Step one:

When the season turns to clearer mornings and warmer days (not that we’ve had much of that lately), you can start thinking about some sort of cleaning, whether it’s for your home or your cars. For anyone new to cleaning, it can be a pretty scary word.

There is definitely something positive in going from the heaviness of heavy comfort foods to lighter cleansing nutritious foods. Not only that, there is more to choose from because the arrival of summer means more mature products.

To jump-start the cleansing process, it’s always a good idea to start lightening up your diet. In addition to fruits and vegetables, add plenty of dark green, leafy greenery. The best way to eat them is in the form of fresh vegetable juices and smoothies, especially if you are not used to eating fruits and vegetables, most people enjoy smoothies and juices. Cut back on processed foods, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol.

When you start eating lighter, you will feel the difference. Other benefits include clear skin, much less puffiness, better sleep, and much more energy than you know what to do with!

Your challenge for the next seven days:

Swap your regular breakfast for a fresh smoothie. You can make it yourself, which in that case, use 60% vegetables like spinach and 40% fruit. Do not use more than two fruits. Blend with a little water or 50% water and 50% pure fresh juice, if you prefer it a little sweeter. Coconut water is also wonderful. Alternatively, your local juice bar can make you a fresh one. Be sure to ask the server to add vegetables if they have some available. Green smoothies may look weird, but the greens won’t affect the taste.

Reduce or eliminate tea and coffee and opt for herbal teas, plain water, or alternative coffees like barley, dandelion, or chicory. Try something different each time until you find something you really like. Tip: Get samples when possible!

See how you look and feel at the end of the week.

Watch out for headaches and general malaise; Believe it or not, this is a good sign. Of course, if you’re feeling really bad, it could be a sign that you’re really toxic, or that the detox has bought into something that was already there. If that’s the case, stop everything.

With the general feeling of disgust, do not give up. Rest assured, these feelings will not last long. Just know, it’s supposed to happen, it’s called a healing crisis, you may have heard of it before, it’s true despite doctors’ reservations. Your body has to expel toxins through your cells, so yes, expect to feel bad before you feel good. You’ll feel great when you come out the other side.