After last year's last blog post (about the year of realization), I wanted to talk about something which is not too ambitious on me! But it's more about related to self care and detox. Yesterday I also did ask on Instagram about what do you guys think, I should write about and many people say Detox!!! So here it is... less ambitious, more practical way of easing into the year of 2023.
If you're feeling guilty after a wild holiday weekend, it's time to detox your body! I personally feel, this is the best way I can revitalize myself and this blog with this blogpost in the year of 2023.
But don't worry - this isn't one of those extreme cleansing programs that leave you completely drained. We've got an easy three-day plan to give your body the reboot it needs and get you back on track in no time. Rejuvenate and refresh with our simple steps – so by next Monday morning, not only will people be impressed but they'll also want whatever secret detox method YOU'VE been using.
Ready to jumpstart your body's natural cleanse? This 3-day nutritional overhaul promises a whole lot of goodness! Swapping out sugary and unhealthy eats (like alcohol, soda, processed foods, grains & animal products) for nourishing green juices, smoothies and plant-based meals. Plus liquid stevia is an all-natural sweetener with zero glycemic impact that you can use as desired - yum!
Now, we will tackle this detox with 3 ways! Food, Wellness, and Beauty
Ready to hit reset on your body and feel amazing? You don't have to suffer through a green juice-only diet! Cleansing doesn’t mean deprivation. Instead, you can nourish yourself with delicious whole foods while still getting all the benefits of detoxifying your system - goodbye toxic buildup and inflammation! With this cleanse, living healthy just got infinitely easier (and tastier)!
Here is your overall
3 Day Detox Plan
Step 1:Start your day off right with a relaxed morning wake-up and an optional oil pulling ritual.
What is Oil Pulling?
Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy that has seen a recent resurgence in popularity. It involves swishing oil, usually coconut or sesame oil, around the mouth for several minutes. The action of swishing the oil helps remove bacteria and toxins from the mouth, reducing inflammation and improving overall oral health. Proponents of oil pulling believe it can also help improve systemic health, such as alleviating allergies, boosting immunity and even relieving joint pain.
When performing oil pulling, it is important to use only cold-pressed oils, as these are less processed and will contain more beneficial compounds. The individual should begin by swishing one tablespoon of oil around the mouth for 15-20 minutes. During this time, they should work the oil through their teeth and around their gums while being careful not to swallow any of it. After 20 minutes have passed, they can spit out the oil into a trash can (not down the drain) and rinse their mouths with warm water.
To maximize its benefits, many people choose to do oil pulling first thing in the morning on an empty stomach before brushing their teeth or eating breakfast. It is recommended that individuals new to oil pulling start with shorter sessions and work up to longer ones over time. Additionally, they should be sure to floss after each session or brush their teeth if desired. A consistent practice of doing this just once a day can lead to improved dental hygiene as well as overall well-being due to its detoxifying effects.
Step 2: Tongue Scraping
Scrape up any bacteria build-up on the tongue.
Tongue scraping is an important part of the detoxification process and has numerous benefits that extend beyond just improving oral hygiene. It is a simple, safe and easy way to remove bacteria and toxins from the surface of the tongue that can lead to bad breath, gingivitis, dry mouth and even cavities. It also helps to balance the pH level in the mouth which can improve overall health by reducing inflammation and promoting better digestion.
The act of tongue scraping has been used for centuries as part of traditional Ayurvedic practices. The ancient texts claim that doing this helps to maintain balance within the body which improves both physical and mental health. Although modern research on this is limited, there are studies that suggest it may help reduce toxins in the mouth. A study published in 2011 showed that tongue scraping significantly reduced bacteria levels compared to brushing alone, indicating its potential as part of an effective oral hygiene routine.
In addition to removing bacteria, some experts believe tongue scraping can also promote better sleep quality and improve taste buds. By gently scraping away any build-up on the surface of the tongue, individuals can restore their sense of taste—especially if they experience a dulled sense due to colds or allergies. Additionally, since bad breath is often caused by bacteria on the tongue’s surface, daily scraping can help eliminate this problem as well as any discomfort associated with it.
Overall, regular tongue scraping is beneficial for maintaining good oral health as well as improving systemic wellbeing. While it should be done gently rather than aggressively scrubbing away at all costs, doing this once a day before bedtime or first thing in the morning can make a noticeable difference when combined with other personal hygiene habits such as brushing teeth regularly and flossing at least once a day..
