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| warming kichadi |
Cleansing has been around for a long, long time and there are many ways a person can choose to cleanse. No matter what type of cleanse you are doing, these simple steps will help you succeed.
1. Be Prepared-write down what you’re going to eat and to do for self-care. Think about each choice you make and decide if it really needs to happen and if it supports you. Make a shopping list, buy what’s on the list, and prepare ahead of time what you can. Have some go to healthy snacks in the fridge, office and/or car.
2. Keep it Simple-one-pot recipes-soups, kichardi’s, give yourself a couple of days to get ready, let go of addictions slowly, choose the right cleanse for you, stop eating before you are full, move slowly and be mindful of your choices.
3. Return to Your Regular Diet Slowly-Slowly add your regular food and drink into your diet. I encourage my students to journal while cleansing so they can observe what helps them to feel good and what does not. If you find that a food doesn’t support you, don’t eat it. I know, it’s easier said than done. Many of us must prove to ourselves that we can or cannot eat something over and over before we finally do what feels best. After you’ve spent time feeling energetic, bright and amazingly healthy, you will notice very quickly what does not work for your system.
Just as every food, exercise or medicine does not work for every person, neither does every cleanse. I think I’ve tried most everything available over time. What works best for me is eating whole foods, in small quantities, prepared with love (hopefully with a bit of chanting). Eating local, organic, and well-cared for products supports a healthy diet. Making sure your environment and company are inviting and calm. Turning off the TV or other electronics enhances and soothes digestion.
Cleansing is about letting go of toxins, excess and rejuvenating so don’t stress out. Choose a cleanse that is gentle, safe and supportive. Remember there is some truth in the statement, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Be clear and realistic about your intentions and most of be gentle with yourself. We want to create healthy bodies, minds and lives. I’d love to hear about your experiences below.
#cleanse #keepitsimple #beprepared
