DIY DETOX SALT SOAK + OUR CLEANSE RESULTS
Last week, we embarked on a weeklong detox in the hopes of cleansing our systems of the toxins and impurities that built up over the holidays. Not only did we love the results of the detox, we actually enjoyed the entire process! It was a very rejuvenating experience resulting in higher energy levels, better sleep, less dark circles and brighter skin. Weight loss wasn't the goal of the cleanse, but we did lose a combined 8 pounds (he 5, me 3).
While it was a lot of work to freshly prepare each meal, we honestly looked forward to the smoothies, soups and salads, never feeling deprived at all. I do admit the detox was not all sunshine and roses -- I got a headache on the second and third days, but both were mild and short-lived. To be quite candid, the last day had me jonesing something fierce for a peppermint mocha (my ultimate holiday addiction). We are gradually easing back into our normal eating habits, adding small amounts of dairy, lean meats (for my husband, anyway), and a morning cup of coffee. Here are a few of the dishes we enjoyed on the cleanse:
Blueberry-Kale Smoothie // Red Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew (drizzled with coconut milk)// Roasted + Clean Carrot Soup // Fruit and Nut Energy Balls
Now that our food detox is over, I decided to keep the momentum going by incorporating a detoxifying salt soak into my bath regimen whenever I start to feel a lack of energy or run down. This blog post gives helpful information about how salt soaks can facilitate the detoxification of chemicals and toxic substances that we're exposed to daily, from the chemical-laden products we use, the pollutants in the air we breathe, or the pesticides/GMOs in the foods we eat.
Bath salts are rich in minerals and nutrients, and when combined with hot bath water, they're great for pulling toxins out of your body through sweat. The high concentration of magnesium and sulfate gets absorbed into the skin, soothing joint and muscle tension, reducing inflammation, and improving mineral balance. Magnesium is also known to help you sleep. The addition of baking soda helps to neutralize the chlorine in tap water and open pores. I've read that it's best to soak at least 30 minutes and brushing with a loofah prior to the bath helps to stimulate the lymphatic system. Light some candles, put on relaxing music and let the soaking begin!
DETOX SALT SOAK INGREDIENTS:
Disclaimer: I am not a healthcare professional. Please consult your physician prior to beginning a detox bath routine.
1 1/2 cups Epsom salt
1/2 cup Dead Sea Salt or coarse sea salt
1/4 cup Baking soda
* To customize the fragrance, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil or a couple pinches of your favorite dried florals or herbs. I used a little dried chamomile in mine as well as some drops of Jose Maran's Vanilla Fig Argan Oil.
DIRECTIONS:
1. Fill tub with hot water.
2. Add detox ingredients to water.
3. Swirl water around to mix ingredients.
4. Soak and relax.
* Optional: turn this into a DIY gift by bottling up some of the bath salt in a mason jar. I repurposed these cute little jars with chalkboard labels, which were a gift by my sweet friend Trish, who originally filled them with mani/pedi supplies.
Have you ever done a food detox/cleanse? Taken a detox bath? I'd love to hear about your experience.