you're toxic, i'm slippin under...

I never really bought into the whole "detox" thing. Truth is, most of the people I know who would regularly detox were just practicing a glorified version of an eating disorder. Eliminating entire food groups from their diets, living off of juice... that can't be healthy. But after our trip to Kentucky, I felt sick and sluggish. The combination of no exercise and too much junk food had left me feeling lethargic and weighed down. 

After one day of overly-ambitious self deprivation (no carbs, no sugar, no dairy) I reevaluated my goals and made some adjustments. Also, the caffeine withdrawals were enough to make me want to bash my head into a wall. I wouldn't call it a detox, but I really focused on being more mindful of my food choices.

Eating intentionally isn't easy. It takes time and effort. But it leaves you feeling satisfied. A handful of crackers might be a "quick fix" when I'm feeling ravenously hungry, but a banana with peanut butter will give me more enduring energy. 

And if you just have to detox, there are three forms I can get behind.

1. Yogi DeTox Tea. I'm not gonna lie, it's not my favorite flavor. I'd much rather sip on Tazo's Joy tea (or a glass of wine, if we're being really honest.) But knowing that it promotes liver and kidney function makes it a little more palatable. 

2. Detox Bath. I'm not exactly sure how soaking in Epsom salt, baking soda, and ground ginger will help remove toxins from your body, but evidently it does. It soothed my aching muscles after a particularly hard workout, and a bath always helps me clear my mind of mental clutter. 

3. Face masks. I'm still a 7 year old at a sleepover when it comes to face masks. Wei's Golden Root Purifying Mud Mask came in my last Birchbox and I loved it, but I find that most drugstore options work just as well. 

I do believe the practice of each of these is really more effective in detoxifying than the product itself. Sitting down and enjoying a cup of tea, blocking out 15 minutes to slather mud all over your face and not interact with the outside world, and turning the lights down, the music up and soaking can do wonders for your psyche.