Lucy Corkhill

By Lucy Corkhill

27th March 2013

It’s that time of year when we want to indulge in a bit of a spring clean, both in our physical and internal environments. Suddenly all that stuff we hoarded over the winter seems like clutter in the bright light of spring: emotional clutter, physical clutter and the clutter induced by heavy, wintry foods that see us through the darker days.

Lucy Corkhill

By Lucy Corkhill

27th March 2013

Lucy Corkhill

By Lucy Corkhill

27th March 2013

I love a good dietary cleanse, and over the years have tried quite a few. One year saw a particularly ill-advised cayenne pepper, lemon juice and water cleanse, one I wouldn’t recommend trying without the support of a good therapist or on a retreat. A few days into the fast, I was in bed with all manner of aches and pains, vomiting, and a whole bunch of horrible emotions to deal with. That signalled the end of that particular adventure! Another time I did a seven day juice cleanse, and I literally felt on top of the world at the end of it. My skin was brighter, my head was clearer and I felt alive and full of energy. The following year I attempted the same cleanse and didn’t make it past day four, mainly because I was cycling long distances and working long hours every day, and the juices weren’t providing me with the energy I needed. The best cleanse ever was with my sister on a yoga retreat; after four days of eating clean, health-giving foods and practising yoga and qi gung we both felt as if we’d peeled off extraneous layers and emerged like new butterflies!

Making lasting changes
The point is, a cleanse should suit where we’re at in our lives. It’s no good embarking on a really strict cleanse when you’re insanely busy or feeling deprived and depressed. Nor is it advisable to limit your food when you’re caring for children or babies and you need extra reserves of energy. That’s why I love the book Super Cleanse: Detox Your Body for Long-Lasting Health and Beauty by Adina Niemerow. Unlike so many books on cleansing, or ‘de-toxing’ as it’s become known, Adina’s book takes a truly holistic approach. This is no quick fix to get a bikini body in ten minutes (an exaggeration of some of the titles, but not much); instead it is a well-researched and uplifting book on making lasting changes to all aspects of your life. The best thing about the book is that it doesn’t just have one cleanse you are compelled to follow for the next ten days. There are, in fact, ten cleanses to choose from, according to your own personal needs.

One size does not fit all
Each cleanse features plenty of information to help you choose: advice on when to do the cleanse, what you’ll see and feel during it, the cleanse at a glance, what equipment you’ll need, a personal testimonial and cleanse-boosting activities, plus, of course, the recipes. As Adina notes, ‘One size does not fit all when it comes to healing the body.’ San Francisco-based Adina has spent the last 17 years trekking the globe exploring the healing powers of food, and working with pioneers in the “food as medicine” movement. She brings those years of experience to this book, with her own realisation that there is no “one answer” to naturally healing the body: ‘Staying in balance and being healthy is an evolution, and we can each start where we are.’

A range of choices
If you simply fancy a day off from daily stresses, try the One-Day Wonder Cleanse featuring Sassy Sausalito Salad with Lemony Quinoa and Watermelon Salad. For those new to cleansing who want a gentle easing in, there’s the Laughing Buddha Cleanse (5 days) with delicious Mexican Lentil Stew and Fez-worthy Falafel. Those who are stressed out in gritty cities might like to try the Urban Revitaliser Cleanse (5 days) and enjoy tasty treats like the Coffee-Break Green Healer Juice or the Cream-of-Commuting Carrot Soup. The Green Buzz Cleanse (5 to 7 days – see, you can even choose how long you do it for!) is for those with some cleansing experience who want to achieve an higher level of energy and features loads of fantastic green juice recipes. The There’s No Place Like Home Cleanse has ideas on ‘cleansing’ your home from chemical nasties with recipes for home-made cleaning products for the body and home. There’s also a raw food cleanse

Spiritual and emotional benefits
The holistic approach means that the book isn’t just about making yourself beautiful (though glowing skin and a healthy shape are a great part of cleansing), but about feeling the very best you can. Adina focuses on the spiritual and emotional aspects of cleansing, and the incredible benefits eating consciously can have on all levels of your being. The chapter Seven Essentials of Your Daily Routine includes information on meditation and journaling, alongside breathing exercises and Epsom salt baths. Many of the testimonials are moving accounts of people who have literally changed their lives by changing what they put in their bodies, and they are a really inspiring feature of the book. Adina reminds the reader to make time for being still and reflective during a cleanse, as it is often a time of emotional as well as physical release.

Making the most of your cleanse
Adina’s book also has advice on breaking a cleanse, something that can be sorely lacking in other books on the subject. This chapter helps if you fear you’re going to go straight out and buy a bar of chocolate after you’ve finished cleansing, with gentle advice on how to make the most of your new-found health and wellbeing. There’s a pre-cleanse checklist so you can ensure you’re in the right place to begin; this also includes the advice to reflect and set intentions. Adina also highlights the fact that many of us are fairly acid in our PH levels, and how this impacts our health.

Cleansing is such an empowering choice to make for our wellbeing. I could say more, but I think Adina sums it up pretty well in the first chapter:
‘A good cleanse reboots our whole being. It provides a magnified awareness, a fresh perspective, spiritual renewal and physical rejuvenation. When we get rebalanced, we get clearer about who we are and who we’re committed to being. That’s the miraculous and healing power of a cleanse.’

Happy cleansing!

More books worth reading:
Staying Healthy with the Seasons by Elson Haas
Cellular Awakening by Barbara Wren
Honestly Healthy: Eating with your body in mind, the alkaline way by Natasha Corret

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