Let’s talk about the S word…SUGAR!
 

Before I go on...I encourage you to watch this 15min clip.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7403942n

What are your thoughts?

So as we have learnt sugar is causing a public health crisis.  Diseases we see in 60 year olds we are seeing in 10 year olds.

Obesity

Type 2 diabetes

Hypertension

Heart disease

Just to name a few.

Sugar is the only highly addictive drug that is feed to babies. By the time any of us are conscious of sugar, we are already well and truly addicted. Our brains have been hard-wired to seek out sugar as surely as the cocaine addict is wired to seek out stuff to sniff.

The average age group that is reading my blogs I am guessing are any where from 20-40.  In our teens and early 20’s a lot of us don’t pay much attention to your diets, loading up on sugars and not thinking about the repercussions as we age.  Girls..sugar affects the reproductive system! Blokes…sugar has been linked to male infertility.

Sugar makes you look old and encourages premature aging.  Essentially what happens is that sugar attaches itself to any protein in the body and produces harmful molecules called ‘advanced glycation end products’. These reduce the effectiveness of elastin and collagen, proteins in the skin that help maintain its youthful appearance.  A high-sugar diet reduces the quality of the collagen in the skin, too. There are different types of collagen, known as I, II and III, and for healthy looking-skin you need the correct blend of all of these.

As mentioned in the YouTube clip, sugar is in EVERYTHING and we don’t realize it! Anything that is processed has sugar in it, you think your supermarket cereal is healthy, read the label again. We are brain washed by advertising and so confused!

WHO KNEW?
Sugar contributes to 35 million deaths a year worldwide, say researchers from the University of California.

 

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2125217/How-giving-sugar-20-years-looks.html#ixzz26PrrRSP8
http://sweetpoison.com.au/?page_id=196

Recipes!

I often have people ask me to share my recipes.  Below are some of my favourites!

Organic Quinoa Breakfast
This should make 3-4 servings.

Ingredients:

1 cup Organic quinoa
1 ½ cups water
½ cup Organic coconut cream
1 grated apple
5 strawberries
Organic shredded coconut
Shake of cinnamon

 

Boil the quinoa for around 10mins…you will see the grain start to open.  Most of the water evaporates so you don’t need to drain.

Pour you cooked quinoa into a small glass bowl and pour the coconut cream over the top. Cover and soak overnight.

In the morning the quinoa should of expanded more and soaked up the coconut cream.

Serve yourself as much as you like and put the remainder back in the fridge.  Don’t add all the fruit too the entire mix as the apple will turn brown.

Add fruit and a handful of shredded coconut to your portion and add a shake of cinnamon.

Serve cold.

DELISH and a GREAT source of protein first thing in the morning!




Fresh Green Vegetable Juice
Ingredients:
½ cucumber
5 leaves of iceburg lettce
2 handfuls of spinach leaves
2 sticks of celary
Ginger
handful of mint














Paw Paw & Organic Apple Salad

Ingredients:

Rocket lettuce
Chopped organic apple
Tomato
Cucumber
Paw Paw
Avocado
Pumpkin seeds
Drizzle olive oil
Squeeze fresh lemon









Try the Paw Paw Salad with Falafals on top! YUM!

 

Laura Michell

Guiding you to optimal health and longevity

3 Day Vegetable Juice Cleanse

So today is the day before I start my 3 day juice cleanse. I am excited and nervous, I have never done a cleanse before so I am not sure what to expect (not sure how toxic I am!).

The past 2 days food has basically consisted of a vegetarian style diet with absolutely no alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes, drugs, medicines, sugar, salt, artificial sweeteners, microwave foods, meat, fried or processed food, dairy products, gluten (oats, barley, rye, wheat) – bread, pasta, pies, cakes and pastries (not that I eat ANY of these anyway!).

Tonight I am having a colonic / infrared sauna and foot detox for the first time with the lovely team at A1 Hydrotherapy colonhydrotherapybrisbane.com.au.  Colonics prior to any cleanse with maximise the benefits and great improve the detox experience. I will also be having another one after the 3 days.

My Colonic

Wow..what an experience!

I was pretty nervous as I had never done colonics before but immediately felt re-assured by the lovely warm staff that greeted me as I arrived.

Before the colonic I had a infrared sauna as a part of detox process.

Why infrared sauna?

