Truth or Consequences

Today is Day 3 on my Cleansing Fast!

Eliminate or Die!

“Death begins in the colon”~~Hippocrates

“A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings” Hippocrates

Truth or consequences. Today is your truth or consequences day! Sometimes, truth hurts!

CAUTION

This post is not for the faint of heart nor those who don’t like to talk about POOP!

Have you ever passed a UFO as the one above??? If you’ve never done a proper colon cleanse then UFO’s like that are lurking in your colon! I dare you to find out. You can see the ill formed shapes and pockets and bulges that exist in the colon and are reflected in this poop.

When I started my very first cleanse in 2000, I was shocked at how many of these UFO’s passed out of me. In fact on one cleanse, I went to the ER with a jar (oh my I can’t believe I’m confessing this), Yep, a jar with crap in it. But it was so red and stringy that I thought that it was full of blood! NOPE, it was just POOP! It was red from the beets I was juicing. Talk about embarrassment!

The top photo below is of a healthy colon. Normal twists and turns. The others are of unhealthy colons. Showing all the abnormal shapes. That’s why the real pictures of this gunk have such odd appearances without real form.

“Once mucoid plaque develops in the colon and digestive tract, proper digestion becomes more and more dysfunctional and constipation sets in. Constipation means less than one big voluminous bowel movement a day, everyday. Then one problem occurs after another, and the bowel becomes a toxic sewer system. Once the bowel becomes toxic, the blood becomes toxic, for all the blood coming from the bowel, carrying the necessary nutrients to feed the heart, lungs, brain, muscles, skin, etc. goes to the liver – nowhere else.

Then the liver must deal with the toxic blood. After years of relentless toxicity from the bowel, the liver becomes more and more sluggish. After a while it too no longer functions efficiently and toxic overloads begin to go to other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, heart, brain, joints, skin, Lymph, etc. Disease manifests where the toxins settle. For where there is toxic settlement, there is lack of circulation, lack of oxygen and a severe lack of nutrients.” – Dr. R. Anderson

As I said in my previous post, if you are dealing with any kind of health issue, I believe it’s important to start you’re healing protocol with a good colon cleanse. There really are so many analogies. It’s like moving into a new house but someone used it as a dumpster for a year. Yuck! That would never be acceptable. So why do we think it’s acceptable for the insides of our “house” to look that way?

The colon, or large intestine, is the end portion of the human digestive tract. The colon is approximately 5 feet long and 2.5 inches in diameter. Its major functions are to eliminate waste and to conserve water. In addition there are bacteria living in the colon which synthesize valuable nutrients such as vitamins “K” and portions of the vitamin “B” complex.(1)

Dr G’s colon cleanse is simple, inexpensive and very effective! The only thing of cost is a good juicer. Most people have one today since they have become so popular. I won’t go into all the pros and cons of a good juicer, you can research that for yourself. For me, the important factors were, ease, expense and nutritional value. I found that in my Omega Juicer.

I can’t remember what model I own, but it looks like the one above. I’ve owned 4 juicers since 1999 and this is the babe for me. She’s easy to operate, she’s easy to clean, she masticates, she’s quiet and she doesn’t need an entire counter top to herself! The trouble is I have forgotten her in the cabinet. She should be a daily part of my life, forever. Hopefully this cleanse along with my new found healing will allow me the time, effort and ability to juice daily for my health.

When I was in Ann Arbor, MI, at the Deirde Currie Festival, Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride lectured that juicing should be a daily part of maintaining a healthy gut. I guess I just needed to hear it again.

Here’s what my cleanse looks like:

*2 Tbsp Bentonite (I use Sonne’s #7)

*1 heaping tsp Psyllium (I only use a brand with no other additives-Sonne’s has additives)

Mix in a glass of water and drink 5x day. Drink quickly or else you’re drinking thick applesauce! You’ll get used to the nothing taste. It won’t kill you, but what ales you may!

*Drink at least 64 oz of water. Your belly may bloat and hurt from the Psyllium, but make sure you’re getting lots of water and it will go away.

*Take 3-4 Comfree (comfrey free) Algin Pepsin daily morning and night. They will help absorb the excess mucous and pull it out.

*Juice 3-4 times a day using carrots, greens, small amt of green apple, cabbage (helps with inflammation in colon), cuc’s, beets (not too much or they will give you the runs), ginger, garlic. It’s really up to you. Remember this is a nutritious meal so fill it with lots of good veggies.

*Coffee enemas~~~this is a vital part of this cleanse! You can read more on Dr Max Gerson’s site or you can research it. It’s like giving your liver a dialysis’s every 3 min’s. Coffee enemas are retention enemas so it takes time and patience to get this going. Don’t rush it. Give yourself plenty of time and a relaxed setting. Put on some quiet music and read a book. Pray or meditate on Scripture.

That’s it. Dr G, recommended not taking supp’s during this time, except Vit C. I’m continuing with my Chinese Herbs for Lyme Disease, although I’ve been missing my afternoon dose. Stay on this diet for 4-7 days and you will literally be a new person. The cells in your colon rejuvenate every 3 days! And your colon houses 80% of your immune system!!!! That’s truly amazing. I think it’s a clue, that we ought to look at our colon more often and give it plenty of TLC.

