This might seem incongruent but, IMO, it goes hand in hand. You see, a good portion of our toxic exposure comes from the foods we eat. That could be from conventionally grown produce that is covered in pesticide-residue or packaged foods filled with additives.

You might think:

• The pesticide amounts are so minute
• Our bodies are designed to detoxify/eliminate bad stuff
• It’s safe; otherwise, why would they sell it?

But really, who knows for sure?!

The lawsuits against a very large offender continue to this day…

The problem I see is that most of us have NO IDEA how well our bodies are metabolizing these toxins. Are you 100% confident your kidneys, liver, GI tract and skin are running optimally? I sure ain’t.

The more I research this area, the more I see our body leaves clues and we need to pay better attention to them. And the more I believe our detoxification + eliminative pathways are in need of more support.

Here are three ways to love on your detox organs:

• Eat organic: one of the best things you can do is avoid conventionally grown food in the first place. I realize this is not realistic for all of us… it’s not always available and can be cost-prohibitive. Just do your best. If it has a thick peel, like melons or avocados, it’s usually not worth spending the extra buck.
• Up your fruit intake: fruits are some of the most astringent and hydrating foods on the planet. They will help cleanse out your lymphatic system, which is basically your body’s sewage system. You want to make sure it’s not clogged up. Here are some of my favourites.
• Use essential oils: essential oils are a simple and effective way to help move toxins out of the body and support your cleansing organs. My whole passion for oils and the reason I became an advocate + educator stems from a detoxification blend called Zendocrine I purchased for my son. I am currently obsessed with Juniper Berry to support my kidneys. I shop my oils here.
• Rebuild with herbs: you can be rebounding to move your lymph or exercising to sweat out the toxins but if your eliminative pathways are blocked, you won’t get far. Herbs are a great way to support kidneys, liver, GI tract and any system in your body. Be sure to always check with your health practitioner before you begin using herbs if you have a medical condition, are on medications or have any concerns.

So now you better understand the two sides of non-toxic living: reducing your toxic exposure AND supporting your body’s natural elimination processes.

Got questions? Comment below.

M.

PS – do you want to learn more about non-toxic living and the different ways you can support your health naturally? Make sure to join my email list to receive valuable information every two months.

The post Nutrition and non-toxic living appeared first on Rustik Health.

Herbal infusions of red clover and red raspberry leaf

Several years ago, a friend of mine talked to me about the herb called red raspberry leaf. I had already known little about herbs and regularly drank herbal tea, but mainly the usual suspects like chamomile, peppermint, etc.

In addition to smelling and tasting great, herbs are a valuable tool to assist you in reaching optimal health. They can be helpful in boosting your immune system, easing digestion and promoting healing. However, it’s important to remember that some people should avoid certain herbs (e.g. if trying to conceive, during pregnancy or if certain medical conditions are present) and not all herbs should be infused.

Fast forward to today and I have a bunch of herbs filling up cupboards in my kitchen and bins in my storage room. My herbal heroine is Susun Weed and I’ve collected all of her books. She also introduced me to infusions:

“An infusion is a large amount of herb brewed for a long time. Typically, one ounce by weight (about a cup by volume) of dried herb is placed in a quart jar which is then filled to the top with boiling water, tightly lidded and allowed to steep for 4-10 hours. After straining, a cup or more is consumed, and the remainder chilled to slow spoilage.”

What is the difference between an herbal tea and infusion? An herbal tea is steeped for a short period of time and usually consumed for enjoyment or to provide some relief during a minor illness. On the other hand, an herbal infusion is steeped much longer, uses more of the herb, and provides your body with more vitamins and minerals. I drink teas for taste and infusions for nutrition.

I like to steep my infusions before I go to bed and consume them the next day. I put about a 1/4 cup of herb (depending on the herb) in a mason jar, fill with hot water and cover with the lid. Some of my favourite herbal infusions include: nettle, oatstraw, red clover and red raspberry leaf.

My goal is to one day know enough about herbs to harvest the locally available ones myself. I know we have stinging nettle around here… I’d love to gather some to make soup and dry some for infusions

M.

Disclaimer

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