30 Day Detox Week 4 - Creating Sustainable Habits
30 Day Detox Week 4 - Creating Sustainable Habits
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Limit sugar, alcohol, caffeine, wheat, dairy, and processed foods...
Week four begins your transition to sustainable eating habits. Because you eliminated sugar and processed food from your diet, you now have a natural internal monitor of your sugar intake and a better idea of the hidden sugars and unhealthy fats in your food. Moderate eating of these foods is key from this point forward, and moderation can be the hardest part.
Some people experience significant changes from eliminating wheat or dairy and may want to cut those out of your diet for a while to eliminate the irritating effects on your system. Others notice the biggest change from getting rid of sugar and alcohol, while still others find the biggest effect stems from doing away with caffeine. Whatever you find, key into your biggest return area and maximise the long-term effects by minimising or eliminating this item(s).
Here's what you'll be doing all week long:
Drink sole (see below)
Take adaptogenic herbs chosen last week
Take probiotics
Continue your daily yoga and meditation practice
Set some goals for this week
Let's take a closer look at each of these:
Adaptogenic Herbs
This week, start taking the adaptogenic herbs you chose last week.
Probiotics
Probiotics are one of the best things you can do for preventative care of your health. Probiotics are essential for the digestive and immune systems. Research goes on about the many uses for these valuable supplements. Several studies also underscore the importance of probiotics in pregnant women and kids for the development of the immune system for issues like allergies, asthma, skin problems etc... My kids and I have probiotics every day and I feel like it has made a huge difference in strengthening their immune systems.
It's important to take a good quality supplement. It's not so important what micro-organisms are in your probiotics, its the combination of many different ones that will have the best effect. I am currently using this Lighthouse product which was recommended to me by my Naturopath. My kiddies have this Inner Health powder which I sprinkle into coconut yoghurt for double probiotic whammy! It's called 'fairy dust' in our house ;-)
Take your probiotics at night before bed to give them a chance to do their thing while you're resting, not ingesting!
Sole
Salt is not the villain it is often made out to be. There is some age-old evidence that not only is salt not harmful, but that consuming it daily (in a certain form) can be very beneficial for health.
How To Make Sole
Place 1-2 rocks of pink Himalayan salt in a glass jar with filtered water and cover, completely covering the crystals with water and let sit overnight.
If all the salt crystals have dissolved, add more salt to the water. Your sole is ready when the water becomes saturated with salt and cannot hold any more. There should always be salt crystals at the bottom of the jar. As you use up the sole, add more water and more salt until the water is again saturated. Remember there should always be undissolved salt crystals on the bottom of the jar. This is your visual proof that the water is totally saturated with salt.
What is Sole?
Sole (pronounced Solay) is essentially water that has been fully saturated with natural salt. This isn’t just a small amount of salt dissolved in water, but rather water that has absorbed as much natural salt as it is able and will not absorb any more (26% actually…. thanks high school chemistry). The term Sole comes from the Latin “Sol” meaning Sun.
We’ve been told for years that salt can be harmful, so the idea of drinking salt water may sound counter-intuitive, but it turns out that this concentrated salt solution can have a variety of health-supporting uses. This remedy has been used for centuries in some countries and claims both anecdotal and scientifically supported evidence for the following uses:
Helps Hydration– The body naturally repairs and detoxifies during sleep, but in doing so, it uses up a good amount of water. This is why we are often more thirsty in the morning. Consuming a salt solution like Sole helps the body re-hydrate.
Helps the Body Detoxify– The minerals in Sole make it useful in the natural detoxification that the body already does. Sole is naturally anti-bacterial and can help remove bad bacteria in the body.
Boosts Energy– The minerals and stored energy in Sole help boost energy throughout the day.
Improving Digestion– Sole stimulates the digestive system promoting food absorption and regularity naturally.
Improving blood sugar– Some people note improvements in blood sugar levels after using Sole.
A Natural Anti-histamine– Sole can work as a powerful natural anti-histamine. This action is likely due to its balancing effects on the body, and I have noticed this personally.
Helps with Muscle Cramps– When I played sports, we attributed leg cramps or other cramps to lack of potassium and ate more bananas (which are now the only food I won’t eat). Don’t know about the potassium theory, but I know that since using magnesium and Sole regularly, I don’t get leg cramps anymore (even during/after extreme exercise or in late pregnancy).
Bone Health– There is a theory that a potential cause of Osteoporosis and other bone disorders is the body utilizing calcium and other minerals from the bones for survival and to neutralize acidity in the blood. Sole is naturally full of minerals and alkalizing, so there is speculation that it is helpful with bone health as well.
Healthy Veins– By supporting the correct mineral balance in the body and blood, Sole can help reduce or avoid vein problems like varicose veins.
Blood Pressure– Contrary to what we often hear, many people notice a reduction in blood pressure from using Sole.
Weight Loss– By improving digestion and nourishing the body on a cellular level, Sole can help promote weight loss.
Healthy Skin, Hair and Nails– Sole’s high mineral content makes it great for healthy skin (and acne problems), and for hair and nail growth.
It is interesting to note that the conventional treatment for many of the above problems includes removing excess salt/sodium from the diet. While table salt could certainly have a negative effect and is best avoided, natural salt contains over 84 minerals and is incredibly nourishing for the body.
According to the book Water & Salt: The Essence of Life:
“In a nine-week study undertaken in 2003 at the Inter-University of Graz, Austria examined the effects of Himalayan Crystal Salt on physical and psychological functions of the body. It is the only salt ever to have been the subject of comprehensive double-blind scientific research. The results of the study, presented in the book, Water & Salt – The Essence of Life by Dr. Barbara Hendel, M.D. and biophysicist Peter Ferreira, confirmed significant positive changes in respiratory, circulatory, organ, connective tissue and nervous system functions. Patients also reported increases in quality of sleep, energy and concentration levels, brain activity, weight loss, enhanced consciousness, and noticeable hair and nail growth.”
Even better, Sole is a very inexpensive addition to a healthy diet and lifestyle and it is incredibly easy to make.
Where To Get (Healthy) Salt
As Sole is simply salt and water, the quality of the salt is extremely important. I prefer to use mostly Himalayan salt, with a small amount of Redmond Salt or Celtic Salt added. The following are brands I have used personally and can vouch for, though many local health food stores will carry Himalayan Salt (make sure it is pure… it should be pink).
Mrs Rogers Pink Himalayan Salt (also available at supermarkets)
How to Use Sole
Make the mixture as above and store at room temp. It will last indefinitely as salt is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. More water and salt can be added as needed to keep up the amount in the jar.
To drink, add 1 tsp to a glass of water each morning before eating or drinking anything else. Do not add more, especially starting off! If this causes a detox reaction or headache, work up slowly.