10 Ways You Can Use Lemon Juice Instead of Toxic Chemicals for Health, Cleaning and Beauty

Contrary to all those catchy commercials, you don't need to use expensive products and toxic chemicals to clean your home, ease a cough, or soften your skin. Lemon juice can replace countless bottles of overpriced chemicals for a fraction of the cost. And I definitely rest easier using food-based products instead of exposing myself, my family and my pets to potentially irritating and toxic substances.

10 Creative Ways to Use Lemon Juice

1. Deodorize and Disinfect Your Kitchen

Surfaces like refrigerator shelves, counter tops and cutting boards need to be clean, but I can't imagine using harsh chemicals where I prepare and store food. Lemon juice is perfect for disinfecting all of these surfaces without leaving behind a toxic residue. It also removes unpleasant stains and odors, so my kitchen is fresh and clean.

 

2. Remove Grease and Grime

Lemon juice can power through grease and grime throughout the home. I use a mixture of lemon juice and salt to scrub away grease build-up in the kitchen or other work areas. Lemon juice can also help remove grease stains from clothing (but don't use on silks or other delicate fabrics).

 

3. Tone and Brighten Your Skin

Lemon juice is an astringent, which makes it perfect for treating blemishes and preventing break-outs. It also softens the skin, and over time can lighten scars and dark spots. Mix one part lemon juice with three parts water (or witch hazel) to use as a brightening toner for your skin after cleansing.

 

4. Aid Digestion and Detox

Adding a little fresh lemon juice to your water during meals can aid digestion. Drinking a glass of lemon water first thing in the morning is said to have a cleansing and energizing effect on the system (some even say it helps you lose weight!).

 

5. Soothe a Cough or Sore Throat

Stir together equal amounts of raw honey and fresh lemon juice. Take a spoonful as needed to ease coughing or treat a sore throat. I love this because it's so kid-friendly and it really helps! You can also stir the mixture in with warm water or herbal tea to ease cold symptoms. Buy quality raw honey online here.

 

6. Clean and Deodorize Your Toilet

Yes, the toilet can be icky. But that doesn't mean you have to use heavy chemicals to get your toilet bowl clean and sparkling. Instead, use a mixture of borax powder and lemon juice to get your toilet looking (and smelling!) like new.

 

7. Soften and Clean Your Hands

Lemon juice can remove stains and odors from your hands. It also softens and brightens the skin. (For really soft hands, try this Homemade Lemon Hand Scrub Recipe.)

 

8. Get Beautiful Sun-Kissed Highlights in Your Hair

Highlights in a box may sound convenient, but in reality hair color can irritate your scalp, damage your hair, and may not even come out looking natural. Save your money (and your hair) by using lemon juice instead! Simply spritz your hair with lemon juice before you go out in the sun. You can repeat as needed to get the level of highlights you want. As a side bonus, lemon juice rinses away build-up and gives your hair a beautiful shine.

 

9. Get Glass Sparkling Clean

Use one part lemon juice with ten parts water to clean windows, mirrors, coffee pots and more. Simply give the surface a light spray and wipe away with a microfiber cloth.

 

10. Remove Tarnish Naturally

Make a paste with lemon juice and salt. Apply the mixture to tarnished copper, chrome or brass. Let it sit for about ten minutes, then rinse and buff to a shine.

Do you have any tips or tricks for using lemon juice around the house? Share them in the comments below!

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Exploring the Root Causes of Acne

There comes a point when you've tried every single over-the-counter product you could find in your battle against the dreaded blight of acne... and yet still the battle rages on. You may have even crossed over to more natural methods of skincare like the honey face mask, homemade toner and coconut oil. And while these certainly help (I know from experience!), they fail to do one important thing: address the root causes of acne.

For a few, cleansing methods alone are enough to eradicate acne. But for the rest of us, there is something going on under the surface that is causing acne to rear its ugly head.

They say beauty isn't just skin deep. Well, neither is your acne.

