This is one of my all-time favorite poems. I keep it tacked up in my bathroom cabinet and found myself reading it a lot this week. It has a special significance for me, and I hope the words inspire a deeper connection with your self, too
Love After Love
The time will come when,
with elation, you will greet yourself arriving,
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other's welcome,
and say, sit here.
Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you all your life,
whom you ignored for another,
who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.
Author: Derek Walcott
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Day 7 of the Cleanse
Today was a very unusual day, full of ups and downs, and I struggled to stay connected spiritually to my purpose thoughout. But there were a few high points worth mentioning.
The day started off at 5:45 with a more vigorous yoga practice. I used Comcast's On-Demand service to tune into a yoga flow sequence as I had just woken up and wasn't ready for the restorative video offered on the Yoga Journal's site for Day 7. Tea and breakfast around 8:45 and a frantic race out the door for church. And that's where the fun began! Today the sermon was a religious, cultural and historical dive into the subject of Fasting. Not simply the starving of oneself for days or weeks, instead we explored the text book definition of fasting which entails the ritual of eating only one type of food for a period of time, or the elimination of particular foods for a period of time...much like lent. We also heard about the origins of fasting and details on the more severe forms, including religious purification and hunger strikes for civil, political or other causes.
I couldn't believe this was the topic of the sermon, talk about kismet! At the end there was a discussion where members of the congregation were encouraged to offer their experience with, or ask questions about, fasting. So, of course, I did "the Big Share". I had a lot of people approach me after service to ask about the purpose of the cleanse, my primary motivation, and what the results were for me. In short I told them I would do another cleanse and may try something different next time for variety, but that I would also do this again next year.
The other realization I had today was that I need a bit more variation in my diet going forward. It is very easy to start incorporating more exotic varietals of vegetables and fruits on a regular basis. I also want to make rice more of a staple versus a once a week side dish for me and my family. I plan to continue to practice yoga and meditate every day, and journal as often as I can. I have also begun mapping out plans to participate in other local wellness events, including a women's day-long retreat in October. It is more critical now than ever that we stay in touch with our higher selves, stay grounded and connected to ourselves and others. It is equally important to look for opportunities to give back to our communities and our planet. There are so many great organizations out there to consider, and many only require a small amount of time and focus for regular participation...such as Moving Planet (www.moving-planet.org). Selecting one that has meaning and resonates for you is the first criteria, and it's great if you can get a friend to do it with you.
The other high point of the day was realizing that I have choices tomorrow for sustenance, and that I still have kitchari leftover if I have a craving. I really like the heartiness of the dish and have started to think about variations.
The low point today was fatigue, and I did get a headache tonight, too. I am slightly anemic so this may be the culprit, and though I was tempted to cook a steak for dinner, I took a different tack and ate a handful of organic raw pepitas to add a shot of iron to my blood. I chased that with a half litre of water just in case mild dehydration was the culprit.
The headache was my only discomfort in this whole process, and it may be unrelated to the Detox. My son came home from school on Thursday with a little something extra...this year's first cold. While I had been hopeful that the cleanse would throw up a road block against such trespassers, it's possible that had I started the cleanse a few days before, my system might have been less vulnerable. In any case, now I know what to do with the leftover potatoes and carrots from the potassium broth. In my experience, there is no better way to feed a cold than with homemade chicken soup!
Ok, so clearly I'm not going the vegan route, not permanently anyway. I can deal with a twice annual 7-Day Detox Cleanse, but the girl likes her New York strip, occasional pulled pork and chicken sausages. Moderation!
Whatever your reason for reading this, I hope you found the informaton useful, helpful or, at the very least, entertaining. Feel free to email me with questions at karen@greensearchpartner.com
Namaste!!
The day started off at 5:45 with a more vigorous yoga practice. I used Comcast's On-Demand service to tune into a yoga flow sequence as I had just woken up and wasn't ready for the restorative video offered on the Yoga Journal's site for Day 7. Tea and breakfast around 8:45 and a frantic race out the door for church. And that's where the fun began! Today the sermon was a religious, cultural and historical dive into the subject of Fasting. Not simply the starving of oneself for days or weeks, instead we explored the text book definition of fasting which entails the ritual of eating only one type of food for a period of time, or the elimination of particular foods for a period of time...much like lent. We also heard about the origins of fasting and details on the more severe forms, including religious purification and hunger strikes for civil, political or other causes.
I couldn't believe this was the topic of the sermon, talk about kismet! At the end there was a discussion where members of the congregation were encouraged to offer their experience with, or ask questions about, fasting. So, of course, I did "the Big Share". I had a lot of people approach me after service to ask about the purpose of the cleanse, my primary motivation, and what the results were for me. In short I told them I would do another cleanse and may try something different next time for variety, but that I would also do this again next year.
The other realization I had today was that I need a bit more variation in my diet going forward. It is very easy to start incorporating more exotic varietals of vegetables and fruits on a regular basis. I also want to make rice more of a staple versus a once a week side dish for me and my family. I plan to continue to practice yoga and meditate every day, and journal as often as I can. I have also begun mapping out plans to participate in other local wellness events, including a women's day-long retreat in October. It is more critical now than ever that we stay in touch with our higher selves, stay grounded and connected to ourselves and others. It is equally important to look for opportunities to give back to our communities and our planet. There are so many great organizations out there to consider, and many only require a small amount of time and focus for regular participation...such as Moving Planet (www.moving-planet.org). Selecting one that has meaning and resonates for you is the first criteria, and it's great if you can get a friend to do it with you.
The other high point of the day was realizing that I have choices tomorrow for sustenance, and that I still have kitchari leftover if I have a craving. I really like the heartiness of the dish and have started to think about variations.
The low point today was fatigue, and I did get a headache tonight, too. I am slightly anemic so this may be the culprit, and though I was tempted to cook a steak for dinner, I took a different tack and ate a handful of organic raw pepitas to add a shot of iron to my blood. I chased that with a half litre of water just in case mild dehydration was the culprit.
