Cleanse as Summer Turns to Fall

Align with Seasonal Change by Doing a Cleanse

As the heat of summer fades and the air grows cooler, the transition to a new season provides the opportunity to release toxins from your body. Align with seasonal change by doing a cleanse.

In Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine the change of seasons is seen as a critical time to support the body's natural detoxification processes.

Summer can be a time of high activity and indulgent eating via barbeques, ice cream, travel, convenience food, celebrations and adult beverages. As we transition into cooler weather, we need nourishment and restoration. Cleansing helps clear out the excess of summer to prepare your body and support your immune system for winter. Benefits of cleansing during the transition from summer to fall include:

1. Rebalancing the Digestive System

During summer, you may have consumed more sweet foods, processed meats, and cold drinks — which can weaken your digestion over time. A fall cleanse featuring seasonal vegetables, warm herbal teas, fermented foods, and lean proteins can help rekindle your body’s digestive process and support better nutrient absorption for the months ahead.

2. Boosting Immunity

A cleanse can enhance immune function by reducing inflammation, improving gut health, and supporting lymphatic drainage. Removing processed foods, excess sugar, and toxins can give your immune system a head start before cold and flu season.

3. Detoxifying the Liver and other Organs

The liver works overtime to filter out toxins from food, alcohol, and environmental exposures. A fall cleanse, especially one that includes beets and beet greens, herbs like Holy Basil (Tulsi), Schisandra, Milk Thistle and Dandelion, plus proper hydration (consume 50% of your body weight in ounces of FILTERED water daily), gives the liver a chance to rest and regenerate.  It also allows the liver and gallbladder to release bile to carry toxins out of the body more efficiently.

4. Improving Sleep and Energy Levels

By removing heavy, inflammatory foods and focusing on seasonal nourishment, a fall cleanse can result in deeper sleep and more stable energy throughout the day. This is helpful as daylight hours begin to shorten and your circadian rhythms shift.

A fall cleanse doesn’t have to be extreme – a gentle approach is effective.

Here are some basic steps to support cleansing your body:

• Eliminate inflammatory foods: Remove sugar, alcohol, dairy, gluten, caffeine, beef, pork and processed foods for 14 – 30 days. If you are willing, also remove soy, corn and eggs.

• Eat with the season: Focus on fresh or cooked seasonal vegetables, whole grains, legumes, soups, and seasonal fruits like apples and pears.

• Consume protein: through nuts and seeds, chicken, turkey and fish.

• Hydrate intentionally: Drink warm water with lemon, herbal teas, vegetable and chicken broths (hopefully homemade) to support lymphatic and kidney function.

• Add detoxifying practices: Dry brushing, sauna, Epsom salt baths, and deep breathing, and yoga can support your body’s cleansing process.

• Start each day with a “green” drink: Combine these ingredients in your blender until smooth…

o    ½ - 1 organic lemon with peel

o    ¼ - ½ organic golden or red beet

o    A fist of rinsed organic beet greens if you have them

o    1 or more cups of organic spinach

o    1 small – medium organic apple or pear

o    1 stalk organic celery

o    ½ - 1 organic banana or ¼ - ½ avocado for creaminess

o    1 tsp – 1 T of cinnamon

o    1 T of psyllium husk

o    1 garlic clove if desired for immune support

o    A few ice cubes

o    1 cup or more of filtered water or nut milk of choice

o    Store leftovers in a sealed jar in the refrigerator – drink as a snack when you are hungry

• Finish all food consumption by 7pm to allow your body to rest for 12 – 15 hours. Break your fast between 7am – 10am with your green drink. This fasting time will provide an additional healing boost for your internal organs, support blood sugar balance and enhance sleep.

Cleansing seasonally is not just a health trend — it’s a return to ancient wisdom. Give your body the gift of a seasonal reset.

If you would like guidance during your cleanse or would like a complete nutrition analysis to understand what your body needs, contact me. I look forward to speaking with you.