6 Simple Ways To Boost Detoxification

As I discussed the other day, toxins increase inflammation, so avoidance (when possible) + efficient elimination of them is essential! Helping your body get rid of toxins is one of the most effective ways to:

• Boost metabolism
• Increase energy
• Prevent disease
• Improve overall health + skin!

Here are 6 powerful DETOX practices that will change your life!

1. Drink HALF your weight in ounces daily. Consuming 12oz of warm water with lemon on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning, supports detox pathways.
   
2. Move your body daily. Our lymphatic system moves when we move, so some type of physical activity every day will help keep it flowing!
   
3. Deep + slow breaths to help move toxins out of the body. Read the book “Just Breathe” by Dan Brule (a retired Navy Seal) to learn more about the power of breath — I just finished it + it was fascinating!
   
4. Invest in a beautiful DRY BRUSH! Another way to help move our lymph, boost circulation + exfoliate the skin.
   
5. Take a high-quality detox supplement!! One that will remove both water AND fat soluble toxins is essential to help clear out backed up nastiness. The one I take is great for constipation + will get your feeling light + trim.
   
6. Load up on high fiber veggies. The recommendation is AT LEAST 6 servings of fruits + veggies daily (potatoes and corn don’t count — sorry!). Where do you fall? Eating real food is one of the most importance changes anyone with digestive issues can make!

Remember, optimizing our body’s natural detoxification processes through daily, healthy bowel movements is critical for optimal health! What happens on the INSIDE shows up on the OUTSIDE!

If you’d like to try my favorite Detox Supplement + Dry Brush, use this link to save $10 off your order!

How to Supercharge Your Detoxification Systems

On a daily basis we are exposed to hundreds of different toxins. They are found in the air we breathe, water we drink, food we eat, and even the different products we expose our skin to. Our body has natural fighting systems to clear out these toxins such as our lymphatic system and liver. However, our lifestyle choices can determine how efficient these systems work. Although detoxification is a naturally occurring process, there are many steps you can take to raise the level of efficiency. Supporting your daily detoxification processes is essential to prevent disease and feel your best!

How to Acheive Beautiful Skin From Within

Throughout high school and college, nearly all of us deal with some form of acne. We brush it off and attribute it to hormones and just part of growing up. Dermatologists recommend harsh and often toxic facial cleansers that can dry out the skin. When those don’t work, females are often prescribed birth control pills to control it. However, neither of these options do anything to resolve the underlying issue. Because there is almost always an underlying issue.

Throughout my studies I have been told over and over that our skin is a reflection of what is going on inside our body. If we are detoxifying optimally and have minimal internal inflammation, our skin will reflect it and be clear and glowing. If toxins start to build up or your body is inflamed, whether it be from poor diet, environmental contaminants or constipation, to name a few, our skin will reflect that as well through acne, rashes, etc.

If you have struggled with any type of skin issue, here are some tips on ways to help get to the bottom of it.

1. Do an elimination diet. Food sensitivities are infamous for causing skin irritation. Dairy commonly causes acne while gluten has been attributed to different rashes such as eczema. Try eliminating these two foods for 3-6 weeks to determine if a food sensitivity could be the cause.
2. Avoid white sugar and processed foods. Fried food, pop and other forms of processed sugar, and highly processed packaged food can cause inflammation in the body and alter the gut microbiome. Focus on eating a whole food diet with loads of vegetables. Avoid frying foods at high temperatures with low quality oils such as canola, soy and corn oil. Use avocado or coconut oil instead.
3. Drink more water. Many Americans, are chronically dehydrated. This could cause many issues such as weakened hair and dry skin. It can also lead to inefficient removal of metabolic waste, contributing to accelerated aging. Aim to drink half your body weight in ounces of water per day. If you sweat a lot in your workouts, live in a hot climate, or drink excessive amounts of caffeine, you may need to increase this further.
4. Start your day with hot water with lemon. This is a great habit for digestion and detoxification of the liver.
5. Take probiotics and eat probiotic-rich foods. Check out this post to learn all about probiotics.
6. “Detox” your skin care routine. Most soaps, shampoos, and lotions contain fragrances, formaldehyde (yes, formaldehyde!), preservatives, and foaming agents that can be carcinogenic, hormone disrupting, and irritating to the skin. Download the ThinkDirty app, which allows you to actually scan your products to see what harmful ingredients are in it. You can also look up products on the EWG’s Skin Deep Database. Curious about my favorite products? Shoot me an email!

Have you struggled with some type of skin issue? Look up your skin care products in one of the programs recommended above — comment below what you learned!

5 Tips Help Recover from a Gluttonous Thanksgiving

No matter how mindful we intend to be during Thanksgiving festivities, it is a safe bet that most of us will leave the table feeling overfull and defeated. There is no shame in allowing yourself some food freedom once in a while, especially on what may be consider the ultimate cheat day of the year! From my experience, it is not Thanksgiving Day itself that sabotages health goals or weightless efforts; it is the days following filled with endless amounts of leftover pie and stuffing. To avoid being set off track from your long term goals, I put together a list of some of my favorite ways to recover and detox post tryptophan binge (an amino acid found in turkey commonly proclaimed to make people sleepy).

1. Move. I always tend to feel better after a good sweat. Doing something active that you enjoy is a great way to get back into the swing of things. If you want to get the most bang for you buck, HIIT, or high intensity interval training, will help you burn the most calories in the least amount of time.
   
2. Hydrate. Especially if alcohol was involved in the festivities. Hot water with lemon is a wonderful way to help detoxify your liver and boost your metabolism. A good rule of thumb is to drink half your body weight in kilograms each day.
   • Example: If you weigh 200 pounds, divide by 2.2 = ~91 kilograms. Therefore, a 200 pound individual should drink approximately 90 ounces (~11 cups) of fluid each day!
3. Utilize your freezer. Rather than aiming to eat all your leftovers in the few following days, freeze the less healthy options. This will not only make it inconvenient for you to grab as a quick snack, but it will also encouraged you to eat it over a longer period of time and (ideally) in smaller portions.
   
4. Fast. Fasting has been associated with a host of benefits including increased metabolism, reduced inflammation and improved blood sugar control. Visit my blog post What is Intermittent Fasting? Key Components for Success for the specifics.
   
5. Drink a smoothie. Smoothies are a great way to obtain a ton of nutrients in one meal. Blending the foods can improve digestibility and make them more palatable, particularly for those spinach and kale haters. I love referring to Simple Green Smoothies for inspiration and recipe ideas!