Getting down to the root of the issue isn't easy. For one thing, we're all different. What causes my acne may have nothing to do with yours. It's all about how our bodies function as individuals. Still, while there are many factors that may be contributing to your acne, they all boil down to four simple categories:

1. Gut Health


2. Stress


3. Toxins


4. Hormonal Imbalance

Keep in mind that these can be tied together (and usually are). Stress can cause hormonal imbalances, poor gut health can cause toxins to build up, toxic overload can cause stress, etc. It's all just one big cycle of cause and effect. Because of this, you may have to address all four of these root issues to truly achieve clear skin (and excellent health). But many of you may experience dramatic results simply by identifying the one factor that's at the bottom of everything and addressing it accordingly.

Let's delve a little deeper into these four categories:

1. Gut Health

I put this one first for a reason--mainly because the condition of your gut affects your entire body far more than most of us realize. Balancing gut flora and rebuilding the strength of your gut lining is imperative to good health. An unhealthy gut system can contribute to toxic overload, hormonal imbalances and stress--gut health is truly the foundation of your overall health and well being.

Acne may actually be one of the first problems to surface when something in your gut isn't functioning properly. Better to catch this one early on than to wait until even more devastating symptoms arise. Simple ways to improve your gut health include eating probiotic foods like raw milk yogurt, taking herbal bitters to improve digestion, and having at least one cup of bone broth every day. Others find they experience more healing when they cut out more difficult to digest foods such as dairy and grains.

If you find yourself facing food intolerances, consider doing the GAPS diet or the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) in order to restore gut health and reverse food sensitivities. These are strict diets, but they are also only temporary and can be extremely effective at repairing a damaged gut.

2. Stress

Stress is a common root cause of acne because it raises adrenaline and cortisol levels. When these stress hormones are chronically elevated, certain health issues begin to crop up. Acne is just one of them (others include back pain, irritability, headaches, insomnia and more--read more about high cortisol here).

For me, a telltale sign of stress-induced acne is--for lack of a better term--bacne. I only experience breakouts on my back and shoulders when stress is the issue. Fortunately I rarely experience this anymore, most likely because I've put a lot of effort into learning to manage my stressors and deal with them in a more positive way. I've also taken up a few positive habits like yoga practice and getting plenty of quality sleep.

Read more about how to reduce stress or learn more about the effect of stress on the body.

3. Toxins

Let's face it: in many ways our world is more toxic than ever. Some suggest that when our systems are overloaded with toxins (think chemical dyes, pesticides, synthetic hormones, fluoride, chlorine, etc.), the body has trouble processing and eliminating all of them. This overload ends up manifesting itself as clogged pores and acne. If you are sensitive to certain chemicals, this may be doubly true. Melissa from The Cellulite Investigation has written extensively about her experience with fluoroderma and acne. For her, exposure to fluoride guarantees cystic acne breakouts. Read more about her thoughts on fluoroderma and acne here.

Whether you are sensitive to specific chemicals or just suffer from general toxic overload, practicing some simple detoxification methods may prove to be very helpful. Try things like dry brushing your skin, drinking a glass of warm lemon water first thing in the morning, oil pulling, taking Epsom salt baths, or rebounding.

4. Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal imbalance is another common underlying cause of acne, but unfortunately conventional medicine offers only one solution: birth control pills. Not my cup of tea!

But hormonal imbalances is last on my list simply because restoring gut health, managing stress and detoxing can all help balance your hormones. But for some, hormones are truly the root cause of their acne, and in that case it's an appropriate place to focus your efforts. I always recommend natural remedies for balancing hormones first and foremost. For instance, many people experience positive results with raw maca powder or vitex (chaste berry extract), both of which are well known for their ability to naturally balance hormones.

Elevated levels of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) may also contribute to your acne, especially if you experience mostly cystic acne along your jawline and chin. Herbs that balance DHT levels include saw palmetto extract and spearmint tea.