The headache was my only discomfort in this whole process, and it may be unrelated to the Detox. My son came home from school on Thursday with a little something extra...this year's first cold. While I had been hopeful that the cleanse would throw up a road block against such trespassers, it's possible that had I started the cleanse a few days before, my system might have been less vulnerable. In any case, now I know what to do with the leftover potatoes and carrots from the potassium broth. In my experience, there is no better way to feed a cold than with homemade chicken soup!
Ok, so clearly I'm not going the vegan route, not permanently anyway. I can deal with a twice annual 7-Day Detox Cleanse, but the girl likes her New York strip, occasional pulled pork and chicken sausages. Moderation!
Whatever your reason for reading this, I hope you found the informaton useful, helpful or, at the very least, entertaining. Feel free to email me with questions at karen@greensearchpartner.com
Namaste!!
Day 6 of the Cleanse
I was up at 5:00 on the dot, my internal clock now completely adjusted to the new schedule, and was struck by how dark it was inside the house. Coming downstairs to the sunroom and looking up at the sky, I knew it would be another hour or so before the sunroom actually saw the sun. This is my favorite time of day because I'm alone with little to no likelihood of a break in the silence. I started with the Day 6 yoga sequence. For me this proved a bit more challenging than should be attempted first thing in morning, my body needing more warmth before asking it to take on those positions. But I got through it, and moved onto tea and breakfast.
I infused the jasmine rice I'd cooked the night before with cardamom and tons of cinnamon, so it had a pretty pink shimmer to it. Rice milk and honey the only accompaniments, and then I had company. Saturdays through the summer and fall we participate in the Farmer's market, so my husband was up and out into the garden right away to gather in vegetables and herbs. Silence for a few more minutes until the kids are up and the day really takes off.
I am amazed that we've both done so well this week without coffee and neither of us feeling too groggy or irritable. Cool! I've already started the gradual mental shift into drinking only decaf from now on, and maybe just one cup a day instead of my usual two or three. After all, it does get expensive and I like the organic stuff. So it would seem my personal coffee drinking habit is more luxury than necessity as drinking decaf and less overall coffee would benefit both my stress level and my wallet.
The toxin/metal/impurities aspect of the cleanse is a lot harder to measure. I had no baseline for where I started, and there have been no visual signs of cleansing of toxins, but my skin looks great and I feel good physically. I expect this has as much to do with the lack of stimulants and the diet, but there may be other ways to measure the results of the detox that I don't know about. I will admit that my diet had already been pretty clean to start with, I try to eat whole foods as much as possible and avoid processed items. I love dairy, occasional sweets, but stick to mostly vegetables, whole grains, plant-based proteins, fruit (not as much as I should) and water-based drinks (not a big juicer). And while meat is not something I'm totally ready to give up, it's not a weekly indulgence either. I don't know what a release of toxins looks/feels like, so I have no way to know whether the cleanse was effective this way.
One of the biggest positive visible signs of the cleanse has been the increase in my flexibility and physical strength attributable to daily yoga practice. That has been absolutely amazing. Stretches and positions that have been a bit out of my reach or comfort zone are coming more easily to me now, and I'm more likely to attempt a position at the studio that I know could land me on my face, rather than save it for a moment of private humbling. Pride no longer takes up any real estate on my mat.
I am happy to say that I made it through Saturday without much struggle. Though the usual managerie of delicious organic and whole foods offered at the Farmer's Market is always a wonderful temptation, I bought only what I needed for the potassium broth. It doesn't taste like anything and I'll probably throw in a dash of salt today so that the requisite 2-3 cups goes down in a more palatable fashion. But it's very easy to make and doesn't take a lot of time.
I ended the afternoon with a facial, and that was fantastic! And, by the way, why don't we do this at least once a month? It's so good for your skin and such a great way to relax and get that hands-on TLC we all need more of. I went shopping at the local fruit market adjacent to the spa afterward and rediscovered this local gem and all their domestic and exotic produce. I'm going back on Wednesday to their salad bar...how could I have forgotten about this place?
Dinner was more kitchari, my best batch yet, and potassium broth followed by a sliver of the mung bean cake I created. Came out a little drier this time so I'll need to revise the recipe a bit. Anyway, by 9:30 p.m. I was dog tired, fell gratefully into bed, and slept until 5:45 this morning.
Today is the final day of the cleanse and the realizations have already begun. While it is supposed to be a day of quiet solitude and periods of silence, I'll have to get a walk in later to fulfill this need. It's practically impossible to be silent during church and the following coffee hour. Not to mention my nine year old has been chatting me up since she came downstairs this morning.
Ahh, the gift of gab...wonder where she got that?
I infused the jasmine rice I'd cooked the night before with cardamom and tons of cinnamon, so it had a pretty pink shimmer to it. Rice milk and honey the only accompaniments, and then I had company. Saturdays through the summer and fall we participate in the Farmer's market, so my husband was up and out into the garden right away to gather in vegetables and herbs. Silence for a few more minutes until the kids are up and the day really takes off.
I am amazed that we've both done so well this week without coffee and neither of us feeling too groggy or irritable. Cool! I've already started the gradual mental shift into drinking only decaf from now on, and maybe just one cup a day instead of my usual two or three. After all, it does get expensive and I like the organic stuff. So it would seem my personal coffee drinking habit is more luxury than necessity as drinking decaf and less overall coffee would benefit both my stress level and my wallet.
The toxin/metal/impurities aspect of the cleanse is a lot harder to measure. I had no baseline for where I started, and there have been no visual signs of cleansing of toxins, but my skin looks great and I feel good physically. I expect this has as much to do with the lack of stimulants and the diet, but there may be other ways to measure the results of the detox that I don't know about. I will admit that my diet had already been pretty clean to start with, I try to eat whole foods as much as possible and avoid processed items. I love dairy, occasional sweets, but stick to mostly vegetables, whole grains, plant-based proteins, fruit (not as much as I should) and water-based drinks (not a big juicer). And while meat is not something I'm totally ready to give up, it's not a weekly indulgence either. I don't know what a release of toxins looks/feels like, so I have no way to know whether the cleanse was effective this way.
One of the biggest positive visible signs of the cleanse has been the increase in my flexibility and physical strength attributable to daily yoga practice. That has been absolutely amazing. Stretches and positions that have been a bit out of my reach or comfort zone are coming more easily to me now, and I'm more likely to attempt a position at the studio that I know could land me on my face, rather than save it for a moment of private humbling. Pride no longer takes up any real estate on my mat.
