By Claire Diab and Dennis Boyle
Time to clean out the closets … Spring is here! As the flowers blossom, preparing for Spring, this is the perfect time for Spring cleaning. This is the time to cleanse your body, mind, and soul by eating right, meditating, and communing with nature. Nourishing your body, mind, and spirit is an everyday event all year round. In between the seasons is the best time to cleanse and start anew as we go through this transitional phase.
Food is medicine, and we can use it to keep us strong and healthy. Your body is a magnificent machine that carries you around all day. Your body is truly a miracle. It is important to clean out and purify your body once or twice a year. There’s a powerful, yet simple, detox you can do that will keep you strong and your intestines in great shape. You will feel energized, your skin will look good, and your eyes will sparkle. Strengthen, rejuvenate, and revitalize your body from the inside out! No more diets and no need to step on a scale! We are going to have union with our food, celebrating food and enjoying every bite.
This detox allows you to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is no need to be hungry; and remember, a good appetite is a sign of good health! Change up what you may be used to eating for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For example, breakfast could be steamed rice with almonds; lunch, a big salad with beets, carrots, beans, and walnuts; and dinner, steak on the grill with zucchini and broccoli.
This detox was designed by Claire E. Diab after 30 years of studying nutrition and dabbling in different diets. It is easy to follow and implement into your daily life. You can change your body’s composition and physiology with this fun and easy detox and daily routine! Enjoy!
Daily Routine
- Wake Up and “Break the Fast”: Drink 8 oz. of room temperature water first thing in the morning.
- 5-10 minutes of breathing techniques: Belly Breathing, Rhythmic Breathing, Alternate Nostril Breathing.
- 10-20 minutes of meditation.
- 10-15 minutes of movement (i.e., 6 directions of the spine, yoga, or walking).
- Drink warm water with lemon before breakfast. This will cleanse your lymph system and kick-start your metabolism.
- Drink water between meals.
- Eat whole foods, and give thanks before eating.
- If you drink coffee, limit it to one cup per day.
- Stay present throughout the day.
- Meditate in the evening.
- Wind down after 9:30 p.m. with nourishing choices.
- Take a nice bath before bed using oil and candles.
Things to Avoid
Alcohol
Dairy
Bread
Pasta
Wheat and Gluten
Salt
Sugar (Alternative: Maple Syrup)
Vinegar
Sauces
Fried Foods
Cake, Cookies, Candy
Delicious Foods to Enjoy During Detox
Rice/Rice Pasta
Rice Milk, Almond Milk
Nuts
Seeds (avoid peanuts)
Steamed Vegetables: Broccoli, Kale, Cabbage, Brussels Sprout, Carrots
Corn, Peas
Avocados
Gluten Free Bread/Bagels
Apples, Grapes, Berries, Watermelon
Yams, Sweet Potatoes
Carrots
Celery
Hummus
All Beans
Grilled Chicken
Grilled Fish
Salads (add Nuts, Beans, or chopped Steamed Veggies)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Lemon
Oatmeal
Gluten-Free Cereal
Rice Cheese
Low-Sodium Soup
Sushi
Claire Diab is an internationally recognized Yoga therapist. She is the director of the Yoga Program for the Chopra Center founded by Dr. Deepak Chopra and Dr. David Simon. She is an adjunct professor of Asian Studies at Seton Hall University. She is the author of several books and DVDs on Yoga including “Yoga For Firefighters.”
Dennis Boyle is a retired fire director and acting chief with the West Orange (NJ) Fire Department. He was the recipient of the 1999 New Jersey Deputy Fire Chiefs “Fire Officer of the Year” award.
