Healthy Holiday Detox

Why Detoxification after the Holidays or Vacation is Important!

The majority of us probably overdid “comfort foods” and indulgent treats during the holiday season. During this season we attend many parties, gatherings and family functions where it is difficult to control what we eat. In addition, many of us make resolutions to lose weight starting with the new year and as a result we tend to eat a little bit more in the days prior to our new diet. The result is that we end up gaining weight, feeling bloated, our energy is gone, we feel tired and heavy. Time to help our body process and get rid of all those toxins that make us feel that way.

5 Day post Holiday Detox Plan

Day 1 Holiday Detox

For one full day, you’ll skip solid food and sip a slim-down drink every waking hour. These formulas are designed to help flush fat and toxins from your body, jump starting your metabolism in the process. Calories will be very low—under 1,000 for the day. Is that safe? Pros we spoke to say that, given the calorie overload most of us experience at this time of year, a short juice fast is fine for the average healthy woman. As always, check with your doctor to be sure any new plan is right for you.

Sample drinking schedule:
7:30am 1 cup lemon formula
8:30am 1 cup detox formula
9:30am 1 cup lemon formula
10:30am 1cup detox formula

continue on that schedule, every hour, for the rest of the day until bed time. 1 hour before bed time drink 5 spoonfuls of extra virgin olive oil. That will help with efficient liver circulation and also promotes the removal of bile.

Lemon Formula:

Mix 8 oz. water with juice of 1 small lemon or 1/2 large lemon.

Detox Formula

8 oz. unsweetened cranberry juice
1 cup unsweetened 100% pomegranate juice
7 cups water
½ cup orange juice
½ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground cardamom
¼ tsp.  ground cloves
In a 3-quart saucepan, heat juices and water to just boiling. Reduce heat to low; stir in spices and simmer for 5 minutes. Warm juice before drinking.  Makes 8 cups.

When you cut so many calories, you’re bound to slim down.
It unblocks fat burning! Toxins from things like food additives and pollution can build up in our bodies;  that “natural cleansers” —especially the cranberry, pomegranate, lemon and spices in her plan—help flush toxins so our systems function better and burn fat faster. Additional university research suggests that vitamin C and fruit acids in the drink can help the body emulsify fat up to 30% faster!

Day 2 Holiday Detox

In day 2 of our holiday detox we will slowly introduce some foods to our diet.

Detox foods to eat:  Sulfur-rich vegetables (like broccoli and onion) support the liver’s detox enzymes, fiber-rich foods (such as lentils and fruit) help eliminate toxins and lean protein (like wild salmon, organic chicken and tofu) is rich in amino acids, which prepare toxins for elimination. Also eat them are kale, cucumber, celery and lettuce. A dash of spices at every meal (such as curry and cinnamon) boosts metabolism–a surefire way to help your body rid itself of toxins rapidly.

We want to avoid alcohol, too much caffeine, red meat, dairy and sugar. In addition do not consume grains with gluten, shellfish, or any processed food. Talk to your doctor about the level of dietary restriction that is healthy for you.

Have 3 small meals for the day but also incorporate the lemon formula in the late morning and the detox drink in the afternoon. In the evening continue with the virgin olive oil that you had in day 1 of the holiday detox.

Day 3-5 Holiday Detox

Repeat the detox diet from day 2.

Detox Supplements

Continue taking your multivitamin during this time. In addition take 1,000 of Vitamin C with each meal. In addition take artichoke leaf extract during this period. This supplement increases the formation and flow of bile and protects the liver cells from damage.

Holiday Detox

This holiday detox plan will get you feeling better, will help you lose some weight and will get rid of some of the toxins that you body accumulated during the holiday season.