Green Tea – My New Best Friend

The Community Cleanse is a great way to give our bodies the break it needs for us to become aware of everyday foods that might be affecting us negatively. I know I have said it before, but I don’t think I’m going back to coffee. If you have read through my blog, you know that I switched to decaf between the first and second cleanses (See Another Cleanse Down). Well that didn’t work out so well. After the January cleanse, I found myself slowly slipping back into the caffeinated world of happy baristas and perfectly foamed organic lattes. “One shot or two?” she asked. Once hooked, I wondered how the nice barista could ask such a question. I replied, “Most certainly two shots … of course.” 

My mission is to find what feels healthy and moderate for me, long-term. In seeking moderation, I’m learning that feeling healthy trumps what I think should be moderate. I have the idea that one coffee per day is reasonable. I mean it’s not like I’m gulping down cup after cup like some people I know. But every time I start another cleanse, the withdrawals from coffee are brutal. Should I be experiencing these grave, negative effects from caffeine if I’m ingesting it moderately? I feel irritated and tired (so tired) and miss coffee more than anything.

The point is; I feel better without it. Many of you have told me you’ve noticed positive changes in your moods, weight, energy levels and illness related symptoms while on The Community Cleanse. Have you determined what is contributing to these improvements? Can you continue to limit the substance, or omit it from your diet after the cleanse is over?

This is my third, four-week cleanse, in eight months. I know for sure—without a doubt—I feel less anxious, moody, agitated, and I have less stomach irritation without my daily caffeine fix. Sure, I also feel less awake and less fun (coffee makes me hyper and much more entertaining), but I’m learning to have a good time with green tea. My relationship with green tea is new, but it’s growing on me. This time, (and I might eat my words later) I am going to stick to green tea and give up coffee (for now). Green tea and me get along better and we don’t have the same dependency issues. But coffee and me have a history—a past—and lots of memories. Okay, maybe I’ll have one latte per week, on the weekend, as a special treat. Yes, yes, yes, I’ll have one per week, but I am not going to let this creep up and grow into the same full-blown every day ritual. I used to think a life without coffee was perhaps not worth living—so one step at a time. Green tea, my new friend, I hope you’re ready because you have big shoes to fill.

Another Cleanse Down

The end! Today’s the last day of the second Community Cleanse. Yahoo, we made it! We can eat whatever we want …

Initially, I started The Healthy Junkie blog, not only to inspire others to be a little healthier, but also to help motivate myself get through a four-week cleanse. Some of you never started cleansing, some of you have cleansed for the past four weeks—and like me—some of you, have cleansed almost two months of the past three-and-a-half months. Wow, now that took some effort! Cleansing this much has felt more like a serious kick-in-the-pants lifestyle change.

My addiction to restaurants has certainly subsided and sugar cravings are a thing of the past. I didn’t go back to caffeine after the first cleanse because for the first three weeks, without my one cup of coffee per day, I was a complete yawn to be around. It took a long time for some sort of personality to finally emerge from the depths of caffeine-free Laura. So, I switched to decaffeinated soy lattes in-between cleanses. I hope to never re-experience dull, lackluster Laura again. After the first cleanse, I also ceased the mad stocking of the fridge with loads of cheese—my usual go-to snack. Instead I eat cheese on special occasions and at the many Napa wine and cheese events.

But I must admit I’m pretty excited to have that cheese partnered with a glass of wine this week. So imagine my surprise when my husband said, “You know, I think I’m going to continue the cleanse for the next seven weeks, until my sister’s wedding. I swear the cleanse is doing away with my chronic sinusitis. Plus,” he winked, “I’m going to look hot—get on my beach body for their destination wedding.”  

We’ll see how this works out – seven extra weeks is a long time. Of course, I support him one-hundred percent but I don’t intend to completely join in. I’m definitely having wine and cheese this week—for sure.

I’m a little scared to come completely off the cleanse. This time around I’ve incorporated regular exercise and I don’t see how this mixes well with slight hangovers (these days, I seem to get hung over after only a few glasses of wine). I’m no longer going to have the excuse, “I’m cleansing” to avoid the social implications of socializing. I guess I’m going to have to reevaluate what moderation means to me. I haven’t eaten processed, hydrogenated, refined food or white sugar for years and years (these non-foods weren’t conducive to healing tumors, so it became habit to avoid them). I mostly limit white flour to baguettes eaten in restaurants. So I guess, through process of elimination, alcohol is the non-cleanse friendly line item I’m going to have to contend with in my quest to continue to feel great.