Managing blood sugar and insulin levels is also a key in balancing your hormones. Balanced, real food meals are the best way to get your blood sugar under control. Include some protein and fat with your carbs (specific amounts will vary based on your individual metabolism), and eat smaller meals to avoid drastic upswings in your blood sugar and insulin levels. Some people find specific foods trigger a blood sugar roller coaster. Refined white flour and white sugar seem to be the most common culprits.

If you suspect hormonal imbalance to be the root cause of your acne, then getting a hormone profile test may be needed to determine where you should focus your efforts and if bioidentical hormone replacement is necessary in your particular case.

Try to remember the bigger picture when figuring out the root causes of your acne. Addressing the above issues may not solve your acne woes overnight. It takes time to heal. Impatience will only conjure up feelings of stress--which we know does nothing to improve your complexion! So think long term and make healing your acne just as much about healing your body as a whole. That's when the real benefits happen.

This post is part of Fight Back Friday and Real Food Wednesday.

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The Number One Ingredient to Avoid

There is a detrimental ingredient lurking in our food. Often we don't even realize it's there. It could be in the ice cream you ate last night or the pizza you ordered yesterday. It could be in the homemade fermented sourdough bread you have every morning for breakfast. And--believe it or not--this ingredient could even be hiding in your grass-fed burger, your pastured eggs or the fresh berries and raw cream you have for dessert.

Yes, this ingredient can be present in every single food you eat... or none at all. It's all up to you.

The number one ingredient you need to avoid?

Guilt.

I know. Not what you wanted to hear.

Sorry. I know you wanted me to say MSG. Or fructose. Or omega-6 fatty acids or gluten or hydrolyzed soy protein... or some other commonly demonized ingredient. But no. Although there are certainly foods out there that can damage our bodies and brains, the most toxic food can't hold a candle to the destruction that can be incurred when every bite of food is swallowed with a hefty side of guilt, anxiety, fear or obsessive thinking.


Stressing About Food: It's No Way to Live

Don't get me wrong: there's nothing wrong with trying to eat healthy and live healthy. But it's not hard to cross the line from living healthfully to agonizing over every bite you take.

• Does figuring out what to eat for lunch trigger anxiety? 
• Do you try to make a healthy choice and then feel ashamed of it later because part of your meal didn't line up with some health guru's recommendations? 
• Are you constantly wondering which guru is right? 

What if all this anxiety and agony is causing more health problems than whatever food you may (or may not) be eating?

Don't believe me?

Don't underestimate how stress impacts your health!

And yes: anxiety, worry, fear, obsession, guilt and shame all fall under the category of stress. Stress triggers a cascade of endocrine response in the body. Essentially, too much stress floods your body with hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. An overload of these hormones can cause a myriad of health problems. Robert Sapolsky talks about this extensively in his book Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers. Here's a short list of health problems that can be caused by stress:

• Acne
• Panic attacks
• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Hair loss
• High blood sugar
• High insulin
• Insomnia
• Lower back pain
• Allergies
• Impotence
• Poor memory
• High blood pressure
• Arthritis
• Gut flora imbalance
• Fibromyalgia
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Suppressed immunity
• Asthma
• Accelerated aging
• Headaches
• Depression
• Loss of lean tissue mass

And that's the short list. Basically, stress is not your friend, especially the chronic kind. And believe me, worrying about what you'll eat and then feeling guilty afterward definitely translates into stress.

After all, aren't all the problems listed above the kind you're trying to overcome by eating healthy food? So don't thwart your efforts by replacing junk foods with obsessive thought patterns and negative emotions like shame and guilt.

So what do you do? Sure, work towards eating food that gives you a sense of health and vitality. But don't let your eating choices rule your life.

Enjoy your food and enjoy your life without the bondage of anxiety and guilt!


Read More!

Check out these posts about stress and health:

• 7 Keys to Reducing Stress
• Why Stress is Killing You and How to Stop It
• Cortisol and Your Weight
  

This post is part of Real Food Wednesday.


