How I Fell in Love with My Cleanse

I can’t remember exactly when I finished my 21-day cleanse. I felt so good I didn’t want to stop. So I didn’t. Oh, I’m adding some foods I had omitted but not all. The first couple of days were tricky. It’s hard for me to get up real early. I hang out doing delicious movements to keep my psoas and core loose and moving (cause I can assure you they would have been welded together by now if I didn’t.) By the time I come down for breakfast it’s late. So I had to learn to navigate the clock:  they recommend 2 – 3 shakes a day; I had 1.5 shakes twice a day. Worked for me.

Getting the shake down was an interesting process. I remember one morning looking at sewage sludge. It tasted like tart sludge. I guess when you mix dark-colored blackberries, raspberries and blueberries with deep green powder, off-white rice protein powder and purified water, you’re not going to make light and lovely celestial shades.

It began to look better when I added either a small organic banana or small apple to fewer frozen berries. The color and taste improved immensely:  less dark, more sweet (berries can be quite tart.)

My next logistic hassle was what foods to actually eat. There was a limited list of veggies, chosen for their high nutrient content, as well as organic brown rice and lentils. I needed to have at least twice as many veggies as fruits per day, which wasn’t a problem, I only had fruit with the shakes. Raw veggies were advised over cooked, but cooking was okay if only for a very short time.

When I got tired of grumbling to myself I figured it out. We (hubbs and I) made great salads with all kinds of greens and accoutrements. I shredded raw beets, cabbage, zucchini and carrots into the salads. Microplaned garlic or chopped in fresh onion. Raw mushrooms and finely sliced celery were added to radishes, jicama, cukes, tomatoes, parsley, chives, cooked asparagus (and sometimes a few raw tips) and, of course, mixed salad greens, spinach and avocado. After some days I began adding a little brown rice to it. Of course, a little organic olive oil (the chaste kind, you know, extra virgin) with a little fresh lime or lemon juice squeezed on top and tossed with a couple of shakes of Real brand salt (it is real salt, not baked at 3,000 degrees, not bleached, without sugar, dextrose or any number of chemicals often found in box salts. Celtic Grey is another terrific salt.)

What a thrill! I’ve never been on a cleanse that allowed olive oil, citrus, tomatoes or salt. Yippee! This was a luxury cleanse! I added plain, baked sweet potato twice (I know, you’re thinking I’m a real daredevil. Guess I just can’t help it!)

Mustn’t forget the cleanse supplements. I used the Standard Process formulations – actually, this is their cleanse except for the shake. I had to substitute because their shake is whey-based and I’m dairy intolerant. Most shakes either have a whey base, or there is some amount of sugar in them (often in the fruit flavor that’s added,) and some have synthetic nutrients, a thing I can’t abide.

One of the really wonderful things about a cleanse is getting a clear baseline again. In other words, as I go through the year I gradually add a little too much olive oil to dishes, and get very heavy-handed on the spices. And doesn’t winter just bring on a need for lots of good, homemade bread? And cupcakes? And . . . and . . . and. But no matter what, even if I ate a perfectly perfect diet all year round, the brain habituates: it stops noticing what we do habitually. I start to lose my ability to discern what I need and don’t need; I start to lose balance and am drawn to foods that are wrong for me.

When I feel clean inside, I’m back to neutral, zero, my intestines and colon are not mucked up. My liver and gall bladder have had their workloads reduced. I feel lighter and able to discern what I need vs. what I want out of whim, desire to be entertained, or an emotion (emotions created the comfort food industry.) I am in a much better position not only to choose healthy foods, but to feel and appreciate their affects.

Detoxification:  It is said that toxins adhere to fat and cleansing helps to break up and release those toxins. The intestinal lining gets a rest and the intestines and colon get rejuvenated. It is also said that personal growth work (working on editing our behavioral and/or emotional patterns) is aided by this process.

Bottom line:  I feel great, my energy and mood are upbeat, and my energy is more even than it normally is (I’m a peaks and valleys person, as opposed to some close family members who have even energy from morning to night.)

An Aging Gracefully Bonus:  My early-boomer joints function more smoothly and energetically without swelling.

So I’m going to continue my shakes and lots of salads while I add other cooked veggies, lentil dishes and occasional poultry – till my body says it needs a change.

Question for You:  What do you do to clean out toxins and help your body feel rejuvenated?

Thanks for dropping by. Do share your comments.  Next time:  Part III:  the conclusion of my interview with Dr. Ananda Kramer on Digestive Harmony and the Ancestral Diet.

Ever Noticed How Much We Don’t Notice?

Have you ever noticed how much we don’t notice? We don’t notice when we hoist a shoulder to an earlobe when reaching for an object. We don’t notice when we clamp our arms to our sides when we walk, or that we lead with our heads (maybe the mind can’t wait for the rest of the body to get to its destination.) How can we care about, let alone change, something we don’t notice?

