My brother (the Captain above) is getting married in mid-October so we had his bachelor party on a cruise last week. Needless to say, I need to detox. Plus, I’m turning 35 on the 12th so a “fresh start” is a great way to kick it off.
So I’m bringing back My21DayX and detoxing for 21 days (maybe longer) in the month of October. But this detox is going to be a little different. I think its something everyone could benefit from and at least try for the next 21 days. Read and see what you could incorporate for the next 21 days.
My Last Factory-Farmed Burger
The first part of the detox consists of eliminating conventionally-raised meats or animal products from my diet. This means I will only eat animal products that have been properly raised, such as grass-fed cows, pastured pork and chicken. On days I don’t have access to this kind of meat, I’ll be a vegan.
This also includes dairy products, although I will avoid most dairy, except whey protein, since it actually helps with detoxification (see glutathione precursor).
By avoiding conventionally-raised meat, most of the toxins found in the fat of these products are eliminated. There is also a theory that inhumanely-raised meat has negative energy or vibrations which can be transferred to the person that consumes the meat (seriously). Less negative vibrations equals better health.
I’m fortunate to have access to a local farm that raises all their animals humanely and that’s where I’ll be making my meat purchases for the next 21 days. (It’s Black Hog Farms for anyone in the Jacksonville area.) You can find local farms in your area using Eat Wild’s Directory of Farms.
Either way, properly raised meat is better for the environment, the animals and our bodies.
Below is a good guide to selecting the healthiest animal products.
Courtesy of Mark’s Daily Apple Primal Shopping Guide
We’re Going Amish
The second part of the detox will occur every Sunday – a detox day. This is a time to reset both mentally, physically, and spiritually.
I’m modelling this after the Loma Linda Seventh-day Adventist, who have some of the highest numbers of Centenarians, or people over 100 years old. They practice a weekly break from the rigors of daily life. This 24-hour Sabbath provides a time to focus on family, faith, camaraderie, and nature. Adventists claim this relieves their stress, strengthens social networks, and provides consistent exercise.
The Detox Day
Here’s how my, I mean our, day will go:
No Power (this is where “going Amish” comes in) – We’re going to do a digital detox by completely abstaining from all electronics for the entire day…no iPads, iPhones, TVs, or even light! We’ll spend most of the day outdoors (if weather permits) and at night, use candles. And probably go to bed early. This digital cleanse is great for disconnectedness, quietness, and allowing full attention to the people I am with and a better connectedness with my thoughts and surroundings. No news, social media, or internet!
Sweat & Yoga – I’m going to start my day with a Bikram yoga class, where I’ll sweat for an hour and a half. Sweating is one of the methods that the body release toxins. In the modern world of A/C and office work, we rarely do much of it. You can also sit in a sauna if you don’t have access to Bikram. I’ll focus on meditation and deep breathing as well, detoxing the mind and body.
Yoga attends to the physical tension we carry as manifestations of emotional strain. Within the different poses and the centering of breath work, yoga can help cultivate a physical and emotional sense of release. The stretching involved in yoga (or any stretching) can help the lymphatic system do its job of removing toxins from the body as well.
Intermittent Fasting (IF) – Waiting to eat anything for 14-16 hours after my last meal will provide my body the benefits of fasting which include the promotion of cellular housecleaning (also called cellular autophagy), or destruction of old or improperly functioning cells and damaged proteins. Read more on the benefits of IF here.
Detox Smoothie – Around 11 AM when I get home, I’ll blend up a green smoothie, loaded with steamed kale or other greens, detoxifying herbs, coconut water and some coconut milk (for healthy fat).
Protein Fasting – Protein fasting or consuming fewer than 15g of protein provides similar benefits to general IF, like an improved ability to detox. Since I’ll be taking it easy, my body won’t require much protein to rebuild muscle.
Drink lots of water and tea throughout the day. This will help flush out toxins, assist with optimal liver function and improve “elimination”. Dandelion tea is one of the best teas for detoxing.
Shinrin-yoku – We’ll experience shinrin-yoku, or the Japanese art of forest bathing. Being exposed to the great outdoors offers protective factors against depression and anxiety and can help alleviate the symptoms of ADD. It can also lower pulse rate, blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity and improve the immune system.
Not only will we get some sun, stress reduction and fresh air, but we’ll do some grounding (or earthing), the simple act of walking barefoot on bare ground like the beach or at a park to “ground” with the Earth. The scientific theory behind grounding is that your body has a depleted amount of electrons from exposure to free radicals and toxins in the environment. Grounding helps the body re-absorb negative electrons from the Earth through the soles of your feet.
Epsom salt bath & loofahing – A bath provides a tranquil way to end the day. To improve elimination through the skin, I’ll do skin brushing or loofah scrubbing. If you do this, be sure to always brush toward your heart because this will move your lymph back to where it needs to go to enhance detoxification. Topically you can apply 3 drops of essential oil of cedar wood, diluted in 1 tbsp of jojoba oil, after your scrubbing. This will help move fluids through your body and in turn will also support your kidneys’ ability to eliminate toxins. The Epsom salt contains magnesium which can help the body eliminate toxins as well.
After a detox day, you’ll re-enter the next day with a new appreciation and a new perspective on what you avoided the day before.
What will your detox day look like? Include one or more of the protocols I’ll be using. Just be sure to plan what you are going to do with the “unplugged” time whether it’s meditating, journaling, enjoying the outdoors, hanging out with family/friends, or just doing something that will engage your senses.
If you’re interested in how to minimize the damage from alcohol (the exact protocols I used on the cruise), download my free bulletproof drinking guide. Plus, I’ll also give you my favorite alcoholic drink recipe, loaded with healthy stuff to prevent a hangover and reduce alcohol damage. Plus, it tastes amazing!
Cheers!
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