Hello,

Spring is the perfect time for that 'grease & oil change' that your body has been waiting for. We have given you some handy hints on how you can do it, either through food or herbs.

We suggest a herbal tonic would be beneficial in assisting your body to eliminate the toxins. Come in and have a chat with either of us, we would be happy to help !

We have also included spring recipe ideas as well as a list of all the acid and alkali foods for your perusal.

cheers,

                     Angy & Vicki

Mixed Pea, Mint & Feta Salad

It is a natural diuretic and laxative with a beneficial effect on the kidneys, liver and bowel. Specifically, asparagus is rich in vitamins C & E, folate, dietary fibre and potassium. It is also free of fat and cholesterol.

Asparagus is also believed to have aphrodisiac properties (this belief is at least partially due to the phallic shape of the shoots).

The most delectable of vegetables, asparagus is surprisingly quick and easy to prepare and cook and lends itself to a host of applications across the menu: throw it into stir-fries; add it to your tray of roasted vegetables 10 minutes before the end of cooking time; pop it on the barbecue next to succulent mushrooms and tender meats; steam it and serve hot, warm or cold in starters and salads and sandwich fillings too.

Asparagus Peas and Herb Sauce         Pasta Asparagus and Rocket

Zeolites are hydrated aluminosilicate mineral combinations which have a unique “open” micro-porous molecular structure often described as a honeycomb. There are many forms of zeolite. In fact there are 48 naturally occurring zeolites known and more than 150 synthesized zeolite types.

Natural zeolites form where volcanic ash layers react with alkaline groundwater. The slow leaching of chemicals over time through mineral water create this family of micro porous solids that act as molecular sieves which are natural chelators, having the ability to be used as tools for cation  exchange. Natural zeolites have the advantage over synthetic zeolites of having superior crystalline structures with “pores” or “cages” of dimensions suitable for many varied purposes. The carrying dimensions of the “cages” increase with time and purity of the surrounding environment.

The ability of zeolites to trap, carry and release minerals is put to use everyday to help us clean-up the environment and make it a safer, less toxic place to live in.

ZeoActiv8™ is a highly concentrated proprietary preparation of Australian clinoptilolite zeolite suspended in a base of pure distilled water and natural preservative.  It has been prepared by an Australian developed sub-micronisation process for the express purpose of use as a formulation aid for health and nutritional supplements. The special 'carry and release' characteristics of this form of zeolite are enhanced by submicronisation in that the zeolite is solubulised and hence becomes more bio-available and more readily combined into supplement and health formulations. Being in liquid form it combines more readily with natural formulations developed by medical and health practitioners for patient specific use. The liquid formulation ensures the body is not overloaded by ingredients requiring digestion and metabolism. Zeolite itself is not metabolised, thus passes through the body without adding extra demands on the metabolic process. The submicronised water-soluble availability of this natural molecular purification carrier enhances formulations by helping to carry and distribute key ingredients to their intended targets. A natural balance is created in pH and mineral status to help create an environment whereby the body can utilize the targeted health and nutritional ingredients to derive maximum benefit. Simply put, ZeoActiv8™ helps nutritional and health supplements reach their maximum potential. Because the zeolite form used in ZeoActiv8™ has high water absorption characteristics, it is important that any formulations using ZeoActiv8™ are accompanied with directions to consume plentiful amounts of water - up to 2-3 litres daily.

Detoxing with food is ALL about eating Alkaline Foods to re balance your acidity level. Eating alkaline foods will enable your body to flush out the toxins out of your body and break down the acidic by-products. These acidic deposits often lead to a sluggish digestion. Waste products then accumulate which don’t all get broken down and which end up being stored in fat. Eliminating these toxins from your diet will remove a lot of stress from your digestion system enabling it to process your food more efficiently. Basically its like a grease and oil change !

There are two types of acid and alkaline foods. The first are the ones that contain acids or alkalis. The second is the acid-alkaline forming foods. This refers to what happens when they are combined with digestive juices in the body. The ones that we will be dealing with are the alkaline forming foods. An example here is a lemon, which is a very acidic food, turns alkaline when combined with the gastric juices.

Top 10 Detox Rules

NO red meat

NO dairy produce

NO fruit- except bananas

NO Wheat, Gluten, Yeast

NO Alcohol

NO Biscuits, Cakes, Doughnuts

NO Jams, Spreads- Except honey

NO Coffee, Decaffeinated Coffee or Tea- except Herbal

NO Sugar, Chocolate or Sweets

NO Artificially produced flavourings; Tomato Sauce, Vinegar, Mustard

The result after a detox will be;

MORE energy

No longer craving those sugary, fatty foods.

Your organs will function better  

Your blood will flow more freely

Shed a few Kilograms

Eyes will look clearer

Nails stronger

Basically you will be a picture of Health & Vitality !

Some recipe ideas for you;

Lemon Chicken with Capers     Parsnip & Beetroot Fry      Brussels Sprouts with Pecan Butter     

Eggs Florentine             Spicy Wild Rice

The herbal approach to detoxification is based upon the concept that the body is self-healing,

and that the herbal practitioner is simply supporting normal processes of elimination.

The body has a complex excretory system - were it can eliminate toxins through breathing, sweating, urinating and defecating.

Only when these processes become compromised over a long period of time the result is toxic accumulation, thus wearing down the body's core strength.

When detoxing one must consider the body as a whole, and therefore assist all major elimination pathways, not just the colon.

This way you are equally removing toxins from all areas and not just overloading other organs.

An herbal preparation (liquid extract - best for fast absorption) can assist and/or increase the effectiveness of a food detox programme. In my opinion it is best to do both, so during any detox using organic or GM free/chemical free foods is suggested. We are, after all trying to eliminate toxins/ chemicals.

The main actions of a herbal detox are:

Laxative: Promotes the evacuation of the bowels. Target area - Digestive system and colon

Diuretic: Increases urine output and/or increases the excretion of metabolic waste products. Target area - Kidney and urinary system

Alterative: Improves detoxification of the body (by improving digestion, and the function of liver/gallbladder, kidney/bladder and/or the immune system) also known as Depurative or 'blood purifiers'. Target area - Liver, skin, blood, digestive and lymphatic system.

Expectorant: Facilitates the removal of excess mucus by various means. Target area - Respiratory system.

Examples of:

Laxative herbs - Senna pod, licorice, yellow dock, dandelion root, butternut.

Diuretic herbs - Gravel root, dandelion leaf & root, nettle leaf, buchu.

Alterative herbs - Burdock, barberry, red clover, oregon grape, nettle leaf & root.

Expectorant herbs - Thyme, elecampane, angelica, licorice, mullein.

There are many instructions and various detoxes available, so you need to be either very well informed if you intend to do a detox on your own, or follow the advise of a health professional.

Seasonal Produce this Month