ self-discovery activities and programs. Wind down with Miraval’s world-renowned Chill-Out™ spa services that unlock and unleash your senses like never before.  At Miraval, it’s not just about taking a break – it’s a full mind, body and lifestyle revamp retreat, where the benefits linger long beyond checkout.

877.746.9051 | miravalresorts.com

The kitchen is not the only place in your house where you can reduce unnecessary chemicals and eliminate wasteful packaging. One place that often gets overlooked is the bathroom. There are all sorts of organic bath products available now that don’t test on animals, don’t use harmful chemicals, and use recycled packaging.  However, the best way to be sure of what is in your toiletries while using the least amount of packaging material, is to simply make them yourself! You’ll find they are surprisingly easy to make, and very simple to customize to your specific needs. (They also make wonderful gifts!)

To make your own all-natural shampoo you need: 4-6 oz of liquid castile soap, which can be found at any health food store. Castile soap is a cleansing agent made from olive oil, which is gentle, all natural, contains no animal ingredients, and is inexpensive. Next, choose 2-4 different types of herbs to add to the shampoo.  Both dry and fresh herbs are fine, but if you use fresh herbs you need to use about three times as much. Lastly, choose an essential oil to add. Some good starting combinations of herbs and oils are:  chamomile and tea tree oil for dandruff prone hair, lavender oil and sage for oily hair, Aloe Vera (fresh or gel form) and almond oil for dry hair. So, to put it all together: boil 2 cups of distilled water. Then add about a ¼ cup of each herb chosen to the hot water, let it sit for 30-40 minutes, strain, and mix with the castile soap and ½ teaspoon of your essential oil. Pour it into a clean, recycled bottle or jar with a top. You now have your own, chemical-free, all natural customizable shampoo! Since there are no preservatives, it should be used within 30 days.

VerVe Salon is an Aveda Lifestyle Salon using exclusively Aveda products that are 97% organic and plant derived. We offer a full range of hair service, including Aveda Color that is 99% plant derived. Our salon is made from a mixture of recycled materials including our stations that are a combination of recycled metal and wood.

We encourage you to stop by for some calming tea, or to drop off your used bottle caps and we will recycle them for you – Aveda transforms them into new caps.

Casas Adobes Plaza
7025 N. Oracle Rd.
Tucson AZ 85704

Hours:

Monday- 10-5
Tuesday- 8–8
Wednesday- 8-6
Thursday- 8-8
Friday – 8-6
Saturday- 8-6

VerVeSalon.net

All Massages Are Not Created Equal.

2850 E. Grant Rd., Tucson
520-326-7700

www.lotustucson.com

Sia Botanics produces high performance skincare by combining modern science with Native American and Eastern Herbal Lore.  Our green commitment is more than skin deep.  From our corn based labels to our literature and packaging produced with 100% recycled fiber and soy inks.  From our solar powered web server to our USA only suppliers you will find that everything Sia Botanics creates reflects our healthy people, healthy planet philosophy.

www.siabotanics.com
520-887-0834 ext. 111

Glimpse Intuitive Skin Care by XanGo nourishes your skin through toxin-free and performance driven ingredients from the mangosteen. In all the world, only Glimpse contains Bio-Active-X3 Complex which soothes and calms signs of inflammation, stimulates collagen production, and protects against environmental stressors while revealing a brighter, more radiant complexion.”

Eleanor Baker
326-5100
glimpse@cox.net

Visit our website:  www.thebodyshop.com 

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(520) 745-3708