Detox Grocery List

Fresh Produce:

€        Avocado

€        Baby spinach

€        Bananas

€        Beet root

€        Blueberries

€        Broccoli

€        Carrots

€        Cauliflower

€        Celery

€        Chard leaf

€        Cilantro

€        Garlic

€        Ginger

€        Kale

€        Kelp

€        Kiwi

€        Lemons

€        Mint leaves

€        Onions

€        Orange

€        Papaya

€        Parsley

€        Pears

€        Radishes

€        Red and Green Apples

€        Red cabbage

€        Romaine Lettuce

€        Yellow and Red Bell Peppers

€        Yellow or Pink grapefruits

Raw Nuts:

€        Almonds

€        Walnuts

Other needed items:

€        Brown rice

€        Extra virgin olive oil

€        Gluten free soy sauce or Braggs Liquid Aminos

€        Baking soda

€        Epson salt

Drinks:

€        Decaf Herbal Detox Teas (green, peppermint, ginger, chamomile, or natural laxative tea)

€        Bottled or Filtered water

Optional Items:

€        Spirulina powder

€        Miso paste (in concentrate or in packet where you add water)

€        Wheat grass or barley grass powder

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for more ideas and tips on healthy living and alternative healing options!!  

Missy Briggeman

Empowering Patients · Educating Minds · Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100

Broken Arrow, OK 74012

918-994-4810

918-994-4816 Fax

What Happens When I Detox??

Detoxing is like cleaning out an closet - it may get worse before it gets better.  You have to pull out all the junk from the closet before you can actually clean and organize the closet.  The same thing happens with your body when you detox - suddenly all the toxins that have just been lying in your body get stirred up and you can actually have some "sluggish" days initially.    BUT....the good news is that this doesn't last forever and it is a sign that your body is doing exactly what you want  it to - getting rid of the old and bringing in the new!!!  Here are some lists of adverse symptoms, tricks to ease those symptoms as well as a list of positive results of detoxing!!

Adverse symptoms of detoxing:

• headaches
• fatigue / low energy/ weakness
• temporary muscle aches
• a coated, pasty tongue
• bad breath
• breakouts
• body odor
• flu-like symptoms
• irritability/mood swings
• difficulty sleeping
• food cravings
• nausea
• constipation / diarrhea
• bloating / stomach pains
• vivid dreams/nightmares

The more toxic the body the more severe the symptoms will be, so if you are feeling worst while detoxing your body is actually healing. These symptoms typically last 3 to 7 days so stick it out. It will be worth it!

How to ease symptoms:

• drink 6-8 glasses of filtered water a day
• ginger tea 
• hot shower or bath
• exfoliate/scrub skin
• rest if you feel tired
• eat easy to digest foods in small portions
• increase fiber

Results of detoxing:

• weight loss
• clearer sinuses
• clearer skin
• more energy
• regular bowel movements
• mental clarity
• emotional stability / enhanced mood

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for more ideas and tips on healthy living and alternative healing options!!  

Missy Briggeman

Empowering Patients · Educating Minds · Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100

Broken Arrow, OK 74012

918-994-4810

918-994-4816 Fax

photo credit: chany14 via photopin cc

How to soak away the Toxins with a Detox Bath

Our Bodies are full of toxins from all kinds of foods we eat and things we use on a daily basis.   These toxins are poisoning our bodies and preventing our bodies from functioning normally.   I recently posted a list of beneficial foods and foods to avoid for detoxing - but you can also take some much needed time and soak away some of the toxins that are overloading your body!

Ingredients

• Epsom salt
• Baking soda
• Optional Ingredients - Essential oils (optional): Lavender, ylang ylang, tea tree oil, or eucalyptus, ground ginger, or fresh ginger tea

Prep

• Make sure to have 20 to 40 minutes available to bathe. The first 20 minutes are said to help your body remove the toxins. The second 20 minutes are for absorbing the minerals in the water.
• Do not eat immediately before or after bathing.
• Drink a full glass of water before taking bath.
• Prepare one to three glasses of ice water to drink while bathing. 
• Place towel close to tub.