We move on automatic pilot, relying on unconscious habit patterns that are programmed and maintained through neural signals. To make a difference in these unconscious patterns of movement, or lack of movement, we go back to our first three steps described in earlier blogs. We make a conscious decision to do so (Step 1) and then set an intention (Step 2). To change these patterns we need to begin to discern how we move or where we don’t move. To create such awareness (Step 3) we use movement.

Step 4:  Movement

Movement – subtle, mindful and rhythmical – can begin to ‘speak’ to, or access, the central nervous system, a non-intellectual part of the brain that affects neural signals – like those that help keep self-limiting patterns in place. We want to create new neural signals that support our intention to, say, loosen tight muscles and ease joint mobility.

We perform mindful (you could say meditative) movements, in a particular manner, on one side of the body. We notice how that side feels in contrast to how the other side feels. This allows the non-intellectual brain to begin to notice the difference between the two sides. The effect is similar to inputting data into a computer. Once the data ‘registers’, it becomes the basis for the brain, nervous system etc. to begin to help us create new neural signals that help reprogram old patterns.

Simultaneously, we kinesthetically begin to feel how we actually (vs what we assumed) use our bodies and the effect of that usage. That kinesthetic awareness informs subsequent movement, which increases awareness, which guides further movement, which expands awareness . . . a spiral of symbiotic relationships emerge, working from within and without.

The nature of the movement is important, but not conveniently described here. Among the essential tools are attitudes of healing as well as visualization, breathing, self-massage and a lot of repetition. In my opinion and experience these mindbody methods, combined with Intention, Awareness, Movement (I AM) create a powerful process that supports transformation of self-limiting patterns, whether physical, emotional or behavioral.

The resources are inside us. We just need a road map to find and use what we already have; once we do, it’s ours for life. For we boomers, it makes for graceful aging with ease. This doesn’t mean we won’t ever need to seek help from other professionals. I receive therapeutic massage and chiropractic in addition to my personal movement practice.

Share your comments; they are appreciated. This is a huge topic and I am only glancing the surface. To learn more about the fascinating internal communication network click on Articles (on the right). I also recommend the book Molecules of Emotion by the brilliant researcher Candace Pert, PhD.  See you next week.

Question for You:  How do you address unwanted patterns?

Feeling like the Rope in Tug o’ War

My big sister has been visiting for almost two weeks. We only get to visit every few years, so I’ve  chosen to spend as much quality time with her as possible. I wish I’d made that decision last week when my heart said to do so. Unfortunately, my mind said:  Complete the blog post and publish it on Monday; be responsible.

I didn’t get the blog post completed in spite of spending days on it. And it really wasn’t about being responsible. It was a family-of-origin, self-limiting pattern of emotions and behaviors.

One of my intentions is to honor my gut instincts, my heart’s direction. Last week, when I didn’t go out with my sister and others but stayed back writing (poorly) and editing (badly) the post, I was aware that something was very off:  I wasn’t in synch with myself, I felt at odds. I felt like the rope in a game of tug of war. But I didn’t heed what my instincts were telling me – which always leads to some form of unhappiness or regret.

The good news is it’s never too late to move forward, and to let go of attachment to self-blame (a common reaction.) I accept that my choice last week came from an old habit. Without judgment I can move on, feeling the rightness of this choice in my body and my being – my proving rods. It leaves me with a feeling of lightness, joy and harmony. The tug o’ war is over.

So today I’m not writing the more complex post I’d intended for last week. Today, I’m honoring my self – not self in the selfish sense, self in a deeper sense, not elevated enough to use an upper case S, but higher than the self of wants and self-centeredness. And I’m honoring my sister and the ties we have:  love, cellular connection, history.  Our time together gives my life richness.

In making this decision I used the same principles I’ve been writing about. I was aware of being off, out of synch with my intention. I moved internally:  changed my angle of perception to realize there is a simple and loving solution that goes beyond black and white considerations of responsible or not responsible. I chose that solution and am acting on it.

This is a small example of adding movement to intention and awareness for transformational purposes, the subject of my un-post last week. Here it’s been used to change a self-limiting behavioral and emotional pattern.  The same principles help transform self-limiting physical patterns to increase mobility and relieve pain.  There’s much more to it, of course, but this is the scent of the essence.

Have a great week and please share your comments.

Coming soon: Part III of an interview with Naturopathic Physician and Homeopath, Dr. Ananda Kramer, on Digestive Harmony and Transformational Healing.

Question for you:  What happens when you change your angle of perception?

Awareness, the Mother Lode

My profession is always to be alert, to find God in nature, to know God’s lurking places, to attend to all the oratorios and the operas in nature.

This quote of Thoreau conjures images of a forest with hidden nooks and crannies that require alertness to know which might be scary and which might open to reveal hidden treasures. Not unlike checking out how my body feels when I awaken in the morning. For that reason it seems a good lead-in to Step 3 of the basic elements of activating our inner resources and living life from within.

