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It’s Body & Mind Detox Time

Ann Pinkney • 22 October 2020
With so much going on in the world right now and with us spending a lot more time at home, you might find you have been getting into bad habits. 

A few extra cups of coffee, a glass of wine more regularly than you used to, lots of ‘sweet treats’ to help cheer up your mood and possibly less exercise.

The chances are as a result, your body and mind are not feeling great. 

Signs it’s time to change

For the reasons above and many more, our immune systems are taking a hit right now and it could be a sign that your body is not fighting fit. 

The top 5 signs to look out for are:
  1. You’re constantly tired and lacking energy
  2. You’ve been having trouble sleeping 
  3. You’re suffering from unexplained skin problems like rashes or acne
  4. You’re feeling bloated and experiencing other digestive issues
  5. You struggle to concentrate and often have a foggy head

Taking action


To combat the issues you are experiencing, and to prevent further potential illness, it is important to get your body in peak condition.


A 7-day detox is the perfect approach and my Detox Action Plan gives you all the details you need to get ready and get going to get your body on great form.


A detox works to restore your bodies balance and is essential to flush out toxic substances which have built up in your main organs, like the intestines, liver, kidneys, gallbladder, spleen and skin.


These parts of your body are responsible for cleansing your body and when they are not able to work as they should you will feel all the symptoms above and more.


With the nights starting to draw in and the cold weather creeping up on us, it’s the perfect time to kick off a detox.


Prepare to succeed


Before you get started it is essential that you are prepared, mentally and physically.


Set your intention for why you are doing this. It’s a great idea to not only capture this in your mind but to jot it down in a notepad, on your phone or even on a post-it on the fridge!


This will give you the chance to stay open to the change that this detox will bring you and easily remind yourself of your goal as the week goes on, to keep you on track and motivated. Your future self will thank you – I promise!


Next it is time to stock up on a week’s supply of healthy, nutritious raw food, so you are fully ready to commit to the detox and see it all the way through.


Check out the food hints below so you can make a list of everything you want to pick up ready for the detox to begin. Choose foods that get you excited, think delicious salads and tasty juices – you’ll be surprised how creative you can be!


Plan to do the detox at a time when you do not have much else going on, ideally with day 1 being when you are not going to be very active, maybe at a weekend.


Your body may react in ways you hadn’t expected, don’t worry this is part of the process, but having a clear diary will mean that you can fully focus on making this detox a complete success.


Lastly, you need to feel up to this and not be on any medication which could be affected by the fasting element of this plan.


Speak to your doctor or get in touch with me on 01954 267 818 or annlpinkney@gmail.com and we can have a chat about what steps you might need to take before you begin.



24 hours to get started


The first step is a 24-hour fast.


I know it sounds extreme, but you can do this.


During this time, you must drink plenty of water and hot water with lemon juice - this has a fantastic cleansing effect on the liver, kidneys and digestive system.


This is the perfect way to get your body back to reset before starting the next stage of the 7-day plan.


Raw Benefits


After the 24-hour fast you will be eating as much raw food as possible for the rest of the week.


Raw fruit and vegetables are incredible for your body as they are easy to digest and have a brilliant cleansing effect. They enhance your natural metabolism and strengthen the immune system.


Cooked foods on the other hand, are much harder and more complicated for the body to digest. This means it can make you sluggish and slow - not ideal when we want the body fighting fit and working at its best.


This plan will help you work towards a happier digestive system and invigorated life. 


The Detox Action Plan in practice


For the 6 days after the 24-hour fast you can eat the following food groups, some you should eat lots of and some a little less. The lists below give you an idea of the maximum amount you should have of each.


There are lots of options to keep you full and satisfied, have a read and get imaginative about the meals you want to create:


Eat high detox fruits and vegetables in abundance

Artichokes Cucumber Apricots
Peppers Kale Berries
Beetroot Pumpkin Melons
Brussel Sprouts Spinach Citrus fruits
Broccoli Sweet Potato Kiwis
Red Cabbage Tomatoes Peaches
Carrots Watercress Mangoes
Cauliflower Beansprouts Grapes

Eat grains, fish and these extras in moderation

Twice a day Once a day Every Other Day
Brown rice Salmon Potatoes (one portion)
Corn Mackerel Bananas
Millet Tuna
Quinoa Sardines

Eat a handful a day of raw, unsalted nuts and seeds

Almonds Pumpkin seeds
Brazil nuts Sunflower seeds
Hazelnuts Sesame seeds
Pecans Linseeds

Avoid the following food groups 

Wheat products Margarine & spreads (trans fats)
Meat Artificial sweeteners
Dairy Food additives & preservatives
Eggs Fried Food
Dried Fruit Salt (and food containing it)
Spices

On top of the food you eat, to get the most from this plan it is essential that you:


  • Walk for at least 15 minutes every day – if possible, outside to soak up some Vitamin D, a little light yoga works wonders alongside this too


  • Drink at least 2 litres of water a day – a top tip is to fill up water bottles, so you have it on hand and can see how much you have achieved as the day goes on


  • Drink herbal teas – these have the bonus of containing antioxidants and vitamins to give your immune system a boost – if you are new to them elderberry, echinacea or chamomile are a fantastic place to start


  • Drink 1/3 litre or ½ pint of fruit or vegetable juice – give carrot, apple, ginger or watermelon a try for something a little different


  • Use only Extra Virgin Olive Oil – When whipping up a tasty salad or drizzled on your vegetables


  • Dose up on vitamins – Take a double dose of a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement plus two 1000mg vitamin C capsules each day


An added extra detox treat


On top of all this goodness, my top tip for an extra boost is to bring the benefits of Eucalyptus into your life.


It has fantastic detoxifying properties and is incredibly versatile.


  • Pick up some Eucalyptus essential oil so you can place a few drops in your next bath to stimulate your circulatory system and make you sweat, which helps your body eliminate toxins.


  • Try out tea made from Eucalyptus which can increase blood flow to your skin and is known for its ability to help speed up the treatment of colds, flus and sore throats.


Feel it fully


I’ll be honest, for the first couple of days you might feel worse than before you started.


You may have headaches, feel achy or lack energy. During the detox you are letting your body cleanse and get rid of toxins – stick with it and you will feel so much better.


This is even more likely if you have underlying allergies – maybe that you didn’t realise you had!


By the end of the week you will start to look and feel great, with extra energy and ready to take on the world, trust me!


Once you have achieved your week, (well done you!) it is time to start reintroducing the limited foods back into your diet – you may even find there are some foods that you now prefer life without and are craving healthier foods.


Start slowly and tune into how your body feels as you experiment with each type of food.


Good luck and get in touch to let me know how you get on achieving a clean, toxin free body.


Have you got a question or feel you could use support through the plan?


Contact me on 01954 267 818 or annlpinkney@gmail.com and check out www.stress2strength.co.uk for more information on the services and support I can offer. 


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