detox

Raw asparagus juice…is that even legal? After getting tired of my daily cucumber-apple-ginger combo, I decided to break out of my juicing shell and get a little weird…

Aloe vera is one of nature’s miracles. It is the first thing you grab when you’ve spent a little too much time in the sun. You thank it for soothing your skin, but do you know what else this succulent plant can do? Aloe vera has been called “plant of immortality” and rightfully so. Aloe vera contains essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that can do wonders for the body both internally and externally. Beyond treating sunburns, aloe vera can provide relief and boost your health in ways you never expected.

It all started 40 years ago, when our food supplies lost a valuable friend replaced by a sinister antagonist. Since then, we have been struggling to get enough of it, and sadly most of us didn’t even notice it was gone. We knew something was missing because things started going downhill from there, especially for women. You noticed yourself and loved ones with some added girth. That fatigue that just won’t go away, and you can’t understand or possibly remember why.

I was sitting under a handmade woven thatched roof in Northern Thailand, ordering fresh vegetarian dinner, when I first received a pot of lemongrass tea. To say that it was epic would be an understatement. True, the scenery was unparalleled, with the mountains surrounding Sipsongpanna (the thousand rice paddies) and the Pai river spanning my vision, the delicious smell of curries and other spices wafting. It was my first introduction to the detoxifying and nourishing magic of lemongrass, something I have never forgotten.

Back when I lived in Minnesota, I used to participate in a seasonal detox program at my local yoga studio. The program included early morning yoga classes, acupuncture, and a detoxifying diet filled with nutritious, whole foods, and plenty of time to meditate and reflect. I found this short 1-week detox to be nourishing not just for my body, but also for my soul.

**Note Kapalabhati is not recommended for pregnant women. If you begin to feel dizzy or anxious during the practice slow down your breathing or halt the practice.

What is Kapalabhati?

Kapalabhati is a breathing technique that is exceptionally effective for detoxifying the body, strengthening the core, and warming the body. Kapalabhati is often translated to “skull shining breath,” which alludes to its mind clarifying properties. In Kundalini, this practice is often called “breath of fire,” because of the heat it produces in one’s core.

The Truth About Aztec Clay (Part 1) went over the science behind the clay, the different forms of it, and a few different ways to use it externally. Today we are going to go over the benefits of using the clay internally.

When using Aztec clay internally there are two important things you will want to be sure to check:

Did you know that the use of medicinal clay dates back to prehistoric times? The use of clay is making a comeback when it comes to cosmetics and medicine, and for good reason!

The Science Behind The Clay

The Tech-Free Detox

Need to detox? Skip the traditional fasting and start with being tech free for some surprising benefits.

Fasting is good for the mind, body and soul – it detoxifies us from the inside out and also teaches us new levels of self-control. But fasting is not just about food. You can also go on a technology fast – going tech-free just once a month can reconnect us with nature and our own self in whole new ways.

We all know lemons and strawberries are really good for us, but did you know adding those two ingredients to warm water in the morning could provide many health benefits? I kept hearing all this hype about the benefits of drinking a warm glass of lemon water every morning, and I decided to try it out for myself. I noticed a difference the first day and was excited about the results, but I had to add my own twist to it. I decided to put a spin on the lemon water and added some organic strawberries to it and that was even better.