I've been doing my own little cleanse this week after an Easter weekend full of tummy pyrotechnics and I must say, I feel better already. I've had digestive issues for a few years now, mainly with gluten-- I always say that it was moving to the deep dish mecca of Chicago was the bender that did me in. However, it was a big surprise that I found myself doubled over for most of Easter Sunday with no gluten to be found anywhere.
Now, I work with some really amazing people. I love picking their brains about health and wellness and any other life lesson I can learn from them so this time was no difference. I was steered in one general direction: clean up you diet, clean up your mind, clean up your soul.
First up: Lemon water (not too cold).
it boosts your immune system, balances your pH, settles any unresolved digestive sludgery from the night before, jump starts your digestion, and don't forget it's WATER, too... and I always need a reminder to drink enough of that. Something I didn't know before this week though... Vitamin C is one of the first things to go when your body is under chronic stress... and guess what our little lemony buddy is jam packed with? mmhmm. you know it.
Next up: Supplements
Ok, so I'm not taking that many. In fact, I'm starting off slowly... a multivitamin, milk thistle for liver detox and a probiotic (10 strand/15 billion). That's it-- and I can BARELY remember to do that every day. I may or may not add more eventually or tweak the few I do take. I'm not one to take extreme measures unless it's my only option so bombarding my system with anything, even healthy things is just not happening.
Third in line: Alkalizing my diet, sort of.
Like I said, I'm not taking any extreme measures and that includes buying into all the cleanse-master-buy-all-this-junk propaganda out there. I like food. I mean I REALLY LOVE food and there are so many wonderful flavors out there, it would be a crime against humanity to limit myself to only lemon-cayenne-maple syrup (that just seems way too stressful to me). So I'm eating
mostly alkaline foods these days. I still eat nuts, beans, dairy and lean meat on occasions but I've been really amping up the veggies and fruits... I find a way to have avocado every day, usually at lunch... it is one of the best foods out there, I believe.
and last, but definitely not least: I'm feeding my soul.
reading, lots of reading. taking time to walk and clear my head, stretching, meditating, just being with my friends and family, doing things that make me happy. When life speeds up and I find myself just trying to hold on until the next lull, I forget to make time to make time-- for anything. So that's what I've been doing, purposely moving slower on my own time and doing what needs to be done when it needs to be done. A little routine now and then is good for the soul. :)
So far, so good. On Easter I was wearing a dress (not because I wanted to, but because with my stomach acting crazy none of my pants fit-- bloat, inflammation, pain. so not fun). The following day, I was able to put on sweatpants and sleep for most of the day. The next 3, as I started my little makeshift cleanse, I graduated to a pair of cargo pants with a drawstring waistband for work. Friday, a pair of pants that had a button and a zipper... and finally yesterday, my ACTUAL work pants with no stretch in them. progress is progress :)
...extra bonus: I haven't had more than a few sips of DC either. While this is causing some serious identity crisis issues to arise (heh heh), the lack of poison in my system is a nice change as well. Yesterday's aspartame withdrawl was NOT fun though. pounding head, heart racing, sweating. That stuff'll kill ya, but that's another rant for another day.
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