Detox

The body is continuously working to stay in an alkaline state and the body’s acid-alkaline balance adjusts throughout the day depending on the types of foods you consume.  In today’s fast paced society, we consume high amounts of refined foods that contain sugar, cow’s milk products, excess salt, alcohol, wheat as well as meats that contain high amounts of saturated fat. Over time these foods can cause increased inflammation in the body and can wreak havoc on the skin causing acne, psoriasis and eczema.Adding more detoxifying foods to your diet will not only keep your body in an alkaline state, but depending on which detox foods you include in your diet, will help to eliminate toxins that have accumulated over time. Adding the following foods to your diet, will allow your body to detox naturally and improve your skin and overall health and energy:Apple contains pectin which helps to excrete heavy metals and is cleansing for the liver and the kidneysArtichoke increases bile production and purifies and protects the liver and has a diuretic effect on the kidneys.Asparagus is a great diuretic that helps to support and maintain restorative properties that promote good bacteria in the intestines.Cruciferous Vegetables (Broccoli, Sprouts, Cabbage and Cauliflower) increase levels of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that supports the liver in releasing toxins.Fennel has strong diuretic properties that help eliminate fats from the body.Garlic known as nature’s pharmacy has powerful antioxidants properties that convert to sulphur based compounds which bind to mercury as well as food […]

It is too hot to eat so I will share with you my Detox salad that I make. It will last for lunch the next day so make enough and enjoy it often. I adore broccoli sprouts and you must read my article on them to get the low down on why they are simply a powerhouse for DetoxEmma’s Detoxification SaladUse organic ingredients only, preferably home grown where possible!Salad ingredients:1 red capsicum1 cucumber1 carrot1/8 red cabbage40gr broccoli sprouts50gr rocket50gr spinach50gr cos lettuce1 teaspoon black sesame seeds1 can sustainable fished tuna½ avocadoDressing Ingredients1 teaspoon seeded mustard1 teaspoon red wine vinegarJuice of one lemon100ml extra virgin olive oil½ teaspoon Dulse flakesCracked pepperInstructionsUse a mandolin to finely slice the capsicum, cucumber, carrot and cabbage. Put in a large bowl. Add the rocket, spinach, cos lettuce, broccoli sprouts and black sesame seeds. Gently mix together. Cut avocado into slices and add to bowl. Drain tuna and add to bowl.Combine all dressing ingredients in a glass jar, shake vigorously and pour over salad. Mix dressing through the salad until all salad leaves have a shiny appearance. Fill a large salad bowl and enjoy, knowing that with every mouthful, you are providing the essential nutrients to enhance detoxification pathways.

I have had an amazing 2 days experiencing Sydney as a tourist would – taking ferries to the city on a spectacular sunny day, seeing a show at the Opera House, having picnics in the parks and lots of other fun things. It is important to just slow down every now and then and soak it all up!Let’s talk about a food item that I am in love with and you may not know too much about – the humble pomegranate! Pomegranates have a long and colourful history, appearing in ancient Egyptian art works and mentioned numerous times in the Old Testament under the name “rimmon.” But it’s only recently that this incredible fruit has come into its own. And it’s no wonder. Scores of studies have attested to its plethora of health benefits-from promoting healthy blood flow and supporting normal blood pressure to helping maintain proper cholesterol levels and fighting free radicals.While pomegranates aren’t high on most Australians’ shopping lists, new research suggests they ought to be. Pomegranates are rich in bioflavonoids and were recently shown to have nearly three times the antioxidant activity of red wine or green tea.In research conducted over a three year period, Professor Michael Aviram, an internationally recognized authority on the effect of food on heart disease, and his research group showed that pomegranate juice could significantly lower the systolic blood pressure of hypertensive patients in just two weeks. Patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease showed great improvement in many important physiological measurements and pathological signs compared to the control group.  The Aviram research group concluded that pomegranate juice can offer a wide protection against cardiovascular diseases which may be attributable to its antioxidative properties.I put pomegranate seeds […]

