Cleansing and Detoxification: Spring Cleansing Strategies

Spring is the season of renewal and rebirth.

The earth comes to life again after a long winter off.

Flowers begin to bloom; trees begin to get leaves.

Your body begins to come alive and awake again after a winter of slow-down.

A great way to shed the sluggishness of winter and add some spring to your step is by doing a spring cleaning of your insides.

Reducing the Toxic Load

An effective cleansing plan must start with what I call “reducing the toxic load”.  No matter how many special detox teas you drink or potions or pills you take, if you don’t reduce the toxic load, both during the cleanse and afterward, your success will be short lived.

During a cleanse, you need to eliminate toxic chemicals in food, water and in the air.  If you decide to follow a cleanse regime that does not involve cleaning up your diet and environment, you are unlikely to see lasting results.  Once you stop the cleansing supplements, your body will soon return to the toxic state it was in when you started.

Foods to avoid while cleansing include all processed foods (just about everything that comes in a box, can, or bag); oils (with the exceptions perhaps of cold pressed olive, coconut, or flax oil); plus wheat, gluten, sugar, dairy, eggs, soy, corn, and peanuts. These last foods are all potential allergens or digestive irritants and thus can thwart the cleansing process.

An effective detox diet plan must also eliminate foods that are difficult to digest like high fat foods, starches, and complex recipes containing a combination of starch or sugar and fat.

Choose the Cleanse That’s Right For You

There as many effective cleansing plans as there are cleansers. That’s why on my Energy Recharge Green Cleanse I offer guidelines and ways to customize. Those who are ready to dive in head first follow Option A, which is the most rigorous plan, while others opt for some variation of B and C, which allow for more flexibility in meal planning.

When I first started my Energy Recharge Green Cleanse (ERGC) back in January 2008, there were very few online cleanses.

Now there are dozens, each one with its own special twist on the cleansing process. Some are food only; many involve a variety of products. A few, like my ERGC, are fully supported and include several support calls and a forum. My ERCG is one of the very few that includes daily journals that allow you to get feedback and support.

Regardless of how you get supported, I feel it’s critical to the success of your cleanse to have a support system in place. It’s a rare person that’s so dedicated and disciplined as to be able to engage successfully in a cleanse and see it through to the end with its emotional ups and downs, temptations to quit, and unpredictable effects in terms of detoxification symptoms.

Learning More About Detox Symptoms

On my blog talk radio show episode, Cleansing and Detoxification Strategies for Spring I discuss the concept of “detox symptoms” — what they are, and why they happen.

I also talk about the pros and cons of a variety of cleansing methods, including fasting, juicing, blending, potions and pills, and just eating whole fresh foods for cleansing so you can determine what’s right for you.

There are some foods that are especially good for cleansing. On the show, I went into detail about my top 5 favorite detox foods. These are described below.

There are many cleanses on the market today. There are potions and pills and herbal remedies. While these sorts of cleanses can be very effective, they can also be complicated and expensive.

I personally prefer food based cleanses.

On my blog talk radio show episode, Cleansing and Detoxification Strategies for Spring I discuss the concept of “detox symptoms”, what they are and why they happen.

I also talk about the pros and cons of a variety of cleansing methods, including fasting, juicing, blending, potions and pills and just eating whole fresh foods for cleansing so you can determine what’s right for you.  There are some foods that are especially good for cleansing.  On the show, I went into detail about my top 5 favorites.  These are also described below.

There are many cleanses on the market today. There are potions and pills and herbal remedies. While these sorts of cleanses can be very effective, they can also be complicated and expensive.

I personally prefer food based cleanses.

My Top 5 Cleansing Foods

Dandelion

Dandelion is a common “weed” that grows abundantly on lawns, in fields and along highways.  It’s known for the wispy sprays that top the stem after the flower dies away.  As I kid, I loved to blow on them.  It was said to be good luck if you could blow all the wisps away with one breath.

I later came to discover that dandelions are one of nature’s most powerful plants.  They are part of the sunflower family, another of my favorite plants growing up.

There are about 100 species of dandelion.  The entire plant is an effective cleanser.

The root is a common ingredient in detox teas and it stimulates the bile and liver.  It also acts as a diuretic and stimulates the release of toxins via your urine.

The leaves are cleansing and nourishing additions to salads, smoothies and soups.  A little goes a long way.  The bitter flavor stimulates the release of stomach acid and bile, which is why herbalists call dandelion a hepatic.