Step 3: Hydration and Fuel your body with nourishing breakfast
After tongue escaping and follow it up by brushing teeth then hydrate w/ hot water + lemon juice to revive digestion & metabolism - perfect for porridge or smoothie b'fast!
Also, add these three detox drinks, consuming these drinks will help your gut health:
Day 1: Lemon Juice + Turmeric + Warm Water
Day 2: Soak 1 tbp. of Fenugreek Seeds into 8 Oz of water night before and drink that first thing in the morning after oil pulling
Day 3: Soak 1 tbp. of fennel seeds into 8 Oz of water night before and drink that first thing in the morning after oil pulling
Step 4: Indulge yourself with Ayurvedic khichri and soup for dinner
Once lunchtime comes around, enjoy some veg packed Kitchari followed in the evening by warming soup. End of night?
Step 5: Talk about wellness especially once kids go to sleep or I should say after 8 pm
As the night draws in, make sure to practice some peaceful and relaxing activities – running a hot bath with your favorite scented oils; sitting down for 10 minutes of mindfulness meditation; or cuddling up on the couch with an engrossing novel. When it comes time to hit the hay around 9 pm, give yourself one more gift by drinking a soothing cup of chamomile tea - maybe even add Triphala if you want that extra boost! Finish winding down at least half an hour before bedtime so you can be ready when Mr Sandman arrives ... lights out no later than 10 PM sharp! Remember: sleeping well is essential as this allows your body to repair and reset itself after another day's work - sweet dreams!
Some more talk about optional detox habits:
Before you jump in the shower, give yourself a treat: dry skin brushing with natural bristles (check out our blog post on dry brushing)! Not only is it great for stimulating circulation and lymphatic drainage - so stress-reducing - but also just feels awesome.
Take your cleanse up another notch by relaxing for 20 minutes in an Epsom Salt bath infused with lavender essential oil – pure bliss! If you are busy mom like me or busy young professional, then use shower steamer to have a similar experience (check out our shower steamer recipe here).
Exercise wise, don't go crazy here; gentle daily low impact activities like walking or yoga are perfect. I love yoga with Adrienne. She generally does 30-day yoga videos in the month of January . Check out her in YouTube. Then finish off your session of self care love with some meditation (OhMyGosh meditations are fantastic if you're new to this, I complained last year about not being focus and this helped me a lot). Enjoy feeling fresh inside & out ☺.
Now, Let’s talk beauty. As we talked about food and wellness in above plan. I wanted to touch beauty in-depth here. Although we touched on beauty by adding dry brushing and bath soak, I think our face needs much needed detox. I prefer not to add any makeup for next 3 days during detox. Also, below 3-Detox Face Mask Recipes which will do deep pore cleansing after heavy holiday makeup:
Day 1: Green Rice Face Mask
Ingredients:
1 tbp. Rice Flour
1 tsp. Aloe Vera Gel
1 tsp. Green Tea Leaves powdered or Matcha Powder
Water as needed
Method:
Add rice flour and green tea leave powder in to small bowl. Mix well. Now add aloe vera gel and water as needed. Make a thick but spreadable paste.
Apply this paste before you take shower. Matcha tea leaves/rice flour will cleanse your pore from deep while aloe vera gel will retain the moisture of the skin layer.
Day 2: Neem Sandalwood Powder Mask
2 tbps. Sandalwood powder (great for hyperpigmentation)
1 tsp. Neem powder
Rose water as needed
Method:
Add Sandalwood powder and neem powder in small bowl. Mix it well. Now add rose water and make a paste. Neem acts as a detoxing agent on your skin. Apply this mask right before the shower.
Day 3: Good old turmeric face mask
2 tbp. Chickpea flour
½ tsp. Turmeric Powder
Coconut oil melted as needed
Method:
Mix chickpea flour and turmeric powder in a small try. Now add coconut oil and make thick paste. Apply this face mask right before the shower. During shower, rub the facial skin gently. This mask is also act as a face scurb.
Hope this guide help you make your detox process more practical and sustainable. I personally believe that, anything extreme or drastic is never going to last. So have this guide and follow as much as you get to have sustainable and practical lifestyle on your own!
Happy 2023.