Step 3:  Awareness, the mother lode. From dictionary.com:  “AWARENESS:  having knowledge; conscious; cognizant: aware of danger, informed; alert; knowledgeable . . . “

In my experience, the hardest bit of awareness to develop is the awareness that we really aren’t very aware, especially about how we use our bodies. And no matter how much awareness we gain, there will always be room for more.

The reward, of course, for becoming aware of what’s ‘lurking’ in my body (or my temperament) is that I can make a conscious choice to do something about it instead of unknowingly allowing it to compound into something worse.

Upon awakening this morning, I lightly stretched before getting up. I softly coaxed what wasn’t quite ready to move with soft, rhythmical movements, kind of  slithering. These mindful movements are specially effective because they speak to both the physical level (joints, for example) and to the mindbody.

I scanned my body’s response, noting where there was stiffness and an ache in my low back. I drew on my intention, which, fortunately, was deeper than the desire to go downstairs for breakfast. A few moments later, I switched to my upper body and used the same type of soft, rhythmical movements, noticing where I felt reduced mobility.

After a bit I returned to the low back and found it had changed while I worked on my shoulder girdle – the only kind of girdle I allow in my home. My low back had softened, released, become open and more flexible while I worked on my shoulder girdle. Interesting, isn’t it? With delight, I moved effortlessly. (This is truly graceful aging with ease.)

By the time I was done, those delicious movements had orchestrated my separate body parts into an organized, harmonious and comfortable whole.  Their oratorios were sung with joy and enthusiasm that echoed throughout the day.

Question for you:  How do you use awareness to enhance your life?

Next Monday:  turning Intention, Awareness, Movement (I A M) into a transformational process.

Coming soon:  an interview with Dr. Ananda Kramer on digestive harmony through each person’s unique Ancestral Diet.

Unexpected Benefits

I didn’t realize I’d get a benefit by sharing my passion for living life from within! Blogging made me ask if I’m walking my talk, which led to some needed spiffing up!  But moving on with the basic elements of activating our inner resources:

Step 2: What Is Your Intention?

Intention helps the inner compass find ‘true north’ to move us in the direction we’ve chosen when it and we are consistent with our nature.

So much has been said by so many on the subject of intention, does anyone need to hear anything more about it? Ever? Yes, because in addition to the good stuff, there’s been too much over-simplification. Also, as we move through this blog series I’ll show you how to use it in conjunction with improving mobility and pain relief.

To know your intention, allow yourself space to be and time to reflect so that the intention is consistent with your nature, with the grain of your being. An intention that reflects your heart’s purpose and desire will help you take flight – likely preceded by some homework – something I noticed I’d become a tad shy of:  too much thinking about not enough doing!

An intention puts our internal resources on notice that we’ve chosen a clear direction. This is a powerful thing because as the intention is reinforced (see next blog post), the way to fulfilling it begins to show itself, in whatever time frame is appropriate (quickly, slowly, who’s to know?)

Pie in the sky?

There’s been a lot in popular media that takes a simpler (simple minded?) view. I heard a professional say:   If you want to be a world-famous opera singer, just have the intention and visualize yourself on a stage. That’s all you need. Not on my planet. How about adding voice training and practice?

Closer to Reality:

If a person chooses to gain greater use of a wounded leg but simultaneously thinks it’s not possible, he’ll prove himself right. A contradictory fear, hidden desire or need that doesn’t come into the light will be a hidden saboteur that negates intention. Uncovering our own hidden belief systems (a possible intention?) helps us become more whole and more effective.

Setting Your Intention:

Once you’ve got the intention, make it yours:  own it, claim it, create reminders of it. Take time to be with it. Breathe it in. Write it down, dance it in, sing it out with words or sounds. Some like to paint it, shape it in clay – whatever you are inspired to do, let it flow.

I have a conflict in that I want to write all that I can on this topic, but it would be a book instead of a blog post. See you next Monday. Thanks for your comments, love them, please leave lots.

Question for You:

Have you had a good experience using intention? A bad experience?

Getting Started: Activating Brain Central

“So,” you might ask, “how do we start tapping into that powerful pool of natural resources residing within that you wrote about last time?” Good question. This is a simple introduction to something vast and complex:  as big as changing habitual, self-limiting patterns, as simple as making a decision and creating an intention.

How to embark on a potentially transformative process? Start in a place where you’ll be undisturbed. A quiet, peaceful space where you can take deep, calming breaths and be present.

Step 1: The Way To Begin:  decide to.  It’s that simple. Make a conscious choice; it begins to engage ‘brain-central’.

Step 2 on Monday.  See you there, meanwhile:  What do you do to get centered, calm and present?

Thanks for your comments and questions. Keep them coming, they mean a lot.