The Real Detox

The 'detox' really got wind under it's wings in 2014 and continues to soar in 2015.  

The juicing/smoothie detoxes truly aren't the magic they claim to be :

*Yes, consuming liquid is easier on your digestive system, however, our systems were designed to 'digest'. They do not need a break, they need good food (no chemical laden schmidt).  Fibre, protein, fat, carbohydrates... are all necessary for optimal health. 

*Yes, you can lose weight quickly, however, it is not a permanent loss. It is a jolt to your system that will be rectified in a few weeks time. Bodies like to stabilize, that is why a slow and steady approach to weight loss is the better choice for permanent weight loss. 

*Yes, there is some mental clarity from a 'detox'. As we start to starve, the brain appears to have a 'fog' lifted. This will soon be replaced by confusion and/or hostility/frustration, this is why most marketed 'detoxes' only last up to 14 days.  

What is Detoxing. Simply: getting rid of Toxins. 

To detox effectively:

**Get rid of sugar from your diet. It is poison. YES poison. It is hidden in condiments, sauces, soups, mixes, crackers, breads, cereals, and more.  It disguises itself by changing its name (see: healthy-eating-tips/57-names-sugar) It is not just the candies, pop, and ice cream. Beware. 

**If you can't grow it or raise it in your backyard, don't put it in your body. The labels on foods ought not sound like a list for chemistry class. Treat your body like a temple, not a garbage dump. 

**Exercise. Bodies rid themselves of waste (toxins) by bowel movements and urination. ALSO by sweating. Get your sweat on by moving your body! 

**Pass up cocktail hour. (Don't shoot the messenger). Alcohol, is greedy. When consumed it causes the body to focus solely on it. Your body's energy is used to metabolize alcohol first, and as a result the other junk waits for its turn. Fat get stored. Liver and other organs house the toxins that alcohol has pushed to the back of the line. 

**Organize/clean your living and working spaces. There is a huge correlation between environment and health. How you 'feel' mentally in a tangible space WILL absolutely affect how you feel physically. 

**Review your relationships. Is the energy you put into a relationship a positive one? Surround yourself with like minded people. Be with those that lift you up and not drag you down. Sometimes we outgrow 'friends/family'. It is ok to move on. Happiness is healthiness. 

And with that, I wish you a life free of toxins 

Stay happy and healthy 

www.jomoma.ca

Labels

On food. On clothing. On people. 

Food labels identify the food.  What it is. Where it was grown/raised. What ingredients comprise it. How much fat, vitamin, fibre, carbohydrate...

Clothing labels state the size. What it is made with and who made it. 

Like food and clothing, people are labeled. Liberal. Muslim. Fat. Fit. Optimist. Dreamer. Criminal. Rich. Weak. .... 

A complex, unique individual is labeled generally by how they look, what they believe in, and even how they vote. This has got to stop. I am not, nor are you, one single thing. We are more like a recipe that the master chef keeps secret. 

I am not my religion or lack there of. I am not the political candidate I support in an election. I am not JUST the tired Mom, the coach, the wife, the ex, the athlete, the girl who got poison ivy on her a$$, the daughter inlaw, the 40 year old.... I am not JUST any one thing. I am ME. There is nobody else out there like me. There are no two people the same, so it is time the labelling stops. 

Easier said than done, when we also do this to ourselves. We give value to a title, such as Doctor, Professor, CEO, Celebrity, and believe with such 'labels', those people are successful, happy, rich, problem free. Similarly we assume that the low income earner, the homeless, and the person who lives alone, is poor, unhappy and lonely. We generalize to such an extent that we do not see how layered we actually are, and we believe that titles and labels are our identity.  

It is ok to be a hippy who is saving for a BMW. It is totally cool to be heavyset and run a marathon. It is simply awesome to enjoy having men open doors for you while marching for feminism. The only single thing you are, is YOU.  There is no mold. You can be any juxtaposition you choose. When we stop accepting a label, we can appreciate each other more. 

Stay happy and healthy

www.jomoma.ca