Spring and Fall are two of my favorite seasons. I always get the itch to start throwing things out when we switch to one of these seasons. I find myself excited for the fall detox we are about to begin, but I also am excited for the cleaning out of the closet. I find myself realizing that if we create space in the physical world around us, it creates space within us, too. Removing clutter from the house, car and work space allows for clutter to leave the mind and body, leaving you feeling lighter, freer and more energetic.
As we approach the season of fall this year, I invite you to look around you and find something to let go of and then look inside and do the same. Fall is the season of change and it is easier for us to make changes at the beginning of fall and stick with them than it is at New Year's. Winter is more of a resting period (think about what happens in nature during the winter). This fall I invite you to make your New You Resolutions and begin to implement them into your life.
As I mentioned earlier, this fall I will begin a 21 day purification for the inside of my body and to clean my environment I will be removing clothing, books and plastic food containers from my home and replacing toxic chemicals with therapeutic grade essential oils and glass containers.
The 21 day purification will allow my body a break from digesting foods and supplement my endocrine and digestive organs with nutrients to allow for repair. If you eat food out of plastic or styrofoam containers, or cook in teflon coated pans your liver and other detoxifying organs are getting a workout (not the good kind). There is an increasing number of people discovering they have cirrhosis of the liver that do not live a lifestyle typical of causing cirrhosis (drinking, smoking, eating fatty foods, etc). What doctors are beginning to realize is that all these toxins in our food and food packaging are leading to diseases within our body. Not only that, but the utensils used to cook our foods and store foods are also contributing to this problem. It effects all body systems, digestive, nervous, respiratory, endocrine (hormones), reproductive, immune and integumentary (skin). It would take too much to write about all of these, but the research is out there.
I currently cook out of stainless steel or iron skillets and bake in glass or ceramic pans. We do not own a microwave, but do store leftovers in plastic containers. My goal for this year is to replace my plastic containers with glass ones. I am going to buy canning jars instead of actual glass "tupperware" type containers. I will comment on here about how that is working once I make the switch.
Also, anyone who takes antibiotics, prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, birth control, etc need to do a cleanse and then load up on healthy microbiota that have been destroyed by the medications. Getting off the medications help, but supplementing with probiotics is also necessary when taking medications. If you feel bloated, gassy, tired, achy, itchy or even have acid reflux you probably have dysbiosis (unbalanced microbes). The way to fix this is to do a cleanse, replace the good bacteria in the gut and maintain a healthy diet and exercise. Staying off of medications is also helpful - if you can get off of them.
The therapeutic essential oils can help with all of the above and more. Lemon is a great detoxifier and aids the liver well. Drink a glass of lemon water first thing in the morning to aid the liver in flushing out the toxins it has been processing while you sleep. A healthier liver equals easier weight maintenance. It is also fantastic for cleaning the home and can be used with white vinegar in place of the harsh chemicals in store bought household cleaners.
Lavender is fantastic for the skin and is better for you than chemicals you put on your skin. Use it with a little coconut oil for great skin lotion. (Bonus - it helps with allergies.) There are other blends that can replace hand sanitizer, air fresheners and bug repellent that are not toxic to you, your children, pets or the earth.
And lastly, cleaning out the closet. Always a favorite of mine. If I haven't worn it in a year, it has to go. Okay, sometimes I hold on for one more year to a few pieces, but then I have to let go. What is it doing for me other than taking up space and reminding me that I do not fit into that piece of clothing anymore. It's okay, just let it go.
I create space inside for me to grow, move and stretch. I give to someone else (donate to Goodwill usually). Win-Win. I feel great!
In gratitude,
Dr. A
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