In the middle of the holiday season it can be tough to stick to your healthy ways—and to switch back after the festivities are over. Donna Bunte, a Greenwich, CT-based nutrition coach and holistic practitioner, often sees an uptick in clients in the New Year who want to “feel clean again,” she says. To help achieve this goal, Bunte hones in on everything from meal planning to stress reduction techniques to immune-boosting remedies to help calibrate the internal system, noting that it’s important to “listen to the body, give it a break and let it heal.” Here, she shares her most effective tips. Use them now to feel healthier all December, and in the new year to get back on track quickly.
Up Your Nutrient Intake
“Optimally, we should get our vitamins from our food but this is difficult for many reasons,” says Bunte. “Soil is now depleted, we eat on the run, many foods have added ingredients including sugar, and it’s difficult to eat enough carrots to get all the betacarotene we need.” Her go-to supplement: Standard Process Catalyn ($12, standardprocess.com), a multivitamin that contains vitamins A, C, D and B, to support overall health, provide antioxidant activity and repair cells.
For a more intense reboot, Bunte puts clients on a 21-day cleanse. “In my
practice, I use the Standard Process Purification Program, designed to help purify, nourish and maintain a healthy body weight with whole foods, exercise, nutritious shakes and natural herbs and supplements that aid the body in removing toxins and eliminating inflammation.” Bunte sometimes even recommends clients kick it off a one- to three-day juice cleanse when appropriate. To keep followers motivated, there’s an app and cookbook.
Consider Alternative Therapies
A certified Chinese medical practitioner, Bunte is a big believer in the power of acupuncture and acupressure massage. “They detox and balance the body as well as calm the nervous system and adrenals,” she says. Bunte also refers clients to Greenwich healer Kimberly DuBois (203-249-3312) for reflexology as well. For an at-home solution, dry brushing with a natural bristle brush stimulates your lymphatic system to drain excess fluid and prevent puffiness, says Bunte.
Drink In Health Benefits
Start the day with an energizing habit: squeeze half a lemon in water and drink it in the morning on an empty stomach. This removes overall acidity in the body, aids digestion, clears your skin, freshens your breath and hydrates the body. “This way we can skip the latte!” says Bunte.
Smoothies and juices also boost your body. “I try to vary mine and try new combinations, including super foods like goji berries, maca and chia seeds.” Bunte’s favorite recipe to reduce inflammation: beets with ginger, turmeric and cucumber.For a ready-made alternative, try the Daily Detox and Turmeric Tonic juices at local chain Green & Tonic. Visit greenandtonic.com.
De-Puff Your Eyes
Infused with cucumber extract, hyaluronic acid, aloe and caffeine, these gel pads revive tired eyes. Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber De-Tox Hydra-Gel Eye Patches, $48, sephora.com
Shield Your Skin
Pump this serum into your regular moisturizer for a supercharged dose of antioxidant-rich green coffee to fend off environmental damage. Clarins Booster Detox, $39, clarinsusa.com
Restore Your Body
Blending Himalayan, Dead Sea, Atlantic and Pacific salts, this bath soak ramps up circulation, relieves tired muscles and draws out impurities from your skin. Indie Lee Grapefruit Citrus Bath Soak, $28, indielee.com
Meet Our Expert
After suffering from chronic health problems in her 20s, Donna Bunte started researching natural remedies to cure her body. “I was able to completely turn around my health with diet, herbs and lifestyle changes,” she says. Bunte later went on to study Chinese medicine, acupuncture and dietary therapy, opening her first
practice, Donna Bunte Whole Health, in New York City. In 1999, Bunte relocated to Old Greenwich, CT, where she helps clients find holistic solutions for a variety of health issues. For more information, visit donnabunte.com.
Photographs by: (water) Anna_pstynnikova/shutterstock.com; (juices) maridav/shutterstock.com
