Guest Post: 10 Detox Tips for 2013

Note from Joy: Here are some great tips from Just Cleansing for you to consider if you are doing a detox. Even if you aren’t doing a “detox” per se, just following some of the advice will help to lower your toxic exposure. 

Here are 10 ways to get 2013 off to a healthy start! This is a selection of easy detox tips that you can start using today. You can also check out the full list of 101 detox tips.

1.       Eat Some Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is an incredibly versatile oil that has all kinds of uses in your kitchen. It is very heat-stable so you can use it for cooking without worrying about trans fats. You can also add it to your baking recipes for cookies or coconut bread. But to get the most health benefits from coconut oil, just eat a spoonful each morning. It is full of ‘good fats’ and has antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties too.

2.       Practice Some Deep Breathing

Deep breathing has long been a part of meditation and eastern medicine, but it can also help your body to detox. This is because those deep breaths oxygenate your cells and allow your lymphatic system to eliminate toxins more efficiently. It takes very little effort too – just spend a few minutes each morning taking deep, slow breaths. You will feel immediately energized and you’re doing your body a favor too.

3.       Take A Bath

Setting aside 20 minutes for a good, long soak is always a great idea, but not just any bath will do! Adding one cup of aluminum-free baking soda and one cup of Epsom salts will make your bath even healthier. Your skin is responsible for as much as 10% of toxin elimination, and this healthy detoxing bath helps it do that more efficiently. And of course it’s great for reducing your stress levels too.

4.       Don’t Overcook Your Meats (Especially On The Barbecue)

You may not have realized it, but when your gas grill flares up it deposits two carcinogens on your meat. These are PAHs and HCAs and you should really avoid them if you can. There’s no need to throw away your gas grill, but make sure that you keep it clean, cook your meat well away from the flame, and don’t overcook it.

5.       Make Your Own Body Scrub

There’s no need to spend a fortune on expensive commercial products. You can make a great body scrub at home that is entirely natural and works just as well. Simply mix 2 parts Himalayan sea salt and 1 part olive oil together. This will improve your complexion naturally, at a fraction of the cost of regular scrubs.

6.       Get A Good Vacuum Or Air Filter

Our houses are full of small dust particles that are often not picked up by regular vacuums. And if you have a vacuum without a HEPA filter, you may not even realize that your house is full of pollutants and allergens. Purify the air in your home by getting a good vacuum with a HEPA filter, or even an air filter for your house.

7.       Throw Out The Non-Stick Pans

Those non-stick pans may be very convenient but they are made with polytetrafluoroethylene, a chemical that leeches toxic gases at high temperatures. You’re breathing these in every time you cook with non-stick pans. Try to use stainless steel, carbon steel or iron cookware instead. They’ll take a few more seconds to clean, but that’s a small price to pay if you want to eliminate toxins from your lifestyle.

8.       Try Coconut Aminos

If you love soy sauce but don’t like the idea of eating GMO food, here’s a solution. Coconut Aminos is an alternative that you can use is salad dressing, cooking, or anywhere else you might use soy sauce. Almost all soy is genetically modified now, so this is a wonderful , 100% natural alternative that is full of nutrients.

9.       Don’t Cook With Aluminum Tin Foil

Here’s another healthy cooking tip. If you use aluminum foil at high temperatures or with acidic food, it can leech chemicals into your food. Scientists have proven this to be the case, but food industry watchdogs currently claim that the amounts are too small to worry about. If you want you and your family to be totally safe, use glass dishes instead for cooking and storage.

10.   Find A Non-Toxic Sunscreen

Many sunscreens are full of toxic ingredients. Although they might not be absorbed through your skin, you will inhale them as they release their gases after application. To avoid chemicals like oxybenzone, nano-scale zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, use a natural sunscreen instead.