"I am the Allower of my own Wellbeing"

A monthly newsletter written by Sherry Dell, PhD, CN

Volume 1, Issue 10
April, 2008

A Simple Spring Detox

Breakfast:
One bowl of cooked grains sweetened with fresh strawberries (you can use a small amount of plain rice milk on top)

Lunch:

1-2 bowls of steamed vegetables, seasoned with small amount sea salt; you can also drizzle some olive oil on top.

Dinner:

Same as lunch; may add 1 bowl mixed grains.

Beverages:

At least 8 glasses purified water; 1-3 glasses vegetable water; 1-2 cups herbal tea* 1-2 rice protein drinks as needed to prevent low blood sugar symptoms (headache, shakiness, weakness).

*peppermint, chamomile, red clover blossoms, dandelion root are all good choices

All through my childhood, as soon as the weather started to warm up, (which, in northern Minnesota, wasn't until May most years) my mother took the storm windows off, installed the ancient wooden screens, threw open the windows, and started in on what she called spring cleaning.  I don't hear people talk about spring cleaning much anymore.  I know I think about it every year, but somehow never manage to accomplish what my mother did.  What she meant by spring cleaning was this: disassemble every single room of the house from top to bottom; wipe down the ceiling, walls, and every nook and cranny; scrub the windows and window sills, brush out the screens; wash and press the curtains; strip the floors of wax build up; air out and beat rugs; wipe down and polish every piece of furniture, etc. You get the idea.  This kind of deep cleaning took days and days.  But oh, the house smelled so fresh and clean and you always knew spring had arrived.

I may not keep up with Mom's standards on the house work, but I do strive to accomplish my own kind of spring cleaning every year and that is a week or two or three of nutritional detoxification.  Nutritional detoxification or cleansing is a time when you can focus your diet, supplements and lifestyle in such a way that your internal biochemistry has a chance to recuperate from the long, dark winter and perhaps less than optimal food, beverage, and exercise choices.  It is literally a deep internal spring cleaning.

Spring is a great time to plan a health cleanse because it puts us in harmony with our own natural rhythms as well as with the processes of nature.  Nature is busy with spring rains, cleansing wind storms, and shooting up all manner of new growth.  We can do the same kind of thing with specific dietary and supplement programs.

The basic concept of nutritional cleansing is to improve the nutrient levels that your cells are receiving through the days of the cleanse.  As the body begins to perceive an optimal level of nutrition, it is able to release toxins that have been sequestered in adipose tissue (fat cells), joints, organ tissues, etc.  As toxin is released, the burdens on your internal biochemistry are reduced.  The results include reduction in pain or other symptoms of imbalance, increased energy, better mental function, deeper sleep, etc. 

If you have worked with me over the years, you have probably already experienced some version of a nutritional detoxification program.  Protocols can vary from simple light-eating programs (See sidebar for one such program) to intense 3-4 week programs designed to help those who have more advanced health imbalances.  It is important to remember that the more aggressive detoxification programs need to be guided by a health practitioner who is familiar with this work.  Depending on the level of congestion or toxicity in your body, you may experience some "detoxification reactions" as  a result of cleaning up your diet.  This is a good thing, but should be monitored and is the main reason you need to work with an experienced practitioner. 

For further reading on the topic, Dr. Elson Haas has written prolifically on the subject of living in harmony with the seasons as well as nutritional detoxification (1, 2, 3).  I strongly recommend his books. 

And hey, as long as we're cleaning up the inside, maybe we should take the cue from Mom and deep clean the house as well.

(1) Haas, Elson, Staying Healthy with the Seasons, 2003.

(2) Haas, Elson, The New Detox Diet: The Complete Guide for Lifelong Vitality with Recipes, Menus, and Detox Plans, 2004.

(3) Haas, Elson, & Manzolini, Eleaonora, A Cookbook for All Seasons: A Healthy Eating Plan for Life, 2000.