I am happy to say that I made it through Saturday without much struggle. Though the usual managerie of delicious organic and whole foods offered at the Farmer's Market is always a wonderful temptation, I bought only what I needed for the potassium broth. It doesn't taste like anything and I'll probably throw in a dash of salt today so that the requisite 2-3 cups goes down in a more palatable fashion. But it's very easy to make and doesn't take a lot of time.
I ended the afternoon with a facial, and that was fantastic! And, by the way, why don't we do this at least once a month? It's so good for your skin and such a great way to relax and get that hands-on TLC we all need more of. I went shopping at the local fruit market adjacent to the spa afterward and rediscovered this local gem and all their domestic and exotic produce. I'm going back on Wednesday to their salad bar...how could I have forgotten about this place?
Dinner was more kitchari, my best batch yet, and potassium broth followed by a sliver of the mung bean cake I created. Came out a little drier this time so I'll need to revise the recipe a bit. Anyway, by 9:30 p.m. I was dog tired, fell gratefully into bed, and slept until 5:45 this morning.
Today is the final day of the cleanse and the realizations have already begun. While it is supposed to be a day of quiet solitude and periods of silence, I'll have to get a walk in later to fulfill this need. It's practically impossible to be silent during church and the following coffee hour. Not to mention my nine year old has been chatting me up since she came downstairs this morning.
Ahh, the gift of gab...wonder where she got that?
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Day 5 of the Cleanse
Day 5 began with meditation, the Yoga Journal Day 5 Yoga sequence and journaling. The urge to write and release has become a part of my daily routine, and it makes sense that all the cleansing physically would lead to advanced emotional and spiritual clearing out as well. I am now picking back up on the spiritual journey I began in my late teens/early twenties that I put down while I got busy with career, family and the daily busy-ness of living, knowing it would always be there for me.
The same person who asked me whether "stuff was coming up" asked me today how I was doing with the cleanse. I told her I felt remarkably relaxed, and deeply aware of my inner world. In the same breath I told her I also feel a bit lost, and that I don't know what to do with "all of this". All of this meaning my renewed awareness, my clearer understanding of what certain stimulants do to increase my stress level (do I really feel ready to give up coffee??), how do I strike a balance between what I typically do and doing what may be healthier albeit a lot harder? Can I give up meat, milk and sugar as a part of daily living and enjoy them sparingly from time to time? Or do I go hardcore? How do I make time every day to read, journal, meditate, practice yoga AND raise a family, work, keep house, run errands, pay bills and have a life? Do I swear off red wine forever? And what about the extra cooking that going vegan would mean? She just smiled and said "moderation" And, of course, she is right...but I'm not very good at it. Deciding what's moderate is very subjective and individualistic. So lots of questions with answers have yet to come.
I found a dynamic parallel between that "feeling lost" conversation with my friend, and the activities of the day. After a 6:30 yoga glass and 9:15 Reiki appointment, I came home to get ready for a hike with my friend Maureen. I couldn't pack the Kitchari stew so I made the Mung Bean/Rice bars. They came out more like a thin moist cake, but very delicious and perfect for a quick mountain-top lunch. When we came down from the peak, we decided to take a different loop that would extend our hike but bring us back to the car within 45 minutes. Since Maureen and I never seem to run out of things to talk about, it was a lively conversation with occasional pauses to stop and appreciate the beauty of our surroundings. I realized several times during our walk that we'd either missed or ignored a few markings and ended up, well, a bit lost. It wasn't as though we'd been walking for a long time without seeing the guide marks on trees, but it was clear we did not stay on the intended trail. And there is always a sense of uncertainty and excitement that comes with these moments. Had we been in uncharted territory, I may have been a lot more apprehensive. But we knew we were safe, if not a little vexed by a vast network of well used and well marked numbered trails. So, it took us a little longer than expected to get back to the parking lot, but it was a wonderful and peaceful walk on a beautiful day! How does it get any better than that?? Getting a little lost is probably better for you then you think.
After dinner, I asked the kids if they wanted to go for ice cream...what do you think they said? We piled in the car and I gave them their choice of ice cream destinies. All three are well known to us, and they were unanimous in their vote. I was just happy to have a little one on one time with them so put the car in gear and started driving to their favorite spot. I'd been to this shop about half a dozen times, but got caught up in answering the typical twenty questions from the back seat. I took a left, then took a right, and after about 10 minutes I asked aloud "Am I going in the wrong direction?", and my daughter answers "Yeah, Mom, but it's ok. You can get there from here" I realized I had zigged when I should have zagged...but still, it was ok even if I was a bit lost, because in the end we got where we wanted to go. It's ok if you're doubtful about your journey, if you have a basic idea of where you want to end up, you can get there from here.
What was true for me in my twenties is just as true for me now. In realizing that we are all in this together, that no one has all the answers, it's ok to be feel a bit lost now and then. I think that's a big part of the unease that goes with evolving...you have to be ok with being rudderless at times. That's when you float and drift, enjoying the day instead of racing pell mell across the abyss.
Day 5 had the most poignancy for me, and while I'm growing a little bored with the food, I realize the cleanse is working on many levels. Having a ready food staple prepared in advance is not just for cleansing and sustenance, it also means taking a break from having to think all the time. We make a million little decisions every day, and what to eat occupies a good amount of our time, up to three or four times a day. With having that removed from your plate (no pun intended), it frees you up to think and do more important activities. And it takes the pressure off if you're really hungry to have something nutritous and filling at the ready.
Only two days of the cleanse remains and today I will prepare the potassium broth for the final phase. While it is the morning of Day 6 now, I expect the weekend with its social opportunities will present a few challenges from a diet/temptation perspective. In particular, the coffee hour after church service tomorrow offers a variety of really healthy foods, and the typical baked goodies one expects. If Chris brings his tebouleh or cabbage salad, I may have to bring home a doggie bag to be enjoyed on Monday.
Namaste!
