Hi my loves! I had the best time ever on a recent mini-detox and want to share with you the keys to my success so you can experience them for yourself and REV UP your own Mama Mojo, namely: have MORE energy, softer, smoother skin, a flatter tummy, deeper more restful sleep, and experience a nice break from even having to think about trying not to eat at nightime if that is an issue for you (which I have made the commitment to accomplish this year!)
So what is the best way to get started?
Here’s what I like to do to set the tone and get me super motivated:
STEP #1 Repeat THE UNIVERSE IS MADLY IN LOVE WITH ME
Doesn’t that feel amazing already?
STEP #2 DECIDE when and HOW LONG you will go.
I like between 3 and 11 days, although I did do a 33 day juice feast last year which was amazing. Next, decide WHAT kind of program you are most into doing.
For example: A juice feast of all fresh pressed veggie juices.
Or perhaps the Master Cleanser which only consists of pure water, fresh squeezed lemons, cayenne pepper and some sweetener like stevia, agave or honey (I personally don’t use any sweetener when I do this, buuuut that doesn’t mean you can skip this. I have been raw for 8 years and have fasted for many years before that and have experience with fasting, and also I have no blood sugar issues and can go for days without any sugar in any form and not feel weak or shaky or have headaches. PLEASE do not even attempt the MC unless you are really healthy and ready on all levels.)
Personally, my favourite thing to recommend to people starting out is a few days on Green Smoothies because they are so convenient- which means easy to stick to and succeed with- and so nourishing which is what most people really need. Stripping away toxins is a demanding job and most people are so deficient as it is, nutritionally and energetically. This is why I also do HERBAL INFUSIONS and decotions and other elixirs and will be doing a couple of programs here on rawmom with Daniel Vitalis and Susun Weed (who is also a guest speaker for WISH www.wishsummit.com) so you can learn how to make your own healing drinks.
STEP #3
When it is a day or so before the scheduled commencement date of your little detox diet, get rid of anything in your house that would seriously tempt you. Times might get a little tough and you don’t need the extra pressure. Set yourself up to succeed and don’t skip this important step.
STEP #4
I like this one. I put up on my fridge a piece of paper listing down the side all the days that I have planned for my detox, like this:
DAY 1~
DAY 2~
DAY 3~ etc…
…and that way I have a visual cue which serves not only as a reminder but also encouragement. Each day I tick off at bedtime as well as writing down throughout the day what and when I drank my smoothies or juices or whatever, including how much water I drank that day. You may also wish to chart your bowel movements, your sleep pattern, any symptoms that crop up, along with the healing modalities I am going to suggest you take advantage of using during your special customized program you are creating.
NETI POT
This is a little ceramic (there are plastic ones too for travel) that looks like a little white tea pot without a lid. This a nasal irrigation device based on Auyervedic tradition that helps with sinus problems or allergies. I don’t have either problems- maybe that is because of my healthy diet, or maybe its because I use my neti pot. I only use it once in a while though, unless I’m doing a cleanse, then every other day. It’s super easy to use. You fill it up with warm water and a small amount of ground sea salt and ensure that the salt is dissolved. Then tip the spout into one nostril as you lean over the bathroom sink, and just allow the water to travel along the nasal passage and flow out the other nostril.
I like to place a little bit of sesame (unroasted) oil, or plain olive oil or even coconut butter on the tip of my ring finger and gently coat the inside of my nostrils AFTERWARDS which acts as a barrier is soothing. I recall Dr Dean mentioning the benefits of this in her wonderful Doctor of the Future 50 week health program where she gives all kinds of little great health information…so I have been doing it ever since when I neti pot, though I can’t exactly remember why! The feeling of clarity and sense of well-being is the result.
OIL PULLING
I heard about this from Tonya Zavasta while reading her e-book called TEETH; Tonya is one of our guests for the exciting world-wide event coming this Spring called WISH Women’s International Summit for Health. Go now and register- It’s FREE!
Oil pulling is another ancient Auyervedic system that is used to remove toxins from the body by way of the saliva. Swishing about a tablespoon or 2 into your mouth for about 15 minutes first thing in the morning on an empty stomach is all it takes. You do not gargle with the oil, just vigorously swish it around in your mouth while you open the mail or file your nails or whatever multi-tasking you like, and then spit out into the sink and rinse. It is apparently good for just about every condition known. The theory is that it exerts a powerful detoxification effect on the entire body through picking up germs and bacteria in our mouth and even beyond by pulling them through the mucous membranes in the mouth from the body. These toxins enter our saliva through a process of enzymatic action in the bloodstream and are drawn up and eventually out of our body with the oil that captures them. Never swallow the oil as it becomes toxic. And the key with this as with most health practices is consistency. Apparently, it is really effective. I am doing it several times a week and am enjoying it. Use cold pressed organic sesame oil (un-roasted) or Olive or coconut oil. This is an act of self love.
