Cleansing, Part II
Day 5 comes to an end.
To begin with, what is cleansing? Why am I doing this? Cleansing is a process of reducing the input into one's digestive (or other) system to allow it to rest and let go of accumulated waste (the popular word these days is toxins). The premise is that our bodies are not equipped to rid themselves of all of the waste products of modern life. As an evolutionary biologist, I believe that we are well-built to process and eliminate whole foods, like we ate a thousand years ago, but not to process and eliminate Twinkies or the chemicals we take in from our air and water. So, I simplify my food choices, receive colonics (a whole other topic I'm sure) and take additional fiber to clear out my digestive system. There are as many ways to cleanse as there are althernative health practitioners. I have not done this particular cleanse, designed by Chakra Earthsong, but I have cleansed in other ways. My goal is to feel great, to increase my energy, decrease mental fogging brought on by an overloaded digestive system and perhaps to eliminate some foods from my diet when I emerge from the cleansing process.
I won't give the details of the cleansing process in this blog because I believe each person should customize the cleansing process to his or her own particular needs and goals. There are many practitioners who can help you and there is abundant information on the internet. I am eliminating different foods from my diet during each phase of this cleanse, without depriving my body of nutrition. [Water fasting should be left to those with experience cleansing because it can be dangerous to suddenly starve yourself.] I am not actually eating all raw foods - steamed veggies are a satisfying evening meal. My final phase will include vegetable juices - celery, parsley, greens, cucumbers and a little apple or beet or carrot. These juices are rich in vitamins and minerals and low in sugar so they don't destabilize my blood sugar and make me nauseous or give me headaches. Friday I had a headache all day, the result of simple dehydration. Water can make or break a cleanse, supporting all of the body's functions.
I think the best thing about this cleanse so far is that I have given myself permission to keep a great deal of my time free and unstructured. During any cleanse it is important to give yourself space to rest and recuperate. So I've spent my weekend at home, relaxing with my partner and my cats. For a habitual over-committer, it has been lovely. I'm hoping that the experience of these three weeks will help me reset my priorities, not just in terms of food choices but also in terms of time management. (I set up my new Palm today, being sure to block in recreation and rest before putting in my work schedule! Thanks to Brook Montagna for that.)
I got to the Farmer's Market early today, bought tons of fresh produce to stock my salads, soups and juices for the week. I also made a wonderful Pate Primavera, a creamy spread of walnuts and almonds, soaked and blended with rich organic olive oil and Italian herbs. Delicious! That didn't stop me from longingly sniffing the breakfast burrito my partner picked up at Ruben's though. The food cravings are hard today. I know I am giving myself a gift by cleansing but I am used to gifts coming in the form of instant gratification. Ruben's veggie breadfast burrito right now vs. the intangible "feeling healthy" is a tough choice. But there is another benefit of cleansing - the satisfaction of following through on my commitments. So I stuck with salads and a sense of pride.
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Comments (1)
Thanks for answering my questions. Wow, what discipline. Would love the recipe to the pate! Coincidentally, I just got a PDA and spent the weekend setting it up, too! This little thing may rule my life if I let it.
Comment #1 Posted by: Lisa Snider | June 19, 2006 08:24 AM