Happy last day of The Community Cleanse cleansers!  

The Healthy Junkie’s Community Potluck is tonight, January 31^st, 2011 at the Main Napa Library (580 Coombs Street, Napa, CA) from 6:30-8:00 in the Community Room. Many of you live far away—I wish you could all be here in person. All cleansers and non-cleansers are invited. If you can attend, please bring a cleanse-friendly dish that does not incorporate processed/refined or hydrogenated foods, sugar, white flour, dairy, caffeine, or alcohol. The event will begin promptly at 6:30 and end at 8:00. The room is not equipped with an oven or stove. So, your dish should be ready to serve. Please also bring serving utensils. Hope to see many of you there!

Vegetable Brown Rice Couscous Salad

Cleansing and vegetables certainly go hand-in-hand.  The Vegetable Brown Rice Couscous Salad is a complete protein (without meat) because it combines a grain (brown rice) with a legume (aduki beans or chickpeas).  It’s also a wheat free salad because it incorporates Lundberg Brown Rice Couscous instead of the durum wheat couscous option.  Not only does this salad offer an array of nutrient dense veggies, but it also tastes great.  It’s light and the sesame oil offers a hint of nuttiness – if allergic to sesame substitute with olive oil.  I had this last night with the Butternut Squash Apple Soup.  I found my meal satisfying and didn’t wander around the kitchen later looking for something else to munch on.  Happy Cleansing!

 

VEGETABLE BROWN RICE COUSCOUS SALAD

Ingredients

• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 1 orange pepper, chopped
• 1 large zucchini, chopped
• 1 bunch asparagus, chopped
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped
• 1 head Swiss Chard, stems removed, only use greens, chopped. (I save the stems and put them in my smoothie the next day).
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 – 10 oz box of roasted brown rice couscous, or whole wheat couscous
• 1 – 15 oz can of aduki beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt (about ½ tsp) and pepper to taste

Method

Stir fry sweet potato in 1 tbsp of olive oil until soft.  In a separate pan, stir fry red pepper, orange pepper, zucchini, and asparagus in 1 tbsp of olive oil and garlic until vegetables are tender.  Add chopped Swiss Chard and continue to stir fry for a few minutes.  Follow the box directions for brown rice couscous (takes about 15 minutes).  Add all vegetables and aduki beans to cooked couscous and mix it all up (try to drain most water before mixing ingredients together).  Stir in 1 tbsp of sesame oil.  Add salt and pepper to taste. 

Serves 6-8.  Enjoy.

Butternut Squash Apple Soup

My friend Ann brought this soup to The Community Cleanse potluck we had in November and since then I’ve made this soup many times.  The recipe is from Simply Recipes (with only a few very minor alterations).  Last night I had the Butternut Squash Apple Soup for dinner with the Vegetable Brown Rice Couscous Salad.  Happy cleansing! 

BUTTERNUT SQUASH APPLE SOUP 

Ingredients

• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 rib celery, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
• 1 butternut squash, peeled, seeds removed, chopped
• 1 tart green apple, peeled, cored, chopped (squash and apple should be at 3 to 1 ratio). 
• 3 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth if vegetarian) – check all labels for sugar.  “Imagine” Free Range Chicken Broth does not have added cane sugar.
• Pinches of cinnamon, all spice, salt and pepper

Method

Combine butter (or olive oil), onion, celery, and carrot in large saucepan.  Cook for 5 minutes.  Add squash, apple and broth.  Bring to boil.  Simmer for 10 minutes or until squash is soft.  Puree.  Add spices to taste. 

Serves 4-6.  Enjoy!

More Cleansing Anyone?

There are other methods to help with the detoxification process.  This list is not absolute.  For instance, I don’t mention the infamous enema.  Okay, well I suppose I just mentioned it and it is effective.  But I won’t be going into details, so if you’re interested add it to the following list. 