It’s also considered an aperient (gently moves the bowels), diuretic (makes you pee), tonic, and stomachic. It is useful with all kinds of conditions involving kidney, liver, gallbladder and inflammation of the bowels. The fresh root is good for helping with gallstones, jaundice, alcoholism, hepatitis, scurvy, and especially enlargement of the liver and spleen. Dandelion is also a tonic for female reproductive congestion.

 Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)

Burdock is a powerful detoxifier. It’s also a delicious food that can be added to soups, salads, stews, smoothies and stir-fries.

It’s considered by herbalists to be a deep cleaner for it stimulates the release of toxins through sweat, urine and feces.   It can also help lower your blood pressure.  In Healing with Whole Foods Paul Pitchford writes, “(Burdock) is a virtual cure-all for conditions of excess, and significantly purifies the blood while reducing fat and regulating blood sugar.”

In the West, burdock is known to cleanse the blood, and is useful in situations such as exposure to environmental toxins such as cigarette smoke or air pollution, heavy metals such as mercury, lead or arsenic, and chronic bacterial or viral infections.

In macrobiotic tradition, a popular way to use burdock is cut into match stick sized pieces with equal parts carrot and sautéed in sesame oil.  The resulting dish, called kinpura, is considered a deeply cleansing food.

 Avocados

We rarely think of avocados as a cleansing food but these nutritional powerhouses lower cholesterol and dilate blood vessels while blocking artery-destroying toxicity.

Avocados contain a nutrient called “glutathione”, a potent antioxidant enzyme that is used by your liver in phase 2 detoxification reactions.

According to the human genome project research, glutathione tends to be low due to genetics in almost 50% of the population due to a single nucleotide polymorphism (an alteration in a gene).  The enzyme glutathione-S-transferase, responsible for making glutathione, is missing or deficient in close to 50% of the population.

Glutathione is a master antioxidant that’s important for detoxification of synthetic chemicals, for blocking at least thirty different carcinogens and for increasing the activity of the most important aspect of liver detoxification, the phase 2 cytochrome P450 system.

 Cruciferous Vegetables and Leafy Greens

The foods in this detox category include kale, collard greens, dandelion, arugula, spinach, chard, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, broccoli sprouts and Brussels sprouts and many more.

Green foods are powerful allies in cleansing your liver by providing a plethora of minerals, antioxidants and cofactors that support liver detox pathways.  Greens are abundant in chlorophyll which has the ability to suck up environmental toxins from your blood stream and neutralize heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides. They are also cleansing to your colon as they provide an abundance of fiber to “sweep” your digestive tract clean.

Crucifers and leafy greens can be eaten raw, cooked or juiced. They can be blended to make smoothies, soups and salad dressings, marinated, processed with nuts and seeds to make crackers and bread, and eaten whole, dipped in guacamole or a healthy dip.  Leafy greens make tasty wraps, a cleansing alternative to tortillas, pita bread, sandwich bread and other popular grain based processed wraps and tortilla shells.

Bitter greens like arugula, dandelion greens, mustard greens and chicory help increase the creation and flow of bile and aid in the removal of waste from your organs and blood.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a bitter spice used extensively in East Indian cooking.  It contains a chemical constituent called “curcumin” that helps cleanse your liver, purify your blood, and promote good digestion and elimination. It stimulates your gallbladder to produce bile and scavenges free radicals. The spice is aromatic and has a bitter taste. The plant, which grows five to six feet tall, is found in tropical regions throughout Southern Asia; its fingerlike stalk contains the spice’s healing agents.

Turmeric has been shown to be a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agent.  It has been shown to increase two very important liver detoxification enzymes, UDP glucuronyl transferase and glutathione-S-transferase.  Turmeric has also been found to inhibit free radical damage of fats and, prevent the formation of the inflammatory chemical cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2).

When rats were fed curcumin, the active constituent of turmeric, for 14 days, glutathione-S-transferase production increased by 16%, and a marker of free radical damage called malondialdehyde decreased by 36%.

Turmeric looks similar to ginger, except that it’s bright orange and the roots are smaller.  It’s what gives curry its characteristic bright yellow color.

The Energy Recharge Green Cleanse

My Energy Recharge Green Cleanse is a food based cleanse, although you can supplement with detox herbs and formulas if desired, but it’s not required.

Whether you live in a small town in the Midwest or a bustling metropolitan area, you have access to grocery stores and can get an abundance of fresh produce. That’s all you need, along with a blender, to do my Energy Recharge Green Cleanse.

