Mysty PfefferSimple detox is a process of giving my body a break! I do this by eliminating potentially harmful substances from my diet for a period of time, usually 3, 5, or 7 days. It’s important to do this once or twice a year to allow my body to heal from the 10% indulgences I enjoy.
Plus, the overexposure of ultra-processed food and things in my environment are causing stiffness and joint pain. Maybe you can relate!
Chemical laden items in packages sold in the grocery store and labeled “food” are filled with preservatives, additives, flavorings, inflammatory oils, salt, and sugar. Even some of my favorite “healthy” items which are good for others, may not be good for me.
I know this, yet I am a creature of habit and I’m still overcoming the culture around me and what it says is OK!
Although my body is constantly in detox mode when I consume these items, it’s nice to give it a break between meals by fasting. I can also offer fresh, clean, fruits and vegetables for several days to help it remove wastes more effectively.
In the process I can identify and eliminate food intolerances. So, here is my personal 3 step process for a simple detox.
Simple Detox in 3 Steps
1. Prepare Mentally
Preparing mentally will not only make the process easier, but it will also make the purpose of detoxing clear. Why is this valuable to me at this time?
Praying for guidance is always a priority for me, as well as consulting a health care provider to determine possible personal contraindications.
For instance, if I am very young, or have young children, detox will entail removing all sugar, processed meats, and chips from their eating plan and replace them with all fruits and vegetables. The rest of the eating plan would stay the same.
The same idea works for the elderly. However, pregnant or breast-feeding women are not good candidates for detoxification because stored toxins can be released into the breastmilk and given to the infant. Good thing, I’m not pregnant!
Nor am I taking medications that lower blood sugar or blood pressure, which requires extra caution because both will naturally be lowered as I produce my own nitric oxide and let the body do what God designed it to do!
Asking myself some basic questions is helpful too:
- What do I hope to accomplish with this detoxification process?
- What reliable resources have I found that will help me do this safely?
- How will I handle the discomfort of withdrawal?
- Do I want to purchase a prepared kit from my health care provider or just eat clean and remove toxins?
- Last, but certainly not least, what scripture can I memorize to help me remember why this is important?
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ
2 Corinthians 10 ESV – Paul Defends His Ministry – I, Paul, – Bible Gateway
2. Plan Sufficiently
Simple detox is doable with some sufficient planning. If my family is not participating, I will have to get some meals prepared ahead of time for them to consume. I need a grocery list of items that support detox, like organic fruits and vegetables, a good water filter, and some herbal teas.
Here are some ideas I use to plan sufficiently for the three, five, or seven days:
- If detoxifying by eliminating processed foods— I Purchase only whole food items at the store
- I also buy plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds. (No peanuts. . . goodbye 1 jar a week!)
- Omit dairy (milk, cheese, sour cream, yogurt) eggs, meat, and bread. (Bread, eggs and yogurt are hard for me to give up!)
- Stock up on quinoa and brown rice.
- Consider a multivitamin for any possible lack of intake.
- Drink green tea and herbal teas instead of coffee or soda. (Um, coffee. . . . .the hardest part of all for me!)
- Pick a day to begin that I can rest and feel bad, because headache and general malaise are common and going to take place with withdrawal.
3. I keep a Journal
Journaling my progress via FB video was helpful in articulating the changes taking place in my body through the 7-day process. It also helps me identify possible food intolerances as well as addictions I need to lay before the Lord.
I normally fast by eating very clean and removing ALL ultra-processed foods–So, organic tortilla chips/coffee/ 72% cacao chips with minimal sugar/ all-natural crunchy peanut butter/homemade kombucha are out!
Friend, if I can just be vulnerable here a minute, I need you to know. . . coffee is such a stronghold for me, I wanted it after every meal, like a smoker wants a cigarette.
KNOWING it leaches vitamins and minerals out of the meal I just ate and vital minerals out of my bones did not stop me from drinking it. . . .many times.
The struggle is real! I need this time of reflection and restoration.
For this detox I purchased the Core Restore 7 Day Detox because it was doctor approved and I wanted the extra support of specific nutrients for detoxification. I was told I could eat all the organic fruit and vegetables as I wanted “as much as I want”.
I’ve felt deprived doing detox before, but the idea of eating as much as I want did not sit well with me. I am prone to excess eating. Therefore, I do expect limitations on the amount of fruit I eat when I detox. Excess fruit spikes blood sugar unnecessarily.
I think about this as day 5 of my detox fell on Mother’s Day and I kept walking past the bowl of grapes and blueberries. . .grabbing a handful with each pass. No wonder there was no weight loss for me personally, when others lost several pounds.
Needless to say, most of my eating pattern did not change. Since, my weight is normal, that was not my intention.
However, the severe stiffness in my joints and creaky ligaments that felt like early rigor Mortis were gone after day 5! I literally felt 10 years younger!
Summary Results of My Simple Detox
I felt so good after this 7-day restoring process, that I continued to omit coffee, bread, peanuts, and yogurt. I believe those three items are the reason I am so stiff and sore most of the time.
The amazing thing that happened is I can now eat peppers and tomatoes again without reflux, when I could not tolerate them before—because of too much acid.
Moreover, the bloating and discomfort after eating is also gone—thanks to no bread or beans, I’m sure! I reintroduced eggs and did not notice a problem. I am also drinking kombucha without any symptoms.
Overall, it was a wonderful experience and I’m happy to move on to the next phase of my restoration with a Fasting Mimicking Plan. So, stay tuned. If you are looking for some clean vegan detox recipes I have plenty on my blog!
I’d be happy to coach you through your doctor supervised program, too! Locally I have one to suggest for best results! Contact me here: Mysty Pfeffer Wellness Coaching – Georgetown, OH (clientsecure.me)
