January 08, 2003
Wednesday - 12:10 am

Happy New Year to everyone! Hope you all made it through the holidays in good shape. As I mentioned in my last article, the Christmas and New Year festivities are really challenging to many health conditions; they can be challenging even to those in good health. Great food, drinks, late nights, and parties, all contribute to fatigue, dietary toxicity, over-taxed digestive energy, and that winter-slug feeling.

I myself just returned from vacation where I took advantage of every wonderful culinary experience that Los Cabos, Mexico, had to offer. It was truly a great relief to get home to my own kitchen where the food is simpler (lots of fresh juice, fruit, steamed veggies and fish), the portions are smaller, and there is no pastry or chocolate! In an effort to do something positive to counteract the food frenzy during my trip, I did walk several miles each day and used the stairways exclusively. The beautiful new mall in Los Cabos has a tower with 91 steps to the top; I highly recommend it for anyone planning a visit there. The view is exquisite as is the exertion to arrive top. It is also a real challenge and great exercise walking through the soft sand.

Now that the New Year has rung itself in (along with a few new pounds), what can we do to get back to feeling light on our feet and not so toxic? First and foremost, we can get moving! Aerobic activity, stretching, walking, weight training, handball, basketball, and so on, all help to increase circulation which oxygenates the blood and brain. Increased circulation helps to move toxins from the blood and organ systems. We can easily incorporate these activities into our daily routine. When we walk, we can take the long way. We can use stairs instead of elevators. We can pick things up from a squat instead of bending at the waist. The moving is what matters.

Second, we can begin our eating for 2003 with a fast. Fasting rests the digestive track, allows it to cleanse itself, and removes toxins from the body. If you have never fasted before, it's easy to begin by fasting on water or fresh juice for one day each week. Be sure the water is filtered and without chlorine or other toxins. Some people regularly fast one day per week as part of their dietary habits. This is a slow, and excellent way to detoxify the body. If you have experience with fasting, you can be a bit more aggressive with a three to five day fast using fresh fruit or vegetable juice. Never use processed juices for a fast. Even the highest quality, organic, commercially prepared juices are cooked and therefore depleted of enzymes and nutrients. Buying a good juicer is the way to fast with juice. Fasting should be supplemented with plenty of pure water; herbal teas may be used for variety. For additional cleansing during the fast, a mild laxative tea may be taken at bedtime. Anyone wishing to do an aggressive or long-term fast should do so,

• With the supervision of a health care practitioner specializing in nutrition and diet,
• Under the care and with the approval of a physician if they are being treated for any significant health concerns,
• After following an initial cleansing program of raw, organic foods.

An aggressive fast is highly effective in correcting many serious health conditions. It is also very intense and can produce a healing crises with symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and skin eruptions. It should not be attempted excepted under the proper circumstances and never by those who are seriously ill. For most people, the weekly one-day fast or the occasional three to five day-fast is ideal for keeping the body healthy and free of toxins.

Third, we can raise our metabolism and develop healthier eating habits by eating more frequently (five to six times per day). Consuming smaller servings is less stressful to the digestive track. These are eating habits that can benefit everyone for life, especially those with gastrointestinal challenges or diabetes.

Lastly, we can ring in the new year by changing our eating habits (notice I did not say anything about a diet). Eat foods that are unprocessed by eliminating cans, boxes, and sealed bags from your pantry. These foods are high in sodium, sugar, artificial colors, and chemical preservatives. Some of these substances are highly involved in food allergies, ADD, respiratory challenges, and other health concerns. Eliminate them from your table and see the changes in your health. Also, the further food is processed from its original form (commercial apple sauce vs an apple), the less nutrient density in contains. Eat foods that are prepared simply. Avoid sauces, gravies, fried, deep fried, breaded, and concocted foods in favor of baked, steamed, and raw foods. Cook to insure safety in the case of meats, but only to deconstruct heavy fibers in the case of vegetables. Eat low on the food chain. Consume more fruit, vegetables, and grain, and limit animal products (meat, milk, cheese). Choose fish over beef.

For the year 2003, get serious about getting sensible where your food is concerned. That old adage "you are what you eat" is true. "Garbage in, garbage out" is better stated as "garbage in, garbage in". The body is poisoned by the accumulation of toxic substances in prepared food. These toxins accumulate in adipose tissue (fat, for those of you who want it straight), and organs, causing an endless list of disease symptoms and malfunctions. Eat clean and simple in frequent small portions. You'll create changes that will last a lifetime.

 E-mail Joann Flora

©Compliments To Your Health
Joann Flora 2003

 

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