We currently have over 100 people ready to begin their cleanse on Monday. They’ve been busily preparing by simplifying their food choices and increasing their green foods.

It’s not too late to join!

The spring 2012 Energy Recharge Green Cleanse begins on Monday, April 23rd.

It includes recipes, menu plans, recordings and support calls for guidance and detailed instructions.  There’s a community forum to provide support and accountability, as well as a sharing of recipes and resources.

Click HERE for details and to decide if the Energy Recharge Green Cleanse is just what you need to sweep out the cobwebs and jumpstart your body into vibrant health.  And a side benefit is a flatter belly, a clearer mind and enough energy for all the things you love.

I look forward to getting to know you during the next Energy Recharge Green Cleanse.

Love, Health and Joy,

Dr. Ritamarie

P.S.  As a bonus when you register for the Energy Recharge Green Cleanse you’ll also get three months of ongoing support from me through our Eat Green be Lean Community.

Click HERE to get details and join in.

Super Cleanse Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 3/4 bunch of parsley with some stems
• 1 handful arugula
• 1 handful kale
• 1 handful broccoli sprouts
• 3 leaves dandelion greens
• 1/4-inch slice turmeric
• 1/2-inch slice ginger
• 1-inch slice burdock root
• 1/2 – 1 avocado, peeled and pitted
• 1 green apple, cored (optional)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 stalks celery
• 1 teaspoon milk thistle seed powder (optional)
• enough water to blend

Directions:

Blend and enjoy.

Hot and Cleansing Liver Juice

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch kale
• 3 leaves dandelion
• 1 cucumber
• 1 small sliver of fresh turmeric (or 1/4 teaspoon dried)
• 1 lemon, juice of
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 green onions (scallions)
• 1 handful broccoli sprouts
• 1 pinch cayenne
• 3-inch piece of burdock root

Directions:

Run all the ingredients above through a juicer.

Benefits to the Body:

This juice is the ideal liver cleanser.  It’s stimulating and does powerful work to keep your liver functioning at its best.

5 Cutting Edge Strategies to Balance Your Blood Sugar So You Can Melt Your Midline, Sharpen Your Focus, and Recharge Your Energy!

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Whether you’re a busy professional or a professional mom, you need to stay focused and organized all day long and still have enough energy to say yes to enticing social events rather than falling into a heap because you can hardly keep your eyes open after working all day.

Watch this video to get the secret to more energy!

 Register here!

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Gratitude Weekend: Celebrate Your Health with Raw Food Recipes and Health Enhancing Resources