TONGUE SCRAPING
You are already doing this daily I hope. It’s as simple as taking a spoon and scraping your tongue to remove excess film that is loaded with bacteria and plaque building micro-organisms. I use an actual device called a tongue scraper that I got from the Health food store and that and brushing/flossing my teeth first thing in the morning is the KEY to me waking up my body-temple in the morning and feeling ready to face the day. Oral hygiene is so important. I have a heart condition which makes it even more so, but anyone will add years to their life if they take good care here. That is an actual fact. Affirm when you do it ‘I enjoy taking care of my self.’
CASTOR OIL PACK
I used to highly recommend this to people when I was a Colon Hydro Therapist, and its great for anyone who wishes to assist their own bowel cleanse whether they are doing colonics or enemas or not. Taking a break from eating solids and nourishing yourself with liquids for a few days weeks or even months (check with your doctor or health practitioner first) really helps most people get more in tune with their bodies. Using castor oil packs can really help soften impacted fecal matter that can build up in people who are not moving their bowels enough. Most people are constipated but don’t realise it. Ideally, we would move our bowels shortly after eating or ingesting food due to what is called peristalsis- and wave action of the bowel that moves everything along stimulated by the act of eating. Therefore, if you eat 3 times a day, ideally you would have waste eliminated 3 times a day too. Most people do not even move their bowels once a day! Imagine the build up inside. This can cause prolapsed colons which also produce protruding bellies. I do a massage for my colon when I am lying down and I can feel what is going on there.
A castor oil back is done when you have at least 20 minutes or more to rest. You take the castor oil and pour about ½ c onto a folded wool or cotton piece of fabric and place that on your tummy. Place a towel underneath you so in case of dripping. Then place plastic wrap on top of the pad, then a little hand towl on top of that. Finally a hot water bottle or heating pad on top of the towel. Just rest and relax and let the process do its thing. People find this deeply relaxing and effective and often have wonderful and satisfying bowel movements later that day or next day that are very comfortable and substantial. Mmmmm, relaxation is so pleasurable…
ENEMAS/COLONICS
This is a controversial modality for some. However, if done properly, I believe it is very safe and effective. I am not going to explain in detail because this is really something you need to read up on if you haven’t had either one already. What I will say is that by allowing water into the lower part of the colon through a rubber hose which enter the rectum, the water creates peristalsis and helps wash out the bowel of trapped gas, mucous, parasites like tapeworms, and old, impacted fecal matter. I know some people do these regularly, but I don’t recommend that at all. I do think it is a good idea whenever you are doing a cleanse, every other day or a few times per week. It really depends on you. There are so many myths about this such as its addictive, or it will cause your natural peristalsis to disappear or it strips out all your good intestinal flora, etc. I am not going to explain here why these are inaccurate because my intention isn’t to teach a class about intestinal irrigation so much as just letting you know what tools exist, which ones I personally believe are effective for most people, and allowing you to do due diligence and research anything you aren’t familiar with if it resonates with you.
I personally haven’t felt the need to do colonics for several years now and would only do an enema a couple times a week while on a cleanse. They aren’t as effective as colonics, but I am so in tune with my body that I can hold in enough water and actually feel it moving not only in the lower bowel but also along the transverse colon and down into the ascending colon right to my cecum where the large and small intestine meet. I enjoy being in tune with my organs.
BAREFOOT WALKS
OOOOoooOOoO I LOVE THIS ONE! Our feet contain many meridians of energy that are stimulated and activated when we walk barefoot which help discharge Electromagnetic Pollution as well as invigorate all the organs which correspond to the reflex points on the soles of the feet. I started doing this several years into my raw life as I noticed I naturally felt so much stronger and heartier especially in the cold weather and even winter snow. I have recently learned that my natural urge to be barefoot is actually a true health practice which people like David Wolfe and Daniel Vitalis have been sharing a lot about recently. This is my 4th year and I have to say its such a pleasure to go barefoot out in Nature. Please do it with extreme mindfulness if you wish to try it. I don’t recommend doing it in urban areas. Learn to step with care and confidence. Love your feet, love your journey.
DEEP BREATHING
Like green smoothies, and veggie juices, deep breathing is not only detoxifying, but also so nourishing. Isn’t it amazing how shallow we normally breathe? Its good to be reminded to take deep breathes throughout the day. I do this at night time with my children. It sets off a yawning symphony and really does help us relaxxxxxx.
MASSAGE AND GET MASSAGE
There are deep healing benefits to touching and stroking our children and partners, and having them reciprocate. The power of touch is well known but under utilized. I love to cuddle with each of my boys for a few minutes at bedtime and we also like to give full body hugs throughout the day. If you don’t have time or energy left for sex with your mate or are not in a relationship, touching people be it our friends or family, is extremely healthy and healing. Stroking the hair, playing footisies under the table, light head massages….find ways to touch and be touched more, for health and pleasure!
I hope you enjoy some of the fun and healing methods I typically use on a cleanse that I’ve outlined here. I would love to know which ones YOU use, these or others.
Enjoy your SPA Days.
You are worth it!
Blissings xoxoxoShakaya