Master Cleanse 2010 - Day Five

Some people have asked me, "how can you go 5 days without eating? Don't you get bored?" Boredom could be an issue on this cleanse if you let it, because the stimulus of food is everywhere, on billboards, buses, TVs, magazines, online, so there are distractions everywhere. And let's not talk about how wonderful food can smell at times. Your sense of smell during a cleanse becomes so heightened and it can be overwhelming. This is why I decided not to accept any friend's invitations to socialize while on the fast.

I also wanted to post more info about the Grade B Maple syrup and the cayenne pepper, why do we use them as ingredients?

Grade B Maple Syrup
-Contains manganese, an antioxidant mineral which helps neutralize free-radicals. Just 2 teaspoons equals 22% of your daily value
- Provides energy with its high levels of B vitamins and amino acids (amino acids are the
building blocks of protein).
- It also contains zinc, which helps maintain a healthy immune system. Zinc is required by
hundreds of enzymes in your body for normal functioning.

Cayenne Pepper
- As the best blood circulation stimulant known, capsaicin (its active ingredient) stops
platelets from clumping together and therefore allows blood to flow more easily.
- It soothes the digestive tract and stimulates the flow of stomach secretions and saliva.
- It is considered a thermogenic, which raises metabolism and aids in weight loss.
That info was from The Master Cleanse website. It is a great source of information about the cleanse and resources, books, and a community of people who have either done the cleanse or are in the process of doing it.

I'm thankful for another day completed. I am not weighing my body throughout the cleanse because I'm not doing this for weight loss, I am doing it to clean out my mind and body. After I have finished the cleanse I am going to add a vegan diet (a couple days a week) to my life. This fast has reminded me that there are foods that make your body feel well and foods that make you feel sick.

Peace and Blessings...

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day Four

Today was a much better day. I'm glad I made it this far because each time I've fasted I've had people tell me, "I could never do that", or I'll support you while I make an sandwich, lol". I'm not saying that I do not find it to be a challenge but I can tell you for me and my own personal metabolism, this works. I've also heard from others who have similar stories.

The main point is that a cleanse or a fast is a highly personal experience. There are buttons inside you that others may not know about that only a fast can expose. That is why many people who are at a change point in their life, who seek direction for their 'next' have found a fast or a cleanse to be a great way to clear the mind from the task of daily foraging for food to concentrate on their inner self and the quiet voice of God within.

My favorite Bible passage is Isaiah 43 and it is one that I have claimed as my own. I place my own name in it where others are mentioned. So for me it starts like this:

Isaiah 43

1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, Dede,
he who formed you,Dede:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; Dede, you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, Dede,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

from the Bible Gateway

I like to meditate on a God who is with me through the task of living a purpose-filled life. I thank God for another day and I will now breathe and be thankful that I made it through another day. Thank you so much for sharing it with me.

Peace and blessings.

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day Three

Today was just as awful as I thought it would be but not so bad that I had to quit. At this point in the cleanse it seems that the toxins built up in your body come out from various places and that is uncomfortable. But I also noticed my sense of smell was more acute and my memory and thought process seemed a bit better. Also, perhaps because I stabilized my vitamin supplement regiment my mood was up and my sense of humor was intact.

My dog was not as happy because there were no meals being made(with all the accompanying smells) and no food to beg for so his life has been curtailed as well. I'm looking forward to this next stage of the cleansing fast where your antenna to God is locked on full force and there is no static getting in the way of the still small voice inside you that guides you to the next step. I also thank God that I am still in charge of my flesh and when my body needs to be brought into submission, I have the discipline to start and the common sense to stop at the right time. Thank God for one more day.

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day Two

Whew! I made it through Day Two. It is the end of the day and I am winding down. I did boil the distilled water with raw peeled ginger root. It added another kick start to the drink (along with the cayenne pepper) and I found it to be a refreshing drink which I enjoyed drinking. So yeah! I prepared my drink for tomorrow with both the ginger and two cups of mint tea that I made from the distilled water and fresh mint leaves. I tried it out and it tasted really good. What I don't know is the effect that will have on the cleansing process. But it does make this something I can drink for a long term. And I have 8 more days to go so that is a good thing.

Unfortunately though I feel like crap but my body is definitely responding to this break from crazy food. I've had a real craving for fried foods in the last few months so I hope this fast breaks that cycle and I can eat more a more raw, vegan diet. I still love a good steak but if I felt better I could learn to live without it. There are so many great fresh choices in Southern California so I do have options and I love to prepare different things. Right now, I'm going to sign off because this would be the time I had a late night snack with my dog and that is not happening tonight. So pray for me on Day Three which will start in just a few hours...

Master Cleanse - Day 12

Can this really be Day 12? I don't believe it myself but it is true. Do I want to quit? Yes I do. To be planning a weekend that included breaking this fast (slowly, starting with orange juice the first day and adding a homemade vegetable soup the next day)would be awesome. But I did not start out to do a 12 Day fast. In my mind I saw myself doing three weeks and at least doing the 10 days as prescribed by Dr. Stanley Burroughs in his book, The Master Cleanser.



And can I just be myself for a minute here? You should not be doing this fast if you could not spend $7.00 to buy Dr. Burroughs book. It is not a long book by today's standards but he breaks everything down very clearly and tells you the whys and hows of what it is and why it works. Everything else you read on the web is other people's opinions and interpretations of what was his life's work. You can purchase it on Amazon.com - use the title as a keyword.

Okay, enough of my rant. Peter Glickman has also written about the diet in his book Lose Weight, Have More Energy & Be Happier in 10 Days but I have not read his book. Other people have said good things about it. And I don't want anyone to read this journal about my time doing this fast and to think, well, this is a great and easy diet - actually it is not. It is not easy to only drink the lemonade for 10 or more days at a time. Our world is not structured that way. Everywhere I drive I see food establishments, and grocery stores - and can we talk about the street vendors with the amazing aromas coming from their carts and vehicles? You have to be doing this for a reason and if it is for more than just the desire to lose a couple of pounds then you can do it and make it to the end.

I had many reasons for doing this fast. I have recently opened my own business after years of pouring my work and efforts into helping other businesses succeed. Last year I spent many days in poor health. Recently I saw my weight start to creep up and in the span of four months I had gained ten pounds. I knew this was because of the cold weather and my lack of motivation to go outside and walk in the cold but it was still a warning sign. And my thought process as a creative and visionary individual was more jumbled and had lost a sense of clarity. So I knew that now was a time to regain my sense of self, including the energy, drive and my love of life. So I needed this break or fast. Fortunately for me, my husband also felt a need in his life to do the same and we are flowing together and in sync.

So that is what I am here, writing about this journey. The aches and pains are gone and my sinuses have stopped clogging up and giving me headaches. Today feels like just another day but I am grateful to be alive, thankful to be in this moment and I expect great things in my future. Now I'm going to have another glass and then get to work...