Although we should all strive to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle year-round, it is all too easy to 'fall off the wagon', and allow the accumulation of stress, poor diet, lack of exercise and other variables affect our bodies.
That is why practicing some form of cleansing several times a year is important, as it gives the body a chance to detoxify, reminds us of our health care goals, and inspires us with better habits.
Traditional times to cleanse are spring and fall, as this follows the rhythms of nature, but if you feel the necessity to cleanse at other times of the year, it is wise to follow the unique needs of your body.
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News Flash:
Barbara is excited to be offering a 6 week course under the auspices of the City of Whitehorse's Adult Programming Spring session entitled:
How to Live the Good Life.
For more information go to:
and click on 'coming events' page
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The Two Week Detox Plan
This is a two week plan that supports detoxification by increasing elimination from the body, enhancing circulation to clear toxic substances, eliminating foods from the diet that require extra effort by the body to digest or are allergenic, and providing nutrients to support and protect the liver which is the main organ involved in detoxification.
Increasing Elimination
Elimination of stools and urine is the body's primary method of getting rid of toxic substances. Regular bowel movements are especially important during a cleanse, as this decreases the likelihood that toxins will be reabsorbed into the body.
Lemon Juice in water has a slightly laxative effect and stimulates the digestive juices. It also helps alkalinize the tissues. Squeeze half a lemon into 1 quart warm water, add a pinch of baking soda and drink this immediately after rising in the am. Then wait at least 1/2 hour (preferably more) before eating. This is a good time to do yoga, meditate, and go for a brisk walk/jog.
Beets have a laxative effect, and a few cooked or grated raw beets with lunch or supper usually produce results.
Nutrients and support for the Liver, Gallbladder and Kidneys
The liver requires nutrients for detoxification. In addition, increasing the flow of bile is an important part of cleansing because bile carries stored fat-soluble toxins away from the liver to be excreted in the stools. Signs of poor bile flow include constipation (which may be aggravated by fiber supplements if not enough water intake), flatulence, dry skin and hair, indigestion after fatty foods and small, hard stools.
FRESH VEGETABLES Food sources of vitamin C and glutathione, which are essential for detoxification. Vegetables, especially the dark leafy greens like kale, collards, swiss chard are most important, as they help alkalinize the body.
BROCCOLI Broccoli and other members of the brassica family, (cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, kohlrabi) support the liver's detoxification enzymes
GOOD OILS Healthy oils like flaxseed oil, hemp seed oil, extra virgin olive oil are all good choices when cleansing. These oils are high in omega-3 essential fatty acids, which the body needs to renew and repair at the cellular level. Do not heat these oils.
PROTEIN Beans, nuts, seeds, quinoa, millet can be consumed in modest amounts during a cleanse. Vegetables contain most of the body's needs during a cleanse.
ONIONS and GARLIC Rich in sulfur-containing compounds. Involved in sulfation, the main detox pathway for environmental chemicals and certain drugs and food additives. Helps with the elimination of harmful heavy metals from the body. Some people are sensitive to onions and garlic however, and experience more gas or bloating with greater consumption, and if this is you, listen to your body and don't over-indulge, even in a 'good thing'.
DANDELION ROOT Increases the flow of bile, and can be taken as a tea.
MILK THISTLE This herb has many positive effects on the liver. It is an antioxidant, assists in liver cell regeneration, and is used after exposure to chemical and industrial pollutants or adverse effects from excess alcohol or fat consumption.
Foods to Avoid During a Cleanse
SUGAR Refined sugar and mixtures containing same including sucrose, dextrose, corn syrup, brown sugar, turbinado, molasses. Avoid artificial sweeteners.
Even avoid agave nectar.
DAIRY PRODUCTS Milk, eggs, butter and other dairy products, including
yoghurt.
WHEAT AND ALL PRODUCTS CONTAINING WHEAT or gluten, such as pasta, orzo, bread, and all gluten-containing grains such as barley, oats, rye, spelt and kamut. Also avoid corn and all corn products.
(You CAN eat quinoa, amaranth, brown or basmati rice, millet, buckwheat)
YEAST
ALCOHOL
FOOD ADDITIVES AND PRESERVATIVES
CHOCOLATE, PEANUTS
ALL PROCESSED FOODS
MEAT of any type - including fish
GRAPEFRUIT contains a compound called naringin which can inhibit liver enzymes and should be avoided during detoxification.
FRUIT JUICES Fruit juices contain too much sugar and spike insulin levels, as well as contributing to an acid condition in the body. When not cleansing, a modest amount of fresh, seasonal fruit is fine, but never fruit juice. This is because the whole fruit has enough fiber to buffer the sugar it contains, so that insulin levels are not spiked too much.
What We Offer here
Three Day Cleansing Retreats
After your two week detox, we offer a three day cleansing retreat. The day begins with a half hour yoga session in the Big Room -scenic views out the large windows of the mountains to the south - then a warm castor oil pack is applied to relax and loosen the abdomen, before moving on to a colon hydrotherapy treatment. After colon hydrotherapy you have the option to deepen the cleansing experience by enjoying the wood-fired sauna.
Cost : $300 for the three days
If interested, please email or phone to arrange your personal retreat.
phone : 867-668-1045
Testimonials:
"As part of my healing journey I decided to do the 3 day cleansing retreat with Barbara Drury. It was fantastic! The yoga routine she taught us is now a part of my daily routine. Although I was nervous about the colon hydrotherapy there was nothing to worry about; it brought me a closer connection to my body. I have since noticed great changes including a flat happy belly with no bloating, a more relaxed mood and a more regular elimination schedule. I plan to do a cleanse of this sort at least twice a
year from now on. Barbara made this experience educational and fun. She also taught us how to make delicious warm veggie juices. I would like to recommend this retreat to anyone feeling as if they want to improve their life. Thank you Barbara." from J.S. Whitehorse, Yukon
"I valued the preparation for this therapy just as much as the finish. It was so valuable to mentally and physically prepare before the three day purge. I have done many colon cleanses over the years and this was the most effective with the least amount of effort. Once I got over the 'stigma' of colonics I was able to relax my body focusing on breathing and I experienced tremendous results. My biggest health challenge has been candidiasis and I was able to clean out a great deal of it to my great relief. " from E.B. Whitehorse Yukon
