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Why Spring is the Best Time to Love Your Liver

Tag Archives: detox

Why Spring is the Best Time to Love Your Liver

 

Why Spring is the Best Time to Love Your Liver | The Hormone Diva
Spring always makes me feel so energized. It’s like I’ve been hibernating and my mind and body wake up after months of bad weather. Although, I am not complaining- this past winter here in Ontario was milder than any I’ve seen in my life. The big caveat: no SUN! I’m no stranger to feeling the blues and extra lethargic during the winter. 
 
This is why I love to clean out my liver after a long winter. We know that our livers are intricately connected to our hormones, especially if estrogen dominance and its symptoms are issues you deal with. 
 
Does the time of year your clean your liver really matter? Yes! 
 

Your Liver 

Liver

Your liver is definitely an organ to love. Located in the upper right side of your abdomen, it is your body’s main detoxifier. Everything we eat, drink, breathe and absorb eventually ends up in the liver to be detoxified.
 

Liver + Hormones = ❤️

Symptoms of an Overloaded Liver

  • acne
  • bloating or gas
  • weight gain or inability to reduce weight
  • eczema
  • premenstrual mood swings
  • constipation
  • irritable bowel syndrome
  • anger or aggression 
  • low energy
  • hypoglycemia or insulin resistance 
  • bad body odor

How it Works

 
The liver essentially acts like a sewage treatment plant in your body. Constantly bustling, the liver filters everything that we put into and on our bodies. Once our liver has separated out the nutrients and other compounds we need, it readies the waste to be removed from the body (through your pee and poo!).
 
Through 2 phases, this is how your liver detoxifies hormones:
 
Phase 1: During phase one, substances that come into the liver are either fully metabolized or converted into another form to be metabolized further in phase two. Phase one just so happens to be the phase in which estrogen is metabolized. The liver converts the main form of estrogen, estradiol, into another form known as estrone. Any excess is then excreted from your body.
 
The thing about phase one that makes phase two so important is that sometimes the conversions that take place create compounds that are actually harmful to your health. For example, when estradiol is being converted to estrone, it is first converted into a few other forms of estrogen, which have potentially harmful effects. If your liver doesn’t complete hormone metabolism properly, these harmful estrogens could contribute to hormonal imbalances like sore breasts, heavy periods, PCOS, Endometriosis and even breast cancer.
 
Phase 2:  During phase two a process known as conjugation begins. During conjugation, amino acids (from protein) are combined with hormones and other substances in order to make them water soluble for easy excretion. It is important to support phase two of your liver as well as phase one so hormones are not built up in your system, or created into something potentially harmful.  Many fat-soluble toxins like excess or harmful forms of estrogen require bile for proper excretion. If you do not have your gallbladder, are taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy you may have problems excreting built-up hormones.
 
 

Detox Tea | The Hormone Diva

 

Why Spring is Awesome For Your Liver

 
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there is something called the 5 Element Theory. Within this theory, practitioners have broken down the seasons into 5 parts, with corresponding 5 major organs and 5 elements. In spring, the theory says that the liver and wind element are dominant.
 

What the fudge is this about?

 
According to TCM, the liver is very susceptible to the strong forces of wind in spring (and as I write this the trees in front of my house are being blown like crazy) and can create imbalances. So, strengthening the liver during this time is extremely beneficial to health.
 
If your liver is not strong, TCM says you may experience emotional turmoil, feel resentment, aggression, edginess and even compulsive behaviour. Who the hell wants this plus wacky hormones? Yeah. . .No. 
 
Beyond Chinese Medicine, spring is when new foods are finally coming up. Even new weeds, like dandelion are extremely beneficial to the liver. Getting those first baby greens of the season helps to bind toxins (with their fibre), cleanse the liver and kidneys, and super-saturate your body with enzymes, vitamins, minerals and other phytochemicals to increase your energy. 
 
