Jameel Lalani heads up Lalani & Co. His scientific approach gives Lalani & Co a keen advantage in terms of leaf quality and technical skill. He also advises gardens on their strategy and manufacture, has trained the butlers at Buckingham Palace and is a guest lecturer at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy. He shares his top 5 new years detox tips, with some great suggestions to keep your body healthy and strong.
1. Drink enough water.
Your body is about 2/3 water. We’re literally made of the stuff and it’s essential for all life that we know of. Make sure you’re getting the recommended 8 glasses (women) and 10 glasses (men) per day; neat water of course, none of the added sugar concoctions which will add calories. Make a habit of drinking enough water and it’ll stick with you all year. This makes such a difference to levels of alertness and well-being.
2. A matcha a day.
Matcha is packed with antioxidants. It’s an artisan, stone-milled green tea which is drunk as a powder. Consuming all the leaf in powdered form gives you all the nutrient and antioxidant contents of the green tea leaf. What makes matcha even more special is the high presence of the amino acid L-theanine. It has been shown to increase alpha brain activity, suggesting it relaxes the mind. What’s commonly called the ‘matcha lift’ is the feeling of relaxed alertness believed to be caused by the mild caffeine boost, tempered by the L-theanine relaxing effect. While a coffee picks and drops you sharply, a matcha lift is softer and will carry you gently over a longer period of time.
3. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and veg, especially veg.
I live on the stuff, especially in January. The recommendation is for 400g of fruit/veg per day. I’m particularly fond of Riverford Organic who deliver weekly organic fruit & veg boxes. It’s rare to find a company so dedicated to freshness, organics, local growing, and sustainability. We have 3 boxes delivered a week; eat them or juice them. 5 a day? I’ve lost count.
4. Move more.
Exercise; increased circulation; burning calories; building muscle. It makes sense, even if it’s just walking up the escalator. Take every opportunity.
5. Relax and sleep.
It’s a challenge in our modern lifestyle and I’m certainly guilty of being a workaholic. Sleep sometimes appears to get in the way of a productive day. Detoxing is not just for the body; the mind matters just as much. Sleep well, de-clutter your mind, let it rewire, let your body repair.’
Lalani & Co
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