Elissa Goodman's 11 Detox Tips for the New Year

Since meeting her, I’ve found holistic nutritionist Elissa Goodman to be a positive lifestyle influence in many ways. She has an incredible amount of knowledge when it comes to the body and how to treat it, and gives great advice. When I asked her to share her top detox tips, I knew she would do so in an accessible, non intimidating way. Of course, starting a new daily regimen can seem ambitious, but as Elissa explains them, her 11 practices feel quite doable. I hope her methods resonate with you, too! XXJKE

1. Take Probiotics and Eat Fermented Foods

Probiotics boost the healthy bacteria ratio in your digestive tract, help heal your gut and boost your immune system and happiness, too. Fermented foods are probiotic powerhouses. Eating them daily and taking a probiotic daily is one easy way to keep your gut and digestive system balanced during times of overindulgence, rich foods and travel. Staying consistent and taking daily is key! 

2. Focus on Restorative Sleep

It is during a good sleep that our body is able to heal and restore itself. During this time our brain also organizes and stores information of the day, helping you process stressful events more efficiently. If you prioritize getting good sleep, your chances of staying well improve immensely. Bedtime by 10 p.m. guarantees that you will get maximum restorative sleep (which happens between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.), and 8-9 hours per night is a must.

3. Start the Day with My Daily Detox Tonic  

This blend of filtered water, lemon, aloe vera, Bragg’s apple cider vinegar, coconut kefir and ginger can do wonders for digestion. Aloe vera is rich in nutrients and fiber, lemon is alkaline and detoxifying, Bragg’s apple cider vinegar is full of enzymes and friendly bacteria, and coconut kefir is full of beneficial bacteria and hydrates the body while cleansing the liver and intestines. This combination of ingredients helps to stop sugar cravings, promotes healthy digestion and balances blood sugar.  

4. Drink Green Juice or Smoothies

To make sure you get the nutrients you need to stay well, have a green juice or smoothie with ingredients like romaine, spinach, parsley, cilantro, lemon, ginger, turmeric and apple. You can add flax seeds for fiber and hemp hearts for protein.  Both will help keep you satiated and feeling energized. 

5. Eat Cruciferous Foods

Cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens, spinach, kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts contain antioxidants that increase the production of detoxifying enzymes in the body. These veggies also contain sulfur compounds that protect the liver and improve its ability to eliminate toxins.

6. Practice Dry Brushing 

This is one of my favorite cleansing secrets. Dry brushing your skin may sound a bit weird but it’s a fantastic way to boost circulation and lymphatic drainage to help rid the body of toxins. Your skin is your biggest organ and toxins in your body need a way out. Dry brushing clears dead skin cells and allows your cells to breathe, giving the toxins you’re getting rid of an escape path. Health benefits aside, dry brushing your skin feels great! I recommend spending five minutes in the morning brushing your skin in circular motions. You’ll feel—and ultimately look like—a million bucks.

7. Stay Hydrated

I know you know how important drinking water is, but for daily cleansing it is more than important: it is crucial. When your body cleanses, it pushes toxins into the bloodstream. The more water you drink, the faster the toxins are pushed out. And that’s the point of cleansing, isn’t it? Make sure the water is filtered—you don’t want to use toxins to push out toxins, right?—and drink at minimum of half your body weight in ounces each day.

8. Let Go of Fears and Anxiety

Cleansing isn’t only about your food. For full benefit, cleanse your body and soul.  Letting go of your fears and anxieties can be very emotionally cleansing. Write down a daily list of feelings; list what made you sad today, what made you angry today, and what made you happy today. After acknowledging these feelings, release them into the universe and let go of the anger and sadness.  

9. Kick Sugar to the Curb

Research indicates that sugar is more addictive than cocaine, so it’s not surprising that kicking the sugar habit is not easy. Your gut health is also key to fighting cravings—an unbalanced, unhealthy gut will crave sugar. The more sugar you eat, the more you will crave. Hidden sugars in processed and “white” foods are just as bad as the sweet stuff. Trading in your sweetener for organic 100% pure stevia (I like Omica and Body Ecology brands) is a good first step, but if you want to get to the root of the problem, get your gut health in check. Take a daily probiotic (I like Renew Life 50 Billion, unrefrigerated is handy) to help balance healthy gut bacteria, and eat fermented foods for natural probiotics. Side note: Craving sugar is often a sign of dehydration—drink lots of water to avoid this.

10. Eat your Fiber in Natural Forms 

While fiber is not digestible, it is a great way to help your body digest and pass the foods we eat. It clears out the digestive system and takes toxins, cholesterol, waste and extra hormones with it. Fiber also supports a strong immune system, proper colon health, intestinal bacterial balance, a faster metabolism, weight control, diabetes prevention and cardiovascular disease prevention. It also feeds the good probiotic bacteria in your gut. Eating fiber in a natural form over taking a supplement is crucial. Beans and legumes, fruits, vegetables and whole grains are your best sources.  

11. Sit in Gratitude Daily

I believe nothing is as cleansing as living a grateful life. Giving thanks for all that you have and for your health as it is now is important. No matter how far you have to go, it can always be worse. Gratitude is a healthy practice that helps one feel success, empathy and overall happiness. Find time daily to consider your blessings. I choose to wake up each morning and acknowledge all that I am grateful for before I start the day. I wear my living Lokai bracelet as a reminder when things get hectic that I have so much more positive to focus on than negative.

Photo: Brittany Wood