Are you ready to end that battle of wanting health but eating a donut? You can do so. You can enjoy greater health and well-being.

Your first step is to detox, which means taking a break from toxins. Starting today, to the best of your ability, forego stimulants and chemicals. You’re not doing this as a punishment or penance. It’s for one reason only — to be more alive. Along with your detox, enjoy healthy meals, then you can pass on junky food.

As you’ve probably already discovered, really wanting to eat well is not enough. The secret is being satisfied for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Then your cravings typically disappear. (Unless, that is, you’ve a food sensitivity or allergy, then a short-term cleansing diet helps identify food sensitivities.)

The day has come. Go through your cupboards, pantry and fridge and toss or recycle every stimulant and chemical-containing food as well as those containing shoddy sweeteners and fats.

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You’re doing an inner scrub to shed the substances that compromise your well-being. When you scour a blackened pot, the dishwater gets funky but the pot emerges clean.

Likewise, as your cells release the acidic toxins, you’ll feel — in a word — toxic. You may experience fatigue, headaches and irritability or even flu-like symptoms. Fortunately, these symptoms rarely last more than three or four days. Then a welcome clarity and levity sets in. Consult with your health care practitioner regarding your detox.

Consider that you’re in recovery. So don’t risk hanging out with your old drinking or drug-using pals. Or, if your Tuesday afternoon venue is tea and pastries with a friend, change it to a walk and talk.

Baking soda will alkalinize your system and ease detox ache. Every two hours, or as needed, take up to one teaspoon of baking soda in eight-ounces of water. Baking soda is also available as AlkaSeltzer Gold.

Be forewarned, by going without, you’ll crave precisely the unwanted toxins and stimulants that you’re avoiding. During this critical start-up period, mentally prep yourself to duke it out with these cravings and to discover that you’re the strongest.

Fortunately, your best ally is at hand: good food. Consistently enjoying balanced meals will minimize your food cravings.

Soon, you’re simply eating well because it’s habitual, and it feels good. You’ve wisely rejected dietary confusion, and you’re relishing deep nurture.

Here’s a gentle liver detox tea from Ashland naturopath, Ajana Miki. It’s especially beneficial to use in the springtime. Once you’ve cleansed, Miki recommends milk thistle seeds to rebuild and protect your liver.

The herbs are available in area natural food stores or online. As much as possible, favor organic ingredients. For extra flavor and to enhance digestion, add ¼ teaspoon dried orange peel or ¼ teaspoon licorice root.

Rebecca Wood is an award-wining cookbook author and local cooking teacher. To ask a question, find a recipe, see her class schedule, or post your comment about this article, visit: www.RebeccaWood.com

Recipe:
Cleansing Licorice and Flax Seed Tea
1 tablespoon fenugreek seeds

1 tablespoon fennel seeds

1 tablespoon dried burdock root

4-6 slices fresh ginger, about the size of a quarter

1 tablespoon red clover blossoms

Place the fenugreek, fennel, burdock, ginger and orange peel in 4 cups of water. Bring to the simmering point and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in red clover blossoms and allow to steep for 5 minutes. Strain and discard the herbs. Drink the tea throughout the day, preferably on an empty stomach.