raw foods Archives - Tips On Living Healthy

Why Detox?

Why Detox?

With the new year and new adventures in getting healthy, you may have wondered why do I need to detox? This is something my body was designed to do on its own right? You are correct, but sometimes we need to help our body do what it was designed to do.

Our liver performs over 400 bodily functions and is our main source of detoxification. The kidneys are an organ that facilitates our bodies detoxification process as well. The Standard American diet consists of so many starches, sugars, and fats that it can hurt our livers natural process.

If you drink alcohol, eat processed food or smoke your liver may be sluggish. Signs of a sluggish liver include headaches, digestive disturbances, and constipation. As toxins accumulate they can also have an affect on brain functions.

Your mind may feel cloudy, you may have trouble concentrating, and even trouble sleeping. These can be indications that you are toxic. Symptoms you need a detox include low energy and fatigue, which seems to be an epidemic. This has resulted in the rise of energy drinks and caffeine laden drinks that will burden the liver in the long run.

Read ingredients and do not trust a product just because it says natural! A detox is not only a great way to revitalize your health but it is a great discipline that can spill over to other areas of your life. If you have had a bondage to any particular food, caffeine, cigarettes. sugar, etc this could be a great tool for kicking those harmful habits.

When you start to experience all the health benefits of a detox you may just begin a lifestyle change. When you have a clearer mind feel lighter, have more energy and better sleep you may be able to accomplish some of the goals you could not muster up the energy for!

To help your body prepare for a detox, a few days prior begin to eliminate caffeine and sugar. You may have a caffeine headache and that is normal. Drink plenty of water, and even add lemon to a glass of warm water first thing in the morning. This preparation will help reduce the unpleasant symptoms that ridding your bloodstream of the toxins may include.

Dr. Axe is very balanced and I trust his advice. He has a simple liver detox on his website. I replaced coffee with my new favorite tea that I make using raw unfiltered local honey, purified water, and raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar. I recommend Bragg ACV. Patricia Bragg has many drinks that you could use on your detox.

An easy way to help facilitate the bodies natural detoxification process is to eliminate the alcohol, sugars, caffeine, and processed foods. Then add fresh primarily raw fruits and vegetables, seeds, and nuts. See Dr. Ben Kim for a detox diet.

If you found any of this information helpful please share and if you have any testimonies with detoxing leave a comment below. To your health,

Jenay Green

Quick tips for fasting

Quick tips for fasting

At the beginning of the year a lot of people choose to break bad habits and begin healthy ones. Fasting is a commonly known practice dating back to biblical times.Fasting is done for a variety of reasons including, to discipline ourselves. I believe God has miraculous benefits in mind with fasting.

The thought of fasting can seem scary for a lot of people, especially who may not have any experience with it. A fast is something I believe you should pray about personally to get direction on why and how. Make sure before you begin fasting that you have a plan outlined. This will help you to not give up or divert from the original plan.

Another quick tip is to establish the type of fast you will be doing and why. The Daniel fast is a common fast. In the book of Daniel you can read beginning in chapter 1:8&12 Daniel had only pulse and water for ten days according to scripture. This would consist of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and water. This is a great fast to begin with.

Another type of fast is juice only. A quick tip for beginning a fast is to begin cutting out caffeine, processed foods, and sugar to make the detoxification process more subtle. When coming off a fast you should gradually add foods back to your diet and chew your food well. A juice only fast should consist of fresh juiced fruit and vegetables. This is fresh raw food in its most assimilated form.

Genesis 1:29 “And God said, behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree , in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed: to you it shall be for food.”Raw foods are considered the healing force in our diet, because they contain active enzymes, which are broken down when foods are cooked.

With the juice only fast, the body is cleansing more aggressively, which can result in greater detox symptoms. This is normal and the more intense the cleansing the greater the discomfort can be.Better out than in, but the toxins coming out can be an unpleasant experience.

If you are working and do not have the time to juice the vegetables fresh you can either juice them before leaving and keep them refrigerated or you can purchase a v-8 juice that is low sodium, not v-8 splash( it is not the same). Another option is the green goodness by bolthouse farms that can be purchased in almost any grocery store. These store bought options should be limited and water should be your primary drink when fasting.

Green leafy vegetables, beets, cucumbers, cabbage,and carrots are some great for juicing with some cleansing benefits. Cabbage is particularly helpful if you have colon issues, constipation, and indigestion. I hope these quick tips for fasting are helpful. Always drink plenty of water when fasting. Please add any information you have found helpful with fasting in the comments below.

To your health,
Jenay Green

Health benefits of fasting

Health benefits of fasting

There are a number of proven health benefits with fasting. If you go back to biblical times fasting is a practice that God required of His people.There was no scientific evidence at that time of the physical benefits, people just obeyed what God asked of them.

Throughout scriptures there are references of godly men as well as Jesus Christ fasting. It was a spiritual discipline that God used to bring His children closer to him. They denied their flesh and got answers, direction, and wisdom from God.

We are always finding out that God, in His infinite wisdom, has reasons beyond our understanding for what he asks of us. It is always for our benefit when He is requiring something of us.

God created our bodies to heal, in His design. With certain sicknesses, we automatically go into a fast. Whenever you are ill you do not want to eat anything. The great amount of energy your body uses to digest food goes towards healing the body of the invaders.

Fasting is known as being an ancient and powerful approach to healing many diseases. Fasting allows the body to rest, detoxify, and heal. In our world today we are being bombarded with toxins on a daily basis, not to mention the stress we place upon our bodies with our fast paced society.

We are greatly over fed and undernourished in our western culture and our bodies are paying the price. Stress is one of the primary causes of doctor visits. Cleansing our body of disease causing toxins is a great way to help facilitate healing.

Fasting promotes longevity and puts the body into a detoxification cycle that we enter during sleep. Fasting helps regulate hormone function as well as the functions of organs in your body. As the body rids itself of toxins aches, pains, and many other issues start to diminish. Remember when you are cleansing the body of toxins, you may feel worse before feeling better for a short period of time.

Fasting can help clear up skin as well as the mind. This was recorded in the bible, in the book of Daniel. As Daniel withheld from the kings portions for several weeks which included alcohol, sweets, breads, and meats he was able to have a clear mind that He received divine wisdom during that fast.

Fasting can be anything from water only for a period of time to fruits and vegetables. All of these fasts are beneficial to your health, but when you are eating it is a slower process of detoxing. I would recommend being directed by a natural health professional on the best way to fast if you have never fasted.

Dr. Don Colbert has some great information and is very educated in this area of fasting.

Different types of fasting for your health

* Eat raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, and seeds

* consume mineral rich bone or vegetable broth

* drink only fresh juiced fruits and vegetables

* eat salads only

* eat a early dinner and refrain for a 16 hour period before your first meal

* fast intermittently. One meal at a time

Please share by leaving a comment below any health benefits you have gained from a fast. If you found this article helpful please pay it forward and share! To your health,

Jenay Green