SPRING CLEANING YOUR BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT

Increase your energy, clarity, and productivity?

Free your body of stored fat and toxins?

Stop your cravings and binges?

Free yourself from acne?

If you answered "yes" to at least one question, it's probably time for a cleanse.

Cleansing is a detoxification process by which poisonous compounds in the body are eliminated. Cleansing can also eliminate strong cell-memory cravings, making it easier for people to overcome addictive tendencies such as poor food choices, coffee, cigarettes and other stimulants.

Cleansing has many benefits.  You can:

If you know you want to cleanse, you have to find the right method for you.  It is not easy to do a cleanse.  It requires motivation and self-discipline.  There are thousands of cleanses out there.  Some people do the "Master Cleanse" on their own. Others do a "Juice Fast" with a group of people.  Some use pills, potions and foods.  I have tried many different kinds and had varying degrees of success. 

My preferred type of cleanse is at least 21-days and one that teaches me new modes of behavior that I can carry well beyond the cleanse so that I am more clean all year round. 

If you are interested in cleansing, and want to get started then please join me, Cleanse Specialist Olga Aura and Colon Hydrotherapist Jane Guyette this Saturday for a class on cleansing.  The class will include raw food preparation & training, tools and inspiration to get you started on cleansing.  Click here for registration and details.  Cannot come this Saturday?  Consider the raw food & yoga retreat as your chance to detox and renew.  It is April 30 - May 2nd in the redwoods just north of Ukiah.

Put your goals into action!

Take the first step this Saturday.

 

Dear Renee,

Fret not! If your family is SAD they will get inspired by the health and happiness they see in you.  With time they will for sure get excited about some of the things you are doing (not all of course, but some for sure.) Start with easy things that are high impact on your health: green smoothies and chia. Leave yummy snacks around such as kale chips, hummous dips, raw cookies and other desserts. This will likely turn into meals a few times a week like spagetti and meatballs, tacos and other classic favorites. 
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Hey Heather,

I have been running into some issues with food sensitivities, flu-like symptoms, and cravings since increasing to almost 100% raw. Could you help me with this? - Rachel

Renee,

These sound like classic detox symptoms.  You can ride them out -- they should clear up within a month.  You could see a specialist, but better to read through some of the raw food literature to see if any of the detox remedies resonate with you. 

Basically you have two options:

(1) Ride it out.  Don't eat the foods you are sensitive to.  Increase the amount of greens you are eating - green smoothies, juices and kale salad.  Keep plenty of fats in your diet - avocado, almond milk smoothies and milkshakes, and olive oil.

(2) Bring some cooked foods back into your diet, slowing down the detox but also prolonging it.

Personally, I opted for option 1 when I went 100% raw.  It worked out fine, although of course it was rough for the first few weeks.

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Dear Heather,

I have a standard blender, Cuisinart 10-12 c. food processor, and a small Kitchen-Aid food processor.  Do I need additional cooking appliances to live raw? - Serena

Serena,

A blender, food processor, nut milk bag, sharp knife and a cutting board are the important raw kitchen items to have. Eventually there are other nice things to have, but that is all you need at the beginning to be successful with your raw meals.  For the sharp knife, I personally have the Might MAC Santoku.  Cook's Illustrated highly recommends a $25 knife - the Victorinox Forschner Fibrox 8 inch Chef's Knife.