Real Reset Habits + Longevity Tips with Tammy Parkinson
Detox Without the Drama: Real Reset Habits + Longevity Tips with Tammy Parkinson
Today we’re talking about something that’s on a lot of minds — how to feel better in your body without falling into extreme detoxes or quick fixes that never seem to last.
Our guest is Tammy Parkinson, a certified nutritionist, life coach, and longevity specialist with over 25 years of experience helping people improve their health through personalized nutrition and thoughtful lifestyle changes. Tammy works with clients worldwide and supports a wide range of health goals, including healthy weight management, autoimmune concerns, hormone balance, gut and microbiome health, cognitive wellness, and longevity.
In this episode, Tammy cuts through the noise around detoxing and explains why most cleanses miss the bigger picture. She shares how simple, consistent daily habits can help your body function the way it was designed to — plus her favorite “assistants,” including foods and tools that support detox pathways. She also walks us through ginger and turmeric elixir recipes you can easily make at home.
This is an honest, practical conversation packed with takeaways you can actually use. Let’s dive in.
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What a Real Detox Actually Means (And Why Your Body Isn’t Broken)
One of the most important things Tammy makes clear right away is this: Your body already knows how to detox.
Your liver, kidneys, spleen, gallbladder, digestive system, and lymphatic system are designed to filter toxins and waste every single day. Detoxing isn’t about forcing your body to do something new — it’s about removing the roadblocks that slow it down.
Tammy explains that modern life creates those roadblocks constantly:
- Excess sugar
- Ultra-refined carbohydrates
- Processed foods
- Alcohol
- Environmental toxins
- Stress and lack of sleep
So when people say, “I need a detox,” what they really mean is, “My system is overwhelmed.”
A real detox, according to Tammy, is a reset and course correction — not a three-day cleanse or a juice fast.
Here are all the recommendations on Amazon for you here.
Why Trendy Cleanses Don’t Actually Work
Quick cleanses feel appealing because they promise fast results. Three days. Seven days. Drink this. Take that. Reset complete.
But Tammy explains why these don’t create real change:
- They don’t remove the underlying habits
- They don’t teach you why food matters
- They aren’t sustainable
- They don’t give your body enough time
You might feel temporarily better — fewer cravings, lighter digestion — but that doesn’t mean your body has truly detoxed.
Tammy’s approach focuses on lifetime integration, not short-term restriction. The goal is to teach your body how to function better again — step by step.
Sugar, Refined Carbs + Why We’re All So Inflamed
One of the most jaw-dropping moments in this episode is when Tammy breaks down sugar consumption.
Historically, the average person consumed about half a pound to one pound of sugar per year. Today, that number ranges from 80 to 150 pounds per year — and that’s just sugar.
When you add ultra-refined carbohydrates like bread, chips, pasta, fries, cereals, and packaged snacks, the load becomes even heavier. These foods behave just like sugar in the body once fiber and nutrients are stripped away.
Tammy explains that this overload impacts:
- Inflammation
- Blood sugar and insulin
- Cholesterol and triglycerides
- Joint pain
- Fatigue and brain fog
- Gut health
This is why people feel worse as the year goes on — especially between Halloween and January — and why January “resets” are so popular.
The Hidden Signs Your Body Is Asking for a Reset
Tammy talks about what she calls the “boiling frog” effect — when symptoms creep in so slowly that we start to believe they’re normal.
Some signs your body may be asking for support include:
- Frequent headaches
- Chronic fatigue
- Bloating, gas, or constipation
- Skin issues like acne or rashes
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Brain fog
- Poor sleep
- Cold hands or feet
Tammy reminds us that these symptoms aren’t just part of aging — they’re signals. And when you respond to them, the body often improves dramatically.
Simple Daily “Assistants” That Support Detox Pathways
Tammy calls these tools assistants, because they help your organs do their job — they don’t replace them.
We've gathered all the recommendations. Also, here's the complete list she shared:
- Lemon water first thing in the morning: ½ a lemon in 8 oz warm water
- Dandelion: Tea form, pill, or the greens
- Chlorella + Spirulina: Broken cell wall only
- Activated charcoal: Powder form
- Ginger: Shots, blends, or pill
- Turmeric: Shots, blends, or pill
- Milk thistle: Pill or tea
- Apple cider vinegar: 1–2 tsp in water before a meal or on a salad
- Berberine: Pill form
- Green tea
- Chlorophyll drops: In water, especially in the morning
Tammy emphasizes that these are supports, not magic fixes — and consistency matters more than perfection.
Ginger + Turmeric Elixir Recipes (Tammy’s Favorites)
Tammy prefers these earlier in the day and always recommends starting slow.
Turmeric Blend
Using a Vitamix or strong blender:
- 3 large turmeric roots or 5–6 small roots
- A little water
- Black pepper or black pepper seeds
Blend well and store in a glass container.
How to use:
Start with 1 teaspoon per day and gradually work up to 1–2 tablespoons daily.
Ginger Blend
Using a Vitamix or strong blender:
- 4 hand-size ginger roots
- 4 Meyer lemons
- Small dash of cayenne pepper
Blend into a pulpy mixture.
How to use:
Start with 1 teaspoon per day and work up to at least 2 spoonfuls daily.
Why Tracking Food Matters More Than People Think
One of Tammy’s most practical tips is food tracking — not forever, but especially at the beginning.
Writing food down creates awareness. It removes guesswork. It shows patterns. And it helps people understand why they feel the way they do.
It’s not about judgment — it’s about information.
Longevity, Aging + Feeling Better Over Time
Tammy is deeply invested in longevity — not just living longer, but feeling good while you do.
She shares that research around biological aging shows food choices can actually influence how your body ages at a cellular level. With the right supports, inflammation decreases, energy improves, and systems function more efficiently.
This is why Tammy focuses on:
- Daily rituals
- Consistent habits
- Long-term thinking
- Personalization
Tammy’s 26-Day Reset (Every January)
Tammy runs a 26-day reset every January designed to help people ease into better habits without extremes.
The reset includes education, flexibility, personalization, and support — and helps people learn what their body actually responds to.
👉 To get information and updates, follow Tammy on Facebook, where she shares all reset announcements and details.
Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail (And What Works Instead)
Tammy explains that resolutions are often rigid, guilt-driven, and short-lived. Instead, she encourages people to focus on intentions and pillars — areas like nutrition, movement, adventure, community, and growth.
This approach creates momentum without pressure and allows people to stay engaged all year long.
How to Connect with Tammy Parkinson
Tammy Parkinson, CLC CNC, Nutrition and Lifestyle Specialist at Body Firm LLC