Lastly, the increased levels of sunshine during the spring assists us to increase our Vitamin D supply, which tends to be lowest at the end of winter because our stores have been used up. Vitamin D isn’t just for your mood- is actually helps the liver as well. Vitamin D reduces the risk of liver-related disease like cirrhosis and NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease). Not to mention that the happier and stronger your liver is, the happy and stronger your hormones will be as well. 
 

Detox Tea | The Hormone Diva

 

Here’s a few simple ways to start loving your liver:

 
  • Eliminate processed foods and trans fats – think fried foods and anything that comes in a bag, box or carton.
  • Reduce your exposure to environmental toxins like pesticides, herbicides and endocrine disruptors (i.e.: that freaky BPA stuff we’ve all heard about in plastics)
  • Eat a wide variety of clean, whole foods- lots of fibre, protein and fat with every meal
  • Drink plenty of water every day – aim to drink your body weight in ounces every day.
  • Exercise and move your body regularly
  • Participate in a detox 2-4 times per year to help your liver along
  • Drink warm water with lemon and/or raw apple cider vinegar every morning before breakfast
 
 

Have you considered your liver as part of your healing journey? What does spring mean to you in terms of your health? Please share in the comments!

By Robyn - Check out my quiz

How to Make a Blissful Detox Bath

To me, there’s nothing more relaxing than taking a hot bath. When I was a little girl, it was all about the bubbles! 
 
I’ve always been a lover of bath stuff- bath bombs, bath bubbles, bath salts- you name it, I’ve tried it!
 
The poopy part is that most of these items are FULL of hormone-disurpting chemicals. Not to mention they can cause vaginal yeast infections by upsetting the pH of your delicate lady flower- and that’s everything BUT relaxing. 
 
So what’s a bath lover to do?
 
My ritual is to do a detox bath. A detox bath has totally natural ingredients that not only help you to feel peaceful, but also provide some health benefits. 
 
I like to do this weekly, but I increase it when I’m doing a detox or cleanse, to assist my body in detoxifying deeper. 
 
Here’s the scoop on the bath, followed by the easy recipe.
 

Detox Tea | The Hormone Diva

Baking Soda

Adding baking soda to your detox bath will help to neutralize the chemicals in the water, like chlorine, if you do not use filtered water in your bath. It’s also helpful for assisting the pH of your skin.
 

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

Raw, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar is rich in natural minerals, vitamins, probiotics and enzymes. Supplying these nutrients to the body is super important when you’re detoxing, as it helps all the systems in the body to purge out toxins.  It also assists in balancing the pH of your skin. If you have itchy skin or other skin problems, soaking in water with this vinegar can be very helpful. Note this is not recommended if you have open sores.
 

Epsom Salts

Epsom salts are made of magnesium sulfate- a mineral your body needs abundantly.  Epsom salts help to draw toxins out of your skin and you absorb some of the magnesium through your skin, restoring your body’s levels of the mineral.  Magnesium plays a critical role in over 300+ reactions in the body, including relaxing your muscles and nerves (by-by muscle tightness and anxiety!), reduces inflammation and improves blood flow and oxygenation throughout our bodies.  A huge benefit many people see when soaking in an epsom salt bath is better sleep. Magnesium is a fantastic muscle relaxant, making it excellent for those who are restless at night. NOTE: only purchase unscented epsom salts. The idea is to get rid of the chemicals, and you’ll be adding your own scent with essential oils. 
 
Detox Tea | The Hormone Diva
 

Ground Ginger Powder

The ground ginger powder is simply the same thing you’d use to spice your food. I buy mine at my local bulk foods store so I can get more than those little spice packets sold in the grocery store. The ginger is anti-inflammatory, and encourages sweating. When you sweat a lot in the bath, you’re releasing more toxins. You’ll need to rinse out your tub after the bath when using ginger. 
 