Traditionally the day after Thanksgiving has been called “Black Friday”. Although I understand the meaning, as it’s a day when businesses traditionally go “in the black” because of the flood of consumer buying activity, still I’m not fond of the name and I prefer to name our post-Thanksgiving Day sale something more in line with the theme of the holiday it follows. So this year, I decided to offer a “Gratitude Weekend” sale, filled with very special offers of products and services to empower you to be healthy and vibrant throughout the holiday season. The average person gains extra pounds of fat during this season, because food surrounds us at every turn. Yesterday, as I watched my relatives consume processed, nutrient depleted, and dangerous to their health foods without thought about how it affects their “bottom line”, I started thinking about ways to reach the masses with the message that their food choices are hurting them. So today, I am taking away some of the barriers. I’m offering some huge savings on my e-book and recipe collections, many of which educate about the dangers of the usual processed ingredients in favorite holiday and “treat” foods. Read on for details of my “Gratitude Weekend” sale. You’ll see 5 special sales! Enjoy these special offers through the end of the weekend. Order Today and Win! Just to make these amazing offers completely irresistible, anyone who participates in the “Gratitude Weekend” sale will have the opportunity to win one of: 1st prize: a seat in our next B4 Be Gone Program (Valued at $997!) 2nd prize: Dried and Gone to Heaven DVD set with e-book and 3 online videos (Valued at $297) 3rd prize: Dessert: Making it Rich Without Oil and physical book bundle (Valued at $29.95) Gratitude Weekend Specials: “Gratitude Weekend” Special #1: $37 Holiday Video Bundle Here’s what Special #1 includes: Enjoy access to TWO special holiday videos that will help you serve up delicious dishes for the holidays: Sweets for the Holidays: Class Video and Recipes   Join us for our class “Sweets for the Holidays: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Sugar-Free, Oil-free Holiday Treats” and learn to make amazing raw vegan versions of traditional holiday dishes such as gingerbread men, cookies in festive seasonal shapes, candy, turtle brownies and more. You can take these to parties, give them as gifts or serve them at your own holiday gatherings. These recipes are not just for the holidays, either. You can use them for celebrations all year long. Healthy Holiday Feasts: Class Video and Recipes Join us for our class “Healthy Holiday Feasts: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Living Foods versions of Traditional Holiday Favorites” and watch as we prepare eggless egg nog, turkeyless turkey loaf, potatoless mashed potatoes, cranberry relish, pumpkin pie and more. Then, sample all of the dishes that we prepare. For each class you’ll receive 2 1/2 hours of recipe demonstrations and all the recipes in a PDF eBook! Regularly $27 each, you can enjoy a special price of just $37 for both when you Order Here! http://www.drritamarie.com/go/Thanksgiving2011 Use coupon code: HOLIDAYVIDEOS2011 *********************************************************************** “Gratitude Weekend” Special #2: $97 Deluxe Holiday Bundle* Here’s what Special #2 includes: You’ll receive all of our holiday resources including physical copies of our Thanksgiving Feasts and Healthy Halloween Treats books. The package includes the complete Indulge without the Bulge DVD bundle (*Please note, shipping rates are in addition). Sweets for the Holidays: Class Video and Recipes Join us for our class “Sweets for the Holidays: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Sugar-Free, Oil-free Holiday Treats” and learn to make amazing raw vegan versions of traditional holiday dishes such as gingerbread men, cookies in festive seasonal shapes, candy, turtle brownies and more. You can take these to parties, give them as gifts or serve them at your own holiday gatherings. These recipes are not just for the holidays, either. You can use them for celebrations all year long. Healthy Holiday Feasts: Class Video and Recipes Join us for our class “Healthy Holiday Feasts: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Living Foods versions of Traditional Holiday Favorites” and watch as we prepare eggless egg nog, turkeyless turkey loaf, potatoless mashed potatoes, cranberry relish, pumpkin pie and more. Then, sample all of the dishes that we prepare. For each class you’ll receive 2 1/2 hours of recipe demonstrations and all the recipes in a PDF eBook! Indulge Without the Bulge Holiday Bundle You can get our ENTIRE holiday collection of books, videos, and guides with this DELUXE holiday package! There’s no better way to get through the holidays than with a complete toolkit of ideas, recipes, and video demonstrations that will leave you with a New Year’s waistline you’ll be proud of! In addition to the Sweet Treats for the Holiday and Healthy Holiday Feasts Class videos you’ll receive: Healthy Halloween Treats (pdf, hardcopy, and video recipe demonstration) Thanksgiving Feast (pdf, hardcopy, and video recipe demonstration) Healthy Holiday Traditions (pdf and video recipe demonstration) Indulge Without the Bulge (DVD and checklist) Regularly $202.95 for everything you see here, you can enjoy a special price of just $97 (plus shipping) for everything when you Order Here! http://www.drritamarie.com/go/DeluxeHoliday2011 Use coupon code: DELUXEHOLIDAY A Great Gift Idea: You can keep the e-books for yourself, ~Contact.FirstName~, and give away the hardcopies as gifts to your loved ones! ********************************************************************** “Gratitude Weekend” Special #3: 50% Off All Digital E-Books! We have many, many valuable e-books and recipe guides to keep you on the path of vibrant living. You can access many of our digital e-books for 50% off (some exceptions apply*). You’ll find a list of our available e-books HERE! Here are some of the e-books you may enjoy for Special #3: Power Breakfast Ideas Start Your Morning off Right by Learning Easy-to-Make Raw Food Breakfast Recipes that Give You Plenty of Energy to Fuel You Through the Day! You might have heard many health experts say that it’s crucial to begin your day with a meal. What they might have failed to say, though, is how to make your first fuel of the day powerful enough to propel you forward with energy and gusto! Order here! http://www.rawpowerbreakfast.com/ Use coupon code: GRATITUDEFRIDAY2011 Deliciously Quick: Lunch and Dinner Ideas Avoid the Fast Food Drive Through Line at Lunch and Dinner Time and Enjoy a Hearty, Quick and Easy to Prepare, Nutritious Meal Instead! If you’re sick and tired of feeling sick and tired because you don’t have time to prepare healthy meals for you and your family, we have GREAT news for you. By using the simple, yet delicious recipes in this e-book, you’ll soon be on your way to the lean, strong and energetic body that you desire and deserve! Order here! http://www.drritamarie.com/classes/lunchdinner.htm Use coupon code: GRATITUDEFRIDAY2011 Greens From the Sea The Secret to Increased Energy A Strong Lean Body and Vibrant Health Sea vegetables are filled with difficult to get minerals and nutrients in a concentrated form. Research shows that eating sea vegetables on a regular basis supports the endocrine system, especially the thyroid gland. People who eat sea vegetables regularly are less likely to experience osteoporosis, fatigue and adrenal exhaustion. There are delicious recipes included in the book to help you to start receiving the health benefits of sea vegetables right away. Order here! http://drritamarie.com/seagreensorder.htm Use coupon code: GRATITUDEFRIDAY2011 Holiday E-Books: You can also purchase any of our individual holiday e-books with this special 50% off deal: http://drritamarie.com/shop/seasonal Healthy Halloween Treats (pdf) Order here! Thanksgiving Feast (pdf) Order here! Healthy Holiday Traditions (pdf) Order here! Use coupon code: GRATITUDEFRIDAY2011 *Please Note: The 50% Off Special does not apply to Dried and Gone to Heaven nor Dessert: Making it Rich Without Oil. But remember, any “Gratitude Sale” order will give you a chance to win either of these books! *********************************************************************** “Gratitude Weekend” Special #4: $47 Discovery Consultation (75% Off!) Here’s what Special #4 includes: Discovery Consultation with Dr. Ritamarie What would you do in life if you had all the energy in the world and nothing to hold you back? With over 20 years of experience in guiding people to their full health potential, Dr. Ritamarie will work with you to identify your particular obstacles and suggest a wellness strategy for you to overcome your unique challenges. With individualized attention through your Discovery Consultation, you’ll receive both immediate strategies to empower you to action NOW and long-term options for taking your health, and your dreams, to the next level. Order here! Use coupon code: DISCOVERY2011 A Great Gift Idea: If you have friends or family who need help with their health, ~Contact.FirstName~, you can arrange a health consultation as a gifts to your loved one! Limited Availability: There are only 10 of these specially priced consultations. They are available on a first come, first serve basis, so don’t delay. *********************************************************************** “Gratitude Weekend” Special #5: Register for the Green Cleanse and Add a Friend for Free! ($97 Value!) Here’s what Special #5 includes: Harness the magic of blended greens to increase your strength, energy, and vitality! What if there was a method of cleansing that was quick, easy, affordable, fun and effective, left you feeling satiated and energized, and could be shared with a group of like-minded people to support you through it? The Energy Recharge Green Cleanse has all the components you need to become more energetic, vibrant, and strong. There are delicious green recipes and menu planners, daily e-mail messages, support calls, a community forum, and countless bonus features to optimize your results. You’ll also receive 3 months of free post-cleanse support in the Eat Green Be Lean Club! This program is the result of hundreds of hours of research, recipe development, and one-on-one coaching. You get a full week of support and continued access to the forum for ongoing community and connection. Register now, and for our “Gratitude Weekend” special, you can invite a friend for free! Order here! *********************************************************************** Reminder: All specials are in effect until Sunday, November 27th, at midnight! Ensuring that your weekend and the holiday is centered around delicious and nutritious food that will leave you feeling energized and appreciative all year long and wishing you love, health, and joy, Dr. Ritamarie

