Detoxification & Healthy Eating for BODY, MIND, and SPIRIT
by Grace Van Berkum, R.H.N.
We don’t think twice about cleaning our house, car, clothes, washing our hair, or cutting our nails….. but what about cleaning the inside of our bodies? This is something that is often neglected or not even considered, but so imperative for a healthy AND happy life!
Detoxification is a process that rids the body of harmful pollutants improving our immune system and our entire functioning. Detoxing the body by going on a juice fast is a great way to flush out toxic germs, bacteria, and waste to slow down aging and help prevent disease.
Who Needs to Detox?
Everyone can benefit from juice fasting! Regardless of how healthy one’s lifestyle or diet might be, we live in a toxic world. We are regularly exposed to harmful chemicals in our environment. Many foods contain pesticides, preservatives, additives, and metals that are difficult for the body to eliminate. Pollution is in our air and water. Alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, and other drugs clog the liver and contaminate the blood resulting in an unbalanced body affected on many levels. Moreover, negative or stressful thoughts have injurious effects on the body and mind. Our advancing world and fast-paced lifestyle that we are becoming accustomed to are disrupting our internal eco-system and taking a toll on our body, mind, and spirit. A juice fast can help remove these harmful substances and recalibrate the body and mind toward a healthier lifestyle and a more positive outlook on life
How does detoxing work?
Our bodies naturally detoxify everyday as part of a normal body process. Detoxification is one of the body’s most basic automatic functions of eliminating and neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph and skin. Most bodies cannot sustain the demands placed on them, which results in imbalances, diseases, and a decreased capacity to function optimally. When our bodies become overloaded, elimination processes are not efficient, organs become overworked and are unable to finish their duties, and toxins keep circulating in our systems. Body systems and organs that were once capable of cleaning out unwanted substances are now completely overloaded to the point where toxic material remain inside our tissues.
Common symptoms of toxic overload are:
- low energy/ fatigue
- poor concentration/memory
- strong food cravings
- depression
- digestive problems
- aches and pains
- sugar/caffeine/alcohol/drug dependence
- frequent illnesses
- excess weight
- disease
- premature aging
A juice fast can help the body’s natural cleaning process by:
- resting the organs stimulating the liver to eliminate toxins
- promotes elimination through the intestines, kidneys and skin
- detoxes the body at a cellular level
- improves circulation of the blood
- balances digestion
- increases absorption of nutrients
- eases pain and inflammation
- reduces skin problems
- re-energizes body and mind
- improves clarity and concentration
In simplest terms, juice fasting allows the organs to rest and speeds up the detoxification process by focusing on the removal of toxins, acidity, and hardened deposits in the cells and body. Fresh juices are rich in live enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and alkalinizing nutrients for speedy absorption, helping to boost the immune system and improve digestion.
Fasting for Spiritual Evolution
Fasting is also conducive to spiritual evolution. It helps bring clarity, peace, and a feeling of interconnectedness. Meditation, yoga, and spiritual discussions at satsangs offer the opportunity to enhance the journey of self-discovery and expand consciousness. Some of the indispensable benefits of doing a 10 Day Detoxification Juice Fast at the Sivananda Yoga Ashram is that participants are in a supportive group setting with qualified health professionals and spiritual teachers in the gorgeous, sunny Bahamas, making this life changing experience very enjoyable and empowering.
The 10 Day Detoxification and Juice Fasting Program starts with 2 days of raw food to prepare the body for detoxification, 6 days of juice fasting with additional cleansing powders, herbal supplements, and special teas, and then re-introducing 2 days of healthy, raw food to break the fast.
Revitalize yourself with the upcoming 10 day Juice fast in the Bahamas to cleanse the body and mind! click HERE for more info on how you can detox with me!
Maintaining Healthy Eating After The Fast
Immediately after the juice fast is done in May, I will be teaching a 3 Day Raw Food Retreat in the Bahamas. Learn how to create wheat-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, soy-free alkalinizing, energizing meals in the kitchen while also learning about how vegan and raw foods help to heal on physical, spiritual, and ecological levels.
Wellness is not just about nutrition. What’s on our plates and what’s happening in our bodies is a direct correlation of what’s happening to our planet. Heal the body, heal the planet!
click here for info about my upcoming 3 DAY RAW FOOD COURSE in the Bahamas.
I am also assisting with a YOGA & SPORT course in May 2012
that explores how the application of yoga practice and philosophy can dramatically improve athletic performance.
Grace Van Berkum is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Sivananda Yoga Teacher, Personal Trainer, and Recipe Creator who currently lives in Nicaragua teaching people about health, yoga, nutrition, fitness, and the importance of staying connected to nature.
There are still spots left for my upcoming Gracious Living Empowerment Retreat with co-host Randi Smith in 3 weeks in Nicaragua!
www.gracevanberkum.com
