Our bodies are exposed to an overload of toxins every day. Most toxins are environmental; we may rub them on our skin, breathe them in from our dishwasher soap, ingest them from our food, or create them with daily movement. We are designed to eliminate toxins from the body, and most of the time our cleansing organs (kidneys and liver) do their job without a hitch — and we should thank God for them!

However, there are times when our internal organs need a super-boost from the stress we place on them. Examples include after an illness or to prevent an illness, during times of heavy stress or to prepare for a stressful season, and/or most importantly when our nutrition choices have failed us and we need to start fresh.

When done properly (and for the right reasons), nutritional cleanses recharge, rejuvenate, and renew our bodies, honoring them how God intended. Cleansing the stress organs can help to remove toxins from the body. Cleansing the stomach and intestines can also encourage and boost successful weight loss (if that is one of your nutritional goals).

Proper nutritional cleansing is a necessity, not a luxury. Below is an example of an EASY, affordable spring cleanse you can do without any harsh supplements and weird concoctions.

Fru-Veg Cleanse

Do you need a little internal spring cleaning?

Details:

It’s simple. Consume fruits, vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, and raw nuts ONLY for 3 days. No caffeine, carbonation, or alcohol. Liquids allowed include water, 100 percent fruit juice (in small quantities), organic apple cider vinegar, and herbal tea (organic is preferred). The point of the challenge is NOT FOR STARVATION OR WEIGHT LOSS. Instead, the FRU-VEG cleanse heightens your awareness of healthy eating and cleansing. As a result, to effectively keep your metabolism boosted, you must plan ahead so that you can eat every 3-4 hours (fruits and veggies mostly of course). You are worth exceptional health!

Sample Menu:

20-30 minutes Before Breakfast: 8-12 ounces of filtered water with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice or organic apple cider vinegar (cleansing your organs and balancing your PH first thing in the morning!)

Breakfast: Fruit bowl of ¼ cup raw cashews, ½ sliced apple, ½ cup grapes, ½ bananas drizzled with a little lemon juice –OR– banana, strawberry, and blueberry smoothie — no added sugar, just ice and your favorite 100 percent juice or unsweetened almond milk.

Snack: Sunsweet prunes (5 large size prunes are a serving), pear, or tomato halves with salt and ¼ cup raw almonds

Lunch: Large salad with Romaine lettuce or spinach, sliced avocado, baby carrots, and canned artichoke (or other vegetable of choice) with 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil dressing and sea salt (organic balsamic vinegar is optional)

Snack: ½ grapefruit and 3 raw Brazil nuts (buy them already shelled unless you have a nutcracker handy)

Dinner: Veggie stir fry (stir fry in coconut oil, water, or pineapple juice—not oil) with broccoli, carrots, water chestnuts, sugar snap peas, bell peppers and pineapple. Add mineral salt to taste (pink Himalayan or Celtic sea salt are fantastic options).

Snack: Before bed, enjoy a cup of hot tea (naturally, decaf) with lemon and congratulate yourself on completing the first day!

*The key is to include variety and flavor in your nutritional program AND lots of crunch so your body feels full and your mouth is happy! Feel free to record your experience in a nutritional journal. Share your journey with a friend—you will both be blessed abundantly with better health!