Lifestyle Recommendations

Take the time each morning, do some stretching or yoga
postures ~ morning exercise and movement will produce
positive effects that will last you throughout the day ~ i.e. sun
salutation

Whenever you are going to eat, make sure that you are
relaxed and not rushing about as this will activate your
parasympathetic nervous system which will improve your
digestion & absorption ~ take a few deep breaths before
digging in and be sure to chew well!

Drink more PURE water - aim for 8-10 glasses per day to
keep you hydrated and toxin free! Or divide your weight in
pounds in half, and drink that many ounces (1 cup = 8z)

Increase dietary fiber - this will keep the toxins moving
OUT of your body (& keep you REGULAR!).  Choose from:
ground flax seeds, psyllium, oat bran or fruit pectins.  There
are also many good fiber supplements on the market

Eat a WHOLE foods diet - high in whole grains, fruits,
vegetables, beans & legumes, nuts & seeds.

Reduce (or eliminate) intake of: junk, nuked, processed,
refined & fast foods. Reduce (or eliminate) Sugar, & refined
carbohydrates (white flour products - bread, cereals, muffins,
bagels, pasta etc).

Eliminate caffeine & other stimulants (they stress the
body & flush vitamins and minerals out! ~ especially
magnesium & potassium).

It is important to take some time each day to relax and
unwind ~ give yourself mini time-outs (mid-morning 10 am
and mid-afternoon 2-3pm) during which time you do not
answer the phone or do any work ~ close your eyes and just
practice deep breathing  ~ try this: inhale for 4, hold for 8
and exhale for 6 ~ repeat this 10 times and your entire body
will begin to unwind ~ follow with a glass of water ~ then
15-30 minutes later have a snack

Each day it is important to do SOME exercise ~ this need not
be strenuous, but it is VERY important that you M-O -V-E ~
movement ensures the organs can function properly.  If
possible, add a bit of resistance training to your regimen ~
resistance training increases your metabolic rate for much
longer than cardio will, which means that you will tone up
faster ~ plus, this can be done in much less time
(15-30 minutes)

Do something you LOVE, EVERY SINGLE DAY ~ this is a great
way to release stress ~ this can include anything from reading
a book, to meditating, painting, catching up with friends,
gardening, playing a sport… it does not matter ~ just be sure
to focus on yourself for at least 20-30 minutes EACH &
EVERY DAY!!! After all, a little self-pampering will ensure you
have the energy to do all the things in your life that you NEED
to do!

Dry brush massage: 3-5x week, before going to bed give
yourself a dry brush massage.  Use a NATURAL bristol brush
(from the health store).  Scrub: feet up, arms in, finally the
body moving towards the heart.  This will stimulate your
lymphatic & circulatory systems, as well as improve your skins
ability to eliminate toxins

A great practice to incorporate is to treat yourself to warm
baths (at least 1x week) ~ add Epsom or sea salt to the bath
water, ~ if you’d like, you can spice up your bath with some
relaxing essential oils: jasmine, neroli, lavender & ylang-ylang

Sleep at least 6½ - 8½ hours EACH night ~ try to go to
bed at the same time, and wake up at the same time ~ yes,
even on weekends… this will ensure your body is able to heal
and detoxify itself; that cortisol, HGH and other hormones are
properly released; and that your blood sugar is balanced

Castor oil packs ~ Castor oil packs can be used as a home
remedy for all types of problems, including: Inflammation,
Congestion, Constipation, Liver, Kidney, Pelvic/Digestive
disorders, Arthritis or General Aches & Pains.  The function of
the pack is to decrease inflammation, relax muscles and
detoxify the body. Heated castor oil packs should not be used
when pregnant, breastfeeding, on broken skin or during heavy
menstrual flow.  Castor oil should NEVER be taken internally.
~ The packs are made by saturating a cotton or flannel cloth
(an old t-shirt will do) with cold-pressed castor oil (cloth
should not be dripping, but moist to the touch). The oil will
be very thick and sticky
~ Place the oil-saturated cloth directly on the skin, cover it with
a piece of plastic wrap & then a towel
~ Heat can be applied: such as a hot water bottle or heating
pad ~ leave them on for a minimum of 30 minutes ~ it is not
recommended to heat the packs during pregnancy or menses
~ For inflamed joints, you can warm up the castor oil/cloth and
apply to problem joints, cover with: gloves (for hands/wrists),
tensor bandages (shoulders, knees, back), socks (ankles &
feet) and sleep with the packs on
~ The flannel can be stored in a plastic bag and used over
again. Add extra castor oil as needed.
~ It is best to use the castor oil pack for 3 to 7 days in a week
for up to several months to treat a health condition or for
detoxification ~ after 3 consecutive days, the castor oil packs
will stimulate the immune system (by increasing white blood
cell count & action)