Sweating is one of the most effective methods of detoxification. Infrared Sauna uses infrared light to create deeply penetrating heat, at a waveband that is easily absorbed by human tissues and cells. The skin excretes toxins through sweat while the infrared energy triggers the release of toxins stored within your cells. Metabolism increased. Calories burned. Weight lost. Body cleansed. Regular sessions of infrared sauna can restore the skin’s ability to eliminate toxins. If your body is not used to perspiring, you may find that it takes a few sessions to induce a deep sweat.

After my sauna I was guided into the colonics room. My lovely therapist Leslie was very thorough with what exactly she would be doing and what I should feel when the water is entering my colon.  With no further a do, she asked me to lie on my side and breathe while she inserted the tube that would be in charge of the water flow going in and out of my colon.  Guys IT NOT THAT BAD…I watched a lot of YouTube clips on colonics before I went and everyone I watched squealed like crazy when it was being inserted…it’s all show for the camera because it is not uncomfortable at all (if done by a qualified professional!)

Now for the juicy part…! Leslie slowly let water into my colon before switching off the tap letting the pressure build…hard to explain what it feels like, a slight cramp and bloated feeling.  When the pressure become too much I would tell Leslie and she would release the tap which then releases faeces and matter from my colon…the coolest part…you can see it via a clear glass tube that is next to you.  If you are squeamish you wont handle it, but if you think this is fascinating like me you will love it.

I have a bowel movement every day and think I am pretty healthy…wow the amount of poop that came out of me over that 45mins was incredible.

How did I feel after the treatment?

AMAZING…there are no words other than light, fresh and clean. The morning after? Times that by 10!

Here is a preview of my first vege juice!

Day 1.


I thought this was going to be easy! It's day one and 1pm and I am starving!!!! Juice, water, herbal tea, nothing is stopping my stomach  from feeling like it's eating itself...feeling a little irratable too. Maybe this would be easier if I wasnt at work?? Keep trekking!

Just thought I would mention also that whilst undertaking this detox I am taking some supplements to help support my body in getting enough nutrition as well as helping the detox process.

1. Milk Thistle - Liver Support
2. Organic Spirulina Powder - added to juices for protein
3. Red Krill Oil - Omegas
4. Activated B Complex - Stamina & endurance & adrenal gland support

Ok so...last night was hard watching the family eat a delicious dinner while I sipped on my green juice...but nothing an epsom salts bath couldnt fix to relax me. Lights out early trying to forget about the hunger!


Herbal Teas

As well as water herbal teas are great to incorporate in your detox below are some that I suggest and are currently using:

Peppermint
Holy Basil
Lemon & Ginger
Chamomile
Nettle

Avoid green tea as it has caffine in it and remember one of the things we are detoxing from is caffine.

Day 2.

OMG.....STARVING and weak! I was naughty and had a protein shake this morning, I needed something to give me a kick, made me feel a little better.

I urge you never to undertake a detox without caution...it's best to check with your practitoner to make sure you do not have any underlying health issues which may cause damage.  If you are a little underweight I suggest maybe 2 days is enough.


Day 3.

Has finally arrived and I cannot wait to eat tomorrow, not because I am hungry but because I want to chew something!

I work up this morning and the first thing I tested was my PH....and it was pefectly akaline! YAY it's all paying off!

Suprisingly in comparison to yesterday I am feeling energized and not hungry at all..weird but good.!

Well I have to come clean..I ate tonight! Technically I got through the 3 days but I really needed some dinner.

It's over..I completed a 3 day juice detox.

My review

I have to say...I feel great, lighter, not bloated, clear mind, clear eyes, clear skin! It is soooo worth it, I am actually considering doing it once a month.  My PH is perfectly alkaline and I just feel amazing!

To be honest I was pretty healthy before I started the detox, I dont eat sugar and I dont drink coffee so I did not get any withdrawals resulting in major headaches...all I felt was hunger and a little weak.

So I would expect for all you alcohol drinking, caffeine drinking, sugar eating people...this would probably hit you hard, but treat your body like a temple and you will get the rewards of a happy soul.

If anyone has any questions about my detox please email me on my Facebook page and I will be more than happy to answer.

Please note* I had colonics the day before I started and the day after I finished for a maximum result. xx

Disclaimer

To all readers, please note this blog is based on my own experiences and as a food coach student and is for educational and informational purposes only. For medical advice, please consult your own doctor or healthcare provider.

http://colonhydrotherapybrisbane.com.au/