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Welcome to Nourishing News, a free monthly newsletter designed to help you live life more deliciously!
I've been getting a lot of questions about cleansing, in general, since announcing our upcoming Fall Cleanse. So, I decided to write this months newsletter about the importance of regular detoxification. If you can't join us for our next cleanse, I hope the information in this newsletter will benefit you! Thanks for reading! As always, if you like this newsletter, please forward it to anyone you think will enjoy or benefit from it.
Yours in health, Debbie Sarfati, HHC |
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The Whole Scoop |
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The Importance of Cleansing
I think we can say that
summer is winding down! Kids are back at school, Labor Day is already here, and
(much to my dismay!) the evening air has a slight chill. All that spells the
coming of F-A-L-L to me!
Fall is the time
of year when we begin the "winding down" process in preparation for
the quieter winter months. Fall is one of the most beneficial times for deep
cleansing because it fortifies the constitution for the coming season. Fall's
darker, cooler nature encourages us to slow down and conserve our vital energy
for the colder months. It is a time to go within, complete projects, and
open up to our inner wisdom.
As the body slows down, any excess toxins that have accumulated in the system
over the more active summer months will now attempt to make their way out
through the elimination organs: the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs and
skin. A good fall cleanse is like tuning up your car for the winter. By
taking the time to care for your body now, you can enjoy the seasonal changes
knowing that your system has been revitalized and prepared for the times
ahead.
Your body knows that fall is
on the way. Observe and listen. What have you been eating lately? It is this
time of year, for me, that I start searching the farmers market for the first
of the winter squashes (such as delicata, acorn and butternut). I switch from
the raw leafy greens (lettuces) back to more of the heartier greens (kale,
collards, chard). Soups start entering my mind again...as well as teas, and
some longer cooking dishes.
Don't get me wrong, I am
still stocking up on my Colorado
peaches each week (yum!). Although my body and mind both know that we are
getting close to the end of this wonderful fruit, at least for this season.
Observe in your own life this wonder of Mother Nature. Eating with the seasons
will allow your body to reach a state of natural harmony.
Cleansing for your
body:
Our bodies function much like
the seasons. They shift in cycles like the rhythm of the sun, moon, and earth. All
cleanses are associated with the liver. Your liver is your body's largest
internal organ. The job of the liver is to transform toxic substances into
harmless materials, which can then be excreted by the organs of elimination.
Eating foods that support liver function will help your body cleanse and renew.
The best foods for the liver are fresh green vegetables, preferably those with
a slightly bitter taste. Dandelion greens, mustard greens, watercress, arugula,
collard greens, kale, parsley, and romaine lettuce are bitter greens that
stimulate bile flow and help to cleanse the liver. Other beneficial foods for the liver include
beets, carrots, endive, grapefruit, lemon, and lime.
Cleansing for your
mind:
As our bodies start to slow
down from the excess of summer, we may start to look within. What has been
weighing on you mentally? Can you identify those things that are bringing you
down? Take the change of the season as a time to make change in your life. I do
an exercise with my clients called "The Wheel of Life." Each spoke on the wheel
represents a different aspect of life-finances, career, relationships, physical
activity, etc. Pick one spoke on your wheel. Although they might seem
unrelated, I assure you they are. As one aspect of your life improves, another
will follow. You must start the process somewhere though!
Cleansing for your
spirit:
As we will start to notice
soon, the days will be getting shorter. As the sun changes her relationship
with the earth, we will have more hours of darkness. In the darkness of fall
and winter, our bodies tend to "hibernate". We come home from work and may want
to curl up in our cave of blankets alongside the fireplace. Take advantage of
these days ahead to slow down after work, relax with a book and some tea, or
cook dinner for someone special!
Is cleansing right for
you?
Start
to listen to the recurring stress signals from your body. These are nature's
way of telling you that stressed internal organs are ready for some cleansing
and rebuilding.
Stressed
spleen-pancreas/stomach: erratic energy levels, bingeing on sweets, belching, upset stomach, low
resistance to infections
Stressed lungs/large
intestine:
fatigue, stuffy sinuses, phlegm, pale complexion, gas, constipation, diarrhea
Stressed kidneys/bladder: frequent pale urination or
scant dark urination, lower back ache, low sexual energy, bags under the eye,
often feel cold
Stressed
liver/gallbladder: headaches, often overeat, eyes irritated or bloodshot, oily or dry skin,
restless from 11pm to 2am
Stressed heart/small
intestine:
chest tense or aching, backache between shoulders, high blood pressure, red
complexion
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Healthy Bites
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This Month's Pick: Spinach
Spinach
is used as a remedy for dryness and thirst. Its cooling nature cleanses the
blood of toxins that cause skin disease and discharge. Spinach has a "sliding"
nature, which facilitates bowl action and urination. The rich iron and
chlorophyll content of spinach work to build the blood (Source: Healing With
Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford)
Spinach
is a great vegetable for this time of year because it can be eaten both cooked
and raw. Make a raw spinach salad or lightly sauté spinach with garlic and
olive oil.
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| Food For Thought |
Client Spotlight-Words from one of our "cleansers"
Hi Debbie and Ty -
I really
enjoyed the last 14 days and the cleanse you defined. I found
it and you both to be supportive, gentle, informative and
life-yes-affirming.
I feel you have
led me onto a path that has endless possibilities for my future. Thanks,
C.G.
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