Raw Food Recipe: Hot Mama Green Drink

The more recipes you know for green smoothies, the more your tastebuds will learn to crave variation and variety.  Eating a variety of greens means you benefit from the unique mineral combinations in each type of green.  This particular green smoothie recipe contains a mix of greens you’ll find readily available in most large supermarkets in pre-packaged containers, making it easy for anyone with little time for shopping or seeking out a farmer’s market.

The recipe here is an adaptation of one in my Green Smoothie Cleanse.

 

Raw Food Recipe: Hot Mama Green Drink

Print

Recipe type: Beverage

Author: Dr. Ritamaire Loscalzo

Prep time: 5 mins

Total time: 5 mins

Serves: 1-2

The lemon and spices completely neutralize the bitterness of the arugula and other greens. The result is a delicious, high energy pick me up drink to enjoy anytime, except perhaps at bedtime!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound baby arugula
• 1/2 pound spinach and spring mix blend
• 3 – 4 cups water
• 1 large piece fresh ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/4 teaspoon kelp powder

Instructions:

1. Place all ingredients in blender.
2. Blend until smooth. Thin with water if desired and blend again.

Notes:

Adapted from a recipe in my Green Cleanse Recipe Guide available at http://www.GreenSmoothieCleanse.com

Google Recipe View Microformatting by Easy Recipe

2.1.7

 

Making Friends with Hunger: How to Nourish (Not Just Fill) Your Body

- by Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo

I am really hungry as I write this.  I’m participating in The Raw Divas juice cleanse for the next 10 days and I am on day 2 now.  While I love the feeling of lightness and the flatter belly that has resulted from just one day on all juice, I do need to get used to the hunger.

