Bodybuilding from the Inside

Salt Water

Yes, I said salt water.  Now, I am talking a small, specific amount of real salt in good water.  Using too much salt can throw off your electrolyte balance (an electrolyte is a substance that conducts electricity when dissolved in water, and these are essential for many functions in the body).  We are looking for a pinch of salt only.

For those of you who don’t like unspecific measurements like a pinch, a pinch is a measurement that falls between 1/16 and 1/8 of a teaspoon.

You want to add a pinch of salt to every glass or bottle of water you have.  Your pinch will be smaller for smaller amounts and larger for larger amounts of water.  Please, don’t make it too complicated!  It doesn’t need to be scientifically measured unless you really want to, of course!

But I said good water.  What is good water?

Good water is filtered water at a minimum.  Tap water is never good water.  The treatment of the water is lacking, and the addition of chlorine and fluoride are not health promoting.  Reverse osmosis water or purified water are my choice.  However, the purification of these pulls out the minerals which is why we need to add back some minerals.  This adding back helps our bodies to use the water more effectively, hydrate better, and use the extra trace minerals from the real salt to build the body.  Win, win, win!

I also said real salt.  What is real salt?

Real salt is not the table salt or iodized salt most of us grew up with.  It isn’t kosher salt either.  Real salt is sea salt.  Unprocessed so it is full of life still.  All other salts that are white in color are processed and devoid of life.  Pink Himalayan sea salt, grey Celtic sea salt, and Redmond real salt are all full of over 80 trace minerals and are health supporting.  Adding just a pinch of this salt to your good water helps you to remineralize with every drink of water you take.

Herbal Teas

I love herbal teas.  You can enjoy them hot, cold, room temperature, sweetened, with lemon—however they tickle your fancy!  They are also health promoting. 

It is important to make your tea in a medicinal manner to keep all the goodness in your tea!  You want to retain the volatile compounds in your tea.  Here are the steps to making true remineralizing, medicinal, herbal teas.

1. Bring good water to almost a boil
2. Place your herb(s) in your mug (usually 1-2 tsp per cup (8oz of water)) in a tea ball or reusable tea bag
3. Pour the almost boiling water into your mug
4. Cover and steep your tea for a minimum of 30 minutes (for simplicity, do this before bed and allow your tea to go overnight on your counter in a mason jar)
5. Gently reheat your tea should you prefer it warmer
6. Add any additions (raw honey, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup, etc) and enjoy

Some of the most remineralizing teas include nettle leaf (Urtica spp.), catnip (Nepeta cataria), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), lambsquarter (Chenopodium album), oatstraw (Avena sativa), and kelp.

BONUS:  Add ½-1 tsp of rosehips (Rosa canina and Rosa rubiginosa) to any cup of tea you are steeping to add a burst of flavor and loads of vitamin C.

Fresh Juices and Smoothies

Juices and smoothies are both wonderful additions to any day.  Juices have the fibrous pulp removed.  While you can do this with a juicer, a good blender can create a smoothie that you can then strain out the pulp.  Smoothies are just the blended-up fruits and vegetables.  Both have a place in any diet.

It is important to use the whole fruit or vegetable, peels and often seeds and all.  Because of this, I recommend using organic produce only.  You want the cleanest, healthiest plant to feed your body.

Some of my favorite foods for juices and smoothies for remineralization include celery, all dark leafy greens, avocados, broccoli, squash, all berries, and cherries.  However, all fruits and vegetables are amazing.  In fact, you should aim to eat a rainbow each day for your best health!