There are many products out there for detox, but many contain harsh laxatives and diuretics that are tough on your body and can make things quite uncomfortable. The focus with Little Choices Matter is a gentle, yet healthy and efficient cleanse.

One of the most critical elements of detoxification is drinking plenty of water – which typically equates to half your body weight in ounces per day. For example, someone weighing 150 needs 75 ounces of water. Hydration is essential and will help your body flush out the toxins. Besides plain water, you can drink lemon water and cranberry water.

For a higher-level detox, considering supplementing with the following:

Herbs:
Milk Thistle
Dandelion root
Turmeric

Supplements:
Collagen – Basically, this form of protein helps to neutralize the toxins in our body allowing safety in dumping them.

Vitamin C – During detox, the body typically will require more vitamin C than usual. It is a powerful antioxidant, and since it is not produced in the liver, it is helpful to supplement and give our body the support needed. It is water-soluble which means it dissolves in water and can travel easily into and out of cells, cleaning and removing the toxins as it enters and exits.

B Complex – These are among the first vitamins to be depleted under stress, and while it is a positive form of stress (also known as eustress), our bodies do see detoxification as a task. Much like the effort, it takes to clean our homes, cleaning our bodies requires energy and effort, as well. B vitamins are also water-soluble and are essential for good health. They have many functions in the body but supporting the liver and hormone balance are among the most important, which is why it is recommended during detox.

Amazing Grass (contains spirulina and chlorella) – This product is not only recommended for detox. It is full of amazing nutrients and is so helpful for our modern-day diet. They have high nutritional value combining antioxidants and carotenes that will support energy levels, stabilize blood sugar, and even support cholesterol levels. It is a powder that you add to water or juice (or even yogurt), and it comes in many flavors. It is green and scary looking, but even for the fussiest of palates, the chocolate flavor masks the flavor of the greens. The reason spirulina and chlorella are so helpful during detox is due to their ability to bind to toxins and help carry them out of the cells.

Teas – You can get teas that contain the herbs or supplements that include a combination of them which makes the process more convenient and less expensive. Some teas that are helpful are Dandelion Spice Detox Tea by Yogi, regular Detox Tea by Yogi, Detox Support by Triple Leaf, or any teas that contain dandelion and milk thistle for liver support. None of the ones we have recommended do, but please be aware that some detox formula teas will contain ingredients that can “get things moving” and may require proximity to the bathroom depending on how sensitive your body is to laxative-type herbs. Some people with sluggish bowels may find it helpful, but it is worth pointing out. The main ones to keep an eye out for are Senna, Cascara Sagrada, and psyllium husks.

Little Choices Matter offers a combination Liver Detox in pill form that you can get through the website.

Start your morning each day with warm lemon water. The combination of fresh lemon juice mixed with water benefits the formation of quality bile and helps cleanse and regenerate the liver. It also promotes peristalsis, the contraction of muscles in the bowels that keeps waste (and fat) moving along the digestive tract and out of the body for elimination.

While many detox plans suggest completely removing coffee, we do not say it is necessary to eliminate it. We do, however, advise to limit it to a cup or less per day.

Try to eat three meals and 2-3 snacks per day. We will be discussing how much of each food group to aim for in the grocery suggested shopping list.

The following is an example of a simple daily detox diet:

Wake up:

1 cup of warm lemon water (juice of ¼ lemon in 8 oz water)
1/2 cup of coffee

Breakfast:

Two eggs over easy (keep the yolks runny for the benefits of lecithin)
Slice of whole grain (or sprouted grain) toast (with grass-fed butter)
1/4 Avocado

Morning Snack:

Seeded protein shake with collagen (recipe coming in Daily Tips)

Lunch:

Mixed green salad with seeds and oil-based dressing. Pack in as many veggies as possible into this mixture, balanced with healthy fats to enable your body to assimilate all the nutrients in the vegetables!

Afternoon snack:

Fruit ate plain, a fresh, healthy juice, or soup (more on juicing and souping in Daily Tips)

Evening meal:

Wild-caught fresh fish or other very lean meat with veggies

An additional snack if hungry before bed (optional):

Consider celery or radishes sautéed in coconut oil, a handful of nuts, or some crisp, yummy cucumber.
Having a detox bath before bed is amazingly relaxing and helpful. (Again, coming in Daily Tips)

Getting a full night sleep (most adults do well with 6-8 hours) is also an essential part of successful detox. This is the time your body can back off of all the digestion, physical movement, and other jobs it has during the day and focuses on restoration and healing. Sleep is vital. Keep your eyes peeled for some tips on making your room a sleep haven in Daily Tips.

Another awesome tidbit of advice is to join forces with a friend or an online group (like our Facebook Group) to stay accountable, share victories, share frustrations, and ask questions. We all have different backgrounds and so much to share, so it is a great place to share what you know and learn more about what you don’t!