The same person who asked me whether "stuff was coming up" asked me today how I was doing with the cleanse. I told her I felt remarkably relaxed, and deeply aware of my inner world. In the same breath I told her I also feel a bit lost, and that I don't know what to do with "all of this". All of this meaning my renewed awareness, my clearer understanding of what certain stimulants do to increase my stress level (do I really feel ready to give up coffee??), how do I strike a balance between what I typically do and doing what may be healthier albeit a lot harder? Can I give up meat, milk and sugar as a part of daily living and enjoy them sparingly from time to time? Or do I go hardcore? How do I make time every day to read, journal, meditate, practice yoga AND raise a family, work, keep house, run errands, pay bills and have a life? Do I swear off red wine forever? And what about the extra cooking that going vegan would mean? She just smiled and said "moderation" And, of course, she is right...but I'm not very good at it. Deciding what's moderate is very subjective and individualistic. So lots of questions with answers have yet to come.
I found a dynamic parallel between that "feeling lost" conversation with my friend, and the activities of the day. After a 6:30 yoga glass and 9:15 Reiki appointment, I came home to get ready for a hike with my friend Maureen. I couldn't pack the Kitchari stew so I made the Mung Bean/Rice bars. They came out more like a thin moist cake, but very delicious and perfect for a quick mountain-top lunch. When we came down from the peak, we decided to take a different loop that would extend our hike but bring us back to the car within 45 minutes. Since Maureen and I never seem to run out of things to talk about, it was a lively conversation with occasional pauses to stop and appreciate the beauty of our surroundings. I realized several times during our walk that we'd either missed or ignored a few markings and ended up, well, a bit lost. It wasn't as though we'd been walking for a long time without seeing the guide marks on trees, but it was clear we did not stay on the intended trail. And there is always a sense of uncertainty and excitement that comes with these moments. Had we been in uncharted territory, I may have been a lot more apprehensive. But we knew we were safe, if not a little vexed by a vast network of well used and well marked numbered trails. So, it took us a little longer than expected to get back to the parking lot, but it was a wonderful and peaceful walk on a beautiful day! How does it get any better than that?? Getting a little lost is probably better for you then you think.
After dinner, I asked the kids if they wanted to go for ice cream...what do you think they said? We piled in the car and I gave them their choice of ice cream destinies. All three are well known to us, and they were unanimous in their vote. I was just happy to have a little one on one time with them so put the car in gear and started driving to their favorite spot. I'd been to this shop about half a dozen times, but got caught up in answering the typical twenty questions from the back seat. I took a left, then took a right, and after about 10 minutes I asked aloud "Am I going in the wrong direction?", and my daughter answers "Yeah, Mom, but it's ok. You can get there from here" I realized I had zigged when I should have zagged...but still, it was ok even if I was a bit lost, because in the end we got where we wanted to go. It's ok if you're doubtful about your journey, if you have a basic idea of where you want to end up, you can get there from here.
What was true for me in my twenties is just as true for me now. In realizing that we are all in this together, that no one has all the answers, it's ok to be feel a bit lost now and then. I think that's a big part of the unease that goes with evolving...you have to be ok with being rudderless at times. That's when you float and drift, enjoying the day instead of racing pell mell across the abyss.
Day 5 had the most poignancy for me, and while I'm growing a little bored with the food, I realize the cleanse is working on many levels. Having a ready food staple prepared in advance is not just for cleansing and sustenance, it also means taking a break from having to think all the time. We make a million little decisions every day, and what to eat occupies a good amount of our time, up to three or four times a day. With having that removed from your plate (no pun intended), it frees you up to think and do more important activities. And it takes the pressure off if you're really hungry to have something nutritous and filling at the ready.
Only two days of the cleanse remains and today I will prepare the potassium broth for the final phase. While it is the morning of Day 6 now, I expect the weekend with its social opportunities will present a few challenges from a diet/temptation perspective. In particular, the coffee hour after church service tomorrow offers a variety of really healthy foods, and the typical baked goodies one expects. If Chris brings his tebouleh or cabbage salad, I may have to bring home a doggie bag to be enjoyed on Monday.
Namaste!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Days 3 and 4 of the Cleanse
Yesterday and today followed very similar lines. I got up early (5:30), heated my herbal tea, meditated, and did the Day 3 yoga routine and left Day 4 for tonight. Except...I went to a 9:30 yoga class and used my elliptical for 1/2 hour tonight and don't feel like doing anything else. It's 9:44 p.m. and my bed awaits. I walked to/from yoga class today so I did get out, but this afternoon's well intentioned walk was thrown off-track by a wild afternoon thunderstorm. That, in and of itself, was beautiful and I was grateful for the change in temperature, even going outside to watch the thunderheads roll in and the low flying clouds swirl together tempestuously above my head. Nature at it's best!
I had to work yesterday and today, so peeling myself away from the computer here and there was the best way to find a good compromise. I put a few calls off to next week, and only kept those that were critical. Even if I am slow tracking on work and domestics, my body and mind are fast tracking toward wellness. Someone asked me the other day if I found "stuff coming up" as I was going through this process. Remarkably, I told her "Yes, all kinds of things...from decades ago. I'm journaling like a mad woman!" And she responded "I know, it's really crazy how much stuff gets trapped inside your body." She is right. While I've always believed our life experiences stay with us on a cellular level, I didn't realize the difficult ones could be exorcised through cleansing. So, this will be a seasonal dedication for me.
One of the strangest but coolest physical experiences thus far is waking up at 1:30 this morning with a temporary case of TMJ or "LockJaw". It was the only time I considered taking anything outside of the prescribed diet, so I went for the Tylenol because getting back to sleep became an issue. I just couldn't get comfortable and it really hurt. When I got up at 5:30 a.m. I went right to my Louise Hay book "You Can Heal Your Life" to seek reference. And sure enough, there it was in black and white, "Harboring angry thoughts/feelings. A desire to control. Inability to express feelings"...who? me? Inability to express feelings? Surely, you jest! But when I peeled a few more layers off the onion I realized it was deadly accurate. I do have a difficult time expressing the deepest feelings I have when I'm in conflict with someone. It's almost as though I feel its more important, more polite, to keep those ones to myself. So they get shoved underneath the less hurtful feelings...and those have no problem getting voiced. I don't want to hurt or alienate, and I'm not always as choosy with my words as I should be. I am direct and to the point...figuring it saves everybody time, and no one is wondering what's beneath those gauzy layers of well chosen words and sentences. I don't like it when I feel like someone is hedging when they speak to me. Though perhaps some people feel more of a responsibility for how they communicate and want to leave little room for misunderstanding, I expect people to ask questions instead of assuming they got the message. If they don't, then I figure we're square. In hindsight, perhaps I'm too busy telling it like it is, and not coming to the table with the vulnerability and openness one truly needs to in order to have open communication. I need to work on that.