The common plastic additive bisphenol A has been getting a lot of attention for a while now. It’s a hormone disruptor that can be found in almost everybody, and animal studies have linked it to breast and prostate cancer as well as infertility. In April of 2008, the National Toxicology Program raised concerns that exposure to BPA during pregnancy and childhood could impact the developing breast and prostate, hasten puberty, and affect behavior in American children. Knowing how you’re exposed is among the best ways to minimize further exposure.
How’d it get there?
Studies show canned foods are a common source of daily BPA exposure in our lives. Cans of soft drink generally contain less BPA than canned pasta or soup. The worst foods tested contain enough BPA to put pregnant women and formula-fed infants much closer to dangerous levels than the government typically allows. Even some liquid infant formula is packed in cans lined with BPA, which seems ludicrous given the special vulnerabilities of children’s developing systems.
In addition to canned food, certain plastics are often made with BPA. Called polycarbonate, these plastics are rigid and clear or translucent and usually marked with a recycle label #7.  Not all #7 containers are made with BPA, but it makes for a reasonable and useful guideline for avoiding a category of plastics. Some reusable polycarbonate water bottles , marketed as non-leaching because they minimize plastic taste and odor, may still leach trace amounts of BPA. But hold on before you run out and buy a metal water bottle – make sure you know what you’re getting. Many reusable metal water bottles are lined with the same BPA-leaching plastic found in cans of food.
How do you get rid of […]

The common plastic additive bisphenol A has been getting a lot of attention for a while now. It’s a hormone disruptor that can be found in almost everybody, and animal studies have linked it to breast and prostate cancer as well as infertility. In April of 2008, the National Toxicology Program raised concerns that exposure to BPA during pregnancy and childhood could impact the developing breast and prostate, hasten puberty, and affect behavior in American children. Knowing how you’re exposed is among the best ways to minimize further exposure.How’d it get there?Studies show canned foods are a common source of daily BPA exposure in our lives. Cans of soft drink generally contain less BPA than canned pasta or soup. The worst foods tested contain enough BPA to put pregnant women and formula-fed infants much closer to dangerous levels than the government typically allows. Even some liquid infant formula is packed in cans lined with BPA, which seems ludicrous given the special vulnerabilities of children’s developing systems.In addition to canned food, certain plastics are often made with BPA. Called polycarbonate, these plastics are rigid and clear or translucent and usually marked with a recycle label #7.  Not all #7 containers are made with BPA, but it makes for a reasonable and useful guideline for avoiding a category of plastics. Some reusable polycarbonate water bottles , marketed as non-leaching because they minimize plastic taste and odor, may still leach trace amounts of BPA. But hold on before you run out and buy a metal water bottle – make sure you know what you’re getting. Many reusable metal water bottles are lined with the same BPA-leaching plastic found in cans of food.How do you get rid of […]

Today I will let you in on what I take during Detox – so many clients ask me this question , here we go!. My therapeutic aim is to cleanse out my liver and get my fitness back to peak condition. I am taking the following herbs, nutrients and Superfoods:A methylated B vitamin – this form of vitamin doesn’t need to be activated by your body and can go straight into your cells for useFish oil – loads of these in liquid form as they are anti inflammatorycoQ10 – brilliant fat soluble antioxidant and great for energyZinc – hair, skin, nails ladies!Iron – not eating meat and will have a period at some pointVitamin E – another gorgeous anti oxidantProbiotics – essential to rebalance the gut flora when detoxingHerbs – turmeric (antioxidant), St Mary’s thistle (liver tonic) and Schizandra (liver tonic)Fulvic acid – helps to chelate heavy metalsAcai berry – richest anti oxidant berry in the worldChlorophyll – internal alkaliser and cleanserAloe Vera juice – soothes the entire digestive systemP2 Detox – stunning formula to eliminate the bad estrogens in our body and support liver DetoxMagnesium after the gymAcetyl carnitine before the gymCoconut water […]

