Eat Heal Love

Juice fasts, green smoothie cleanses, raw food challenges, detox kits…do any of these actually cleanse your body of toxins, or are they simply marketing ploys?

In the world of health and wellness, the term detoxification refers to ridding the body of toxins, chemicals, and heavy metals, as well as harmful metabolites produced within the human body. Proper detoxification does not involve depriving the body of food by going on a juice fast or taking laxatives to purge the bowels.

In fact, it’s just the opposite! 

The body requires specific nutrients plus fiber and sufficient protein (amino acids) for metabolic detoxification pathways within the liver to work properly. If certain nutrients are lacking in the diet, or if digestion is compromised in any way, our natural detoxification processes will be disrupted and toxins will store in the fatty tissues of the body instead of being neutralized and eliminated.

Research shows that not all food is created equal, and what we eat isn’t necessarily what we absorb. There are several factors that affect how we digest, process, and use the nutrients within the food we eat, which is why one of the first areas of focus in this program is optimizing the digestive system.

Poor digestive health affects every system in the body. If your body isn’t able to efficiently absorb the vitamins and minerals from your food, you could still face nutritional deficiencies despite eating a very healthy diet.

Deficiencies, whether they are due to lack of intake or lack of absorption can lead to a weakened immune system and detoxification processes that are inefficient!

Just as important as digestion, is the elimination of waste from the body. The reason why this is so important is because anything less than one bowel movement a day means toxins and waste could be recirculating back into the bloodstream, which can result in systemic inflammation. Inflammation can impair detoxification systems in the liver, resulting in an inability to neutralize and remove toxins.

The information provided in this program will teach you how to create healthy, life-long habits that will optimize your body’s own natural ability to cleanse and detoxify. You will also learn how to detect and correct imbalances and deficiencies that could be preventing your body’s own detoxification mechanisms from working efficiently. 

The Eat Heal Love Everyday Detox - Spring/Summer Edition is a nutrient-dense nutrition program designed to optimize your body’s ability to naturally detoxify using whole foods!

This program is NOT a quick-fix fad diet!

THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO:
• Support and cleanse your liver
• Correct nutritional deficiencies
• Improve digestion and elimination
• Naturally cleanse the digestive system
• Optimize your natural ability to detoxify
• Restore balance in the intestinal system
• Guide you in following a whole foods diet
• Help you develop a healthy relationship with food!

The Eat Heal Love Everyday Detox includes a 7-day sample meal plan and over 50 naturally detoxifying, liver supporting recipes! 

*All recipes provided give options for those who are following a completely plant-based diet and for those who eat moderate amounts of high quality animal protein. This program is inclusive and suitable for both lifestyles.

Scroll to the bottom to view the course curriculum!

Everyday Detox FAQs

Why do I need a program like this? Doesn’t the body naturally detoxify itself?

Yes! The human body has an amazingly efficient detoxification system but if the diet contains inflammatory, nutrient deficient food the body will have a difficult time processing and eliminating problematic substances.

Numerous studies of human blood and breast milk have shown that even people living in the most remote and pristine parts of the world have some level of toxicity(1)(2)(3). The body is working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to clear unwanted waste, disarm free radicals, rebuild and repair tissue, and neutralize toxins. Detoxification is a natural, ongoing process - a full-time job! When optimum levels of nutrients are provided in the diet, the liver and other organs of detoxification operate efficiently.

The problem however, is that many people do not eat the right kinds of foods to provide the body with everything it needs for the elimination of toxins that the body is exposed to on a daily basis. If certain nutrients are lacking in the diet, or if digestion is compromised in any way, our natural detoxification process will be disrupted and toxins will be stored in the fatty tissues of the body instead of being neutralized and eliminated.

We are constantly bombarded with toxins and pollution. Continuous exposure to carcinogens, coupled with slow or faulty detoxification enzymes, nutritional deficiencies and a low fiber diet significantly increases our susceptibility to cancer and other degenerative diseases(4). Proper functioning of the liver's detoxification system is especially important for the prevention of cancer. Up to 90% of all cancers are thought to be caused by the effects of environmental carcinogens, such as those in cigarette smoke, food additives and preservatives and chemicals in the water supply. These factors, combined with deficiencies in the nutrients the body requires for the proper functioning of our natural detoxification system, can greatly impair the ability of our immune system to protect us from the toxins and pollutants we encounter every day(5)(6).

What does a proper cleanse involve?

The liver, intestines, kidneys, lungs, skin, blood and lymphatic systems all work together to ensure that toxins are chemically transformed to less harmful compounds and excreted from the body. There are many websites promoting different kinds of detox programs, including juice fasts or raw food cleanses. Although juicing can be a healthy addition to your diet, juice lacks fiber, which is an essential element for ridding the body of toxins.

Many juicing programs also often lack crucial vitamins and minerals that are needed to support detoxification pathways. A true cleanse is not a fast or liquid diet. Proper detoxification requires cruciferous and sulfur-containing vegetables. Without certain key nutrients and plenty of fiber, toxins will leave the liver and store in the fatty tissues of the body(7).

Juice or water fasting may also leave the muscles and organs weak and the body depleted of vital nutrients. Several studies have shown that the detoxification process is profoundly dependent on vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, healthy intestinal bacteria and an optimized digestive system. Healthy and complete detoxification requires a nutrient dense, anti-inflammatory diet!