To deepen your cleanse – even more – try some of the following:

1. Dry brushing to increase lymphatic drainage.  The skin is the largest elimination organ, so be sure to dry brush in a circular motion over your whole body.  Dry brushing also helps to increase circulation and remove dead skin cells.  You can find a natural fiber bristle brush in health food stores.  Loofah brushes work as well.  Do this once to twice a day.        
2. Exercise – get out there, get moving and break a sweat.
3. Drink lots of water and then drink more water.  It is said that 75% of us are chronically dehydrated.
4. Take warm baths with Epsom salts.  This is a great way to detoxify and soothe any aches and pains.
5. Saunas and hydrotherapy increase lymphatic activity.  Saunas and extreme heat are not recommended for those who are weak, obese or pregnant.
6. Drink lemon juice or apple cider vinegar in water (you can also add cayenne for an extra detox kick).
7. Herbal teas help to support many of the elimination organs of the body.  I personally like milk thistle, dandelion root, red raspberry, nettle, chamomile and burdock root.  Try incorporating these healing teas into your rituals while on The Community Cleanse.

Happy cleansing community cleansers!  Next post will be on Thursday.

The Colon – A Potential Sewer?

We made it through one week!  Day 8 of The Community Cleanse.  Hopefully we didn’t lose too many over the weekend.  Yesterday, one of my close friends’ said, “I used my cheat day last night.  But I’m back on it.  I’m refocused and ready to go.  No more cheat days.”  Of course you don’t have to take your one allowed cheat day.  At the moment, I’m feeling really good and don’t have any intention of using it – we’ll see.  I know we have some new community cleansers and I would like to welcome you all.  Anyone can join from now until the end on November 14th. 

Let’s talk about the colon!  There are two contributing factors that can lead to chronic disease – slow digestion and incomplete digestion.  Digestion begins in the mouth.  As we chew, our saliva secretes enzymes that aid in the assimilation of nutrients.  To ensure adequate digestion, especially of carbohydrates, it’s important that we feel relaxed, eat slowly and chew our food.

Food moves along the esophagus to the stomach where it is churned.  Chemicals in digestive juices are released.  This aids in the breakdown and digestion of food and assimilation of amino acids, vitamins and minerals.  HCL (hydrochloric acid) helps prevent the growth of microbes into the intestinal tract.  It’s important that the stomach remain highly acid.  Many have what is called, an underactive stomach.  We’ll come back to the stomach in a later post.

Food is then moved into the small intestine, where most of the digestion takes place.  When undigested food reaches the colon, the problem begins.  The colon is a “sewer” and houses good and bad bacteria.  The ratio should be about 70%-80% “good bacteria”.  The colon expects food to be properly digested before it gets here.  Good bacteria produce vitamins and protect the colon wall.  Undigested food ferments and the “bad bacteria” feed on this, allowing them to grow stronger in number and produce by-products of yeast, aldehydes and other toxins.  This brings the integrity of the colon wall into question as the “bad guys” make holes in it.  Undigested proteins and toxins move through the holes and into the blood stream where they freely circulate creating allergies and / or autoimmune diseases.  This is also named “Leaky Gut Syndrome”.

A common condition that results from a clogged colon or Leaky Gut is candidiasis – an overgrowth of yeast in the body.  Main complaints of Candida are; sugar cravings, high sensitivity to smells like perfume, gas, bloating, IBS, dizziness, fatigue, moodiness, itchy ears, nose and anus, difficulty concentrating, eczema, hives, hemorrhoids, vaginal yeast, and autoimmune conditions like fibromyalgia.  Those with many allergies seem to have higher levels of Candida – yeast in the body.

According to Dr. Jonn Matsen N.D., most everyone has an overgrowth of yeast.  This may be attributed to poor digestion over time, refined foods, processed foods, alcohol, white sugar, stress, an underactive stomach and the use of antibiotics and pharmaceutical drugs.     

If there is a colon problem, we can rebalance this by increasing fiber foods and drinking 8-10 glasses of water per day.  Fiber supplements like psyllium, ground flax meal, chia seeds and apple pectin can greatly help increase overall fiber intake.  Remember to drink lots of water.  Of course cleansing helps to improve the situation because sugar, alcohol, tobacco, refined and processed foods, white flour and dairy help to feed bad bacteria and irritate the digestive system.  Grapefruit seed extract and caprilic acid help to kill yeast (bad bacteria) and acidophilus helps to rebalance the intestinal flora (good bacteria).  Digestive enzymes can also help.  An elimination diet may be necessary if there are many food sensitivities.  Other foods that are known to be highly allergenic are; corn, peanuts, baking yeast, pork, wheat, mushrooms, soy and gluten.  So let’s get our potential sewers in check and happy cleansing to all!  

