How to boost your immunity & reduce toxins and a beautiful Kale Salad Recipe

Detox is vital in this toxic world. For  years as a health coach I focused on digestion & blood sugar balancing because I do believe that good digestion leads to a healthy life and balanced blood sugars is the foundation of good health. But then one day the light went off in my head. I realized that to have good digestion, you must be detoxing properly.

You see, detox is a natural step toward a better digestion. Good digestion leads to less inflammation, and less inflammation leads to less disease in this world. Let me say it again, decrease the inflammation and prevent disease.

Hippocrates said it best: “All disease begins in the gut.”

If this is true and disease begins in the gut, aka your digestive system, then having a healthy and strong digestion is key.

But let me share a secret with you - when the body is toxic, your digestive system is weak.

So even if you eat “clean” and only buy organic and hormone-free foods, you are still breathing toxicity in this world.

We live, eat and breathe toxicity every day. Look around your home and think of the paint on the walls, the rugs, the pesticides sprayed on your green grass, the exterminator to get rid of the bugs. Even if you are chemical-free in your home, is your chemical makeup free?

Even if you are doing your best to live a chemical-free life, we are still alive, and that means eating, breathing, and sleeping in a toxic environment.

Unless you feel that are ready to live in a bubble or a hyperbaric chamber, then it is time to wake up to what I call daily detox.

Now detox is not a curse word or anything to be scared about. Instead, it is exciting to think about your body and cells actually functioning. I do not tell people detox has to be living on juices, or water only, or only smoothies or just salad or soup. Detox is about lessening the toxic load in your body. As I say, “taking out the trash.”

When we are toxic, our body cannot perform its job. The body cannot metabolize properly, detox properly, absorb nutrients and minerals, or stay hydrated. It is a vicious cycle. See, detox is necessary to be healthy, happy and free of disease. We all have some low-level inflammation because again we breathe, but even more so we stress in this busy world.

Every time you stress you create acid in your body. Your body is then forced to pull minerals to buffer the acid waste. The liver, lymph and kidneys begin to work hard to filter out the toxic load.

But what happens when the body is tired and clogged? When your digestive system is not working and cannot break down these foods, it cannot focus on getting RID of TOXINS. That means you cannot get rid of bloat and fat and skin breakouts and all that jazz that keeps you tired.

TOXINS=>WEAK DIGESTION=>WEAK IMMUNE

• Difficult weight management
• Constipation/diarrhea
• Gas/bloating
• Headaches
• Low energy
• Low sex drive
• Bad skin
• Heartburn/reflux
• Moodiness/depression
• Get where I am going with all of this?

By detoxing you will improve digestion and free your body of inflammation and toxins in the process.

The foundation of this detox is NOT to ever feel deprived or starved.

The goal is to help you do what I have learned to do in my own life: learn how to EAT CLEAN and learn what foods are IRRITATING your body.

Join me for my New Year New Your Reboot on January 13, 2017.

Now that you’ve learned a little more about the benefits of detoxing, how can you start bringing it into your daily life?

Here are a few of my favorite ways to stay healthy and detox naturally:

1.  Upon waking, drink warm or room-temperature water with lemon and 1 tsp raw apple cider vinegar (if tolerated) and add a dash of cinnamon or cayenne.
2. Start your day by being positive - find that daily affirmation that gets you fired up. I love Louise Hay, Geneen Roth, Gabrielle Bernstein and Marianne Williamson.
3. Try getting quiet within yourself even just for one minute - and say “I release what does not serve me” - place your hand on your heart as you say this out loud. Scream if it you want, own that power.
4. Drink fresh green juices or make your own green juice with 1 tbsp. chlorophyll and lemon and lime and water.
5. Aim for one meal that is super easy on your digestion per day like a smoothie, green juice or soup. Give that digestion a rest.
6. Get moving and shaking. Yes, exercise is one of the best ways to detox your body.
7. Drink plenty of water and add lemon, lime or grapefruit to flush the toxicity. (1/2 your body weight in pounds = the ounces you should be drinking of water)
8. Skin brushing is my favorite way to support the liver and get rid of those toxins.
9. Tongue brushing.
10. Be happy and grateful for life.

 Here is one of the gorgeous recipes in the Reboot

Massaged Kale Salad

Makes 2 servings

• 1 bunch kale, stems removed and leaves torn into 2-inch pieces
• Juice from 1 lemon
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ cup cucumber, chopped
• ¼ cup carrots, shredded
• ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
• Dash of turmeric (optional)

Add kale to a large mixing bowl along with lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. Using clean, bare hands, massage the kale until it is wilted (about 2 to 3 minutes).

Once the kale is ready, top your salad with cucumber, carrots, and pumpkin seeds. Add a dash of turmeric if desired. Toss and serve.

 With Grace & Love,

Shonda