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Falling in Love With Non-Toxic Cookware

I have a love/hate relationship with cookware. I love the idea of buying cookware... I hate actually shopping for it... I love cooking with it... I hate cleaning it... I love that it helps me prepare meals for my family...

I hate that it can leach toxins into our food!!!

We talked in June about the problems with modern cookware. It's not easy to find cookware that doesn't leave toxic deposits in your dinner. And then, if you do find something that seems promising, it's obviously going to be pricey!

Ain't it purdy?

So when Cookware.com offered to let me try a piece of cookware out to review on my blog, I knew just what I wanted: something from Le Creuset! During my research into safe cookware, Le Creuset stood out as a high-quality brand. Not only is their enamel-coated cookware safe, it looks flat out awesome.

So I picked out the Le Creuset 6-quart stockpot. In the color caribbean, which makes me think of a beach in the Bahamas every time I look at it, so I keep it out on my stove even when I'm not using it. I think of it as stress-relieving cookware.

I've only had this stockpot for a few weeks, and I've already used it to make chili, mashed potatoes, tomato soup, and some excellent macaroni and cheese (made with gluten-free pasta). My first recipe was the mac and cheese, which I've made several times before so I wanted to see how it turned out in this pot. It actually stuck a little to the bottom and overcooked a portion of it. At first I thought this was going to be a problem with the cookware, but as it turns out, the darn thing conducts heat so well that it cooks things a whole lot faster than you're used to. Since then, I've had no problems whatsoever as long as I keep the heat on the low side once the stockpot gets warmed up.

My Le Creuset stockpot gets extra points for being scratch resistant. I decided to really put it to the test and I used an electric mixer inside the pot to fluff up my mashed potatoes. The whole time I was wincing because I was just sure I was going to scratch my beloved new pot. But nope: I inspected it thoroughly after dinner and there wasn't a scratch in sight. I am officially impressed.

Now, clean up is a big deal to me. Doing the dishes--though possibly one of the easier household tasks--is my most hated chore. I love my dishwasher, so I'm always wary of cookware that won't go in it. Luckily, my new stockpot is dishwasher safe. Hooray! But I'll confess I'm still in the honeymoon phase with my new cookware and have been lovingly washing it by hand after every use. (Yes, I know that's weird.)

If I had to be picky, I would have to note that the side handles on the pot do tend to get hot during cooking, so I keep my oven mitts handy when I'm using it. The handle on the lid, however, remains cool enough to touch.

I wish I had something bad to say about this stockpot. Pros and cons are so much more fun than just lavish praise. But, seriously, the only downside to this cookware is the price. Since my stockpot is enamel-on-steel, it's more affordable than the enamel-on-cast-iron pieces, though, at around $40. I would personally love the set shown to the right, but at $400 that's just a wee bit out of my price range at the moment. But a girl can dream, right?





This post is part of Simple Lives Thursday at Gnowfglins and Fight Back Friday hosted by Food Renegade.

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Weight Loss Wednesday: The REAL Causes Behind Weight Problems

Today I'm excited to feature a guest post by Raine Saunders and her site Agriculture Society, where she tackles important real food topics like sustainable living, holistic healing, nutritional therapy, food politics and much more. If you haven't checked out her posts on food recalls, the liver/gallbladder cleanse or the hidden costs of industrial food, I highly recommend checking out her blog!

Do you struggle to lose weight? Do you have trouble gaining weight? Both of these problems are actually related to one another, as they can be a sign of toxicity in the body and an inability of the digestive tract to properly absorb the food you eat. Inability to absorb nutrients from food is actually caused by poor diet. When you eat processed foods, over time your digestive tract becomes irritated and those chemicals in the foods you eat begin to penetrate the lining of your intestines, causing inflammation, weight gain (or inability to maintain proper weight), and disease.

