Detoxing your Body

In today's over-processed 21st century world, it's imperative to flush the toxins from our systems on a regular basis.

Fasting can be very beneficial to your body and provide a great boost to your overall health. Most nutritionists say that 1-2 20-hour fasts per week can be a great benefit both physically and mentally. While many different types of fast exist, the simplest is to spend a 20-hour period eating nothing and drinking only water. Some even take it a step further drinking herbal laxative tea from the health food store or soaking in a bathtub of Epsom salts to encourage removal of toxins from the body.

Olive Oil: The Fountain of Youth

Olive Oil: Spain

Olive oil has long been known to have great health benefits. Rich in antioxidants, just two tablespoons a day can help to reduce the risk of heart disease. Olive oil is also thought to lower cholesterol, and help to prevent heart attack and stroke.

Those in the natural remedy crowd also use olive oil in both their diet and on their skin. Jeanne Calment, who holds the title of the longest confirmed lifespan at 122 years, often attributed her longevity and relatively youthful appearance to olive oil both in her diet and on her skin.

Carol Alt: Supermodel and Raw Food Revolutionary

For anyone else watching The Celebrity Apprentice, you’ve no doubt noticed how stunning Carol Alt looks. The biggest secret she's hiding is that she's 47! It’s surely not possible for someone to look that good naturally at 47. But she does, and I think she's found the fountain of youth. It’s a raw food diet. She claims no needle has ever come close to her wrinkle-free face.

A raw food diet is different from vegan; raw-foodists eat raw meat and unpasteurized dairy. Shocking I know! I personally can't jump on board with the raw meat thing, but I’ve never been a great meat eater anyway, so considering a raw vegetarian diet is something I’m interested in.

Carol says that at the age of 34 and the height of her career she was feeling worn down and sick on a regular basis. Prescriptions for insomnia, headaches and sinus problems became her daily life. After nearly losing out on modeling jobs, she sought out a holistic solution. Thirteen years and two books later she's found it. It’s raw food and she swears by it. Studies have shown that as soon as food hits the heat the very enzymes and vitamins that make it so inherently good for us immediately diminish. It’s also harder for the human body to digest cooked foods.

Carol now says she feels better than she did in her twenties, and she certainly looks it! I’ve never been one to commit 100% to any one diet, I am very interest in learning more about this one and many incorporating some its principles into my own eating habits. While I’m not willing to reach for the raw chicken breast just yet, I think I will be seeking out Carol Alt’s book the next time I hit the bookstore.