My Retox Detox Story!
My name is Dena. I experienced serious ear infections for about a year and a half after having complications from pneumonia as a young kindergartener. As a result, I suffered from a 60% hearing loss in my right ear. I took bottle after bottle of antibiotics up until I had ear tube surgery. At this time in 1973, the ear surgery was a relatively new procedure for the local children’s hospital. As you can imagine, the battery of antibiotics had a severe affect on my gut health. Additionally, I took oral acne medication in the 1990s which also adversely affected my gut flora. I also had elevated cholesterol levels and preeclampsia after the birth of my first child.
I was on a mission to restore balance for my own gut and cardiovascular health. I decided to start by taking the “old school” cayenne pepper and lemon water cleanse, then I proceeded to drink cold pressed juice cleanses once a year beginning in 2012. Then, I finally found a 10-day detox supplement plan in 2014 that I loved. This detox plan was supported by medical science from a few top functional medical doctors in Chicago and San Francisco. This 10-day detox plan requires organic super foods along side natural, plant-based supplements. This 10-day detox program excludes bananas and sweet potatoes due to their metabolic glycemic index. I figured it’s only ten days.
Healthy Lifestyle Engineer
My detox book approach was to cross reference plant-based super foods with soul food that I loved to eat as a kid. I especially loved eating my Grandmother’s collard greens from Selma, Alabama. The pot liquor (or juice from the cooked collard greens) was amazingly brothy and delectable. She carried the food tradition with her to Motown or the Motor City where I grew up. Whether I included leafy greens or blueberries or cauliflower rice in my detox book, each plant-based food packs a powerful punch in terms nutrient value. As an industrial engineer, it was important to me to maximize the nutrient value exclusively from plants, not from meats, so I could give my liver and kidneys a break. Protein from animals are more complex and harder to digest. I wanted to help others restore gut balance too. I also included on page 35 an option to order effective food supplements with a good probiotic. The supplements are like a shower for your cells creating water soluble toxic waste that can be excreted from the body. Sharing is caring. In summary, I wanted to use plant-based organic foods as medicine to aid the body’s natural detoxification process. I wanted to make the detox food experience delicious – Detoxelicious!
Today, I work as an integrative health coach and certified yoga teacher with Dr. Vesna Skul, MD. She is a renown functional medical doctor with 35 years of experience having seen over 18,000 patients during her mindful career.
Dena received her industrial engineering and MBA degrees from Northwestern University. She resides in Illinois with her husband, three kids and her dog. She and her husband are active philanthropists in the Chicagoland area for Primo Center for Homeless Families, Chicago Children’s Museum and Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago. She strongly believes that giving back to communities is the price we pay for living. It’s her duty as a citizen.
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