This phenomenon also explains those recurring dreams I have had about wearing braces on my teeth that come loose, pull away, cutting up the insides of my mouth and taking my teeth with them. Those dreams are awful, and I'm always disturbed by them for days. So I'm paying alot of attention to my inner world, my emotions and expression thereof, and hope to have more epiphany's this week.
As to the diet, I'm starting to crave a little variety but don't want to blow it completely. I'm going for a hike tomorrow and decided to innovate tonight on what to bring for lunch. I've decided to have the Kitchari in the morning for breakfast, and use my prepared rice and mung beans (cooked separately), add some shredded coconut and enough honey to bind the ingredients. I'm going to press this into a pan, bake it, and cut it up into bars. I'll also take a fresh apple with me, and lots of water. I hope this recipe works, because they don't have microwaves at the top of the mountain!
I had to work yesterday and today, so peeling myself away from the computer here and there was the best way to find a good compromise. I put a few calls off to next week, and only kept those that were critical. Even if I am slow tracking on work and domestics, my body and mind are fast tracking toward wellness. Someone asked me the other day if I found "stuff coming up" as I was going through this process. Remarkably, I told her "Yes, all kinds of things...from decades ago. I'm journaling like a mad woman!" And she responded "I know, it's really crazy how much stuff gets trapped inside your body." She is right. While I've always believed our life experiences stay with us on a cellular level, I didn't realize the difficult ones could be exorcised through cleansing. So, this will be a seasonal dedication for me.
One of the strangest but coolest physical experiences thus far is waking up at 1:30 this morning with a temporary case of TMJ or "LockJaw". It was the only time I considered taking anything outside of the prescribed diet, so I went for the Tylenol because getting back to sleep became an issue. I just couldn't get comfortable and it really hurt. When I got up at 5:30 a.m. I went right to my Louise Hay book "You Can Heal Your Life" to seek reference. And sure enough, there it was in black and white, "Harboring angry thoughts/feelings. A desire to control. Inability to express feelings"...who? me? Inability to express feelings? Surely, you jest! But when I peeled a few more layers off the onion I realized it was deadly accurate. I do have a difficult time expressing the deepest feelings I have when I'm in conflict with someone. It's almost as though I feel its more important, more polite, to keep those ones to myself. So they get shoved underneath the less hurtful feelings...and those have no problem getting voiced. I don't want to hurt or alienate, and I'm not always as choosy with my words as I should be. I am direct and to the point...figuring it saves everybody time, and no one is wondering what's beneath those gauzy layers of well chosen words and sentences. I don't like it when I feel like someone is hedging when they speak to me. Though perhaps some people feel more of a responsibility for how they communicate and want to leave little room for misunderstanding, I expect people to ask questions instead of assuming they got the message. If they don't, then I figure we're square. In hindsight, perhaps I'm too busy telling it like it is, and not coming to the table with the vulnerability and openness one truly needs to in order to have open communication. I need to work on that.
This phenomenon also explains those recurring dreams I have had about wearing braces on my teeth that come loose, pull away, cutting up the insides of my mouth and taking my teeth with them. Those dreams are awful, and I'm always disturbed by them for days. So I'm paying alot of attention to my inner world, my emotions and expression thereof, and hope to have more epiphany's this week.
As to the diet, I'm starting to crave a little variety but don't want to blow it completely. I'm going for a hike tomorrow and decided to innovate tonight on what to bring for lunch. I've decided to have the Kitchari in the morning for breakfast, and use my prepared rice and mung beans (cooked separately), add some shredded coconut and enough honey to bind the ingredients. I'm going to press this into a pan, bake it, and cut it up into bars. I'll also take a fresh apple with me, and lots of water. I hope this recipe works, because they don't have microwaves at the top of the mountain!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Day 2 of the 7-Day Detox
This post will be brief as I'm getting ready for bed and need to be up and out the door in time for a 6:30 a.m. yoga class.
The rice porridge for breakfast is definitely just as delicious with rice milk as with soy. Add your cinnamon and cardamom to taste, a half dash of course sea salt and a bit of honey. I will definitely be adding this into my diet as a breakfast staple!
The kitchari is more than 1/2 gone now as I've probably eaten around a cup and a half at each serving...slightly more tonight as I was a bit hungrier. I have already stocked up to make more kitchari tomorrow, and grabbed a few beets, heads of broccoli and more zucchini and summer squash for side dishes. By the way, Italian beets...absolutely gorgeous and delicious!! If you can get them where you are, I highly recommend.
Tonight, I played a bit with the kitchari by adding some of the shredded coconut from the cilantro pesto, a bit more cinnamon and cardamom, and just a touch of honey. This gave it a nice sweetness that made it seem like a treat. Plus I added a heap of steamed broccoli and about half a sliced beat as sidedishes.
Since the cleanse suggests drinking two to three cups of the coriander/cumin/fennel tea daily, and the triphala twice daily, I decided to blend them to make a much more palatable drink. This may not be "kosher", but it sure makes the triphala drinkable and gives the coriander/cumin/fennel tea a more traditional black tea bitterness that tastes a lot better than straight up triphala. Also liberal with about a teaspoon of raw honey per cup. Tonight I dressed up the coriander tea with a few sprigs of clove. That definitely pepped it up a bit.
What was really thrilling today was feeling my body responding to the cleanse...little gurgles of bubbles working their way through my intestines. It wasn't uncomfortable in any way, and it gave me a sense of confidence that the diet is doing its trick.