Essential Oils

Essential oils are concentrated extracts from various plants. Please note that I do not recommend taking essential oils internally. My favourite relaxing oils to use in the bath are lavender, chamomile, clary sage, bergamot, geranium and vanilla. If you are sick, eucalyptus and peppermint make great additions to the bath.  
 
 
Detox Bath
2016-03-24 14:04:23
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Ingredients
  1. 1-2 cups epsom salts
  2. 1 cup raw apple cider vinegar
  3. 1/2 cup baking soda
  4. 2 tbsp ground ginger powder
  5. 5-10 drops total of your favourite essential oil(s)
Instructions
  1. Put all ingredients in a fairly hot bath. Not hot enough to scald, but the idea is to sweat those toxins out!
  2. Bring a large glass of water into the bath with you. You will sweat, and so it’s important to replenish hydration. You could add some Vitamin C powder to the drinking water if you wish.
  3. Soak in the tub for 20-40 minutes.
  4. Get out of the tub slowly, and continue to drink water after the bath.
Notes
  1. You may want to time this bath right before bed. Most women find it makes them quite sleepy, and they sleep like a baby.
  2. You can also replenish your electrolytes after the bath with coconut water or water with a little bit of grey sea or pink himalayan salt and some vitamin C powder.
By Robyn Srigley - The Hormone Diva
The Hormone Diva http://thehormonediva.com/
 

Have you tried a Detox Bath? How blissful did you feel? Please share in the comments!

By Robyn - Check out my quiz

7 Foods That Will Make a BIG Difference With Your Belly Bloat

Are you constantly nursing a ‘food baby’ belly? That bloated, round, sticky-outy thing that just won’t go down? I’ve definitely been there, done that too many times to count. I remember eating ENTIRE tubs of ice cream in one sitting with a boyfriend in high school. Then there was the period when I would stop for an ice cream cone on the way to work every afternoon. Mmmm….now I’m thinking ice cream! Good thing I can turn that off.
 
What gives? There are many causes of bloating, including:
 
  • Hormonal Imbalance
  • Dysbiosis (improper gut bacteria)
  • Toxicity
  • Nutrient Deficiency (think B6)
  • Food Sensitivities
  • Low Stomach Acid (HCl)
  • Leaky Gut
  • Candida (Yeast) Overgrowth
  • Parasites
  • And the list goes on. . .
 
The good news is that we can transform all of the above problems into pay dirt with FOOD. Below I’ve outlined my top 7 de-bloat foods to include in your yummy-tummy nourishment. Oh, and a RECIPE! 
 

Lemon

Lemons help to liquify fat-digesting bile which assists the liver in detoxifying and providing proper digestion. Lemon is also anti-bacterial for bugs in your gut and can help the fight against parasites in your body. Lemons are fantastic because they are alkalizing to the body, and can stimulate digestive enzymes to keep everything running smoothly. 

Detox Tea | The Hormone Diva

Cucumber

Cucumbers actually have tons of nutrients in them, plus they are super hydrating and you need hydration to make enough digestive fluid to properly break down the food you eat- or else that bloat is gonna stay. Cucumbers (with the skin) have lots of fibre as well, to keep good bacteria fed and to keep that colon clean. 
 

Chia Seeds

There’s a bunk load of fibre in chia seeds, which as you know from above helps with your bowels and your belly. Because of their great ratio of fibre, protein and omega-3s fats, some people have experienced weight loss with their consumption. 
 

Apple Cider Vinegar

Make sure to get RAW apple cider vinegar. It contains live enzymes and probiotics which feed your starving gut the shiz that it wants. Enzymes and probiotics are what make our digestion happen! ACV is potently antibacterial, so great for getting rid of belly bad-guys. Preliminary studies have shown that it can also assist in moderate weight loss over time. 

Detox Tea | The Hormone Diva

Salmon

Salmon is anti-inflammatory, and could have the potential to reduce gut inflammation. Salmon is also easy to digest, unlike harsher proteins like beef. There are also tons of cognitive, bone, and heart protective benefits of this fish. Try for wild salmon whenever possible- it’s way more loaded with the good stuff.
 