Many people undergo fad diets and plan to lose weight, only to fail and gain the weight back. Most diets promise that you will be able to lose weight and aren't able to deliver. Why? Because most diets work from the premise that you'll have to avoid certain foods that are high in saturated fats, cholesterol, and calories. Whether you are overweight or not, your body needs saturated fats, cholesterol, and calories to obtain enough fuel and nutrients. If you are counting calories, you can count on still being overweight. The key is what types of foods you are eating which contain cholesterol and saturated fats. These ingredients are not the same in all foods. If you are eating whole foods, these substances are not only safe to eat but are necessary to health.

When you eat unhealthy foods, the calories are irrelevant because most, if not all of those calories, are unhealthy. A diet soda is no healthier than a regular soda because it contains less or no calories. Sodas -- diet in particular -- are full of chemicals your body doesn't recognize. You are better off to discontinue drinking sodas (and juice) altogether due to the high sugar content as well as other ingredients that won't do your body any good.

When you eat healthy foods, those calories are all healthy to consume because they come from nature and give your body everything it needs to absorb and utilize nutrients for health. When doctors tell you to avoid red meat, they are saying this because the typical red meat most people consume is from factory farms -- laden with chemicals, antibiotics, hormones, and the animals whose meat you are eating have been fed the wrong types of food -- corn, soy, and grain (much of it genetically modified and herbicide resistant).

Cattle are meant to consume grass as they are ruminants -- an animal equipped with a stomach specifically designed to digest grasses. When ruminants are fed other types of feed such as grain, soy, and corn, they become ill and farmers administer antibiotics. Farmers in factory farm environments are also concerned with profit and give their animals growth hormones and stabilizers -- all of this translates into unhealthy meat that causes many health problems - including heart disease, cancer, and Diabetes. Factory farm meat is obese meat. Grass fed meat contains the correct ratios of healthy nutrients -- low calorie, high protein, and with higher levels of omega 3s (plus CLA or conjugated linoleic acid). These factors have been found to have favorable effects on health such as helping to maintain proper weight and correct cholesterol levels.

Overweight individuals usually have detoxification issues and digestive disorders. If you have eaten poorly throughout your life, chances are you will have both. Digestive issues are caused by poor eating, leading to the storing of toxins which causes weight gain. When you get control of your toxification issues, you will then be able to lose pounds and arrive at the appropriate weight for your body size and type.

Any diet which encourages an individual to lose more than 5 pounds a month and recommends eating less calories and low-fat foods should raise a red flag. Overweight does not mean starvation nor elimination of important, nutrient-dense foods -- but that's exactly what many diets propose for the person trying to lose weight. Your body still needs fuel, even when you are overweight. And what you are probably lacking in most of all is nutrients that keep your body at normal weight levels and maintain a sense of well-being. An alteration in the way you eat should not be a diet but a lifestyle change. Until you understand this difference, you will likely continue to have weight issues.

If you are underweight, what you eat is still of crucial importance. Some people believe that if they are thin, they can eat poorly and it won't matter because eating that way won't cause weight gain. Even if you are fortunate enough that you don't easily gain weight, you can still damage your health from maintaining such a philosophy. Don't eat junk food to gain weight; if you truly need to gain some pounds, make your diet as healthy as possible. Eat plenty of organic fruits and vegetables, grass-fed, organic meats (both domestic and wild), safe fish, moderate amounts of sprouted, whole grains (avoid products made of flour), sprouted nuts and seeds, healthy oils such as butter, tallow and lard from healthy animals on pasture, extra virgin olive oil, raw, organic dairy products, and moderate amounts of legumes and rice.

Exercise, proper sleep, and stress reduction is also critical in the overall picture of health and maintaining proper weight. Employ a moderate exercise program that you engage in 3-4 times weekly and is appropriate for your fitness level. It is especially important to find something you enjoy and look forward to that is a source of stress release as well as exercise. If you are in doubt, consult with your health care practitioner or a personal trainer. 

Excessive, unaddressed stress, anxiety, or depression can also cause an individual to harbor excess weight or cause the inability to gain weight. If you need stress reduction, consider yoga, pilates, prayer, meditation, or counseling which focuses on varying forms of cognitive therapy (as opposed to pharmaceutical intervention which can often make problems worse or only be a band-aid).

Getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night is important, and making sure you retire around 10 p.m. is also critical toward helping maintain proper weight.

If you are unable to lose or gain weight after eating a truly healthy diet, you may need to address toxification and digestive issues. In many cases, these problems can be easily solved naturally without drugs or surgery. Consult with a knowledgeable health care practitioner about the correct type of detox and/or digestive remedy for your individual needs. Good individuals to inquire with include a naturopathic doctor, a certified nutritional therapist, a chiropractor, or a nutritional counselor who can refer you to another qualified professional.

Let's do a comparison of several different types of foods. Decide which are healthier to eat:

• Packaged bread or grain product or real, whole, sprouted grains that have been soaked or fermented
  
• Pasteurized, homogenized, 2 percent milk or whole, raw milk
• Lean, "low-fat" ground turkey which has been fed grains, corn and soy (possibly with growth hormones and antibiotics ) or natural, organic grass-fed ground beef with no chemicals, growth hormones, or antibiotics
• Tofu or pasture-raised, natural eggs (no antibiotics, chemicals)
• Conventional produce or sustainable produce grown without chemicals

In all cases, any foods which are processed and contain chemicals will contribute to weight issues and health disorders. Natural, healthy foods with saturated fats and cholesterol are necessary for health. Proper cholesterol cannot be maintained without these foods, and weight trouble and health issues will arise from eating processed low-fat foods such as soy, dairy, and meats which are "engineered" by technology through administration of chemicals/hormones/antibiotics and the feeding of unnatural types of feeds such as soy, grains, and corn.

As these foods represent the bulk of what is available in mainstream grocery stores and markets, these foods are eaten by the majority of people. These are also the main kinds of foods recommended by many conventional health professionals to be consumed. This is the reason why America has such an obesity and health epidemic. When we can finally make the distinction between real, whole foods for tools of healing and health, our chronic diseases and illnesses will finally be an exception rather than a rule.



This post is part of Pennywise Platter Thursday hosted by The Nourishing Gourmet and Simple Lives Thursday hosted by Gnowfglins.

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Color Me... Toxic? A Doctor's Take on Artificial Colors in Our Food

This is a guest post by Dr. Michael Teplitsky, author of Nutrition and Your Health. His book is a great guide to the basics of real food eating, including why saturated fat and cholesterol are healthy, which supplements are the best and more. I think this is a great resource, plus coming from a doctor it could be a great way to get those stubborn relatives into real food, too! You can read my interview with Dr. Teplitsky at this post and find out more about his book here.

Artificial colors are man-made, synthetic chemicals that are used to make processed foods look better. They are also added to drugs and cosmetic products. These chemicals do not make you healthy. In fact, your body does not need them at all. By definition, you will not find them in real, unprocessed foods, the kind that your body was designed to thrive on.

Artificial colors have to be listed on the label, so look for them. There are quite a few of them approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They usually start with the letters FD&C, which stands for Food, Drugs and Cosmetics.

Here is a partial list:

FD&C Blue No. 1

FD&C Blue No. 2

FD&C Green No. 3

Orange B

Citrus Red No. 2

FD&C Red No. 3

FD&C Red No. 40

FD&C Yellow No. 5

FD&C Yellow No. 6

The colors come in two basic forms – dyes and lakes. Dyes are water-soluble, lakes are not. Regardless of the form, all artificial colors contain dangerous chemicals, including toxic metals, such as mercury, lead, and arsenic.

These chemicals accumulate in the body and can cause health problems. This is especially true in kids, who are particularly sensitive to the effect of toxic chemicals. Artificial colors have been linked to hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder in children.

The best way to avoid artificial colors is to not eat processed foods. I mean anything that comes in a box, can, or any other kind of package. Most processed foods have additives, such as colors, flavors, preservatives, and other unnatural things.

