Spring Cleaning Your Gut

As you may know, Spring is such a beautiful time for renewal and cleansing. I especially feel more in touch with my body in the Spring and it propelled me to challenge myself to cleanse my organs even further than just “eating healthy”. Mainly because I am still experiencing some of my own health ailments that could be caused by specific foods im eating. This week I’ve dialed down a lot on the variety of foods I’m eating, and completely eliminated refined sugar, gluten/grains, alcohol, meat, eggs and dairy- all of which I eat on occasion from time to time. Going about a cleanse this way is beneficial in my opinion because you can slowly start incorporating those certain foods back into your diet one at a time, allowing you to hopefully find the culprit and some answers to why you have been feeling the way you do. I’m a huge proponent of ancestral health which means I love eating pasture raised organic meats, fruits and vegetables + nuts/seeds and herbs, however, some of these foods can interfere with a proper internal cleanse. I like to call it a mini elimination cleanse because I don’t typically recommended reducing the variety of foods you’re eating for long periods of time, but it all depends on what condition your body is in when you start. A week long cleanse is where you can reap some benefits, but to get to the root of some food sensitivities or intolerances, try eliminating for at least 21 days and journal your progress so that you can refer back.

An underrated aspect of digestive issues is viral and bacterial pathogenesis. Many, many people are walking around with underlying conditions that they don’t even realize are a result of what they perpetually consume. Constipation, diarrhea, adrenal fatigue, skin health, weight gain, fatigue, chronic bloating, headaches, food intolerances, celiac, etc. can all be improved with a shift in the diet and giving the body a break from excess toxic, refined foods in everyday routines. These  types of cleanses that aim to include nutrient dense foods help to restore a stagnant liver and starve the pathogens that are so often the culprit of gut dysbiosis. 

**always consult with your doctor first, and work with a holistic health professional (like myself) to help guide and monitor you do’s and don’ts of this process.

I’m rejuvenating my organs this week with lots of Maradol papaya, banana, potatoes, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, garlic, dandelion greens, celery juice, lemon, leafy greens and strawberries- many of which are seasonal, which means you can enjoy them at their peak flavor and freshness. You’ll also be reaping a bit more nutritive benefits. These foods are specifcally healing for a simple elimination cleanse because they are loaded with nutrients that aid in gut motility, maintain muscle mass, reduce inflammation, kill pathogens and more. Bananas, for example, are not to be feared. They contain phytochemicals, protein, fiber, and even omegas. High potassium foods are imperative for healing digestive issues and nerve function. They also feed beneficial microorganisms in the gut!

During this time I lightly steam any of the veggies that I enjoy cooked, instead of frying in oil. This is a great way to preserve some of the delicate enzymes and phytonutrients in these yummy plants. Not to mention, giving your body a break from any oils/fats in general can be very therapeutic. The reason it’s important to avoid radical fats during this cleanse is because our liver doesn’t have to produce as much bile to try to break down the fats, allowing it to cleanse the body and absorb glucose. This makes it easier for the body to expel out poisons. The rest of the food I incorporate throughout the day and eat raw. My good friend Shae proclaimed on an IG live with me that first thing in the morning she takes her “inner bath” and I loved the way she described her ritual of taking care of herself from the inside out. So, in a true healing fashion, here is what a day looks like on my mini elimination cleanse:

-WAKE, GRATITUDE + STRETCH

-1 CUP WARM WATER + JUICE OF 1/2 LEMON “INNER BATH”

-WAIT 15-30 MINUTES BEFORE EATING/DRINKING ANYTHING ELSE

-16 OZ CELERY JUICE, WAIT 15-30 MINS

-BOWL OF 1/2 MARADOL PAPAYA + 1 BANANA FOR BREAKFAST

-WAIT 15-30 MINS AND DRINK 1 CUP WATER WITH MILK THISTLE SUPPLEMENT

-LUNCH OF STEAMED ASPARAGUS ON A BED OF LEAFY GREENS (can add a little lemon juice for dressing) AND STEAMED POTATO

-SNACK OF ONE CUP STRAWBERRIES + OTHER 1/2 PAPAYA

-DINNER OF STEAMED POTATOES, GARLIC, DANDELION GREENS, BRUSSELS SPROUTS + LEAFY GREENS IF DESIRED

-LOTS OF WATER!!

*seasonings like cinnamon, cayenne, lemon, lime and raw honey are the only things that I’ve been using to enhance any flavors in the food. This is because they are therapeutic and aid in the cleansing processs. While other herbs and spices can be therapeutic, its imperative to keep your cleanse as simple as possible. I learned this from Anthony William, aka the Medical Medium. He is a wealth of knowledge and teaches us to look after our body’s with a different perspective than many Doctors would. You’ll be able to gain more clarity about an internal cleanse if you start to understand how specific foods play a major role in KEEPING you sick, whether you realize it or not. Again, this is only something I did for one week, and is not to be used as a replacement diet for long periods of time.

If you are interested in learning more about cleansing your body, elimination diets, getting to the root cause of your health ailments, or just holistic healing in general please don’t hesitate to reach out under my LET’S CHAT button here on my website. There you can fill out your information for a free discovery call with me so that I can learn more about you!