Springtime and cleansing…
Spring is the season for renewal and rejuvenation. During springtime, more than any other season, the liver and the gall bladder want to increase flow and to rejuvenate. Much like seeds that sprout in spring, the body’s systems have the power to break through blockage and to move forward blood, energy, creativity and fertility and to remove repressed anger and depression. This great force is found in every cell of our body and is at its height during spring. We can let spring happen inside of us. We can renew ourselves from inside and get rid of anything that is pulling us down and is unnecessary.

To detoxify or “detox” means to cleanse the body of toxins through nutrition.
Cleansing processes occur naturally in the body all the time as a part of a wider process known as metabolism. The body gets rid of waste which has accumulated over the years as a result of harmful lifestyles and eating habits through these systems: digestion, urinary, respiratory, skin and immune.

The toxins that accumulate in our body can overload our systems. This is why it is essential to help the body regroup its healing and renewing abilities and to let it rejuvenate. Each one of us can get rid of the waste that is stored inside the cells, even if we have been harmful to ourselves over years. The systems which are harmed by toxins are the liver, the digestion system, the kidneys and the immune system.

Over time, accumulating toxins will affect the rest of the cells in our body. This will cause symptoms like depression, fatigue, allergies, headaches, obesity and more - and can lead to diseases like cancer. In our industrialized, western way of life our bodies have to deal with commercial chemicals, pollutants in our water, pesticides, additives in our food, heavy metals, residues from drugs and more. Our bodies, minds and our souls are affected by it. Everyone can benefit from a cleanse. It is the best way to be and to remain healthy.

How it’s done…
There are different degrees of detoxification from extreme to mild. I will suggest a list of foods that have certain cleansing abilities and that will allow an average healthy person to continue their normal active lifestyle while letting the body cleanse more effectively. This cleanse is especially mild. People who are interested in a deeper cleanse or have health issues need to work out a specific program with a specialist. Out of the list you can also make new and creative recipes.
• Beans and legumes have toxic cleaning abilities. The darker the beans the higher the protein level and cleansing qualities.
• Grains such as spelt, rye, corn, quinoa, barley, millet and brown rice are all easy to digest and will help the cleansing process. Millet is ‘the king of detox’- it soaks toxins and softens the bowels. Spelt collects waste from our digestive system. Rye contributes to cell renewal and cleansing through urination.
• Vegetables are rich in fiber and enzymes and have a high level of chlorophyll. Like beans so it is with vegetables: the darker the better. Chlorophyll renews liver cells, soaks toxins and gets rid of them.
Artichoke cleans the liver. Onion, garlic, radish and turnip are rich in compounds that are excellent for getting rid of toxins especially heavy metals that sink in the tissues and joints. Beets clean the blood and digestive system and relieve constipation. Seaweed cleans the liver and contributes to the renewal of the digestive system. Sprouts should be a daily addition to every salad. They have a high nutritional value and help renew every cell of the body.
• Various fruit will be effective, mostly pears, watermelons, cantaloupes and grapes. Fruit should be eaten as a separate meal and shouldn’t be mixed with each other. Lemon and vinegar are essential for cleaning the blood and liver. Add a spoonful of vinegar and 1-2 teaspoons of lemon juice to waster and drink on an empty stomach. You can also mix them into a salad.
• Unheated olive and sesame oils will lubricate the system disinfect it and help the liver function better. Raw pumpkin and sunflower seeds (1-2) teaspoons a day will do the same.
• Liquids are of great importance, for they wash the systems. Drink plenty of mineral water and fresh squeezed fruit and vegetable juices.

May you have health and joy…

Nira Schneider can be reached at (951) 301-1379.