Multitasking Moves That Slim and Trim

Another great workout from Popsugar.              These no-equipment moves melt fat and reveal toned muscles quicker than anything else. Read More »

Don't Party Too Hard

A glass of wine a day probably won't cause weight gain. Research shows that people who drink small amounts frequently have healthier body mass indexes than those who drink larger amounts less frequently. Several studies have found a link between occasional bouts of heavy drinking -- consuming at least six cocktails at a time -- and excessive abdominal fat. "The liver normally breaks down stored fat for energy," Dr. Cederquist says. "But with heavy alcohol intake, your body prioritizes the detoxification of the alcohol over the metabolism of fat." Translation: You hold onto fat and torch fewer calories. Buzzkill!

5-Minute Workouts

FEATURED 5-Minute Workouts You can still slim down even if you don't have time for a full workout. Read More »

 

Top 10 Foods for Detoxing

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With a new year and bathing suit season just around the corner, you can’t help but notice the countless articles and advertisements about detoxing and cleansing, from companies selling their powdery shakes and power bars, to “professionals” recommending crazy fasts and liquid cleanses. And believe me, I’ve been tempted to give them a try.  But while there are plenty of detoxing programs out there, the good news is that nature provides lots of help in this department on her own. Below are 10 detoxing superstars you can find in the produce section. Incorporate these often to jumpstart your body’s automatic and natural cleansing work.

Lemons
Lemons jump-start digestion by stimulating the release of enzymes and Vitamin C helps convert toxins into a water-soluble form that can be easily eliminated from the body. Lemons also help stimulate the liver and purify our blood!  I keep a big pitcher of water and lemon slices in the fridge at all times. Not only am I gaining all the benefits of lemons but I am also staying hydrated.

Beets

Here’s one that I have not been very adventurous with but beets are awesome. They are full of nutrients and are a great source of vitamins B3, B6 and C, plus beta-carotene, magnesium, calcium, zinc, and iron. They assist our liver and gall bladder in breaking down toxins, and their fiber is great for digestion and elimination. Shredded raw beets are the best. Try some on top of a big pile of greens with a sprinkle of lemon juice — those toxins won’t even see it coming!

Apples

Now this one I do daily.  An apple a day keeps the doctor away.  Apples also give us lots of fiber and nutrients and help stimulate bile production, which the liver uses to release toxins. The soluble fiber in apples, pectin, is helpful in removing heavy metals and food additives from our bodies. If you can buy organic apples, as conventional apples are some of the most heavily-sprayed foods around.

Green Veggies

What we want from green veggies is chlorophyll. Chlorophyll rids the body of environmental toxins, heavy metals, herbicides, and pesticides.

Make sure you get lots of green things in your diet — leafy greens, broccoli, cucumbers, celery, sprouts, dandelion teas, chlorella supplements. Aiding in detox, increasing oxygen content, and purifying the blood, greens are the essential building blocks of any healthy and vibrant diet.

Garlic

This one I have covered without even trying.  I buy garlic in bulk!  Add it to everything — salads, sauces, spreads. Raw garlic has powerful antiviral, antiseptic and antibiotic properties. Garlic helps stimulate the liver into producing detoxification enzymes that help filter toxins from the digestive system.

Sea Veggies

Sea veggies have crazy antioxidants that help alkalize the blood and strengthen our digestive tract. The alginic acid in sea veggies absorb toxins from this digestive tract. They also have the broadest range of minerals you can find in any food! If you’re hesitant to get busy with seaweeds, buy dulse flakes and use in salads, soups, and stir-fries instead of salt.

Broccoli Sprouts

Broccoli sprouts get their own big shout out! Broccoli sprouts contain important phytochemicals that aid in the detox processs at rates much higher than grown-up broccoli (which is still really, really good for you). These phytochemicals stimulate detoxification enzymes in the digestive tract. They are also extremely high in antioxidants! Get ‘em at your health-food store. They pack 20 to 50 times more cancer-fighting, enzyme-stimulating activity into each bite than the grown-up vegetable.

Green Tea

Speaking of, you should all know by now that green tea is a great big source antioxidants, one of which are catechins. Catechins increase liver function, which we want. Plus, drinking green tea aids us in hydrating our bodies. Woot woot!

Artichokes

Artichokes increase bile production and both purify and protect the liver. They also have a mild diuretic effect on the kidneys, which aides in toxin removal once the liver breaks them down. Some studies have shown that artichokes may actually regenerate liver tissues (It is seriously all about the liver). They are also super high in fiber, which, as we know, helps us with elimination.

Cilantro

Another green food that gets a special mention is cilantro. Cilantro is aces for ridding the body of heavy metals (not the loud and fun kind; these jerks can lead to depression, cancer, hormone and thyroid problems, and lots more). The chemical compounds in cilantro actually bind to these toxins, loosening them from the blood, tissues, and organs and assisting with their elimination from the body. Rock on, cilantro. Rock on.

Resources: MindBodyGreen

 

Just Say No to Fad Diets

Together We Are Strong

I started my journey into wellness with the mission to change the world and make it a healthier, happier place. How can one person do that? I believe that people experience a powerful personal transformation when they improve their health. By using my knowledge to teach others how to be healthier and happier, I believe I can create a ripple effect that changes the world.

There has never been a more critical time to get involved in your own health and wellness journey. For years, healthcare has focused on medications and operations with very little time spent on prevention and education. This has led to the biggest health crisis our generation has ever seen. With obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes on epidemic levels, we need to provide more people with the right tools and knowledge to help to help them take control of their own health.

I firmly believe that together we are strong.