Getting Back on Track!
Wasn't December fun!!
Letting your hair down, having fun with family and friends. It's a month of careless abandon, we love it!!
But has overindulgence during the festive season left you feeling a little liverish? How are you feeling? Maybe a little sluggish, a little bloated, and tired. How difficult is it for you to get motivated for the year ahead?
Here are some ideas for feeling positive, upbeat, and well-nourished in the new year – some may seem obvious, but it’s surprising how often we forget the basics!
Recover your Liver
Much of our immune system resides in the gut, so when the gut is out of kilter, the liver shares the burden. Comfort foods, cocktails, and Christmas treats high in carbohydrates or sugar are often the culprits, leading to an overgrowth of the wrong type of gut bugs, yeasts or even parasites. These unwelcome guests can filter straight to the liver resulting in a range of uncomfortable symptoms and possible disease including bloating, indigestion, gastrointestinal infections, gallbladder dysfunction, and fatty liver.
Rest your Digestion
There is a lot you can do to soothe the gut and liver. As the weather warms up, it is easier to include salads and raw vegetable juices into your daily diet. The best liver cleansing foods are beetroot, cabbage, radish, celery, parsley, and lemons. Supplements of St Mary’s thistle and turmeric are also excellent liver tonics.
Refill your Gills
Hydrate and flush out toxins by drinking your 2-3 litres of water per day, but avoid drinking too much liquid with meals as this can dilute vital digestive enzymes and stomach acid. Instead, try sipping a little apple cider vinegar diluted with warm water five minutes before a meal to help digestion. Or add it to a salad dressing with olive oil if that is more palatable. Look for Cleopatra's Apple Cider Vinegar - this apple cider vinegar is raw, unfiltered and unpasteurised containing the valuable fermentation residues known as the ‘Mother’. The vinegar is prepared from the juice of whole mature apples organically grown in New Zealand orchards!
Shun the sugar
Too much sugar encourages sugar-loving bacteria to multiply in the intestines, which can lead to fungal overgrowth, inflammation of the intestinal wall and a fatty liver. By cutting down on sugary treats, you’ll be treating your gut and liver instead. Not to mention shifting the extra kilo or two that may have found it's way to your waistline.
Finding sugar and refined carbs difficult to kick? Balance blood sugar and curb cravings with garcinia cambogia, chromium and gymnema.
Get outside
Vitamin D from natural sunlight is vital for optimal mental health; plus, we rely on vitamin D to absorb calcium, which we need to keep our bones strong and many bodily functions on track. An early-morning walk or run is an easy way to catch some rays. However, remember that UV radiation is super-strong between 11am and 3pm (even if it’s overcast). A good natural sunscreen with SPF30-50 is helpful and try one of our natural face sunscreens under your make-up as a primer.
Work out
Never underestimate the power of the natural endorphin hit you get from staying fit and being active: it’s guaranteed to instantly boost your mood. When your body is strong and toned, your mindset is more balanced and you feel empowered. It's as easy as a brisk walk several times a week!
Get some sleep
Coming off the Festive high can make people feel a little frazzled. Switch off all technology – especially social media apps on your phone! – a few hours before bed. This will allow your mind to slow and your eyes to switch off. When you’re in bed, think of everything in your life that is good. The impact of practising a little gratitude in your life might surprise you. Gratitude allows us to be present in our own lives, rather than just spectators of other people’s lives.
Summertime Smoothie
Blend together:
* 2 heaped tablespoons protein of your choice
* 1 frozen banana
* 2 teaspoons peanut butter
* 1 teaspoon raw cacao
* 1 teaspoon maca powder
* 2 teaspoons Organic Road Amazing Greens
* 1 teaspoon flaxseed oil
* 1 cup kefir yoghurt
Information presented is for information purposes only and is not intended to replace advice or treatment from qualified healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to treat or diagnose. Always consult your healthcare professional before taking nutritional or herbal supplements. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have any allergies or diagnosed conditions, or are taking prescription medications, always consult your healthcare professional before taking nutritional or herbal supplements.
