Detoxification Program – Day Ten

Yeah! I made it! The final day of my detoxification program has arrived. It is a bit anticlimactic because like day one, day ten is a transition day, meaning I don’t take any more medical food or AdvaClear. The focus at this stage is to gradually reintroduce suspect foods back into the diet.

If you have the patience, this can be a side benefit of doing the detox. Each 24-48 hours add a new food and take note of how you feel. For example, if you think you might have a wheat intolerance/allergy, eat something with wheat and notice how your body responds over the next day or two. If you have an adverse reaction, then you have pinpointed the culprit. If not, try introducing another food, like dairy. Again, wait and see what happens. It does take diligence, but if you have been suffering, it will be worth it.

The liver is the toxin filter for the body and this doing this program is similar to changing the air filter on an air conditioner or car – your body will run better and more efficiently. Chinese Medicine says that if the chi, or energy, in the liver is not flowing properly both the body and the emotions get stuck. Freeing up the liver from toxic burden also helps free up anger and frustration that are the challenges of the liver. Instead, you may have more clarity and vision or just feel more laid back.

Overall, I feel that doing this detox was worth the effort and really not difficult, just an adjustment from the usual routine. The major results for me have been 1) normalized stomach acidity with a decrease in acid-reflux symptoms, 2) clarity of thinking, 3) better elimination and 4) a feeling of revitalization. It is also the perfect opportunity to reset your dietary choices.

If you are inspired to do this specific detoxification program, I can  help you get the right products along with the complete written program to follow. If you do a detox, please add to the comments to each day’s blog post. It would be fun to hear how it goes.

Thanks for joining me these ten days!

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Detoxification Program – Day Nine

It is day nine of my detoxification program and I have mixed feeling about it ending. I am enjoying waking up more refreshed and being more clear-headed, but I have to admit that a hamburger is sounding pretty good right now!

Today I decided to take the detoxification process one step further by getting a colonic. I had always wanted to try one, but it was something I was hesitant about. I received it at Provence Wellness Center in Manhattan and had a positive experience.

Colonics are a way to help move along the elimination process and give the colon a thorough cleansing. Some say that the process dates back to ancient Egypt when colonics were performed in the Nile river. Thankfully, they have come a long way since then and are a more advanced, sterile process. Benefits are said to include removing old, hardened, stuck waste material, improving ph balance, and helping with constipation.

Before we got started, my therapist thoroughly explained the process. She warned it would be more weird, unusual, or different, rather than painful. I agree, it was unlike anything I had experienced. Like most treatments, the therapist has a lot to do with the experience and mine was terrific. The appointment lasted an hour and for 45 minutes of that I was hooked up to the machine while she massaged my abdomen.

Afterwards I felt lighter and definitely ‘cleaned out’. The therapist recommended I come back for one more to help finish the process. I haven’t decided if I will do that yet.

Today I was able to add back legumes and nuts plus some grains (quinoa, millet and buckwheat). I have also cut back to two scoops of the protein powder and continued with one AdvaClear per scoop. I made a millet breakfast porridge, had nuts for snacks and ate black beans and veggies for my main meals. I have just about crossed the finish line!

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Detoxification Program – Day Eight

It is day eight and the fun part of the detox begins. I have a sense of accomplishment for getting through the harder days, and I get to add some variety back into my diet.

The reintroduction of food is about as slow as was the elimination, except in reverse order. Today I can add white rice, all vegetables and all fruits.

The first thing I ate was a slice of juicy cantaloupe. Mmmmm, it tasted heavenly. Then I made porridge of white rice with banana and raisins for natural sweetness, and a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg. I used about twice the usual amount of water to make it more congee-like. Congee (also known as Jook) is Chinese medicine’s version of ‘medical food’.

The base for congee is rice that has been cooked for extended periods of time in up to six times the amount of water typically used. Various types of herbs, meats, fruits, nuts or veggies are added, depending on the desired effect.

Congee is perfect for people who have weak digestive systems or are convalescing. The premise is that it is so easily digested that the body’s energies can be used to focus on healing. I didn’t have the patience to wait for mine to cook all day, so after about 30 minutes, I thoroughly enjoyed every bite.

Later in the day I made a simple version of guacamole with avocado and tomato, then dipped baby carrots in it for a yummy snack. For dinner, I had rice with mixed sautéed veggies and added blueberries to my shakes.

Today I decreased my medical food to two scoops three times a day, and am still taking one AdvaClear per scoop. In addition to a renewed clarity of thinking, today I am feeling a bit giddy. I’m not sure what that is about, but it is kind of fun!

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Detoxification Program – Day Seven

Doing a detox program can create temporary symptoms as toxins leave your body. A few items that might impact how you feel during a detox are:

1. Your overall health going into it.
2. Your diet. If you normally consume lots of processed or fried foods, caffeine, alcohol, or conventionally raised vegetables, meats and animal products, you may be more toxic. Even if you eat a 100% organic diet, but work with harsh chemicals on a daily basis, you may have a lot to detox.
3. Your past. While you might be eating ‘clean’ now, what about the past 20, 30 or 40+ years?
4. How often you detox. The more frequently you detox, the less you have to get rid of.

It is day seven of my detox and I am noticing a couple of shifts. I have had a few minor headaches, but I occasionally get headaches, so they may or may not be related to the detox. My acidic stomach has been calmer and I have been waking up more refreshed, yet at the same time, I don’t feel like being very active.

Today I’m following the same dietary guidelines as days five and six. I need a treat, so I make Brussels sprouts. I know, I know, I used to despise the little guys myself until I tried them roasted. Cut into quarters, and place in a heavy baking pan. Toss lightly with olive oil and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes, or until soft and browned, maybe even a little crisp. Remove from oven and lightly sprinkle with thick balsamic vinegar and salt. You might be surprised.

Even though I know I can eat as much of the designated foods as I want, but my desire to eat has faded. Tomorrow I will start adding foods back and I have to admit, I am looking forward to it!

 

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Detoxification Program – Day Six

It is day six of my detox program and I am over the hump! Today and tomorrow have the same limited food choices as Day Five. To my surprise, an interesting side-effect of restricting what I eat has been a feeling of gratitude. Most of the time, I take it for granted that I have such a large selection of readily available, clean, nutritious food. This is something that many people in the world don’t have.

According to the United Nation’s World Food Programme, 842 million people world-wide struggle with hunger every day. A staggering 3.1 million children die from nutrient related illnesses each year. This implies that people not only eat insufficient quantities of food, but what they are eating isn’t supplying the basic requirements needed to keep their bodies functioning properly. Daunting.

As I am in the middle of this detox, I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to eat the same one or two items every day, day after day, year after year. I didn’t mean for this to turn into an advertisement to help feed the children, or to sponsor a child here in the US or abroad, although I do think it is an awesome way to contribute. Several organizations exist to help. Through Children’s International, it costs $22 per month to sponser a child, which might be less than is spent on lattes and frappuccinos.

Back to the detox: I am eating broccoli and kale for my meals, and snacking on organic pears, all of which I have access to an endless supply of. As I eat, I think of the reality of food across the planet and realize that a few days of this, for my own self-health promoting reasons, really isn’t anything to moan about. I am grateful for the abundance in my life.

Nonetheless, a little bored with just kale and broccoli, today I’ve added salads of spinach with green and red lettuce. I toss lightly with some olive oil, balsamic vinegar and salt. And, of course, still drinking my medical food protein shake four times a day, with one AdvaClear per scoop and minimizing my activities.

 

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