With Summer starting to show its beautiful face here in the UK, many people may be thinking about achieving their ideal summer body or feeling the need to cleanse after a spring and winter spent in hibernation. Over time, debris and toxins build up in our bodies which can lead to feeling ill or under the weather. Your body may be due detoxification if you are experiencing tiredness, dull hair or skin, have a coated tongue, digestive problems, irritable mood and brain fog, to name just a few symptoms. The word ‘detox’ should not conjure up images of starvation, unpalatable juices or having to give up your favourite foods. With so many detoxification options out there, many promising utter happiness and vitality when you are complete, just where do you start? The Organic Pharmacy 10 Day Detox Kit has been perfected over 10 years of trials by founder Margo Marrone so that it is easy to use, leaving you with brilliant results without having to dramatically change your lifestyle. It consists of ten days of supplements to be taken day and night, and guidance through your meals from beginning to end. If you are unsure as to whether this detox is right for you, we’ve sent our very own marketing manager, Zoe, to the detox front line to put it to the test. She gave up her beloved latte and chocolate snacks, and was left with some impressive results! Zoe started each day with the following: A glass of hot water and half a lemon to break down the mucus in the body, 3 of The Organic Pharmacy Detox Tablets (to help detoxify and rejuvenate the body). Breakfast or a fruit smoothie with 2 x The Organic Pharmacy Phytonutrients + MSN tablets (for optimum health of skin, hair, nails and digestion ), 2 x The Organic Pharmacy Superantioxidants tablets (to protect cells against free radical damage, promote blood circulation and help rejuvenate skin ) and 2 x The Organic Pharmacy Essential Fatty Acid + B Complex tablets (to help skin renewal and supplies essential nutrients to the brain and hormonal system during times of stress). A thorough dry body brush & detoxifying body oil. Each day ends with: A glass of water with three The Organic Pharmacy Detox Tablets. Here is how the rest of her 10 day detox unfolded: Tried & tested by Zoe Day 1-3 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) Having started off day one really well with my cup of hot water and lemon, and finalising my organic shopping list, I was a little put off when I was starving by mid day, I really hoped it wasn't going to be like this for 10 days! The first three days I have felt drained, with a severe lack of energy. I have missed my morning coffee, and just a few days in I was seriously considering selling the kids for a latte! I started questioning whether this was such a good idea or not. I’m already fantasising about what I’ll eat when this is over... I’m missing fats and carbohydrates, but funnily enough not sugar. However, I have been going to bed early to avoid raiding the kids chocolate stash and I have slept very well each night. Highlights of Day 1-3: Getting through Days 1-3! Lowlights: Feeling lethargic despite sleeping well, lack of energy & coffee. Favourite Meal: Quinoa and Chickpea salad for lunch on day 1. Breakfast suggestion: 2 slices of walnut break with honey and a cup of green tea. Day 4-7 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) The detox kit comes with a really helpful guide, and it says by day 4 I should start to feel more energised, and I was so pleased that this was true! After the initial struggle in the first three days, I am already seeing some positive results. Besides regaining my energy and having a clear head, my skin is actually glowing! One thing you have to be very aware of when you start a detox, is how will it impact on your weekends? There is no way to avoid it if you are taking part in a 10 day long commitment. I decided to keep very busy on the Saturday and although there was a hole left in the weekend where the chocolate and wine should have been, the substantial dinner (Stir fry chicken breast with garlic, ginger, pak choi, courgette and broccoli with added brown rice) and busy social plans helped me through the first day of the weekend. The Organic Pharmacy 10 Day Detox provides you with meal suggestions and recipes throughout the process and I have been surprised by what I have liked and disliked! A surprising highlight was porridge for dinner, which was absolutely divine! Highlights of Days 4-7: Lots of energy, clear headed, glowing, healthy looking skin and sleeping better than ever. Lowlights of Days 4-7: Cooking food for other people I couldn’t eat! Favourite Meal: Porridge with almond milk and honey for dinner on day 4. Lunch Suggestions: Mint & Feta Salad (see below for ingredients, simply mix together and enjoy). 1 Romaine Lettuce (shredded) 4 Sprigs of chopped mint 1/2 cucumber 5 cherry tomatoes (halved) a handful of alfalfa sprouts 8 small cubes of feta cheese add 1 tbsp of olive oil, apple cider vinegar and a pinch of salt. Day 8-10 (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday) I wish I could say the whole weekend was as easy as Saturday. Sunday was a very different matter, in the morning the house smelt of coffee and bacon and I could have none of it! Just because you are detoxing it doesn’t mean that the things you would normally do each day come to a halt, I still cooked for my family but I have found it very hard to prepare food for them whilst I stuck to my detox diet. Sunday resulted in a sulk in my bedroom in the evening after I denied myself my usual weekend treats! I went back to work on Monday morning after feeling up and down all weekend, however, a week in and I am now feeling full of energy, super organised and very productive! Not the usual start on a Monday morning for me! My skin feels so clear and I didn't need to reach for the concealer today! I am sure I have lost weight, and the little bit of cellulite I have around my thighs is visibly reduced due to the dry body brushing and body oil each morning. The final day of detox arrived! I made it and I truly feel like it was worth it. I have been receiving lots of comments on how good my skin is looking and that I am slimmer (my stomach hasn’t been this flat in years!) I am really looking forward to cooking for and eating the same food as my family soon, but still worried about back tracking in my good work! Highlights of Day 8-10: My skin is really clear, stomach is feeling flatter than ever and received lots of lovely compliments! Lowlights of Day 8-10: Worrying about what happens when the detox is over. Favourite Meal: 2 scrambled eggs on seeded sour dough toast for dinner on day 9. Dinner Suggestion: Lime & Chilli soup 1/2 cup of brown rice 1/4 cup of pearly barley 4 cups of vegetable stock 6 shiitake mushrooms 1 spring onion 1/2 piece of ginger 1/2 red chilli (de-seeded) 2 sprigs of thyme 2 carrots Simmer brown rice and pearly barley in vegetable stock for 20 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for another 10 minutes. Season with lime or lemon and serve. Beyond Day 10 & conclusion: I did not go into the detox aiming to lose weight, however I have lost 4 ½ pounds over the 10 days and my stomach is feeling flat. I started my days after the detox as I mean to go on, I kicked off my day back to normal with a lemon and hot water and a smoothie – forgoing my usual coffee! I feel like I need less snacks through my day at my desk, and I even declined a glass of wine the first evening off! I would definitely do this again, however I would use my own recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There you go, a truly honest account of what happens to your body and skin through the 10 day detox from The Organic Pharmacy. If you are thinking about undergoing your first detox, remember these essential tips from The Organic Pharmacy to get you going: Shop seasonal, local and organic and choose a varied diet, which changes each day, and choose quality over quantity. Empty your cupboards of tempting food and drinks. Chew your food properly, digestion starts in the mouth. Listen to your body! Reduce alcohol and coffee intake, and replace sugar with small doses of natural alternatives. If you are detoxing soon, good luck and be happy and healthy! Shop here for: The Organic Pharmacy