Steps

• Fill the tub with comfortably hot water. 
• Add Epsom salts (aka magnesium sulfate). Soaking in Epsom salts actually helps replenish the body’s magnesium levels. Magnesium regulates the activity of over 325 enzymes, reducing inflammation, helping muscle and nerve function. It also helps the body produce serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of calm and relaxation. Sulfate improves the absorption of nutrients, helps ease migraine headaches, and also flushes toxins and heavy metals from cells. Epsom salt is very inexpensive, and can be purchased at any pharmacy or grocery store in the pharmaceutical section. 
• For children under 60 lbs, add 1/2 cup to a standard bath.
• For children 60 lbs to 100 lbs, add 1 cup to a standard bath.
• For people 100 lbs to 200 lbs, add 2 cups to a standard bath. 
• For people 200 lbs and up, add 3 cups to a standard bath.

• Add the same amount of baking soda (a.k.a. sodium bicarbonate) as Epsom salt. Sodium bicarbonate is used to help balance the pH of the body to be more alkaline. 
• Baking soda has anti-fungal properties and promotes the elimination of toxins. It also leaves skin very soft.
• Stir all of the ingredients around in the tub.S
• oak, relax and drink water. Aim for at least 20 minutes but 40 minutes is recommended (the longer the better). You should start sweating within the first few minutes. 
• If you feel too hot, drink a glass of ice water or start adding cold water into the tub until you cool off.

*Optional

• Add aromatherapy oil once in the tub. Lavender, peppermint, ylang ylang, tea tree oil or eucalyptus will assist with detoxification. Add the oils while in the tub by placing 5 drops in your hand and swish your hand in the water. Add more if desired but be aware of any irritation of skin or discomfort. 
• *Add ground ginger or fresh ginger tea once in the tub. Add anywhere from 1 tablespoon to 1/3 cup depending on your sensitivity. Ginger helps to sweat out toxins by increasing your temperature levels. Since it is heating to the body, be careful with the amount you add and add a tablespoon at a time up to 1/3 cup. It may cause your skin to turn slightly red for a few minutes. 
• Most people sweat profusely with the addition of the ginger. This is especially beneficial if you are trying to rid the body of a bug of some sort, like the flu, or a cold. 

After the bath

• Get out of the tub slowly and carefully. You may feel dizzy, lightheaded, and weak or drained because your body has been working hard to detox. 
• Wrap in your towel immediately so that you can continue to detox. You may feel warm for up to an hour after the bath. 
• Drink a lot of water. You need to flush out the toxins. If not there is a chance you may feel sick.
• Get the lymphatic system draining. The lymphatic system is a system of vessels that carry a clear-white fluid called lymph. Lymph is full of white blood cells that fight infections and carries away waist products such as toxins and fat. 
• Skin brushing can be used to stimulate the lymphatic system, and is a great way to get your lymph moving to eliminate toxins. This can be done with a wash cloth, bristle skin brush, or exfoliating hand gloves. Take your wash cloth and dampen it with warm water. Starting at the tips of your toes and brush/rub upwards towards the heart in a circular motion. Do the same starting at your fingertips and brush/rub inward toward the heart. Brush/rub just enough to make the skin pink.
• Relax for the rest of the day or evening and allow your body to continue to heal.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for more ideas and tips on healthy living and alternative healing options!!  

Missy Briggeman

Empowering Patients · Educating Minds · Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100

Broken Arrow, OK 74012

918-994-4810

918-994-4816 Fax

photo credit: HaoJan via photopin cc

The Do's and Don't of Detox

This time of year everyone is trying to get a "Healthier" outlook on life - one of the best things that you can do is a Detox.  There are foods that will naturally help you detox and there are foods that you should definitely avoid while trying to detox the body.  Below is a list of each - We hope this will help you obtain the "healthier you" in 2013!!