The massage oil was a lovely addition to my morning routine, and instead of showering, I left it on my skin for a few hours because it felt great. A fifty minute yoga session this afternoon followed by another 17 minute video provided online by the Yoga Journal offered an opportunity to get a workout in, but I think I may jump on the elliptical for a few minutes tomorrow to bring my core temperature up a bit before yoga.
While the entire goal of the Detox is to slow down, shift your focus inside, and realign your body, mind, spirit, I have found that it's impractical and unrealistic for most people to do this unless you can really dedicate yourself every day to the process. That may mean taking a week off, or tailoring the program to accommodate your work or home life. The dietary recommendations can work for anyone, if you're willing to prepare in advance. While you should really be heating your tea and food on a stove top, the microwave is really the only option for people who are working or on the road.
It's 9:30 p.m. and time for bed. I will say, these last few nights I've had the most gorgeous sleep...best it's been in years. I may have to kick the coffee habit permanently! Or, at least, switch to decaf.
Namaste!
The rice porridge for breakfast is definitely just as delicious with rice milk as with soy. Add your cinnamon and cardamom to taste, a half dash of course sea salt and a bit of honey. I will definitely be adding this into my diet as a breakfast staple!
The kitchari is more than 1/2 gone now as I've probably eaten around a cup and a half at each serving...slightly more tonight as I was a bit hungrier. I have already stocked up to make more kitchari tomorrow, and grabbed a few beets, heads of broccoli and more zucchini and summer squash for side dishes. By the way, Italian beets...absolutely gorgeous and delicious!! If you can get them where you are, I highly recommend.
Tonight, I played a bit with the kitchari by adding some of the shredded coconut from the cilantro pesto, a bit more cinnamon and cardamom, and just a touch of honey. This gave it a nice sweetness that made it seem like a treat. Plus I added a heap of steamed broccoli and about half a sliced beat as sidedishes.
Since the cleanse suggests drinking two to three cups of the coriander/cumin/fennel tea daily, and the triphala twice daily, I decided to blend them to make a much more palatable drink. This may not be "kosher", but it sure makes the triphala drinkable and gives the coriander/cumin/fennel tea a more traditional black tea bitterness that tastes a lot better than straight up triphala. Also liberal with about a teaspoon of raw honey per cup. Tonight I dressed up the coriander tea with a few sprigs of clove. That definitely pepped it up a bit.
What was really thrilling today was feeling my body responding to the cleanse...little gurgles of bubbles working their way through my intestines. It wasn't uncomfortable in any way, and it gave me a sense of confidence that the diet is doing its trick.
The massage oil was a lovely addition to my morning routine, and instead of showering, I left it on my skin for a few hours because it felt great. A fifty minute yoga session this afternoon followed by another 17 minute video provided online by the Yoga Journal offered an opportunity to get a workout in, but I think I may jump on the elliptical for a few minutes tomorrow to bring my core temperature up a bit before yoga.
While the entire goal of the Detox is to slow down, shift your focus inside, and realign your body, mind, spirit, I have found that it's impractical and unrealistic for most people to do this unless you can really dedicate yourself every day to the process. That may mean taking a week off, or tailoring the program to accommodate your work or home life. The dietary recommendations can work for anyone, if you're willing to prepare in advance. While you should really be heating your tea and food on a stove top, the microwave is really the only option for people who are working or on the road.
It's 9:30 p.m. and time for bed. I will say, these last few nights I've had the most gorgeous sleep...best it's been in years. I may have to kick the coffee habit permanently! Or, at least, switch to decaf.
Namaste!
Monday, September 12, 2011
GreenSoul Cleans Up Her Act! The 7-Day Gentle Fall Detox - Day 1
I decided to challenge myself this Fall by doing the absolute opposite of what my nature tells me to do (and what most everyone's nature usually demands this time of year). That is to get cranking on projects, home improvement plans, develop a lot of business and work my tail off for the next three months. The energy level is high and my creativity knows no bounds...especially in the kitchen!
Instead I'm going in the other direction, setting an intentionally slow and quiet pace, for just one week.
Autumn is hands-down my favorite season. I love everything about it. I get a huge surge of energy right around September 1st, just as the evenings begin to cool and the first of the season's bountiful color palate begins to surf across the tree tops. But I try to keep my enthusiasm inside so as not to appear insensitive to my poor, grieving husband. I watch him stare out longingly at his garden. "S-I-O" (Summer Is Over) he sighs heavily toward the fruit trees, Japanese maple and green grassy yard that will soon be littered with shades of burnt umber, gold and brilliant crimson. And there I am in the kitchen pulling down cookbooks and gathering recipes for eggplant rollatini, cottage pie, saag paneer and poached pears. I cannot WAIT! I probably shouldn't ask him if he could climb into the attic and bring down my sweaters...now that's just cruel.
But something caught my eye last week as I pulled the latest edition of Yoga Journal from my mailbox. The rich mustard gold background of the cover photo was the first real affirmation that the publishing world was also with me and my fall fixation, even THEY were touting the coming seasonal shift in the most positive light. I flipped through to find a 7-Day Gentle Detox plan by Scott Blossom (Ayervedic consultant and yoga therapist) designed specifically for Autumn. And, best of all, it supported my personal challenge...to slow down!
The basic idea is to slow your life down and focus your attention to your internal systems; the mental, the physical and the spiritual. The article recommends reducing stress by limiting your daily interactions with technology, including cell phones (texting too), computer, television and other external visual/audio stimulation (I even kept my radio off today). Instead, participants are encouraged to meditate, practice yoga, breathing techniques, and most importantly, get outside and enjoy the beauty of the season (weather permitting).
The goal of the physical detox is to clean the liver, remove heavy metals and toxins from the body, balance the central nervous system and boost immunity against microscopic predators like the common cold and the flu. If you have elementary school children then you, too, know the value of having a plan of attack to battle the inevitable "back to school" viruses that roll into your home around mid-late September.
Finding time to meditate and practice an hour of yoga each day would be simple. But I knew I'd probably have to give running and weight lifting a rest for the week. The demands on my body for additional fuel would be overwhelming with weight training, and walking would be much kinder to my body than my usual hour of running. The only area I couldn't quite pull away from was the stress-producing activity known as the work day. I still have to make time to contact clients, set up meetings, and develop business. Additionally, I have to file quarterly taxes by Thursday, so my opportunities to get out and play a bit will be compressed tomorrow.
