Tummy teas, all-juice, extreme fasting—chances are you are familiar with these if you have ever considered doing a cleanse. Despite the body having a naturally sophisticated process to eliminate toxins, many modern cleanses and detoxes do more to starve the system than support it. At Provenance, our Feel Good Fix and Provenance Detox defy the current stigma against detoxing through fresh, nutrient-dense meals designed to nourish and revitalize. With health being this year’s focal point, it is time to reclaim the true essence of what cleansing can and should be: an opportunity to heal and strengthen. In an effort to redefine the word “cleanse,” we reached out to our wellness partners at Parsley Health and in-house nutrition expert to share insights on the real meaning, benefits, and proper ways to practice.
“Everyone gets to go on their own journey when it comes to cleansing, and there’s not a right or wrong way to feel. Often times cleansing can bring up feelings of resistance or highlight habits that are hard to give up. This is natural and should be embraced. As you move through, you may come out on the other side feeling lighter, more energized, and perhaps inspired to fold some of the cleansing practices into your daily life moving forward.””
Inspired by the Ayurvedic diet, our Cleansing Kitchari with Turnip & Watermelon Radish is featured in all our Clean Eating Programs.
THE HISTORY OF CLEANSING
Cleansing is rooted in civilizations dating back over 3,000 years, holding place in some of the world’s oldest medical systems like India’s Ayurveda. Within this traditional medicine is a ritualistic detoxification process that occurs at the change of every season to bring balance to doshas—biological energies found in the body and mind—through lifestyle habits and nourishing foods. It also takes shape in different forms across cultures, like smudging ceremonies of sacred herbs practiced by the America’s Indigenous peoples to purify the spirit. History shows us that desiring a rebirth of some kind is in our nature.
2020 has given us plenty of reasons to seek a quick reset.
While your body may be a bit deprived of certain nutrients due to habits picked up during quarantine, now is the time to relieve your system of these stressors. “It's not about fasting or deprivation, it's really about focusing on nourishment and support,” states Erica Favela, Health Coach and Functional Nutritionist at Parsley Health. A specialist in gastrointestinal health and autoimmunity, she reminds us that the modern diet typically includes foods that are “lacking in nutrient density,” such as processed foods, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol, which hinder the natural detoxification process. Fellow Parsley Health colleague Meaghan Quarles also stresses the importance of eating foods that support the liver rather than send it into overdrive:
“By focusing on the ingredients and types of foods you are putting into your body, you can assist your liver’s natural detoxification processes. If you’ve recently been on vacation or had a period of time when you were eating processed and inflammatory foods, giving yourself a reset period can be very healing.”
WHAT TO AVOID
- Sugar
- Gluten
- Dairy
- Soy
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Factory-Farmed Animal Products
- Processed Foods
- Refined Vegetable Oils
What To Eat
- Non-Starchy, Cruciferous Vegetables (Kale, Cabbage, Bok Choy, etc.)
- Lemon
- Fresh Herbs
- Beets
- Bitter Greens
- Well-Sourced Lean Animal Protein
- Healthy Fats (Avocado, Nuts, etc.)
IT’S ALL ABOUT SUPPORT
The practice of cleansing goes beyond diet. This is a moment to shed any poor lifestyle habits, such as too much screen time or lack of exercise. Recommended by Meaghan, Erica, and our in-house nutritionist, these natural detoxifying activities will enhance your overall experience:
Dry brush — Stimulate lymphatic symptoms before shower or bath.
Sweat — Try out the sauna or other preferred method.
Hydrate — Drink half your bodyweight in ounces of clean, filtered water daily.
Meditate — Start and end your day with mindfulness.
Sleep — Allow your body to get the rest it needs.
Ready to start your
cleanse journey?
We are here to support you.
Designed by our in-house nutrition experts and chefs, our cleanse programs are 100% plant-based to give you the nutrients you need. To see which program is right for you, contact our Client Services team.
