Hawkins Holistic

Naturally Yours

Tag: detoxification

July 31, 2015

Facts about Fermented Foods

Can you get your daily serving of probiotics from this sandwhich?

You could get your daily serving of probiotics from this sandwich!

Does the term “fermented foods” leave you scratching your head?

Thanks to the growing popularity of the macrobiotic diet and seeing kombucha drinks lining grocery store shelves, you might have heard of fermented foods. I’m glad these foods are getting attention, but I believe there is a lot of unmet curiosity from the consumer side. People know fermented foods are good for them, but do they know why? I didn’t, and as a holistic nutritionist, I had a burning desire to understand.

What does it mean to be “fermented”? 

The cultivation of a fermented food/beverage is really more of an art than a science. A fermented food/beverage is one that has undergone fermentation, a careful & lengthy process in which food is exposed to bacteria (such as lactic acid) and yeasts, either via inoculation or naturally through the air. Beneficial microorganisms beat out the damaging ones, and eat up the carbohydrates in the food. The results are interesting flavors, textures, smells, and of course, that nutritional punch!

How can consuming fermented foods help me?

They are PACKED with probiotics – that good bacteria that lives in your gut. Yes, you can take probiotics as a supplement, and there are many wonderful ones on the market, but if I can get a hefty dose of naturally occurring beneficial bacteria from food, I’m all for it.

Fermented foods, while good for everyone, are of particular benefit to those who:

  • have a low immune system: frequent colds/flu, chronic fatigue, slow healing wounds, yeast/candida, recurrent illness
  • have taken antibiotics, long-term or short-term
  • experience depression, mood disorders, and/or difficulty regulating emotions
  • suffer from digestive distress such as indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, IBS
  • are undergoing a detox: fermented foods are excellent chelators, meaning their bacteria binds to free-floating toxins and heavy metals, excreting them through the proper channels of elimination (rather than circulating throughout the body)
  • have difficulty swallowing pills (making probiotic supplementation a non-starter)

What are the best sources of fermented food/beverage?

The top nutrition-wise sources are:

  • tempeh
  • kimchi
  • kombucha beverage (be mindful of the sugar content)
  • sauerkraut
  • miso
  • kefir
  • apple cider vinegar (with the mother)

At less than 2 grams of sugar per serving, GT’s Synergy Trilogy kombucha beverage is a top pick.

If you prefer to take your probiotics in supplement form but still want the benefits of fermentation, try Dr. Ohhira’s award-winning probiotic supplement. This potent probiotic is made from 92 fruits, vegetables, mushrooms & seaweed that are fermented over a 3 year process. Bonus: it’s shelf-stable (no need for refrigeration!). Learn more about Dr. Ohhira’s probiotic here.

These are the base facts about fermented foods. My interest in the subject is on-going, and I’ve made the decision to include fermented foods in my day-to-day diet.

For more info about the macrobiotic diet, go to the Kushi Institute website http://www.kushiinstitute.org.

Naturally yours!

Sarah Hawkins, R.H.N.

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November 9, 2014

A Sensuous & Simple Skin Detox

Picture 5

Although the liver is the body’s primary detoxifying organ, the skin – the body’s largest organ – is not far behind. The skin contains millions of pores which are constantly pushing out debris, while also allowing particles in. Our body’s fight against toxins from food, air, and chemicals is ongoing. These toxins build up if not efficiently excreted, often manifesting in unpleasant symptoms such as acne, rashes, headaches, bad body odor, lethargy, and even mental confusion. The skin – how it appears and what it emits – is a reliable indicator of what’s happening within our body. Thankfully, we can lovingly help our skin do its detox-job, while improving its texture, clarity, and overall radiance. Win-win!

With insight gleaned from my recent study in advanced detoxification, I’ve developed a simple skin-detoxifying ritual. I’ve been doing it for 6 weeks now, and have come to thoroughly enjoy the process and its benefits. It’s the most relaxing, rejuvenating, and decadent detox ritual that I’ve ever experienced!

Before proceeding, it’s important for me to make note of something. While this detox does seem to echo our nations relentless quest for radiant, blemish-free skin, perfect skin is not the goal here. Rather, the intent is to create the optimal condition for skin health, given our individual circumstance. And hey, if on any given day your skin isn’t glowing, your smile & soul can take on that task. 🙂

Here are the steps:

1) Dry brush the entire body (except face!). This increases circulation in the skin and massages the lymph nodes, preparing skin for detoxification. Start from the feet and work your way up, brushing in small, circular motions. Be gentle-yet-thorough, brushing for at least 2 minutes. You can find natural, soft-bristled body brushes in most health food stores.

2) Prepare a warm-hot Epsom salt bath, using 4 cups Epsom salt for detoxification effects. Why Epsom salt? Because it’s rich in minerals and contains the chemical compound magnesium sulfate. Magnesium helps to keep your bodily functions running smoothly, including some of the pathways that lead toxins right out of your body. Sulfate helps to strengthen the walls of your digestive tract so that it’s easier to release toxins. Magnesium is also an excellent muscle relaxant, which is why I tend to do my detox bath after a workout. The heat of the water is important because it opens pores and induces sweating – an excellent way to detoxify. Feel free to add a few drops of soothing essential oils to the bath water, such as lavender or bergamot. Bath bubbles are OK so long as the suds are made with gentle, natural ingredients (what’s the point of taking a detox bath if you add chemicals to the bathing water?).

3) During the first 5 minutes of the bath, sip a skin clearing tincture containing burdock root. Why? Burdock is known to enhance skin clarity by encouraging other organs, such as the liver and kidneys, to eliminate toxins thereby reducing toxic load on the skin. I recommend this tincture, available online at well.ca. If a tincture is too high maintenance, sip a herbal detox tea instead. I love this tea made by Yogi, but any herbal detox tea will do.

4) Soak for at least 20 minutes. If the thought of simply lying in the tub fills you with dread, learn what works for you in terms of passing time. Play some music, listen to a podcast, read a novel (one that you aren’t afraid to get a  bit wet). I like to light candles and have my iPhone nearby so that if I want to listen to something, I can. Keeping a towel within reach is handy.

5) After the bath, take a shower. There may be debris on your skin from the detox, as well as salt residue, which can be drying to your skin and hair. When washing, use gentle products so not to irritate the skin.

6) End your detox by downing a big glass of filtered water. You’d be surprised how much fluid you’ve lost via sweating, also making this bath a great way to banish bloat!

After your detox bath, expect to feel refreshed, calm and clean, inside & out. Take comfort knowing that you’ve done a great thing for your body & mind. Do this ritual 2x a week to see and feel results.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns I’d love to hear from you! My contact info can be found here.

Naturally Yours.

Sarah Hawkins, R.H.N.

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