It’s been awhile since we had an elimination diet adventure post. Several weeks ago, I started the stage that I was most excited about, food reintroduction. It’s the phase of the elimination diet where you slowly and methodically begin eating the foods that may have been causing our bodies to react negatively.

This part, while fun, has also been very challenging. It’s basically a scientific test and I’ve found that it requires a lot of attention, planning and determination. This is how it’s supposed to go down:

1. Continue eating hypo-allergenic foods from the elimination diet.
2. Take one day and eat 2 – 3 servings of a possibly offending food, e.g. eggs.
3. Note any digestive disturbances throughout the day.
4. Wait 1-4 days and choose another food to try, repeating the process until you’ve tried all possibly offending food groups (wheat, gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, sugar and nightshade).

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During the last week, we discussed whether or not fasting is healthy for you, including a post that described a safe, enlightening 3 day fast to follow.

Here’s an interesting (and kinda strange) video advocating nutritional fasting; that is, replacing solid food for juice and blended foods. If you have 8½ minutes, check it out - it’s got Darryl Hannah in it! Man, I gotta try that Chi Swing.

Here’s a little health humour for those trying to lose weight by cutting down their daily calories.

Yuck, croutons and ice cream. If you’re going to cheat, make sure it’s yummy!

This article is the second installment of “Local, Seasonal and Organic Food” column, submitted by friend, health nut and reader, Denise.

A sure sign of spring, stalks of rhubarb are a terrific source of Vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and fiber.

These days, rhubarb is often regarded as a healthy & delicious dessert. But centuries ago, the Chinese would prescribe it as a natural remedy for digestive problems. It wasn¹t until Ben Franklin introduced the seeds to North America years later, that it became as common as it is today.

Pick your own at http://www.brooksfarms.com/

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Last post we discussed whether fasting is healthy . While the debate still rages, for those who are convinced and curious to try it, here’s my method for a safe, 3 day fast. Based on my Natural Healing Bible (The Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4^th Edition ) two ND’s have seen it and agreed that it was safe for most relatively healthy people. Of course, before starting any new health program, please consult your MD and your naturopath.

The Prescription for Nutritional Healing recommends we fast at least 3 days a month and follow a 10 day fast twice a year. There are different types of fasts and depending on the length of fast, it accomplishes different things:

3 days helps the body rid itself of toxins and cleanses the blood.
5 days begins the process of healing and rebuilding the immune system.
10 days will help prevent illness and disease by giving the body time to reverse the damage caused by long-term exposure to dangerous chemicals and toxins.

Precautions to take:
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