Start your day right

DAILY DETOX AND REFRESHER DRINKS

Morning routines are essential to setting the tone for your day ahead. Simple tasks such as making the bed, mobilising your joints and grooming regimes are fundamental habits that become ingrained in your lifestyle and represent how you begin each new day.

A key element of a morning routine is often a 'pick me up' energiser and the initial first thought food cravings. Commonly, people will lean towards a need for a morning coffee/espresso, a familiar quick and easy breakfast or perhaps a favourite smoothie. There is no need to make any major changes to this, however, you could include a more holistic energiser and systems cleanse before you fall in line with your usual habits.

Consider introducing a new daily alkalising habit. First thing in the morning and late at night (ideally just before you go to bed), consume a glass of one of the following alkalising drinks:

• Hot water + lemon (1 whole lemon sliced & squeezed)

• Water + 1tbsp raw apple cider vinegar

• Hot water + 0.5tsp sea salt (not regular table salt)

Alkalising foods and drinks include ingredients that have been found to have a pH lowering effect on the blood. Blood pH should be relatively neutral and slightly 'basic' (scoring just above 7 out of 14 in most people).

Maintaining the balance of the blood pH is essential to avoid loss of function in a wide range of organs across the body. If blood pH balance is not maintained, it can cause a state of acidosis or alkalosis where associated symptoms may include:

• Breathlessness

• Headaches and migraines

• Confusion

• Extreme lethargy

• Fatigue and drowsiness

Dietary considerations to help maintain blood pH levels at the optimum level are a key component of a nutritious and wholesome diet approach - a quick and simple morning energiser as listed herein, may be just enough to maintain a greater internal balance.

Additional benefits of these morning drinks also include:

Apple cider vinegar (raw and containing the Mother) has been shown to have a positive effect on insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels. This can be a great benefit in meal planning, especially in the mornings, when it is common for people to consume higher amounts of fruits.

Lemons have been found to aid weight loss. In particular, lemon polyphenols found within the peel (either shaved or soaked in water) are the most valuable element of the lemon for aiding and uplifting metabolism. Therefore, ensure you include the whole lemon in your drink and not just the juice.

Water is fundamental to optimal functioning of your blood and most organs and systems within the body. Meeting you daily water needs is paramount to metabolic functioning, and including water as the base for your morning drinks can help set the tone for your habits - you should aim for a water based drink almost hourly for the rest of the day.

As with all new food or drink introductions and habit changes, keep a log of how you feel and track the effects you notice upon your own body and daily function.