Spring Detox

Spring Detox

Spring is here which means its time to give your body and mind a fresh start with a detox or cleanse. Detoxing is just another word for cleansing. The aims of a detox program are to increase the efficiency of the digestive system and to stimulate the other parts of the body that are responsible for cleansing and elimination. Used sensibly and occasionally, detox regimes are invaluable in promoting and sustaining good health.

Some of the benefits of detoxing include:

Improved Appearance

Better Health

Restful Sleep

Improved Mood

Inner Harmony

Weight Loss

Here are my three top tips for detoxing:

-Drink lots of healthy liquids to flush out the body while pouring in nutrients.

-Eat foods high in fiber to keep your GI tract fit.

-Eat foods that energize cleansing enzymes in the liver. The liver is your body's built-in detox center.

Include the following detox foods in your daily food program:

The top 10:

1. Green leafy vegetables Eat them raw, throw them into a broth, add them to juices. Their chlorophyll helps swab out environmental toxins (heavy metals, pesticides) and protects the liver.
2. Lemons You need to keep the fluids flowing to wash out the body and fresh lemonade is ideal. Its vitamin C, considered the detox vitamin, helps convert toxins into a water-soluble form that's easily flushed away.
3. Watercress Put a handful into salads, soups, and sandwiches. The peppery little green leaves have a diuretic effect that helps move things through your system. And cress is rich in minerals too.
4. Garlic Add it to everything -- salads, sauces, spreads. In addition to the bulb's cardio benefits, it activates liver enzymes that help filter out junk.
5. Green tea This antioxidant-rich brew is one of the healthiest ways to get more fluids into your system. Bonus: It contains catechins, which speed up liver activity.
6. Broccoli sprouts Get 'em at your health-food store. They pack 20 to 50 times more cancer-fighting, enzyme-stimulating activity into each bite than the grown-up vegetable.
7. Sesame seeds They're credited with protecting liver cells from the damaging effects of alcohol and other chemicals. For a concentrated form, try tahini, the yummy sesame seed paste that's a staple of Asian cooking.
8. Cabbage There are two main types of detoxifying enzymes in the liver; this potent veggie helps activate both of them. Kale Coleslaw, anyone?
9. Psyllium A plant that's rich in soluble fiber, like oat bran, but more versatile. It mops up toxins (cholesterol too) and helps clear them out. Stir powdered psyllium into juice to help cleanse your colon.
10. Fruits, fruits, fruits They're full of almost all the good things above: vitamin C, fiber, nutritious fluids, and all kinds of antioxidants. Besides, nothing tastes better than a ripe mango, fresh berries, or a perfect pear.

Call or email Bradley Wellness, LLC to learn more about customized detox programs. 202-320-5025, www.bradleywellness.com (our new website will launch in one-two weeks)

Be Well, Kelly

The Gym

It has been 4 weeks since having Owen William Bradley and I'm feeling energized. My intention is to challenge my body and mind with new workouts. i'm experimenting with what works and what makes me feel good. I've been going to a Vinyasa Flow Yoga class at Try Yoga and then going to the gym for cardio and dynamic conditioning everyday- yes i tend to take things to the extreme. i'm loving it. i've been away from the gym for years and truly never thought i would return to "gym workouts". When i first reentered the gym i had a negative feeling. I believe that many people who go to the gym are mindlessly going through their exercise routine while watching TV or listening to random music and don't get optimal results. I feel that the overload of stimulation at the gym takes people away from what they are doing which often results in injuries.
To my surprise i'm now loving the gym. By bringing the mind/body connection to the gym, being mindful about everything i do and turning inward my gym experience has been fabulous. I now have an amazing positive energized feeling every time i enter the gym. i still use the elliptical, arc trainer, treadmill and various pieces of equipment but i'm focused on the preciseness of each movement, my breath, posture, lengthening the spine, fluid movements and challenging myself. I'm focused and engaged in what i'm doing. i'm bringing all the knowledge i gained through my yoga, pilates, gyrotonic exercise training and life to the gym. this combination is a new challenge for my mind and body and i'm loving it.
i challenge you to reexamine your workouts and connect with your mind and body in all forms of exercise.

move well, kelly

Affiliate for Natural Zing

hi everyone,

i just became an affiliate for natural zing. Natural Zing is a fabulous natural specialty food distributor. they sell many raw living food products and equipment and they are my primary source when i need supplies for myself and for clients and patients. the best thing is that they are also a local company and extremely organized and dependable.

please check them out and use this link which will show them that i referred you to the site which will give me credit. call or email me if you have any questions on specific products etc. i would be happy to help you. we are in the process of building my on-line store which will include a section specifically for natural zing products that i recommend.

http://www.naturalzing.com/idevaffiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=1075

be well & live green, kelly

Nourishing New Moms

As of this thursday my new born will be three weeks old. As i experience the life of a new mom again i am reminded of the importance of taking care of myself. If i'm not feeling well and energetic i'm not going to be the best parent that i can be. so my advice to all new moms is to be sure to do something for yourself everyday. do many things for yourself everyday if you can. i returned to the gym last week but what i realize is that the "gym" does not satisfy me as much as my yoga classes. with two kids i have to pick and choose my adventures everyday. so i've decided to schedule in a yoga class everyday. i had previously thought, "i wish i could go to a yoga class everyday." Well- now i can and i plan to keep this in my schedule as long as i want. my yoga classes are where i just feel alive, energetic, balanced and focused. starting the day looking inward and being mindful about how you feel is amazing. i'm so excited to wake up everyday knowing that i get to practice my yoga with a group of like-minded people.

with the change of seasons approaching make it a priority to get out and do your cardiovascular exercise outside in nature. this is my intention for all nice days. i love being out in nature and i want to get back to biking and hiking and will take the boys with me. this will allow me to get my cardiovascular exercise in, spend time with my boys and benefit from nature.

another key for new moms is to get out and socialize. with limited time for socializing you want to be sure to spend time with the people who matter most and who truly make you and your life better. this is a time in your life to take a good look at your friends, colleagues etc and decide who you want to truly be a part of your life and who is not worth your time and energy. it may sound harsh but it is true.

i also urge new moms to use your time wisely. when you are not feeding the baby or tending to the older kids make a list of your priorities and be sure to use your spare time to only do the things that really matter to you. for instance when you are nursing instead of watching tv or doing something mindless use this time to read a book that you've been wanting to read, meditate, practice deep breathing or call an old friend to catch up. when the baby goes down for a nap you can take a nap too, give yourself an at-home facial or organize your closet (if this is something you enjoy). i love organizing and getting rid of the old and only keeping what i truly need. be sure to give all old stuff to organizations that will re-use it.

more tips for new moms to come in the future.

be well and live green, kelly