Think of apple, broccoli or steak. These are examples of natural, unprocessed foods that you should make the cornerstone of your diet.

Elizabeth here: Toxic metals in food coloring? Ew. I just did a post on detoxing from these metals here. Check it out if you've ever eaten fruit roll-ups or the like (haven't we all? I did, like, every day for lunch when I was a kid!).

Oh, and I announced the winner of the Renew You 2010 MP3 giveaway earlier today. Check it out here. Even if you didn't win you can contact me to get a great coupon code if you want to purchase the MP3 package!

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Natural Heavy Metal Detox With Chlorella and Spirulina

From aluminum in deodorant to mercury in dental fillings, metal toxicity comes at us from every angle these days. The presence of these heavy metals (and others such as arsenic, cadmium and lead) has increased as industrialization and its waste products spread. We can work to avoid these substances as much as possible, but some exposure is still bound to occur. Since even small amounts of heavy metals in the body can cause negative side effects like fatigue, headaches, digestive problems and skin conditions, it’s important to use natural methods to cleanse your body of these toxins.

Why Spirulina and Chlorella Are Effective for Heavy Metal Detox

The answer to natural heavy metal detoxification is as simple as a single-celled organism. Spirulina and chlorella are two separate micro-algae organisms which have existed on earth since the dawn of time. Both were revered as powerful superfoods in many traditional societies, and today are more relevant than ever for achieving overall health and well-being.

Spirulina has been shown as an effective chelating agent for removing toxins such as mercury, and even radioactive substances from the body. It has also been used to remove cadmium and lead from waste water.

While some detoxifying supplements simply release toxins from cells and tissues, chlorella is particularly adept at binding to toxic metals and ushering them out of the entire system. Chlorella contains proteins and peptides which are designed to bind to these substances and carry them out of the body. The chlorophyll in chlorella also aids heavy metal detoxification.

Other Amazing Health Benefits

Just as important as their ability to detox heavy metals, both spirulina and chlorella exhibit strong healing and regenerating capabilities. They are filled with beneficial vitamins, minerals, proteins and fats which work together in a synergistic way to provide energy and vitality.

Appropriate Dosage

Spirulina and chlorella can be used in very high doses for heavy metal detox. This is because they are essentially foods, not manufactured supplements. Because they are so effective at binding toxins and purging them from the body, they can actually reduce some of the common side effects associated with detoxification.

A typical dosage of spirulina or chlorella for heavy metal detox is about 20 - 30 grams per day. They can be used together if desired. You may want to start with as little as 500mg daily and work up as needed to allow your body to adjust. After completing detox, you can taper down to a maintenance dosage of 3 - 6 grams per day.

It’s important to find a manufacturer of spirulina or chlorella who takes the proper steps to ensure a clean and digestible product free from fillers and additives. A little research can reveal which manufacturers are the most reputable. Natural spirulina from Hawaii is one of the most highly recommended. Chlorella is a little more difficult to source but there are some reputable brands out there.

On a side note: I've heard that iodine can also aid metal detox in high doses. There is some controversy about mega-dosing on iodine, but experts like David Brownstein claim that adults need a daily dose of 12.5 mg (waaaaay higher than the RDA). You can read more about this in his book Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It and decide for yourself. Ann Marie from Cheeseslave also did some great posts on iodine here and here.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for the Renew You 2010 teleseminar on MP3! Read more about it here. You can also find a preview of the free online seminar here and listen to some of these amazing women speak about everything from ending sugar addiction to budgeting to sex. You can listen to the whole teleseminar for RIGHT NOW and until Monday the 28th (sign up here). After that MP3s will be available for purchase.

This post is part of Pennywise Platter Thursday at The Nourishing Gourmet and Fight Back Friday at Food Renegade!

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Safe Cookware: The Safest Cookware and the Most Toxic Cookware

Finding safe cookware is an important part of detoxing. If you're serious about detoxing, then you know it's important to limit your future exposure to toxins as much as possible. We may take time to choose organic and to avoid chemical food additives, but these aren't the only toxins that can be present in our food. Our cookware may also be contributing to our toxic state.