You can drink Pau d’ Arco tea. If you’ve never tried it beware, it’s very bitter. But I now love it. It’s a great liver toxic! Add lots of bitter greens to your juice for the liver. I’ve even added Beet Kvass, since it’s a blood cleanser.

I feel great and except for the fact that I think about food, I know I can go the 7 days. This is what you can expect!

· Increased energy levels

· Relief from bloating

· Relief from constipation and IBS irritable bowel syndrome

· Stimulation of the body’s immune system

· Clearer skin

· Allow the free passage of nutrients into the blood steam

· Provision of a favourable environment for friendly bacteria and micro-flora, aiding digestion

· Promotion of normal and regular bowel movement

· Improved mental clarity (2)

The next step is to never put the SAD (standard American diet) food in your mouth again. To love your body enough to nourish it with lots of fermented foods that will continue to give you life. “Listen, listen and eat what is good and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.” Isaish 55:2 EAT WHAT IS GOOD!!!! And you will live!

(1)(2)Rejuvenate Natural Therapies Clinic

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor. This is only my opinion!

Fasting Day 2

It’s day 2 of my juice fast. So far so good! Since this isn’t the first time I’ve done this it’s not as hard as it was in the past. The very first time, I actually thought I would die!!!! 😉

I was awake at 4:30AM this morning, and after time praying I finally got up at 5:30. I’ve got a busy day ahead of me, with an appointment to see my doc and then my swimming class. One reason I started this fast is because of a problem in my left foot. On a reflexology foot chart, the area is indicative of the lower colon. I figured it was worth a try. If nothing else maybe I’ll loose a couple pounds. The other problem is possibly my spleen. It’s been through a lot in the past few years. It’s virtually a large lymph gland and has taken a beating while I’ve healed from Babesia or possibly Malaria. I assumed it was Babesia because I have Lyme, but it never was a problem until I came home from India in 2005. So, that’s the reason for my appointment today. I need my spleen checked!

It’s really good to know where your organs are. You’ll develop something called body wisdom. Being able to listen. My pain is in this area of my back. Constant nagging pain. Sometimes intense.

It’s going on 7 AM and I’ve got my coffee ready! We’ve had so many jokes in this house about coffee enemas. Do you want that in a cup or a bag? Do you take that black? Cream? Sugar? Hope it all comes out OKay!

According to my old doctor, Dr G, coffee enemas are an important part of any healing program. I posted more about them here, in a post about a healthy liver.

My menu today is:

Fresh Carrot Juice

Bentonite & Psyllium

Beet Kvass

1 Gallon of water

Mmmmmmm!

Photo Credit:  Linked to original source

Autumn Cleanse

“Listen, listen, eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.”

Isaiah 55:2

It was in 1999 that my body came out of whatever remission I held it in and exhibited all the full blown symptoms of Chronic Lyme Disease. In 1993 after a car accident left me with my TFC torn in each wrist, I was faced with multiple surgeries to “fix” the problem. After 8 surgeries in 6 years with the final including the removal of titanium screws and plates from each ulna which had been shortened, my system crashed! Big time!

I was on a search for an answer yet again. Alternative medicine was beginning to take hold and that’s the direction I went. In 1999 I had been given an Alisa Test for Lyme Disease run by the run of the mill lab by my run of the mill family PPO doctor. It came back negative, so I was on that perpetual journey for the umpteenth time. In January 2000 I went to an alternative doctor and requested another Lyme Disease test. She ran a LUAT with Igenex. It came back positive. I’d already been neck deep into the alternative healing lifestyle looking for answers and when she recommended antibiotics, I said no thanks. I suggested other courses of action at which time she looked at her clock and told me my time was up! She circled “depression” as her diagnosis that day, even in the light of a positive Lyme test!

Needless to say, I was outraged. I cried I think forever. And I was mad as hell. I was mad at the system that had raked me over the coals for 30 years and when they couldn’t diagnosis me correctly they always reverted to “depression”. Over 30 years of my life, I had countless doctors laugh in my face, shake their heads and chuckle and then mark “depression”. But, I was born with thick skin! I kept pushing for answers and finally I found it. Facing a diagnosis of Lyme wasn’t good news. At the time I thought it was a death sentence. Then I was introduced to yet another doctor who didn’t diagnose me 100% accurately, but did give me a start on my new life.

It was recommended that I see a doctor who “cured” cancer patients. So I did. He questioned me thoroughly and spent 2 hours with me, asking me about the day I was born up to the day I was sitting in his office. Two whole hours at a total of $200!!!!!!!! Now, have you ever had a run of the mill doctor spend more than the 3 min’s that they are alloted for each patient and then charge your insurance company $100? I never had. Granted this was out of pocket, but after meeting our deductible, I was covered.

I’ll call this doc, Dr. G. Dr. G., listened to me and said, that I had something called Candida. He didn’t know anything about Lyme, but I was more than thrilled that my “problems” could be taken care of in a natural way with diet. That’s what I was searching for; compassion and natural healing. He gave me both. I left his office kinda like an ostrich, I had my head in the ground and was happy.

