We’re at the halfway point in our preparation for the Eat-to-Nourish Winter Detox, and you should be getting comfortable with the materials and with the broad outline of the program. Take a moment to acknowledge your achievements over the past few days. You’ve cut back on caffeine, processed foods, and a number of foods that many people are allergic or sensitive to. You’ve started journaling and keeping a food diary. These are all important steps toward a successful detox. Congratulations!

Toxins

Today, we want to share with you some fascinating information about toxins and our bodies.

There are two types of toxins that affect our bodies and our lives in negative ways: exotoxins and endotoxins.

Exotoxins come from sources outside of the body, such as pesticides, inhalants, foods, drugs, body products, and cleaning products.

Endotoxins come from sources inside of the body, such as metabolic byproducts, hormonal overload, free radicals, and toxic emotions.

So, why is detox important? Because everyone has some level of toxicity. Often, we see this toxicity appear as rashes, runny nose, and bloating. You may also experience:

• Headaches
• Joint pain
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Depression
• Mental confusion (“brain fog”)
• Digestive disruptions
• Disease

It is important to learn to recognize these symptoms and to pay attention to them and look at what toxins may be causing them. Think about the different places in your life where you may be ingesting toxins other than just through foods. It could be through too much stress, your household cleaners, or even the makeup or shampoo you use to freshen up and get clean. You’ll be amazed as you begin to recognize how many toxins we subject ourselves to in our every day, and the more you know, the better you are able to make smart choices.

Today, I’ll leave you with this:

John Douillard is a teacher at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Below is an article where he discusses the importance of flushing your lymphatic system as well as the importance of eating with the seasons, which is important to nourish, rebuild, and strengthen your immune system.

Click here to learn more about the amazing lymphatic system:

http://lifespa.com/the-miracle-of-lymph/#.Uk_hpBYqyY8