Regardless, I was steadfast in my activities last week in preparation for this week's "no stimulants" recommendation by tapering down my caffeine intake.
Starting the Monday before I reduced by a half cup every day, and by Sunday I was drinking only herbal tea. I also bought all my ingredients in advance for the Kitchari, an Asian dish comprised of mung beans, white rice, spices, seaweed and vegetables. It's important to take the Dosha Quiz before going for groceries to determine how "hot or cold" you run temperamentally, then buy the vegetables that correspond to your primary constitution. It is all well explained on the YogaJournal.com website. Also, read through the entire recipe as it will offer more information about portion size, sidedishes and other pertinent information about substitutions.
I went to "Good Health", a natural foods store in Hanover, Massachusetts to buy all the ingredients I couldn't get at the major grocery stores. This meant spending a bit more to get very high quality, organic ingredients. It wasn't very expensive to get what I needed, spending about $40.00 all in (including the netti pot, Triphala and I bought a body brush...not required but I've wanted one for awhile). Since I already have a well stocked spice cabinet that boasts traditional and exotic spices and herbs I didn't have to spend too much on these. Additionally, our garden supplied several of the necessary herbs and vegetables, so overall it was a reasonable investment.
Note: For the Kitchari, the only ingredient I couldn't find was "Hing" or Asafetida. Apparently, it's not widely available here in the northeast. I would have had to order from somewhere, but time didn't allow and so I left it out.
At 5:30 this morning I rose to a beautiful sunrise and a ready cup of herbal tea. Meditation followed for about 15 minutes, and then breakfast preparations. I made a simple rice porridge that involved about a 3/4 cup of cooked jasmine rice, added about 1/4 cup of soy milk (didn't have rice milk handy), dash of cinnamon, dash of cardamom, and a half dash of sea salt. This simmered down to a thick consistency that resembled what I thought porridge should look like. While you can't stand a set of chopsticks up in it, it looked respectable. I spooned about three quarters of it into my bowl, then added about about a half tablespoon of raw honey. I really enjoyed it and ended up finishing what was left in the pot.
Once the kids were on the school bus I dashed off to yoga class, walking instead of driving, and enjoyed a beautiful late summer morning. Yoga class was AWESOME! I felt very open and flexible. Several poses that always seemed like too much of a stretch for me came easily, and I wasn't too hungry at the end. I walked home and began preparing the Kitchari.
Kitchari preparation is simple, and because the vegetables are added later, you can begin cooking the rice and beans, then chop your veggies to be added about half way through the cooking process. Make sure you rinse the rice once or twice before boiling. This helps remove the starchy "flour" byproduct that gets packaged with the rice, and improves consistency.
In taking the Dosha quiz, I learned I am Pitta Kasha (for those of you who know me, that won't be a surprise if you read the description of the Pitta Kasha temperament) so my recipe called for carrots, zuccini and green beans. That made me happy. The stew is very thick and has a pleasant, cumin scent and accompanying yellow curry color. It definitely has bulk, guaranteed to fill you up, but it doesn't have a lot of flavor. I added some course hawaiian sea salt and cardamom to bring out the flavors. I think cardamom may be my new favorite spice.
Note: the recipe as followed makes a lot more than what you'll need in a day. That's helpful for those of us with time constraints. I have enough for at least two days or more. The recommended serving is 1 to 1 1/2 cups. Some may need more based on energy requirements.
I also made the Fresh Coriander Chutney, which has a very pungent but slightly sweet flavor. For my taste, I think I'll cut the lemon juice back to about half of what the recipe calls for...just a little too acidic for me.
I enjoyed (I'll use that term loosely) a cup of hot water with Triphala around 11:30 knowing lunch was about an hour away and I needed to fill my tummy with something. I do not like the taste of this stuff, but it's supposed to do wonders for your colon...so I toughed it out by adding honey. No idea whether this is ok to do, but there's no way I can drink this stuff without some sweetener.
It's now 4:40 on Monday afternoon, and I'm starting to feel the first rumbles of hunger in my belly, which will soon evolve into a shortened attention span, and an even shorter patience level. I have a 5:00 p.m. appointment for some "self care"...in the form of a desperately needed pedicure. I think I can hold out until 6:30 for dinner. More tea ought to help.
Another really nice recommendation of this plan is to make time every day for self care. The article offers tips on Ayervedic self-massage, yoga positions to aid in cleansing, restorative yoga and taking time to journal. In addition, I have two half hour reiki sessions booked for this week, a facial, and a long hike planned for Friday (again, weather permitting). Yes, these are beyond the recommended activities in the article, but I have self prescribed these as a way to reinforce my commitment to slowing down. Besides, my husband tells me he'll never buy me another gift certificate if I don't start using them. Another symptom of an all too busy life.
I'd say the first day is going pretty well. Now, if I can just avoid running into that overly solicitous can of lightly salted deluxe nuts sitting in my cabinet, I'll be just fine.
Instead I'm going in the other direction, setting an intentionally slow and quiet pace, for just one week.
Autumn is hands-down my favorite season. I love everything about it. I get a huge surge of energy right around September 1st, just as the evenings begin to cool and the first of the season's bountiful color palate begins to surf across the tree tops. But I try to keep my enthusiasm inside so as not to appear insensitive to my poor, grieving husband. I watch him stare out longingly at his garden. "S-I-O" (Summer Is Over) he sighs heavily toward the fruit trees, Japanese maple and green grassy yard that will soon be littered with shades of burnt umber, gold and brilliant crimson. And there I am in the kitchen pulling down cookbooks and gathering recipes for eggplant rollatini, cottage pie, saag paneer and poached pears. I cannot WAIT! I probably shouldn't ask him if he could climb into the attic and bring down my sweaters...now that's just cruel.
But something caught my eye last week as I pulled the latest edition of Yoga Journal from my mailbox. The rich mustard gold background of the cover photo was the first real affirmation that the publishing world was also with me and my fall fixation, even THEY were touting the coming seasonal shift in the most positive light. I flipped through to find a 7-Day Gentle Detox plan by Scott Blossom (Ayervedic consultant and yoga therapist) designed specifically for Autumn. And, best of all, it supported my personal challenge...to slow down!