Green Shit

Leafy greens, if I’m being specific. Greens like spinach, kale, collard greens, mustard greens, swiss chard, spring greens and sprouts (I’m in love with onion and broccoli sprouts- but sunflower are sweet too). These veggies are FULL of everything nutritious. Tons of B vitamins, iron and magnesium. Magnesium helps with muscle relaxation and contraction, and you’re gizzards are muscle too! These greens are also full of fibre, helping to pass food through your digestive tract in a timely manner so you don’t get bloat and gut fermentation happening. 

 

Avocados

Avocados have a good amount of protein, or more specifically building-block amino acids which can help repair your gut lining. This will decrease inflammation and allow a healthy gut to flourish. Again like most others there’s lots of fibre, making them you gut’s best friend. The fats in avocados may help you to feel full and curb hunger or cravings. 
 
Salmon with Avocado Lemon Sauce and Sautéed Greens
2015-12-03 11:04:57
Serves 4
A scrumptious and nourishing meal for excellent digestion and hormonal balance.
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Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
20 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
20 min
For the salmon
  1. Four 4-oz fillets of salmon, deboned
  2. 2 tbsp olive oil
  3. Salt and pepper to taste
For the sauce
  1. 2 avocados, pitted
  2. 1 tbsp fresh dill
  3. 1 tbsp fresh parsley
  4. 2-3 green onions (scallions)
  5. juice and zest of one lemon
  6. water or broth to thin
  7. 1-2 tsp coconut aminos or gluten-free tamari
  8. 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  9. 1-2 anchovies fillets (optional)
  10. salt and pepper to taste
  11. 1/2 tsp onion powder
For the greens
  1. 4-6 cups spinach, or a few leaves of kale or collard greens per person
  2. 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
  3. 1 tbsp coconut oil
  4. lemon juice (optional) (I like to use raw apple cider vinegar with kale)
  5. salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper, and place the salmon filets on the sheet. Sprinkle with olive oil and salt and pepper. Put in the oven and roast until cooked through, about 20-25 minutes (depending on your oven + fish thickness).
  2. Meanwhile, make the sauce. In a blender, place all ingredients avocados through onion powder. Blend until smooth. Add water or broth throughout to achieved desired consistency (I like mine on the thin side).
  3. During the last 5-7 minutes of the salmon cooking, make the spinach/greens. Heat a pan over medium heat with coconut oil until hot. Throw in garlic, and sauté 1-2 minutes- but don’t burn! Then add spinach or other greens and continually stir until all spinach is wilted and bright green. If it starts to take on the colour of those yucky canned green beans you’ve cooked it too long! Just before serving, add lemon juice is using and salt and pepper.
  4. Take out salmon once cooked and flaking easily. Serve on top of spinach drizzled with avocado sauce.
Notes
  1. NOTE: I used a mixture of collard greens and rapini in the picture. Use extra avocado sauce on any proteins of choice, as a salad dressing, veggies dip or sandwich spread.
By Robyn Srigley
The Hormone Diva http://thehormonediva.com/
 
Using recipes and foods like these will reduce your bloat in the moment. To truly exterminate your bloat, fixing the root cause through detoxification and lifestyle adjustments is the no-brainer choice any savvy woman like you will make. 
 
By Robyn - Check out my quiz

Ditch the Detox Myths

Detoxing and cleansing have been (and are!) very hot topics. Everyone wants to detox the gunk out of their body, often in the hopes of weight loss, glowing skin and increased energy. You may be wondering: Why doesn’t this happen when I try it?

 

I hear you- I’ve been there. Over the years I’ve tried many different types of cleanses, including:

  • Mono diet (I ate nothing but apples for a whole day)
  • 10 bottles of supplements detoxes
  • Whole foods detoxes
  • Smoothie-only cleansing
  • And others. . .