Foods that naturally detox your body:

• Distilled or filtered water - 48 to 60 oz daily
• Green tea
• Garlic
• Grapefruit
• Green vegetables
• Avocados
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Walnuts
• Turmeric - spice that boosts liver detox
• Cabbage

Foods to avoid while detoxing:

• Wheat
• Dairy
• Cheese
• Preferably all meats, though organic lean meats can be eaten sparingly
• Sugar and all sweeteners (Stevia is allowed)
• Processed foods 
• Soy
• Alcohol
• Coffee

Supplements that should be taken to boost detoxing:

• Multi-vitamin
• Vitamin C
• Liver detox supplement (found at most health food stores and our office)
• Pea or rice protein based amino acid supplement 
• Omega 3 and 6 fish oils

If you feel overwhelmed with the lists above you can start getting healthy by adding "foods that naturally detox your body" to your everyday diet. One good habit begets another good habit.  Focus on the foods you CAN eat. Stay positive and you will begin to change your health and life for the better!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for more ideas and tips on healthy living and alternative healing options!!  

Missy Briggeman

Empowering Patients · Educating Minds · Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100

Broken Arrow, OK 74012

918-994-4810

918-994-4816 Fax

What do these Recycling Symbols Mean?

At a recent conference we shared some information regarding the concerns over plastic containers.  Recently there was a big scare over BPA plastic leaching chemicals into water bottles and baby bottles.    Studies suggested that BPA mimics estrogen and interferes with hormone levels.   The recycling numbers on the bottom of the container will give you a clue as to how dangerous the container can be.

The recycling symbols shown in the chart can be found on the bottom of your container - below we have listed each and provided a brief description.

The safest choices are #2, #4 and #5

• #2, HDPE, a usually opaque plastic used for milk jugs, detergent bottles, juice bottles, toiletries and the like.
• #4, LDPE, used for things like plastic bags, food storage, bread bags, some food wraps, squeezable bottles.
• #5, polypropylene, used for a wide variety of applications such as yogurt cups, medicine bottles, ketchup and syrup bottles, and straws.

Avoid using #3, #6 and #7

•  Plastic #3, or PVC, which is used in some plastic cling wrapping for food contains  material-softening chemicals that leach from PVC and could interfere with the endocrine system.  Make sure not to microwave foods with plastic cling wrap.
• Plastic #1 should only be used once and is typically used for bottled water and plastic “to go” cups at restaurants.  It’s best to use a plastic bottle water container and plastic “to go” cup only once and then throw it away.  Using it over and over can cause chemicals  to leak into beverage.
• Plastic #7 may contain BPA BUT NOT ALL PLASTIC #7 IS BPA! It is a “catch all” category that includes many kinds of plastic that don’t fit the classifications of the other numbers. To play it safe I would avoid using #7.
• Plastic #6: this is polystyrene, or Styrofoam, from which disposable containers and packaging are made. You’ll also find it in disposable plates and cups. Evidence is increasingly suggesting that this type of plastic leaches potentially toxic chemicals, especially when heated. I suggest avoiding the use of #6 plastic as much as possible.

There are studies that show microwaving food in any plastic container may cause a toxic release of chemicals into the food. I suggest using glass - it is cleaner than plastic and has a non-porous surface that doesn't absorb food and germs.  Scientist no longer ask if toxics migrate from plastic containers into food but now ask how much.  Theses toxins can be absorbed into our body and effect thyroid function, hormone levels and may be a trigger for migraines.

Check your plastic and make sure you know what you are putting in your body - it might be more than what you bargained for!!

Happy New Year Friends!!!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for more ideas and tips on healthy living and alternative healing options!!  

Missy Briggeman

Empowering Patients · Educating Minds · Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100

Broken Arrow, OK 74012

918-994-4810

918-994-4816 Fax