When in Turkey… Detox

From the moment I started my journey to a healthy lifestyle, I have always wanted to share my favorite discoveries with my readers. Recently, I spent a few days at The LifeCo, which gave me immense benefits. This was my first detox, and it completely enhanced my awareness of self-healing and optimal health. This kind of experience is a great way to slow down the aging process, not only to live longer but to also feel healthier and more energetic.

Here is what you can expect from a detox experience.

What can people expect to achieve after a seven-day program? How should they maintain their lifestyle when they return home?

After a regular seven-day detox program, you will drop one size and feel five years younger! You feel an amazing, jumping feeling inside. Other benefits include:

• Stronger immunity
• Balanced hormones
• Increased energy
• Weight loss & fat burn
• Cellular renewal
• Relaxed digestive system
• Increased flexibility
• Better mood
• More vibrant skin and eyes

After Detox

The first couple of days are really important to make the transition to eating. On Day 1, you should only consume vegetables (raw or steamed), salads, or fruits. On Day 2, you may add carbs such as quinoa, brown rice, buckwheat, etc. On Day 3, you can supplement with protein like chia, legumes-pulses and their sprouts, nuts, or fish.

Because of the colon cleansing during the detox, probiotics are one of the most important things to consume during the aftercare period. Probiotics help to strengthen the flora and prevent constipation for a month or so after the detox. You can get probiotics either as supplements or from fermented vegetables like kimchi, sauerkraut, pickles and kombucha.

Ideally, you should avoid dairy, meat, eggs and alcohol for the first week.

In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, the first thing you should do when you return home is update your shopping list and clean out your cupboard. Throw away all the inorganic, packaged foods and acidic drinks; replace them with natural options.

Once or twice a year, do a 7 to 10-day detox as a therapeutic retreat for yourself. Reset and rejuvenate!

For maintenance, we recommend 75% alkaline-25% acidic nutrition, which is based on eating more veggies, greens, legumes, nuts, fish, healthy fats, herbs, spices and fruits.

For indulgence, you can have whatever you like once in a while. Minimize the damage 1-2 days a week and then continue with the daily routine.

As New York Times best-selling author Michael Pollan says, “Eat real food, not too much, mostly plants.”

And as cancer survivor Kris Carr says, “Change your plate, change your fate.”

How can we prepare before heading to a detox to achieve better results?

Try to do a pre-detox at least 2-3 days a week before coming to the center. This will ease the healing crisis you might encounter during your program. Eat plenty of vegetables, greens, nuts, legumes and fish while cutting down on sugar, caffeine, processed foods, dairy, desserts, pastries and acidic drinks. And don’t forget to take your favorite books with you!

For our readers visiting the region, what are some must-see places to visit nearby? (Bodrum or even Istanbul?)

These two areas are the most popular and attractive regions in Turkey. Bodrum has breathtaking natural beauty, meandering gardens, high-quality hotels, beaches and restaurants. Istanbul is overflowing with intriguing historical landmarks and exciting nightlife.

In Bodrum, you should visit the Yalıkavak Marina area, Bodrum downtown & bazaar (bag shopping is very famous), and Mandarin Oriental Heaven Bay. You should also definitely take a boat tour if you cannot catch the daily catamaran detox tours.

In Istanbul, you should definitely visit the Historical Area, Grand Old Bazaar, and Bosporus seashore. You should also stop by the new luxurious shopping malls, like Zorlu, İstinye Park and Nışantaşı area.

What does detox mean to you – physically, mentally, spiritually?

Physically, detoxing is simply removing the toxins from the metabolism, cleaning the blood, and cleaning the organs cells and tissues — like cleaning the water in an aquarium.

Mentally, detoxing is about being in a calm, stress-free atmosphere so you can focus on yourself instead of your daily obligations and responsibilities. It is about hearing yourself in the moment and understanding what you need.

Spiritually, your energy and your spirit are clearer when your cells are cleaner. You feel fresh and more in contact with yourself. We support this process with nice meditation classes and some breathing therapies.

Do you have any wellness tips for BWB readers at home?

• The six best doctors for optimum well-being are water, sun, air, rest, exercise and diet. The harmony of these elements as an integrative, sustainable daily routine will keep you healthy and protect from diseases.
• Hydrate yourself by drinking lots of high-quality water from glass bottles (30 ml per kg every day).
• Do not forget to get your sun for twenty minutes naturally so you do not develop a vitamin D deficiency.
• Move every day! Do what you like: Walk, dance, cycle, swim, play tennis, etc… Our body needs movement for energy circulation.
• Eat colorful, clean and real foods that are in season.
• Don’t forget to rest. Have a good night’s sleep and allow your body to restore itself.
• Be close to nature and utilize its terrestrial healing effects (walking barefoot, touching the soil, swimming in the sea, etc.)
• Use some supplements for your enhanced well-being, like probiotics for gut flora and constipation prevention, magnesium, vitamin D, digestive enzymes, and omega oils.
• Start now, today… :)