inspiration
Spring Clean Your Life
by tom Francescott
fennel and ginger. Multiply the recipe
proportionately to make larger batches.
Drink it throughout the day.
S
pring is a perfect time to cleanse, cups of hot tea while bathing, to work
Change Food Routines. Many
let go and give ourselves a much- up a sweat.
unknowingly consume foods
needed rest—physically, mentally Try this recipe: Simmer some fresh
we have allergic reactions to
and emotionally. As a naturopathic ginger slices in water, tossing in one
or that increase toxin levels, causing
doctor, I daily see how toxic overload tablespoon of dried yarrow fl owers.
symptoms like arthritis, headaches,
on all these levels contributes Steep for 15 minutes, strain and drink.
water retention and fatigue. Common
to people’s health issues. Yarrow and ginger have been shown
culprits are gluten, dairy, eggs, soy,
Emotionally, detoxifi cation helps to stimulate sweating, which helps the
corn and sugar. I suggest taking a break
us uncover and express hidden frustra- body release toxins.
from all of these foods, or at least one
tions, grief, fear, and anger, and replace
that is predominant in your diet.
them with forgiveness, love, joy and Take a News Break. Observe
Often, if we simply eliminate foods
hope. Physically, taking a break from a news fast for 3 to 7 days
that contain gluten (wheat, oats, rye,
environmental toxins in our food can to limit toxic thoughts, which
barley and spelt) and replace them with
leave us feeling energized, renewed can undermine health. Also avoid
brown rice, millet or quinoa products,
and protected from disease. emotionally disturbing information
we can change eating habits while
I recommend getting back to ba- from the Internet, magazines, movies,
increasing variety.
sics. Here are 10 simple things anyone newspapers, radio and television.
can do at home to start saying goodbye Replacing these stressful exposures
Detox Dinner. For seven nights,
to toxins. with relaxing activities rests mind
prepare a simple meal of liver-
and body.
detoxifying steamed vegetables,
Wake-Up Drink. First thing
like carrots, broccoli, artichokes, beets
upon waking, on an empty Spend Time in Nature. Take a
and onions, along with a four-ounce
stomach, drink a cup of hot break from routine by venturing
portion of protein, simply prepared
fi ltered or spring water with the juice out to a favorite spot in nature.
with a bit of olive oil. Consider wild
from half of one lemon and two pinches Bring a journal and start listening to
fi sh, organic lean meats or lentils for
of cayenne pepper. Lemon stimulates your body; record what it is telling
primary protein sources.
digestion; cayenne enhances circulation you. Surrounding yourself with nature’s
and blood fl ow. negative ions (which act positively
Clean Up Surroundings.
on mood) will help you de-stress and
Uncluttering and organizing our
Contrast Shower. Follow every encourage the body’s inherent wisdom
home and work environments
hot shower with a 60-second to come forward.
helps clear out stagnant energy and
cold rinse. The contrast stimu-
frees us physically and emotionally.
lates circulation, the immune system Drink Detox Tea. For at least
Let go of unused papers, clothes and
and our ability to expel toxins through one week, try limiting all bever-
boxes. This creates space and wel-
the skin. As pores tighten, we feel in- ages to just water and herbal
comes new energy.
vigorated and ready for the day. teas. This eases stress on the
Just as we tune up our cars, we
kidneys, helps fl ush retained fl uids
must also regularly cleanse our bodies.
Shake It Up. Jump on a tram- in cells and helps purify the blood
As we cleanse our bodies, we cleanse
poline for 3 to 5 minutes. This and liver.
our environment.
stimulates the whole body, I suggest drinking 6 to 8 cups a
particularly the lymph drainage system. day of this special tea to crowd out less
Tom Francescott is a naturopathic
This is helpful for those prone to aller- healthy beverages, reduce appetite,
doctor, teacher, lecturer and founder
gies or cysts. maintain a state of fullness and cleanse
and director of Rhinebeck Cooperative
liver and kidneys. In a quart of water,
Health Center, in Rhinebeck, New York,
Fever Baths. Take a warm bath combine 2 tablespoons of each of
where he specializes in science-based
in the evening and add a cup of the following and gently simmer the
detoxifi cation. He is also founder of the
Epsom salts to soothe, relax and detox. tea: burdock root, yellow dock root,
natural pharmacy, Dr. Tom’s Tonics. Visit
Increase benefi ts by drinking 2 or 3 dandelion leaf and root, licorice root,
DrFrancescott.com.
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Greater Cincinnati Edition
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