Ha!! This phrase cracks me up! I actually borrowed it from Dr. Norman Walker, one of my favorite holistic doctors who wrote entire books about the colon, and lived to be I think 116!
But seriously, let’s keep in mind that you are not cleansing unless toxins and waste are actually leaving your body. How you begin each and every day is important. It’s important to get in the habit of allowing yourself to have as complete an elimination as possible first thing in the morning.
This means that right when you wake up, you really shouldn’t eat anything immediately. If you do, part or the majority of your digestive fires will be directed at digesting the food you just put into your body, rather than focusing on your very important first (and maybe only) elimination of the day (!).
Here’s an excellent habit to get into:
Turn on your tea kettle first thing, then make yourself a cup of:
- Hot water**
- Fresh juice of a quarter of a lemon squeezed in
**Remember your water should be fairly hot but never boiling!!! Let it cool down before you squeeze the lemon in. Don’t kill all the enzymes and vitamins of the lemon!
This drink will help relax your bowels and promote elimination. The warm lemon water will also dissolve mucus in the body, flush and support the liver, and help with the absorption of minerals. So let this be the first thing that enters your lips in the morning- and don’t eat anything for at least one hour after you wake up, as your body can use this time to detox.
Hope you are having a great week so far!
All my very best,
Kimberly
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How long after you drink your lemon water should you wait until you have a coffee or a tea.
Hey Kimberly,
Thank you so much! I’ve tried this after reading your post, and I can not believe the effects. I have more energy, my skin has cleared dramatically in the past two weeks, and my eyes are so much brighter!! I can’t believe it!! Is that normal???
Also, how much is too much? Cause now I’m tempted to drink it throughout the day
Hi Ray!
Are you talking about the lemon water??
You can drink lemon water during the day!! I usually have 2-3 lemons a day myself, all in.
Im so happy to hear about your wonderful results!!
xx
Kimberly
Hi Kimberly,
yes I am talking about the lemon water… I am glad to know that I can indulge all day long…
Thank you so much!
Kim congratulations on your blog!! Love it! The photos of yourself are exceptionally beautiful. You beam with all the correct nutrition and nuturing for your body. You are eternally youthful! Happy to have inspired you….you make me proud! Keep up the fantastic work. Lots of love and health always Fay ( your Australian teacher) xo
Hi Fay!
So happy you found the blog from Australia!! Well, you did start everything!!
We will be in touch, and excited about the possibility of working together and doing retreats!!!
Lots of love,
Kim
Hi Kimberly,
This post cracked me up! Thanks for writing about it though. Good stuff.
I’ve been going through tons of lemons since I first started reading your blog. I absolutely notice a positive change in my body because of it. Plus, they’re crazy delicious!
The only thing is that I hear lemon juice is not great for your teeth. Have you heard that, and is that something we should be concerned about?
Many thanks!
Anne
Hi Anne!
Lemon is acidic. But just sipping lemon water, as opposed to biting into an acidic lemon repeatedly, should be okay for your teeth!
I’ve been having 2-3 lemons/day for a few years, and haven’t had any problems.
To be extra careful, you can brush your teeth afterwards.
xx Kimberly
Kimberly, should I squeeze a quarter of the lemon by hand and then throw the rest away? Tried it out and felt like I didn’t get that much juice just squeezing. Should I eat it afterward or dump the whole thing in the hot water to get more juice? Please let me know!
Hi Amy,
It totally depends on the ripeness and juiciness of that specific lemon.
If you start to squeeze the lemon and realize that it’s hard to squeeze and barely anything is coming out, I would definitely do 1/2 a lemon. Maybe 3/4 if it is a non-juicy lemon!!
There are certain recipes where I use the whole lemon in the blender, but for the lemon- water you shouldn’t dump the lemon rind in there. You just want the straight lemon juice.
Let me know how you do!
xx
Kimberly
I’ve read that the water should be room temperature and that’s usually how I drink it the lemon water in the morning. Also do you recommend green and white tea despite the amount of caffeine in them?
Hi Cait,
I never drink iced water, so during the day I have room temperature water with lemon. But in the morning, I definitely recommend and prefer the hot water, as this is just seems more comforting to me in the morning and the heat definitely helps relax the bowls, similarly to how a heating bad can relax a tensed muscle.
I think green tea is okay sometimes, and is great for people transitioning away from coffee. But at 30 mg. of caffeine, I would say no more than one a day, or preferably less. White tea has 8 mg. of caffeine, and has more antioxidants…so I much more prefer white tea.
But what is even better is rooibus, with 0 caffeine, and tons of antioxidants! This is one of my favorite teas, that I drink all the time.
Caffeine is so taxing on the liver, and by eating more alkaline foods you will get more energy and be less dependent on caffeine to feel “awake.” So moderation is the key!
Okay, take care now!!
xx Kimberly
I’ve been drinking this warm lemon water for a few months now and I’ve definitely noticed that I feel better and don’t get sluggish in the morning like I use to when I ate breakfast earlier. I tend to go in the morning on a more regular basis. It’s almost like clockwork!
HI Autumn,
Yes! The common belief is that we need to eat breakfast right away “for energy.” But digestion, which takes 50%+ of our body’s energy, has to kick in right away, and that will take away from our energy when we eat first thing!!!
I’m glad you are seeing benefits!
xx Kimberly
Thanks for bringing up the importance of wake-up time. I usually try to do some yoga in the morning, before eating anything, but then I get SO hungry that I get distracted and usually stop there. How important is yoga on an empty stomach? Is it ok maybe an hour after I eat?
Hi Susan!
It’s best not to eat for 2 hours before you do yoga. BUT I hear you about the hunger.
If you are going to eat an hour before, be sure to stick to fruit, which will quickly exit the stomach= apples, pears, etc. Or make a green smoothie and have a bit before and save the rest for after the practice. It’s super filling!!
xx Kimberly