How to Detox for Spring

We don’t know about you, but we’re about ready for a thaw out over here.  Winter has come, conquered and now our heart skips a beat when we see the local restaurants in Downtown Raleigh setting up tables for outdoor seating.  Could the end of winter really be upon us?

"Ain't nobody dope as me, I'm just so fresh and so clean, clean."  Outkast

Since last week marked the first official day of spring, it felt like it was time to shed all these extra layers.  Bulky and completely unattractive puffy coat, you’ll be retired until next year, snow boots and hats, it’s time to run wild and free with our heads and toes exposed to the world.  (Highlights and pedicures anyone?)

IMAGE: PIXABAY

Except we noticed its hard to feel light on the outside, when the internal plumbing is heavy, slow and still stuck out on a snow day.  A couple years ago we discovered the key to kick starting spring, giving the body a proper rinse, wash and shine to feel so fresh and so clean, it’s called a detox. 

How do you know if you need a detox?

Here are the main symptoms of overload in the internal systems:

• fatigue

• irritated skin or breakouts

• sluggish elimination

• poor sleeping patterns

• allergies

• bloating

• puffy or bags under the eyes

Basically being human right.  If you don’t have any of those coming out of winter, then you must be some kind of super hero.

No fear, the RR Detox Team is here, (it feels like we should have uniforms or capes right?)   The way to begin the process is literally to remove the toxins from the body and flush it out with foods full of life, energy and badass nutrients.

Our top five favorite detoxes veto the following toxic triggers:  processed sugar, caffeine, alcohol, gluten and dairy.  These are the major offenders that tend to back the system up and cause the symptoms above to spread.

IMAGE: Pixabay

What is the best way to detox?

We hate to say ‘I told you so’, but the best way to detox is to give the digestion a break and give the body a new start by feeding it nutrient dense, easily digestible, high quality fuel, like fresh pressed organic juices, smoothies or soups.

We recommend a three day juice cleanse to kick it off, a five day cleanse for you over achievers or replacing one meal a day with a juice, all which allow the internal plumbing to take a siesta from breaking down food and use that time and energy to clear out the body for spring.  You just might be sprouting daisies by time you’re done. 

How should you support any detox?

While the body is doing it’s thing, you want to give it a little love.  Here is what we recommend to make your cleanse or detox count.

• drink 1-2 gallons of water a day

• exercise

• sweat, either with hot yoga or sauna

• drink herbal tea: dandelion root tea (can be found at whole foods) or green tea help support the liver.

• dry brush the skin

• get extra vitamin C which helps the body produce glutathione, a liver compound that removes toxins.

• fiber up with lots of veggies

That’s the detox download.  It’s been a long winter and the best time of year is on its way and really, we can’t wait to see you out and about at the Farmers Market, strolling through downtown or at the neighbors BBQ spreading good vibes and sportin’ that new glow, let’s drink to spring.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ali Van Putten lives in NYC and works in marketing and advertising while doubling as an obsessive compulsive juicer and health food hacker.  She's  a Jivamukti Yoga Teacher at the school in New York, a writer and a graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.