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.
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, 4th 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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A friend of mine is going through some very strange health challenges right now that resemble allergic reactions. Besides a whole slew of symptoms, his eyes puffed up a few weeks ago. They have since gotten better – unfortunately the swelling has moved down to his tongue! Obviously, he now has difficulty eating, which I said may not be such a bad thing.
According to The Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fourth Edition:
“Fasting is recommended for any illness, as it gives the body the rest it needs to recover. Acute illnesses, colon disorders, allergies, and respiratory diseases are most responsive to fasting, while chronic degenerative diseases are least responsive. By relieving the body of the work of digesting foods, fasting permits the system to rid itself of toxins while facilitating healing.
But fasting is helpful not just in times of poor health or during the body’s low cycles [natural detoxification ]. By fasting regularly, you give all of your organs a rest, and thus help reverse the aging process and live a longer and healthier life.”
This elimination diet adventure has both ups and downs , a thrilling rollercoaster I like to call, The Diet Decimator! It’s been both challenging and extremely rewarding. Between the yummy recipes , the cleansing and, most importantly, a notably improved digestion…I could possibly stay on this diet forever!
Ya, ha! Riiiiiight. I could – since necessity calls for creation and these recipes I’m trying are truly deeeelish - I just don’t want to. Truth be told, I’ve cheated almost everyday since starting this extensively restrictive diet. Mind you, they’ve been healthy cheats, like a handful dried fruit and chocolate chips or a small, black organic coffee.
For awhile, I was feeling guilty about cheating because I know I can do this perfectly… under the right circumstances. If all I had to do was this diet? No problem. There would be no stress and therefore no cravings. And doing it perfectly isn’t just my ego talking, Folks, it means the difference between 3 weeks and nearly 3 months!
Do you have digestive troubles but aren’t ready to visit the doc yet, let alone attempt any major changes in diet or fitness levels? Well, this post is for you!
During my last visit, the Naturopathic Doctor passed on the following pearls of digestive wisdom:
Lately on Live Lighter, we’ve been on a quest to find sensitivities and allergies to food on our elimination diet adventures . By sticking to a diet rich in foods that are least likely to cause an allergic reaction (hypo-allergenic ), we’ve been cleansing our bodies of offending foods. Well, there was an interesting turn of events this past week.
Not only am I experiencing a detox of the body, but I’m also experiencing a detox of the mind and soul! Some issues have risen up from the depths of my bowels (ha ha?). This surfacing process put me out of sorts and actually at times it’s been downright painful. Most of my time this week has been spent in deep introspection or purging my thoughts and feelings.
Thank you to my friends and family for listening and for your patience on this roller coaster of emotion!
This is the final and most important step in how to get a beach bod in time for summer . Why so crucial? Because it was my arch nemesis during my health journey and I know other people have fought this demon, too.
This was the cycle: I’d be rolling right along, happily balancing on the wagon, eating well and exercising regularly, and then something would happen. I noticed that it occurred around the 3 month mark, sometimes at 6 months. It usually came in a clever guise. I saw it arrive in the form of a lovely tropical, all-inclusive vacation before, and also as a nasty, hard-hitting cold virus.
Whatever its face, whenever it appeared, my routine and my good intentions went spiraling down the toilet. All my progress shriveled up shortly afterwards and I was back to the beginning. It took many attempts and failures before I realized what was happening and how to prevent it. So to help you avoid some anguish, here is my secret to getting over the 3 month hump …
So if you’ve been following Live Lighter for the last few weeks, we’ve been on an elimination diet adventure . The Holy Grail in this story is healthy digestion! Come on, I bet you’ve experienced digestive discomfort a time or two.
It’s estimated that approximately 1 in every 5 Canadian has chronic digestive problems. (Source: Canadian Society of Intestinal Research ). So have you ever wondered about your poor digestion?
Here is a 10 minute clip by Paul Check , holistic health expert and founder of the C.H.E.K. Institute, explaining how a healthy digestive system works, some tips in how to achieve it, and what happens when we ignore our digestive problems:
Coconut-almond crusted, organic chicken fingers with spicy homemade mustard dipping sauce (or honey garlic dipping sauce), steamed garlic asparagus and broccoli drizzled with olive oil and finished with fresh ground sea salt and pepper. For dessert, a watermelon-berry fruit smoothie.
How scrumptious does that sound? AND it was an elimination diet-friendly dinner!
Rachael Ray , eat your heart out.
But where did this magnificent meal come from and will I share the recipes with you? But of course, Live Lighter Readers!
Friday nights are a special night in this household. My good friend Krista comes over armed with a smile, some Friday treats and her extraordinary culinary talents. This woman has mad skills in the kitchen, what she can do with appetizers will make your head spin, not to mention she’s the best hostess I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.
The feeling of freedom comes in different forms and from various sources. When I got rid of 25lbs in 3 months last year, I felt free. The excess weight that had been weighing me down physically, mentally and emotionally was gone! I was a brand new person. The same happened when I decided to stop smoking (4th time’s a charm), and this burden lifted as I broke free from nicotine.
The last few weekends I’ve spent some time spring cleaning and decluttering . It’s so refreshing to know that everything in my closet fits me perfectly and will be worn! I refused to keep clothes that were too big…`just in case’. No way! That’s a lurking negative belief ready to pounce. There’s no going back – only forward.
Besides the mental and emotional freedom of decluttering, the financial benefits if you sell the stuff and the efficient living effects from an organized environment, there are very real physical benefits to spring cleaning.
Step #5 to your Beach Bod: Detoxify your Environment
