The physical symptoms of toxic build-up are so commonplace that unless you cleanse your body regularly, you most likely experience at least one or two of them often. They include skin blemishes, rashes, headache, nausea, loss of memory, irritability, insomnia, a coated tongue, aches and pains, gas, stomach disorders, susceptibility to colds and flus…you get the picture. Meanwhile, turn on the television, and in 10 minutes, you’ll see a commercial featuring some pharmaceutical product you can take to alleviate one of these symtoms. However, there is a much better way—you can cleanse your body! Detoxing will enhance your physical, mental and emotional outlook and well-being.
THE BASICS OF JUICE FASTING
Juice fasts release toxins more slowly than strict water fasts. Also, fresh fruit and vegetable juices can be healing to the body. They are rich in minerals salts and help neutralize toxins. They are also easily assimiliated, require minimal digestion, help stabilize blood-sugar levels, and supply calories while your body is cleansing.
You might consider fasting one day each week, or for 2-3 days during seasonal changes. However, if you do choose to fast for more than 2 days, I suggest that you read the more thorough chapter on fasting, “Getting on the Fast Track” in my book Soul-Full Eating: A (delicious!) Path to Higher Consciousness, to be sure that you are prepared. Also, don’t fast if you are pregnant, and if you have any medical conditions or are taking any medications. Please consult a physician or nutritionist first!
CLEANSING 101
Use between one and three parts water to each part vegetable juice. Vegetable juice (especially when the less-sweet vegetables are used, such as leafy greens) can be taken undiluted, but fruit juice, which is high in fructose, is best diluted.
Use fresh, organic fruits and vegetables whenever possible.
It’s very important to take an enema or colonic while fasting. Your body will be getting rid of huge amounts of waste, a lot of which will come through the bowels. During a fast, the normal bowel movements cease to take place, and if you don’t take an enema, the excess waste will be reabsorbed into the system and transported to the kidneys, which can be damaged by the overload of toxins.
No smoking, drinking, or the use of any other kinds of drugs—both prescription and nonprescription—as well as vitamin supplements. If you’re on a medication for any kind of condition, you should see a health practitioner who can supervise your fast.
Your body will need exercise during the fast, to aid in expelling waste and to generate new body cells. Up to three hours of moderate exercise if recommended per day, such as long, brisk walks in fresh air or a swim in fresh or salt water.
Daily baths are also important. Your body will expel about 1/3 of its waste through the skin. It’s important to keep the skin clean, and the pores wide open in order for excretion to occur as efficiently as possible. Sauna and steam baths can be taken if your heart and circulation are strong, and if these facilities are available. Hot and cold showers, followed by a dry brush massage, are also beneficial.
Even if you’re drinking a large amount of juice, you may drink as much water as you need if you become thirsty. Just make sure that all the water is filtered and pure. Distilled water is fine. Avoid chlorinated or fluoridated water.
The positive effects of the fast can easily be erased if you go back to an unhealthy diet afterwards. You can keep your body detoxified and healthy with a diet including as many raw fruits and veggies as possible.
DAILY FASTING SCHEDULE
Upon arising—If desired, take an enema. Then give yourself a dry-brush massage followed by an alterating hot/cold shower.
9 am—Drink a cup of herbal tea—warm, not hot, or an 8 oz. glass of water with the juice of one lemon squeezed into it. Choose teas that have effects you may be looking for—such as mint to settle your stomach or chamomile to calm your nerves.
11 am—Drink a glass of freshly pressed fruit-juice, diluted 50-50 with noncarbonated spring water.
11 am-1 pm—It’s time for a walk or mild exercise, and perhaps brief sunbathing. You can also take therapeutic baths or a body massage at this time.
1 pm—Drink a glass of freshly made vegetable-juice, green juice or a cup of vegetable broth. (Recipes are below.)
1:30—4 pm—Rest.
4 pm—Drink a cup of herb tea or fresh coconut water.
4:15-7 pm—Here you’ll get involved in a walk, therapeutic baths, mild exercise such as yoga and/or other treatments such as a body massage (if you haven’t already done that earlier in the day).
7 pm—Drink a glass of diluted vegetable or fruit juice.
9 pm—Have a cup of non-caffeinated herbal tea.
GREEN JUICE RECIPE
Chlorophyll, the pigment in plants that converts sunlight into plant energy, is transferred directly to you when you drink chlorophyll-rich juices from green- leafed vegetables. Just as hemoglobin is the blood in our bodies, chlorophyll is the blood in plants. A significant difference between them is that hemoglobin molecules center on iron, while chlorophyll molecules center on magnesium. Drinking green juice is like getting a transfusion of light directly from the sun to your body. It is extremely high in alkaline minerals. This is my friend Josh’s recipe for his favorite juice they sell at the organic market next door to my home.
A handful of Romaine Lettuce
A handful of Kale
A handful of Chard or Collard Greens
2-3 stalks of Celery
1/2 to 1 Cucumber
Parsley or Cilantro to taste
*A small amount of garlic, ginger and/or aloe vera can also be added to promote the purification process.
**If you would like to add a subtle sweetness, include 1 Green Apple.
Find more info—including a green juice recipe and daily fasting schedule, in Chapter 34 of Soul-Full Eating, from which this post was excerpted.
With thanks to Karyn Bosnak for the juice image, macxoom for the kiwi image, Nick Atkins for the cucumber image, and Carlos Portos for the collard green image.
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