Sources:

Dr. Matsen N.D., Jonn. Eating Alive, Prevention Thru Good Nutrition. Crompton Books, Ltd, 1987.

Calling All Healthy Junkies – Recipes

Calling all Healthy Junkies!  If seems we have many recipes to share as a community.  Therefore, I propose The Healthy Junkie Community Recipe Page.  This idea was inspired by a few community cleansers.  Thanks to my Mom, Ashley, Indra and all of you who have already posted a recipe in the comments sections.   

If you are interested in sharing a delicious recipe with others, please put RECIPE in the subject line and send it to me at www.thehealthyjunkie@gmail.com.  If you are inspired please also send a photo of yourself, a picture of your recipe and a short bio.  I will post these about every week or as they come in.  I may change something around if necessary.  It’s fine to send a non-cleanse friendly recipe (of course it still needs to be ridiculously healthy), but this will not be posted until after The Community Cleanse finishes on November 14th.  If the recipe you choose was inspired by a website, person, magazine, cookbook or so on, please say so in your recipe piece.  So here’s what your Community Recipe and Bio might look like:

Laura Levesque-Page (aka – The Healthy Junkie)

Who doesn’t love pizza?  I have re-tweaked this recipe to make the most nutritiously delicious, cleanse friendly pizza possible.  The pesto part of the pizza recipe (you may have some left over) is also good on spaghetti or brown rice topped with stir fried vegetables.  You can of course add chicken if you’re looking to eat meat. 

Pesto Pizza (serves 6)

Ingredients

Pesto

• 7 oz of arugula 
• 1 head of dino kale
• ½ cups of frozen peas
• 2 bunches of basil
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 cup walnuts
• Juice of 1 1/2 -2 lemons
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 tsp sea salt
• Pepper to taste

Vegetable Topping

• 2 onions
• 3 bell peppers (red, orange, yellow)
• 2 zucchini
• 3 Portobello mushrooms or other mushrooms

Pizza Crust

• 1 package “Lavish” whole wheat flat bread or other flat bread (6 pieces)
•  ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic

“Cheese”

• Soy cheese, brown rice cheese or other type of “cheese” while on cleanse

Method

1. Put all ingredients for pesto in a food processor or a strong blender and whip it until smooth.
2. Chop up the vegetables for the vegetable topping and sauté in some olive oil until tender.
3. Grate the soy or brown rice cheese.
4. Mix olive oil and minced raw garlic in a small bowl and brush mildly over the bottom of the Lavish flatbread.
5. Place Lavish bread on pieces of tin foil or cookie sheets.
6. Spread some pesto over Lavish flat breads.
7. Add grated cheese on top of pesto.
8. Add the vegetable mixture on top of the pizzas.
9. Bake at 425°F for about 15-20 minutes – the flatbread should crisp up.
10. Sprinkle with crushed red peppers – if desired.
11. Eat and enjoy.

Oh No – It’s The Weekend!

Yay, it’s the weekend, time to have fun!  But wait, I’m on a cleanse.  What can we do over the next weekends to stay away from the temptations of alcohol, coffee, alcohol, dairy, alcohol, non-cleanse friendly foods, and alcohol?  Sounds like I’m staying in!  

For some of us this weekend is going to be the real test.  Let’s face it, most social events revolve around drinking.  Many of us have rarely been in a situation where we’re not partaking in the exercise of raising mugs or wine glasses to our own lips-even if only in sips of complete moderation.  It may take courage for us to believe we’ll continue to be fun and exciting without the loosening effects of alcohol.  This can be uncomfortable.  If we have committed to The Community Cleanse, we can’t allow ourselves to fail without even trying to get to know ourselves in social situations without alcohol.  Maybe, I’m speaking for myself here, but it can be a real struggle to hang out with the same friends and family in homes, out at bars, in restaurants, or at wine events.  It’s not the fact that they’re drinking, it’s that we’re not drinking.  So, if any of this rings true for you, here are some tricks to make it through the weekends:

1. Give yourself a chance to interact without alcohol or any other usual, habitual non-cleanse friendly substance or food.
2. Go out!!!  Go for coffee, but have an herbal tea.  Go out for a drink, but have Perrier.
3. Tell restaurant servers you are looking for meals without sugar, dairy, and white flour.
4. Tell your friends and family, prior to going over for a meal, that you are on a cleanse and offer to bring a contributing dish that’s cleanse friendly.
5. At home or other people’s houses, drink bubbly water with POM-pomegranate juice in a wine glass or martini glass.  It’s delicious and pomegranates are super high in antioxidants.  This will make you feel like you’re drinking too.  It’s amazing how much of the discomfort comes from us not feeling like we’re a part of the group.
6. All bars have options.  When out, drink pineapple juice, bubbly water with lime, soda water with lemon, pure grapefruit juice, or orange juice.