I went home elated. I didn’t have Lyme Disease, I had Candida! Yeah, I was going to recover and live. Although the diagnosis was only half way right, I had hope, and that’s what chronically ill people need in order to heal. One day on the diet he gave me and the migraine type headaches were gone. At that point I was nearly 200 lbs and the weight began to come off. Granted I wasn’t eating much. But, the symptoms began to disappear. The muscle pains, joint pains, chronic fatigue, the constant pain, constant gas and bloating. I was thrilled! The really cool thing about doctors like Dr. G and my current doctor is that they don’t have nor do they want to have a revolving door. They want their patients to be well.

What I learned from Dr. G. was that cleansing is important to any healing program. It’s very much like painting a master piece! You always start with a clean canvas. Can you imagine if Rembrandt started a painting with a canvas literally covered in feces . (excuse the graphic description…but that’s the truth!) Dr. G started all his patients on a juice fast. It’s a grueling fast. The hunger pains are intense. But, it’s thoroughly beneficial to the system.

Your body needs a break from the daily task of digesting food. It’s hard work, digestion. We don’t always make the right choices even though we try to, and our bodies cope. When your facing a chronic illness, it’s even more important to do healing cleanses. Some recommend doing them seasonally. It’s a beneficial way to release toxins from the body. At which time you will experience what is called a healing crisis. You may experience headaches, fatigue, bad breath, BO, foul stools, etc. You get the picture. You body is concentrating on eliminating the toxins that have been stored in your fat cells and built up in your colon.

Much of the toxins stored in our body are in our body fat. Metabolizing the fat forces the toxins into the blood stream where the body processes them to be eliminated. This elimination is not entirely done through the alimentary canal and the urinary tract. A major organ of elimination is the lungs. We will breathe out some toxins in our breath.

Another major organ of elimination is the skin. We will not only exude toxins from the surface of our skin, causing people to bathe frequently every day, but the skin may erupt in boils as the toxins, especially petro-chemicals accumulate in boils. (1)

Dr G’s diet primarily consisted of juice fasting with carrots, greens, green apples, ginger, beets, cabbage and other wonderfully cleansing veggies. Fruit is not recommended. They are too concentrated with fructose sugars. The goal is to maintain a alkaline ph and to kill off the candida pathogens. It’s recommended to follow the juice fast for nothing less than 3 days and the optimal would be 7 or more. Breaking the fast is to be done with bone broths, steamed veggies and foods that are very light on the digestive system. Gradually adding fish, eggs, and dairy consisting of kefir, yogurt and other ferments. No starchy veggies are on Dr. G’s diet until week 3. Then only adding brown rice, starchy veggies, milk, and red meats in the 4th week and there after.

I lost 65 pounds on this diet and was given a new lease on life. However, what I didn’t realize is that I still had Lyme Disease and 3 co-infections. And like most people, I cheated!!! I would even fall off the wagon completely almost breaking my neck ! I’d begin to eat white sugar, white flour and a host of other NO NO’s! When I did this allllll the complex symptoms came back. I really was convinced at the time that because I got well on this anti-candida diet, I didn’t have Lyme Disease. And every time diet would correct the symptoms.

Finally, in 2006 I realized the gut and healing connection. Today, I am nearly 100% healed of Chronic Lyme Disease and it’s co-infections, due to healing my gut and maintaining that healing though proper diet. Since cleansing takes so much energy and time, I’ve wished for the day when I didn’t have the responsibility of family so I could cleanse and rest. It’s truly a mixed blessing that my nest is empty. I wish for little children to be home again, lessons to be taught, meals to be fixed, kisses to be handed out like candy . But, it’s my time to rest and so I will. Since today is the beginning of fall, I thought it was as good a time as any to start a juice fast. The headache is hitting hard. The healing crisis is setting in. But if I hold on for a couple days, it will pass and a new energy will come to me. I’ve done this so many times that I know what to expect. I’ll begin to get accustomed to the hunger pains and then I’ll have little bursts of energy. By day 5 I’ll feel like I can go another week. But for today, I’ll take it one day at a time and not read about food!

One important element of Dr G’s cleanse is coffee enemas. It’s an important detox protocol. It relieves the headaches and cleanses the liver which is cleaning my blood every 3 min’s. So, there are a lot of toxins to remove. Another is drinking Bentonite and Pysllium 5xday! Wow!!! Talk about moving it out!!! But if the toxins are out then they aren’t being absorbed by the colon into my blood stream. Bentonite acts like a sponge and soaks up the toxins while Psyllium is like a broom and sweeps them out! Drinking a ton of water is also vital, since toxins are released into the urine.

I’ll talk more about juice fasts and the whole cleansing process this week. Why not, that’s what I’m going to be focused on. It’s a good time to read and meditate on the Lord. To draw near to Him. It’s amazing how clear our heads become when we cleanse. We can hear from the Lord in amazing ways, especially when we’re forced to lie still while doing coffee enemas 2x day!!!!!!!

(1) Juicefasting.org