Detoxing: "Time-Out" for Better Health

What is Detoxing?
Detoxification (detox for short) is essentially the removal of toxic substances from the body. This procedure can be accomplished in any number of ways, depending on the goal of the detoxification process. A diet detox (as opposed alcohol, drug or heavy metal detoxes, for example), might involve the elimination of certain foods for a period of time. It could mean taking other approaches as well (or instead), such as taking herbs, drinking additional water, fasting, or participation in specific therapies such as colon hydrotherapy, meditation retreats, oxygen treatments, focused exercise therapies, etc.

Why do it?
In addition to regular exercise, one of the first steps to improved health is to adopt a predominately whole foods diet. If you eat like an average Americanmeaning lots of packaged, processed convenience foodsyou take in a lot of things that don't serve you or your body. Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, preservatives, chemicals: all these and more foreign substances stress the body and make it more difficult to maintain well-being. A periodic "time out" from these things can help get you back on the path to good health, and ideally get you jump-started on a healthier track: one that will last beyond the days or weeks of your cleansing/detoxing period.

Things to keep in mind

• Food is more than simply calories to fuel your daily life: What you eat literally "becomes you."
• What you take into your body during a detox program is just as important as what you work to release. The single greatest source of everyday toxins is the foods we consume. Learning to avoid pesticides, additives, preservatives and chemicals is a focus of a sound detox program.
• The best nutrition program centers on fresh, whole, nutritious foodsthe ones your body needs in order to thrive. Over-dependence on packaged and processed foods is what caused many health problems to begin with, so it makes sense to avoid diet or detoxification or cleansing or diet programs that are based on boxes and cans of pre-made food.
• Because theory is great, but practical knowledge is even better, the best detox program will include recipes, personalized instruction and guidance along your path to better eating. If you're considering doing any sort of a detox, contact us. Our Holistic Wellness and Nutrition Counselor Sheree Clark is also a trained vegan raw food chef. Sheree's approach is centered on helping you adopt life-changing practices.
• Elimination is the primary way the body rids itself of toxins. Depending on your individual circumstances, a sound nutrition plan may include a colon cleansing protocol. The customizable program we use at Fork in the Road includes natural herbs that may be purchased separately as a kit with complete instructions. The cleanse can be done over the course of nine days, or spread out over 30 days.