How do I know if this detox program is right for me?

It is very important that we listen to the clues that our bodies give us every day. Review some of the questions below and be honest with yourself about how you really feel. 

- Do you suffer from chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia?
- Do you have trouble sleeping through the night?
- Do you tend to catch colds easily?
- Do you suffer from chronic digestive issues like gas, bloating or constipation?
- Are you lethargic?
- Do you have joint pain and/or muscle aches?
- Do you suffer from mood swings or depression?
- Has your sex drive diminished?
- Do you have a history of heavy alcohol/drug use?
- Do you have a history of impaired liver function or hepatitis?
- Are you sensitive to chemicals? (tobacco smoke, fumes, perfume, cleaning agents, etc.)
- Do you often suffer from nausea, motion sickness, or morning sickness?
- Does your stomach get upset after eating greasy foods?

If you have answered YES to any of these questions, it might be a sign that you need to work at optimizing your digestive system, nourish detoxification pathways and practice some liver support.

Do I have to eat only raw foods on a detox diet?

This is not a raw food cleanse. Yes, this program does include plenty of fresh salads and whole foods, but it is not exclusively a raw food program. There are benefits to adding more raw foods to your diet, but a 100% raw food diet is not always completely balanced, and it is not the best choice for everyone. This is a whole food, nutrient dense program designed to support all the organs of detoxification by optimizing digestion, correcting nutritional deficiencies and nourishing the liver. 

Will I feel any negative side effects by following this program?

If your current diet consists primarily of processed, refined foods and large amounts of sugar and caffeine, the first few days of following a whole foods diet could be difficult. It is not uncommon for those who are accustomed to drinking several cups of coffee in the morning to get headaches or feel tired and sluggish as you withdraw from sugar, gluten and dairy. By day 4 or 5, most people will begin to feel more energetic and notice their digestion is improving. Some people even start to lose their cravings or need for stimulants like caffeine and sugar altogether. 

Who should not follow this program?

It is always best to consult your primary health care provider before to starting any detox or cleansing program. Those who have health conditions such as liver disease, diabetes, cancer, kidney disease or autoimmune conditions should be under the care of a qualified health practitioner. Children, or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not try to follow this program if it is dramatically different from their current way of eating. 

Can I do this cleanse if I’m on any medications?

This is not a radical, harsh cleanse but rather a nutrient dense program designed to give your body everything it needs to function at its optimal best. It’s not likely that this program will interfere with any medications, but certain drugs can prevent or inhibit certain detoxification pathways.
Do not discontinue any prescription medications you are currently taking. If in doubt, ask your health care provider. Medication should never be discontinued or reduced without consulting your doctor. As a precaution, check with your doctor before starting any health program. 

Should I stop taking my vitamin supplements while on this program?

If you have been diagnosed with a deficiency, continue taking supplements as you normally would. However, you do not need to add any new supplements if they not something that you have been taking on a regular basis. 

Can I workout during this program?

Exercise boosts circulation, which can help the body eliminate waste products. Try light exercise such as yoga, stretching, swimming, walking, jumping rope or rebounding, but don’t engage in activities that are too strenuous during the duration the first few days of the program if it’s not something you would normally do.
* If you do not currently exercise on a regular basis, talk with your doctor before starting any fitness program.

How should I eat after I complete this program? 

This nutrient-dense program is designed to give your body the nutrients it needs to kick-start your natural detoxification system and nourish you on a cellular level. 

Once you are finished with the one week kick-start meal plan, slowly add back one food at a time that you had been abstaining from to assess for a sensitivity or intolerance. Many people use a detox diet as a springboard to start living a healthier lifestyle. It is recommended that you continue eating a whole foods diet that contains a wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, beans, legumes and high quality protein.

Many of the foods that are eliminated during this program are high on the list of highly allergenic, inflammatory foods. A natural health practitioner can help to systematically guide you in reintroducing food groups (wheat, dairy, gluten) that were eliminated while following this program. The purpose of this is to help you identify reactions to food that might be aggravating health conditions such as sinus congestion, fatigue, skin conditions, arthritis, bloating and constipation. Flare-ups can occur when foods are reintroduced into the diet, so supervision is recommended.

Our other course A Holistic Approach to Digestive Health also provides a detailed module on how to perform an elimination/reintroduction diet, with the purpose of detecting food intolerances.

Can I do this program if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

That depends on your current diet. For those who are not already following a well-balanced, whole foods diet, it is suggested that you make changes to your diet slowly by starting with just one or two meals a day from this program, while eliminating the foods that are not permitted. Toxins store in breast and fat tissue and studies have shown these toxins can be released into the breast milk and into an unborn fetus. It is suggested to begin changing your diet, or to perform a cleanse or quit smoking at least 6 months prior to conception.

Can I drink coffee, alcohol or smoke during this program?

Coffee and alcohol are diuretics, which means they may dehydrate you or interfere with the absorption of certain key nutrients required for proper detoxification. If you smoke and can not quit 100%, try at least cutting down. As a way of limiting your exposure to pesticides, switch to organic coffee, limiting your intake to one cup a day. 

Can I follow this program if I am vegetarian?

Recipes provided give options for those who are following a completely plant-based diet AND for those who eat moderate amounts of animal protein. This program is inclusive and suitable for both lifestyles, but the majority of the recipes are plant-based.