Often we think of the Spring as a good time for detox, or January - purging ourselves of all the holiday excesses.  However in my mind there is no better time than the Fall to detox.  The perfect time to armor oneself against colds and flu's through a healthy, well-functioning immune system.  I often marvel that each season with it's particular bounty is replete with an abundance of what we need for that particular time of year.  The autumnal season is rich with fruits, vegetables, nuts, seasonal fish, fowl and game that are particularly high in immune protecting nutrients; gut protecting enzymes and detoxifying powerhouses.

Detoxifying is a highly individualized ritual, discipline, protocol - whatever you want to call it.  It is dependent upon your present, individual health, dietary habits, and willingness to perform it.  You can detox with simple activities you do everyday, or it can be a more conscientious, focused  program that has a beginning and an end.

Here are some basic detoxification activities you can do that are very powerful:

• A Healthy Diet - this is a great foundational element to begin the detox journey.  Remove processed foods such as boxed cereals, crackers, desserts, sugary drinks and industrial fats such as vegetable oils, fake butter and other artificial fats from your diet.  Eat organic and sustainable as much as possible.  Try soaking and sprouting grains, buy and eat grass-fed meats, organic omega-3 eggs and diary from pasture-raised sources.

• Lemon juice in hot water, first thing in the morning -  I have known people in my life that swear by this; Italian women (from the old country) that have done this all their life and have beautiful, thin, petite bodies and are healthy as a horse.  In any case, I have done this off and on for many years and know of it's great benefits.  What it does: it helps to bring minerals into the body and removes toxins from tissues.

• Unsweetened organic cranberry juice, not from concentrate added to your daily water intake - you should be drinking  at least 64 ounces of water daily. Add 8 ounces daily, splitting it up between 2 32-ounce containers. Cranberry juice cleanses your lymphatic system to help your body naturally eliminate toxins and bacteria and fight infection.  It has the added benefit of cleansing the kidneys, preventing gall bladder infection and reducing plaque by cleaning out mouth bacteria.

• Probiotics and fermented (cultured) foods - I cannot stress enough how important the quality of your gut flora is!  We need to populate our gut with healthy, friendly bacteria - it is essential to maintaining health and is the foundation of wellness.  You can buy probiotics as a supplement, but make sure it's a good quality.  Good brands are BioKult, Advanced Naturals, Prescript-Assist and Biotics Research.  Fermented foods should have a huge place in your diet.  I love to drink kefir - Lifeway is the brand I buy as it has many strains of bacteria. Eat fermented veggies - pickles, kimchi, pickled veggies, - I usually always make sure I have a jar of veggies I have lightly pickled in my fridge - recipe to follow!

• Omega-3, 6, 7 & 9 essential fatty acids, and important vitamins like A, D, E, & K from real food - these essential acids and vitamins are vital for health and detoxification alike.  They are fundamental immune boosters and assist in prevention of disease and illness.

• Juicing - I will now sing the praises of juicing!  I have been juicing for years, decades really.  And it never ceases to amaze me how energetic and full of life I feel after I drink my glass of juice.  I go between two juices just for regular daily health and vitality:   Green Lemonade: 1 head romaine, 1 bunch kale, 4 apples (I like  fuji), 1 lemon - skin removed but white pith intact and 1/1 inch piece ginger - .  After juicing and placing it in a container I squirt about a teaspoon of Flaxseed oil in as it enhances the bioavailability of the nutrients.  Orange/Red Delight - a bunch of carrots, 4 apples, a 1/2 inch  piece of ginger and several beets (if you bought them with the greens attached, either save the greens to do with the green juice or throw them in!  More nutritional value - though it will turn the color more purplish and may impart a slight bitter flavor.  

           To read the entire article on Autumn Detox go to www.mycompletenutritionist.com 

If you are interested in a more in-depth and comprehensive program, or desire assistance in any area of nutrition or well-being, please give Christine a call at 702-724-9898.