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.
Also remember eat foods that help burn fats to maintain good health and well-being! Hope you are having a great week so far!
Happy Squeezing,
Love,
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
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
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
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
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
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
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!
Can I use lemon juice from the bottle ?????
How long after you drink your lemon water should you wait until you have a coffee or a tea.
In his book Become Younger, Walker actually instructs to use the juice of one whole lemon in hot water. I just press one on the Norwalk Press while my water is heating. Nice ritual each morning. I believe it helps to clean the liver and kidneys as well…
Hi great article! I tend to think about my bowel movements often: striving for perfect haha. I was wondering if this was normal, my doctor said it was. I usually poop 2 or 3 times a day. In the morning when I wake up early before school I usually have to poop. I think I usually empty out all of it cause I do poop a lot. However sometimes the poop isn’t one long peice it’s in a few peices like 1-2 inches lomg, not all connected in one peice. Then later in the afternoon when I poop it’s normal.
Any advice on how to make the poop longer/in one peice?? i usually eat healthy and excersize. I think it may be partly because in the morning when I wake up I feel kinda stressed and rushed for school
One more thing: is it better to have a full elimination in the morning, even if its in peices or better to do so later in the day with a nice long healthy poop?
Thank you so much sorry for the longer comment!
Warm lemon juice is the Best. I boil filtered water and squeeze 1/2 of the lemon and PULP into my mug, let it cool and drink through a STRAW. Lemon juice is acidic and NOT good for tooth enamel. I’m finding that the lemon juice is great in aiding your bowel if you suffer some constipation. Although I have read that drinking lemon juice will also help adults that suffer from acne, so far its OKAY in that dept. but not 100%.
Hi Kimberly,
I know you talk alot about yoga for exercise. But as an athlete, I lift weights and do alot of cardio to stay in shape. How does the beauty detox life fit into a more physically strenuous lifestyle? Particularly in the mornings.
Hi Kimberly,
Is it okay to have the lemon with a herbal tea or will that counteract the benefits?
Great post by the way! 🙂 x
Hi Kim, wonder full post but as you said we should have lemon water after getting fresh ( clearing bowel or poop) or have lemon water and then only go for clearing bowel.
Curious – I have been hearing so much about doing a colon cleanse to clear out the few pounds of packed in waste they say people have, and what a good idea it is to do.
Does this morning cup of warm lemon water clear this away the packed in waste in our colon, or is that not enough to do the good cleansing?
Not on the computer a lot, so if I could get a reply back by my email I would really appreciate it.
Thanks Lynn
CAN I USE # real lemon juice from bottle? Instead of squeezing lemon????
I would recommend using a real lemon and squeezing the juice, not using a bottled lemon juice.
i think green tea is best for this solution. its more then beneficial if you include lemon.