 

My problem with the majority of these programs (save the whole foods cleanses) is that they just don’t work. I feel like shit for the entire time, don’t lose any weight, feel irritable and like I want to scratch my (or someone else’s) eyes out. Not conducive to transformation. Not conducive to happiness. Being grouchy and hungry doesn’t make me happy- it makes me grouchy and hungry.

 

Did you feel these symptoms on your last detox? Or did hearing about these symptoms stop you from trying a detox? There are a whole host of symptoms people experience on improperly designed cleansing programs. There’s nothing inherently wrong with cleansing, and in fact I wouldn’t be where I am today with my health without them- BUT it shouldn’t feel like punishment. It should be a fun, reflective + transformative ride.

 

It shouldn’t feel like this:

 

  1. Aching or stiff joints and muscles
  2. Excessive skin breakouts
  3. Life-interfering fatigue
  4. Family-scaring mood swings
  5. Crying, and crying and crying (unless you need to release some shit)
  6. Libido – what’s that?
  7. I’M SO HUNGRY
  8. Body betrayal
  9. Mind feeling like a foggy night in a horror movie
  10. I wish I could eat a whole tub of ice cream right now. . .and spoon it with potato chips. . .

 

 

It should feel like this:

 

  1. Couple days of mild fatigue or headaches (especially with caffeine withdrawal)
  2. Being a ball of energy
  3. Feeling grounded, calm and content
  4. Radiant joy
  5. Dessert love no longer overcomes me (no willpower needed)
  6. Clothes fitting better
  7. Sleeping like a baby
  8. WOW I’m a sexy lady
  9. Green shit makes me feel great- and now I WANT to eat green shit
  10. It’s a fishnet, push-up bra kind of sexy time with significant other
  11. Aha. . .now I understand my body and how to nourish it
  12. Give the big round belly back to the pregnant ladies
  13. Release of weight that no longer serves you

 

So how do you know if your program is doing it right?

 

Detox Tea | The Hormone Diva

 

3 Ways To Do It Right

 

  1. Open The Doors

 

In your body, there are several emunctories, or ‘doors’ of elimination for toxins and waste to get out. They are:

  • Bowels/colon
  • Skin/sweat
  • Lymphatic system
  • Kidneys/urine
  • Menstrual blood – unique to YOU as a woman, an extra monthly release
  • Lungs/breath
  • Liver

 

For proper and complete cleansing, all of these areas must be open channels for elimination. Unfortunately, we live in a toxic world and many of us are consuming and using toxic foods and products every day. These things all add up to sluggish emunctories. They get gunked up, and you get sick. Your detox program should encompass all emunctories, like opening the kidneys with water and greens, loving the liver with cruciferous vegetables, and glowing that skin with sweaty practices.

 

  1. Set Your Intention/Big WHY

 

Why do you want to detox? Because it’s trendy? Because you feel horrible? Because your friend asked you? Any good detox program won’t just focus on the food you stuff in your gob, but also your mindset. In my opinion, mindset is 80% of what’s needed for healing.

 

You must detox your mind as well as your body. Well-rounded detox programs will guide you through this process so you understand the real reason that you want to cleanse. This will keep you 100% focused and primed for lasting transformation- not intermittent change.

 

  1. PREP

 

Whole food detox programs often involve more cooking and food preparation than you’re used to. Prepping as much food ahead of time as possible will help you sail through the process, not to mention the money you’ll save by not purchasing stuff you don’t need. Cut your veggies up, mix a salad, make some smoothie packs or a big pot of nourishing soup. Then go about your business, grabbing these items as needed for your meals. 

 

Detox Tea | The Hormone Diva

 

Remember, you DON’T have to suffer. The programs you’ve done in the past failed you– you didn’t fail them. Inhale the future, exhale the past.

 

By Robyn - Check out my quiz
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