Happy weekend cleansers!  I have to go and get ready for the wine event I’m going to this afternoon.  I think I’ll have a Perrier and POM martini to “loosen” me up before I head out.

The Fake, The Sweet, The Goat and The “Chips”

I’ve had a few repeated questions over the past few weeks and thought I would offer a little more information.  Hope this helps.

Aspartame

Fifteen years ago, before I got sick, I used to drink a diet coke every morning for breakfast.  Then I would chew Extra Chlorophyll gum all day long.  I would never attribute this to the reason I got sick, but given the studies out on Aspartame, it sure couldn’t have helped.  Aspartame is highly toxic and should never be used as a sugar replacement.  There have been many studies completed on the alter-indications of aspartame.  It is known to increase nervous system dysfunction and promote multiple sclerosis, birth defects and many different types of cancers.  There are also a wide range of side effects from ingesting Aspartame including headaches, joint pain, rashes, heart palpitations, hives, weight gain, fatigue, tinnitus and irritability.  Aspartame has been linked to obesity, chronic memory and Alzheimer’s disease.  Ingesting one diet coke a day has been shown to cause an increased chance of developing lymphoma or leukemia.  Aspartame breaks down to formaldehyde in the body and alters cellular DNA.  Aspartame is in the trademarked brands Nutrasweet, Equal, Spoonful and is listed in many other products.

Sucralose

Splenda is made of sucralose.  *“Sucralose is a synthetic compound, which — without going into too much scientific detail –is basically sugar modified by adding chlorine atoms.”  Sucralose was discovered in the seventies by hazard when researchers were seeking a new pesticide. 

For the purpose of The Community Cleanse these sweeteners are of course all out.  This would include any gums made with these sweeteners.  However, I would also recommend re-thinking ingesting or chewing aspartame and sucralose in the future.

Sugar

Many of you have asked about products that do not have sugar listed in the ingredient list, but do show a certain number of grams listed in the nutritional section.  For instance, canned tomatoes and tomato sauce will list a few grams of sugar because they contain naturally occurring fruit sugars.  This is fine as long as there is no added sugar in the list of ingredients.   

Anything ending in “ose” is a sugar.  In case you’re confused about what other names sugar can go by here’s a list of about twenty:  Brown sugar, cane sugar, evaporated cane juice, corn syrup, demerara sugar, dextrose, fructose, galactose, glucose, high fructose corn syrup, invert sugar or invert cane juice, lactose, maltodextrin, maltose, molasses, confectioner’s sugar, rice syrup, sucrose, and turbinado.  I’m sure there are more…For more on sugar see White Sugar – Hazardous So Beware.

Goat Cheese and Yogurt

As discussed in the past post – Dairy – Oh Cheese, I’m Going to Miss you – goat’s milk is easier for the body to digest and yogurt contains many beneficial bacteria like acidophilus.  However, if you have ANY type of issue with bowel movements, eczema, acne, IBS, gas, fatigue, allergies, headaches, ANYTHING at all, I would recommend coming off dairy completely for the remainder of your committed time on the cleanse.  Goat products and yogurt are still considered dairy and staying away from them completely can be important for the body to heal.  This is up to you! 

Corn Chips or Brown Rice Chips

Can I eat tortilla chips?  I have had community cleansers tell me they think they will fail if they are not “aloud” to eat corn chips and salsa or brown rice crackers and hummus.  Well this time around, corn is not on the cleansing list.  The idea is to have everyone succeed.  For some of you, having let go of just a few things on The Community Cleanse Contract is a big accomplishment.  So, when someone asks me if they can eat corn or brown rice chips I say, “Yes, because it’s not on the list.  However, remember these ‘chips’ have been fried and are not really a cleansing food.  So limit your intake.”  I’ve been known to steal a few brown rice chips here and there.  But remember to always read – no hydrogenated oils, sugar, or white flour.  Happy weekend and happy cleansing! 