I am feeling rather dehydrated this morning so I crack open a coconut and then add the meat to my morning smoothie. Coconuts are fantastic and if you don’t know how amazing they are then have a read of this article. I am starting to measure my pH on a regular basis and it is fascinating to see what makes my body more acidic and what makes it more alkaline. Exercise makes it more acidic for a couple of hours – I drink shots of aloe Vera and chlorophyll to help alkalise, amongst other things.When your body is acidic it is also inflamed and inflammation is the base of all chronic diseases. An acidic pH makes it harder for your cells to receive all the nutrients and oxygen that they require for optimal functioning. Being too alkaline is not the answer either as this is pushing the pendulum too far the other way. You need to aim for 7.2 and by checking a few times a day you can get an average and also work out what affects your body in a negative way.Today was really too hot to eat so I had a smoothie, a couple of coconuts and a chicken salad for dinner. When it is this hot I can’t exercise and I lose my appetite and the only thing I feel like is liquids or a light salad. For really hot days cut come cucumber strips and add them to your water for an instant cooling effect and sip on a coconut too.B – smoothie of oat milk, sheep’s milk yoghurt, frozen berries and protein powderL – 2 coconuts, an appleD – warm chicken salad of rocket, cucumber, avocado, carrot and […]

I went down to the Southern Highlands to visit some dear friends and I just love the country in this area. The sense of community in a small town is just incredible – everyone helps everyone else and I always come home with a box of home grown vegetables, jars of pickles and jam as well as a warm fuzzy feeling. The stunning wild rocket in my vegetable garden is from my friend’s garden and it just thrives!If you don’t have the space to create a veggie garden there is always some option for you. Why not grow some herbs in pots on a windowsill, or some cherry tomatoes in a Styrofoam box. No matter how small or how big your place is, you can grow something. One of my favourite green shops is Todae, in Glebe. I found there packets of flowers, fruits and vegetables that you can grown in packets! I had a wonderful experience with my little niece in growing some flowers and strawberries. Unfortunately the caterpillars ate them all but it was a great learning curve for her and she asked me the other day if we could  grow some more.No exercise today but we visited the Kangaroo Valley and went swimming in a stunning river with natural water holes. Our country is just so lovely and even driving 2 hours out of Sydney and it feels like a million miles away!I have just realised that my dinner portions are always huge! My appetite has decreased and I didn’t even realise it. Eating too much of a good thing is not wise and I have had many clients get frustrated as they eat well and don’t lose weight. The reason […]

Oops – not sure what happened but the last few days has been a blur of activity! Have been working on the new business structure and also implementation  strategies. It’s all very exciting and I feel I am gathering a great team of people around me now. Detox has been fantastic – I feel mentally clear, ready to make big decisions and grounded. My energy is much calmer and less frenetic which is perfect for doing all of this big stuff.My exercise has been brilliant and I have been putting the magnetic pellets on my acupressure spots for magnesium and it works wonders for me. I have also been having shots of Aloe Vera and chlorophyll throughout the day and think that this has helped me enormously as well. Chlorophyll is what makes plants green and it is an internal alkaliser and it makes me feel very clean and light.Aloe Vera soothes the entire digestive tract and helps the intestines and bowels to function more effectively. When you are detoxing it is of utmost importance that you are not constipated or even sluggish as you are releasing toxins from your fat tissue and you don’t want to be re-absorbing them. What a waste of all your good efforts and hard work!B – Poached eggs with mushroomsL – Quinoa, toasted pine nuts & sesame seeds with steamed vegetablesD – Grilled mulloway with red cabbage & beetroot salad

I hit the gym early morning as I was wide awake with the birds! A cardio session, a half hour ab workout and then some meditation at the top of the hill watching hot air balloons rising gracefully.My presentation today is “Eating Your Way To Success” which covers food labels (how to negotiate them according to you individual needs), my top ten Detox foods (tip – avocado is my fav right now) as well as my golden rules for healthy eating ( involves breathing slowly and stopping). I farewelled the crew at Golden Door and journeyed back to Sydney feeling relaxed after all that fresh air. A quick pit stop to have a cuddle with my gorgeous niece and nephew before going to the gym.A spin class (18.4km, 260cal) then a gruelling PT session, surprisingly I don’t feel too shattered after 3 hours of exercise today. I believe that my Saturday acupuncture sessions with Lina Thornton has made a huge difference to my recovery rate. Lina focused on supporting Detox and put a couple of magnetic pellets on GB34 to increase my magnesium levels and boy has that been fantastic!B – Poached egg on gluten free toastL – Salad from IKUD – Salad with all the usual suspects such as pomegranate, toasted pine nuts and left over 3 bean mix