Think about it, you want to cook with your pots and pans, but you don't want to eat them. And frankly, most modern cookware leaches toxins right into the food we're eating. So that's not just an omelet you're tasting--you could be munching on some not so nourishing aluminum or fluorotelomers.

The topic of safe cookware is somewhat controversial. For instance, some say stainless steel is safe, while others warn that acidic foods may cause toxic nickel, cobalt and chromium to leach into your food (read more about that in this article).

TOXIC COOKWARE

Aluminum. This is a highly toxic metal, linked to Alzheimer's and dementia among other conditions. Aluminum conducts heat quickly, which is why it's often used in cookware. The problem is aluminum also leaches very easily, especially when heated or exposed to acid foods (tomato soup, anyone?). Avoid cheap cookware made of aluminum. Now, some cookware has an aluminum core surrounded in a safer cooking material, and these may be an acceptable choice. But they carry a risk if the surface is damaged. Basically, you don't want your food touching aluminum, especially if it's heated.

Teflon/Non-stick. This is one of the most common types of cookware, but Teflon and other non-stick surfaces can release toxic fumes into the air when overheated (and how often have you accidentally left a pan too long on the stove?). And another trouble is this cookware scratches easily if you're not careful, so flecks of non-stick material can mix in unnoticed with your food. Plus your food is exposed to the metal underneath--most likely aluminum. So, non-stick cookware is a definite no-no.

SAFE COOKWARE (MAYBE)

Stainless Steel. Even though there are concerns with stainless steal cookware, I'm not quite sure I'd put it on the "never buy" list. It's still a safer option than the two types listed above and still in a somewhat affordable price range. I would caution against using stainless steel for acidic dishes, especially those that need to be slow-cooked for longer periods of time. Stainless steel is definitely not non-stick, so keep that in mind when using it so your eggs don't glue themselves to the pan.

Anodized Aluminum. While it is made of aluminum, anodized aluminum cookware has been electro-chemically anodized to make a more stable cooking surface. As long as it's in good shape, this may be a safe option. I'm hesitant to wholeheartedly endorse it as harmless, but it is kinda neat that it's also non-stick and scratch-resistant.

GENERALLY SAFE COOKWARE

Ceramic. This old-fashioned cookware is one of the safer kinds. There's also some kind of nostalgic enjoyment in using ceramic cookware. Things just look nourishing when served up in ceramic. The one potential problem with ceramic is that if it's produced by individuals or made in a foreign country it could very well contain lead in the glaze. Larger, domestic producers would be the safer bet.

Cast Iron. Another old-fashioned favorite, cast iron cookware is probably one of the safest cookware options available. It can also be pretty non-stick if seasoned properly. Seasoning requires a little extra work (typically coating with oil and baking at high heat for about an hour; your cookware should come with detailed instructions), and cast iron is pretty heavy (maybe cooking with it could be considered a good workout?). But overall I say no kitchen is complete without at least one or two cast iron pieces. And it's very versatile: it can go straight from the stovetop and into the oven. Trust me, you can make some awesome cornbread in one of these.

Enameled Cast Iron. This is even a step up from regular cast iron, because the enamel surface is easy to cook with and clean (dishwasher-safe). You also don't have to worry about seasoning enameled cast iron cookware. It generally comes with a hefty price tag, but if you have the cash to spend, it would probably make a worthy investment. The pricey Le Creuset brand even offers an impressive 99 year warranty!

Of course, it's not easy to shell out the cash for new cookware, especially when you're trying to afford better quality food. But it's definitely a good investment for your health. If your current cookware is in good shape, you can probably squeak by if you're being careful with it and replacing a little at a time. However, if you've got scratch-and-dent Teflon you might want to consider taking the plunge and replacing it with something safer.

This post is part of Real Food Wednesday hosted by Kelly the Kitchen Kop and Fight Back Friday at Food Renegade!

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