Sources:

1. *http://www.steviacafe.net/dangers-of-splenda
2. Bateson-Koch DC ND, Carolee. Allergies Disease in Disguise – How to heal your allergic condition   permanently and naturally. Burnaby: Alive Books; 1994.
3. http://dorway.com/dorwblog/aspartame-the-bad-news-repost/peer-reviewed-aspartame-studies/
4. http://dorway.com/dorwblog/breaking-news-study-shows-aspartame-liver-lung-cancer/

The Liver – Almighty Cleanse Organ

Today is day 4 of The Community Cleanse.  Is anyone else feeling a little more tired than usual?  I went to bed last night at 10:30.  This is unheard of for a night owl like me.  I slept for eleven hours and even our dog, Gaston, couldn’t get me out of bed this morning.  I have a sneaky suspicion my body is already beginning to detox.  Having eliminated stimulants like caffeine, sugar and alcohol my body is feeling a little unsure of where to gather its energy from (I know alcohol is a nervous system depressant, but it sure feels like a stimulant when first ingested).  There’s an old Irish Proverb that says, “A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.”  I agree and also say, “A good laugh and a good big break on The Community Cleanse will help restore my poor overworked liver.”   

The liver has many important responsibilities.  It regulates metabolism, purifies our blood and produces bile which helps to break down fats.  The liver continuously filters the two liters of blood that pumps through it every minute.  When working optimally, this powerful organ also helps relieve our bodies of inflammation, allergies and sensitivities to infection. 

Stress, hydrogenated and rancid foods, junk food, preservatives and additives, a high “bad fat” diet, alcohol, nicotine, pesticides, herbicides, caffeine, and prescription drugs all help contribute to an overloaded liver.  The heavier the toxic load, the harder it has to work and the higher the risk of it becoming overburdened and sluggish.  Of course, it’s impossible to eliminate all these toxins.  However, too many of these elements compounded can lead to the deterioration of health.        

There are many symptoms to an overburdened liver including:

• Fatigue, headaches, depression and feeling dizzy
• Weight gain
• Confusion
• Mood swings and aggressive behavior
• Immune weakness
• Hormonal imbalances
• Hypoglycemia
• Acne, eczema, rashes and psoriasis
• Gallbladder issues
• Allergies and food sensitivities
• Sensitivities to smells
• Aching joints and muscles  
• Bad breath
• PMS
• Constipation and bloating

The liver is arguably the most important detoxification organ in the body and in today’s onslaught of toxins and stress, we need to pay attention and respect the liver.  All hail the mighty liver!  In addition to eating a diet high in lean proteins, whole grains and anti-oxidant filled fruits and vegetables, there are a few extra tricks you can incorporate during the cleanse to better help the liver along in its detoxification process.  Tricks include the following:

• Juice of half a lemon or 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in 8 oz of room temperature water – this is great to do first thing upon rising as a liver cleanse.
• Juice carrots, beets, apples, and ginger.  You will need a juicer or find a health food restaurant that makes fresh juice.
• Incorporate fiber like chia seeds, apple pectin, flax seeds or flax meal.  You can add these to smoothies or oatmeal.
• Eat more beets, broccoli, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, artichokes, dandelion greens, kale, collard greens, Swiss chard, endive, arugula, blueberries, apples, garlic and ginger.
• Incorporate spices like turmeric, cinnamon, and licorice.
• Milk Thistle tea or herb complex
• Dandelion root tea or herb complex     
• A good multi-vitamin
• Extra vitamin C with bioflavanoids
• Exercise – at least walk for 30 minutes every day

Thank God the liver has a tremendous ability to regenerate!  There’s no way I’d be in good health today if this was not true.  Having survived a diet – I seemed to have endured a lifetime ago – of diet coke, cigarettes, junk food and alcohol.  There’s another quote I hold tightly in my mind today by Leon Eldred, “If I’d known I was going to live so long, I’d have taken better care of myself”.  My quote goes something like this, “I plan to live a long, long time and enjoy not only my life, but my good health as well”.  Oh yes, I bow to the almighty detox organ and know that with this cleanse and continued moderation in my cleansing afterlife, it will be renewed.