How to survive a trip to Margaret River, while doing a Detox?

17 Mar How to survive a trip to Margaret River, while doing a Detox?

You may, or may not be aware that the practitioners here at NatMed are currently in the middle of a 30-day detox to help renew our health and vitality.
I also recently enjoyed a cheeky weekend down south in the beautiful Margaret river wine region for my birthday and it got me thinking about how I was going to continue on my detox while enjoying this experience. I know I’m not the first person to find themselves in this situation!
It really made me think about the choices I’d be making while away and gave me a wonderful insight and perspective on how it must feel when I request that my patient eliminate toxins or a specific food/allergen to assist with gaining/maintaining health.
So here is a little list of how you can still have an amazing weekend away, stick to your detox and come home feeling as great as you did when you left.
It’s all in the planning – think ahead about when you’re going, how long it will take, where you want to stay and what you plan on doing while there.

1. Before you head down south, remember to pack the essentials; your blender, your detox powders / supplements, drinks and snacks for the road. Water, nuts/seeds and kale chips are my quick, easy and healthy options for a road trip. Either take a photo of the Detox Diet foods to Enjoy/Avoid page, or take the booklet down with you so you can refer to it regularly, reminding yourself what’s allowed and what’s best to be avoided.

2. When looking for accommodation there are a number of organic farm stays you could consider or look at finding your own accommodation where you have kitchen facilities to prepare meals, snacks and of course your green smoothies in the morning.

3. Enjoy the wonderful food on offer in the region and chose options like vegetarian, daily free, gluten free or for the meat eaters, alternatives proteins such as Kangaroo and Venison.

4. Instead of your usual early morning coffee, grab a herbal tea, water or a fresh green smoothie.

5. Visit the wonderful organic and biodynamic wineries on offer. Yes, you are in Margaret River after all.

6. When at said wineries, feel free to taste a few lovely fermented grape varieties but remember to use the spittoon, as it’s there for a reason. Have a drink of water to cleanse your palette between tastings and this will also help keep you hydrated throughout the day. This will enable you to enjoy the taste but not the full experience of having a whole drink. Although you’ll absorb some alcohol in the mouth, it will not be consumed and therefore will not be as much of a burden on your liver and detoxification pathways. NOTE: OK, so this is technically a cheat but it was my birthday and no one, including your friendly Naturopath/Nutritionist is perfect! =)

7. If you must cheat, make ethical choices/mindful decisions. For instance, if you really do want to have toast in the mornings, you can have a Gluten Free bread, I found an amazing Woodfired Artisian Bakery in Yallingup with the most amazing freshly baked Organic Sourdough.

8. Visit the farmers market on Sunday morning to stock up on all your favourite, seasonal fresh fruit and veg, or better still, take it all down with you and keep it in the fridge in your accommodation. This will also help keep your expenses down.

9. In the morning or afternoons, go for a walk around the local area or head down to the beach and go for a walk/run in the sand before finishing off with a quick dip in the refreshing ocean.

10. Enjoy the experience, don’t be too hard on yourself if you slip up and remember it’s all about balance.

So why detox? Why not, I say! It’s a great opportunity to give you body a break from the toxic burden of consuming all the junk food, caffeine, alcohol, sugar, refined carbohydrates, artificial colours, flavours additives and saturated fats. It can help improve your detox capacity, neutralize free radicals in the body and assist with elimination of waste products.
Some of the common signs and symptoms your body is crying out for a detox are listed below:

• Gut health – bloating, constipation, wind, diarrhea
• Skin health – dull complexion, acne, skin rashes such as eczema and dermatitis
• Mood – anxiety, depression, irritable
• Energy – low energy, feeling fatigued, tired all the time
• Weight – excess weight, especially around the waistline
• Immune – recurrent respiratory tract infections

Sound like you? If you are experiencing any of the above signs and symptoms, want to learn more about the 4 week detox our practitioners are doing or interested in an Express 2 week or Specialized 6 week detox, phone the clinic to arrange an appointment to see Michelle Bourke, she’ll get you to complete a Detox Questionaire and will take it from there.
For additional advice, guidance and tips, support and education about how a Naturopath & Nutritionist may benefit your health, phone NatMed on 9339 1999 and arrange to have a free 5 minute chat with Michelle Bourke today.