I’m participating in the program as both a juice cleanser and a juice mentor.  I contributed 9 recipes to the menu planner, shared lots of expert advice on how the cleanse should be put together, and I have been interviewed and available for questions and answers about juicing on two calls so far.

On Monday evening’s call, Tera Warner and I discussed how important it is to make friends with hunger. Being on a juice cleanse really brings hunger to the foreground and knowing how to handle hunger in this context provides excellent preparation for making good choices in the face of hunger during your everyday life.

What is Real Hunger?

Hunger is, after all, just a sensation - a biological urge that needs to get satisfied in the proper time and place.  We don’t always get to satisfy our biological urge to eliminate or have sex just as soon as they make themselves known, do we?

Instead, we live with the sensation until the proper time and place is available to us.   It’s quite a laughing matter to imagine what the world would be like if we didn’t exercise restraint in the face of the urge to eliminate or procreate, isn’t it?

Learning to feel hunger and defer acting on it until the time and place are ideal, meaning that health promoting food is available, is a very valuable skill to learn. All too often I hear from people I’m coaching that they were doing great on their healthier diet until…

• They were travelling and got hungry on the road and stopped for fast food (really the ultimate fast food on the road is buying produce at the supermarket!!)
• They were visiting someone who served a meal and when they found that “just plain salad” was not filling enough, they indulged in the French fries and potato salad to “fill themselves up”.
• They were out running errands and got hungry so they grabbed whatever they could find… usually some sort of health depleting snacks.

These are just a few of the excuses you may have when you find it hard to make choices that promote your health rather than deplete it. I’m sure you can think of many more!!!

Why is it Important to Address Hunger?

Despite how you may feel at first, hunger is not an obstacle on your path to wellness.  If you want to reduce your midline, clarify and focus your thoughts, and keep your blood sugar humming along at the optimal level, you just need the right strategies for overcoming the barriers.  Your solutions depend on a number of factors including:

1. learning to live with hunger and to appreciate it for what it is: your body’s desire to be fueled with nourishment (not filler).
2. preparing in advance for meals on the run and knowing how to make quick and healthy recipes.

Did you know that blood sugar irregularity is one of the top causes of excess belly fat?  Even slender people sometimes have excess fat around the middle!   Contrary to popular belief, eating LESS frequently is better for your waistline than eating every couple of hours.

I’ll share some of the latest research on blood sugar, belly fat and brain fog in an free webinar on August 18, 2011.  Details will be available and registration will open at the end of the week, so stay tuned.  On the webinar, I’ll share a few of my top strategies for making friends with hunger and keeping your blood sugar nice and steady so you can decrease your risk for developing diabetes and heart disease, the most serious side effects of blood sugar imbalances.

I just made myself another juice and my tummy feels satisfied and my brain feels recharged.  While it’s not so easy to do, juice cleansing is worth the effort.  I’ve already dropped 3 pounds and it’s only the second day.  The only thing that will deter me from completion is feeling like I’ve dropped too much weight or feeling that I am too weak to continue my daily tasks. Neither are likely to happen, as long as I continue to drink enough.

How to Become Friends with Hunger and Start Nourishing Your Body:

I can deal with the hunger.  It’s just another sensation.  While juicing, I KNOW my body is getting all the nutrition it needs, so I can learn to deter the desire to eat and chew until the cleanse is over in 8 days.

If you’re afraid of hunger, here’s a 3-step strategy you can do to help you make friends with hunger:

1. Tomorrow morning, instead of immediately making yourself breakfast when you get out of bed, do something else.  Start by drinking a tall glass of water.
2. Add a few drops of essential oil to it so it seems luxurious.  My favorites are peppermint, lemon, ginger, cinnamon and basil.  I have fun with my water throughout the day by making it taste good.
3. Often the experience you perceive as hunger is actually thirst.  Drink first, wait a half hour and if still hungry, eat then.

You’ll notice the best results if, rather than being afraid of hunger, you shift your attitude and thank your hunger for its reminder to replenish your nutrient stores.

This exercise will help you to make friends with your hunger so it doesn’t control you.

You’ll be surprised at how much happier you feel when hunger is your friend.