The basic idea is to slow your life down and focus your attention to your internal systems; the mental, the physical and the spiritual. The article recommends reducing stress by limiting your daily interactions with technology, including cell phones (texting too), computer, television and other external visual/audio stimulation (I even kept my radio off today). Instead, participants are encouraged to meditate, practice yoga, breathing techniques, and most importantly, get outside and enjoy the beauty of the season (weather permitting).
The goal of the physical detox is to clean the liver, remove heavy metals and toxins from the body, balance the central nervous system and boost immunity against microscopic predators like the common cold and the flu. If you have elementary school children then you, too, know the value of having a plan of attack to battle the inevitable "back to school" viruses that roll into your home around mid-late September.
Finding time to meditate and practice an hour of yoga each day would be simple. But I knew I'd probably have to give running and weight lifting a rest for the week. The demands on my body for additional fuel would be overwhelming with weight training, and walking would be much kinder to my body than my usual hour of running. The only area I couldn't quite pull away from was the stress-producing activity known as the work day. I still have to make time to contact clients, set up meetings, and develop business. Additionally, I have to file quarterly taxes by Thursday, so my opportunities to get out and play a bit will be compressed tomorrow.
Regardless, I was steadfast in my activities last week in preparation for this week's "no stimulants" recommendation by tapering down my caffeine intake.
Starting the Monday before I reduced by a half cup every day, and by Sunday I was drinking only herbal tea. I also bought all my ingredients in advance for the Kitchari, an Asian dish comprised of mung beans, white rice, spices, seaweed and vegetables. It's important to take the Dosha Quiz before going for groceries to determine how "hot or cold" you run temperamentally, then buy the vegetables that correspond to your primary constitution. It is all well explained on the YogaJournal.com website. Also, read through the entire recipe as it will offer more information about portion size, sidedishes and other pertinent information about substitutions.
I went to "Good Health", a natural foods store in Hanover, Massachusetts to buy all the ingredients I couldn't get at the major grocery stores. This meant spending a bit more to get very high quality, organic ingredients. It wasn't very expensive to get what I needed, spending about $40.00 all in (including the netti pot, Triphala and I bought a body brush...not required but I've wanted one for awhile). Since I already have a well stocked spice cabinet that boasts traditional and exotic spices and herbs I didn't have to spend too much on these. Additionally, our garden supplied several of the necessary herbs and vegetables, so overall it was a reasonable investment.
Note: For the Kitchari, the only ingredient I couldn't find was "Hing" or Asafetida. Apparently, it's not widely available here in the northeast. I would have had to order from somewhere, but time didn't allow and so I left it out.
At 5:30 this morning I rose to a beautiful sunrise and a ready cup of herbal tea. Meditation followed for about 15 minutes, and then breakfast preparations. I made a simple rice porridge that involved about a 3/4 cup of cooked jasmine rice, added about 1/4 cup of soy milk (didn't have rice milk handy), dash of cinnamon, dash of cardamom, and a half dash of sea salt. This simmered down to a thick consistency that resembled what I thought porridge should look like. While you can't stand a set of chopsticks up in it, it looked respectable. I spooned about three quarters of it into my bowl, then added about about a half tablespoon of raw honey. I really enjoyed it and ended up finishing what was left in the pot.
Once the kids were on the school bus I dashed off to yoga class, walking instead of driving, and enjoyed a beautiful late summer morning. Yoga class was AWESOME! I felt very open and flexible. Several poses that always seemed like too much of a stretch for me came easily, and I wasn't too hungry at the end. I walked home and began preparing the Kitchari.
Kitchari preparation is simple, and because the vegetables are added later, you can begin cooking the rice and beans, then chop your veggies to be added about half way through the cooking process. Make sure you rinse the rice once or twice before boiling. This helps remove the starchy "flour" byproduct that gets packaged with the rice, and improves consistency.
In taking the Dosha quiz, I learned I am Pitta Kasha (for those of you who know me, that won't be a surprise if you read the description of the Pitta Kasha temperament) so my recipe called for carrots, zuccini and green beans. That made me happy. The stew is very thick and has a pleasant, cumin scent and accompanying yellow curry color. It definitely has bulk, guaranteed to fill you up, but it doesn't have a lot of flavor. I added some course hawaiian sea salt and cardamom to bring out the flavors. I think cardamom may be my new favorite spice.
Note: the recipe as followed makes a lot more than what you'll need in a day. That's helpful for those of us with time constraints. I have enough for at least two days or more. The recommended serving is 1 to 1 1/2 cups. Some may need more based on energy requirements.
I also made the Fresh Coriander Chutney, which has a very pungent but slightly sweet flavor. For my taste, I think I'll cut the lemon juice back to about half of what the recipe calls for...just a little too acidic for me.
I enjoyed (I'll use that term loosely) a cup of hot water with Triphala around 11:30 knowing lunch was about an hour away and I needed to fill my tummy with something. I do not like the taste of this stuff, but it's supposed to do wonders for your colon...so I toughed it out by adding honey. No idea whether this is ok to do, but there's no way I can drink this stuff without some sweetener.
It's now 4:40 on Monday afternoon, and I'm starting to feel the first rumbles of hunger in my belly, which will soon evolve into a shortened attention span, and an even shorter patience level. I have a 5:00 p.m. appointment for some "self care"...in the form of a desperately needed pedicure. I think I can hold out until 6:30 for dinner. More tea ought to help.
Another really nice recommendation of this plan is to make time every day for self care. The article offers tips on Ayervedic self-massage, yoga positions to aid in cleansing, restorative yoga and taking time to journal. In addition, I have two half hour reiki sessions booked for this week, a facial, and a long hike planned for Friday (again, weather permitting). Yes, these are beyond the recommended activities in the article, but I have self prescribed these as a way to reinforce my commitment to slowing down. Besides, my husband tells me he'll never buy me another gift certificate if I don't start using them. Another symptom of an all too busy life.
I'd say the first day is going pretty well. Now, if I can just avoid running into that overly solicitous can of lightly salted deluxe nuts sitting in my cabinet, I'll be just fine.
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