There are days like today that I need a pick me up but I don’t have the time to visit the ocean, or it’s too cold and rainy, or I’m really sweaty and hot after a three hour Nia movement jam, or a steamy Yoga workshop. Im sure you’ve felt the same.
Introducing, the five-minute-body-and-mind-overhaul with a revitalising body scrub blend of humble sea salt, coconut oil and essential oil blend.
You have to try this one, especially if you have just danced your little toosh off and need a little revitalising! It takes two minutes to make.
Take me to the sea – sea salt body scrub to revitalise a weary body.
Take me to the sea – sea salt body scrub
Ingredients
2 Tbs sea salt (medium ground, or use coarse granules and grind up a little in a mortar and pestle – this adds a bit of elbow alchemy anyway!)
1 Tbs coconut oil
4 drops peppermint essential oil (if very sensitive skin, leave this out)
6 drops rosemary essential oil
Mix together. Apply in shower or before bath. Moisten your body in the shower, turn off the water.
Take a small amount of scrub in fingers and start gently applying the scrub in circular motion over your entire body. It’s lovely to start at your feet and move up the body. Its great for the lymphatic system too. While you are doing it, practice loving your body and being grateful for it. Use the entire amount up on yourself, it’s inexpensive and you deserve the love.
DO NOT apply to face – it is too abrasive and the essential oils too strong.
Rinse under warm water. Pat self dry. You won’t need to apply moisturiser as the coconut oil will leave you silk smooth. It might feel delicious to put on some natural fibre clothing like silk pants…
Enjoy oh luscious souls.
And if you are not already eating sea salt instead of ‘table salt’, read this, or this. If you are worried about not getting enough iodine from sea salt, some companies now mix iodine in with sea salt. Personally I feel great choosing good quality sea salt.
I am inspired to write about using enemas as a cleansing tool, or when on a detoxifying diet.
Before you completely freak out, read on. Enemas have been used for centuries across numerous cultures. Well known and inspiring health gurus of our modern day such as David Wolfe (raw food), Donna Gates (Body Ecology Diet) and of course Dr Max Gerson (Gerson Therapy) proclaim the benefits of colon cleansing, including home administered enemas.
That being said, enemas are not for everyone. They certainly have taken me a long time to try. I have written about using enemas to assist the cleansing process before. My main inspiration for considering an enema was an ever-inspiring girlfriend who’s been doing them for years. I’d sometimes see her enema kit in the shower and feel slightly perturbed by it. It’s interesting to observe that when something is out of our own sphere of awareness that there can be a tendency to ignore, reject or judge it. If you are interested and want a step by step process to help get over your intimidation with the process, plus more inspiring information, check out Jess of the Wellness Blog, who has written a step by step process for a coffee enema (and a video too!) – it’s a must for enema-newbies.
Basically an enema flushes liquid through the lower portion of the colon. Using specialised (and simple) equipment consisting of a container and a tube, the enema fills up the lower portion of the colon with up to a litre/ 32 Oz of liquid (I only manage about 500ml/17Oz). The liquid stays in the lower portion of the colon for a short period of time (e.g. 12-15mins), and then the contents are eliminated into the toilet. I love that word- elimination! It’s nearly as good as evacuation…
Yoga master Mr BKS Iyengar instructs in his book Light On Yoga, that one should evacuate their bowels before asana practice.
Evacuate, evacuate. Such an important thing to do, yet it can sure be a pain in the butt (excuse the pun) when you can’t! To help with regular bowel movements make sure to be eating plenty of fresh vegetables, doing regular exercise, deep belly breathing and reducing stress. I have written more on that here.
Coffee enemas
My favourite type of enema is a coffee enema. I do enemas irregularly, and mostly when I’m not feeling great or doing a cleanse/detox. For instance over the last few weeks I’ve put myself on an elimination type diet in an attempt to identify if any of the foods I eat regularly are causing my mild allergy symptoms – I do a lot of self-learning around health, I’m my own guinea pig. Because I’ve cut out a lot of foods, like dairy, wheat and gluten and added cleansing ingredients such as diatomaceous earth and oregano oil, I’ve experienced mild cleansing reactions.
Coffee enemas were popularised by Dr Max Gersen of the Gerson Therapy. The Gerson Therapy uses coffee enemas as part of a treatment for healing patients with cancer or other chronic disease. Coffee enemas have been found to stimulate the detoxification of the liver through various mechanisms including stimulating the production of bile.
Before attempting an enema you should have a general level of good health including importantly regular (at least once a day) bowel movements – unless you have supervision or guidance by a trained practitioner. Eliminating waste and toxins through regular bowel movements is crucial to great health. The use of filtered spring water (not chlorinated/fluoridated tap water/ contaminated water) is imperative, as is following a tested protocol.
Enemas are sometimes advised to assist in bowel movements, as are laxatives. However, dependant use of either enemas or laxatives can lead to further problematic issues.
Have you tried enemas to assist in cleansing/ detox and what was your experience?
Note – As always these are only my opinions as is everything on this blog. Please do other research and see how you feel about it. Only you will know what is right for your health.
Regular bowel movements are crucial to great health. To help improve bowel regularity naturally, be sure to:
Drink plenty of water – spring/filtered water only, and about three litres daily depending on your activity levels/ amount you sweat/ personal needs. Drinking only caffeinated tea/coffee/juices is not enough. Aim to drink this water in the first part of the day rather than in the evening when you may suffer from broken sleep when you awake to use the bathroom! Making herbal teas/ infusions is a good way to increase water intake, especially in colder months or climates
Eat more vegetable based meals such as leafy salads, chopped raw vegetables, steamed vegetables
Eat more home prepared meals that have the main portion being vegetables. Ensure these are made with whole foods – fresh vegetables rather than tinned for example
Eat more gentle fiber-rich foods such as chia seeds (soaked)- these are better than psyllium jusks which can be too harsh and bulky
Ensure adequate intake of probiotic-rich foods for healthy gut flora (kefir, raw sauerkraut, yoghurt, kambucha, and/or a good probiotic)
Exercise regularly – even a fifteen minute walk/ stretch/yoga, chuck on inspired tunes and do a Nia dance/movement session, yoga
Deep breathing / meditation – even a few minutes out a few times a day will help enormously to relax the body, improve circulation – take a few minutes out regularly to take deep belly breaths
Reduce caffeine, processed foods (all packaged foods/ artificially flavoured foods), stress and feelings of resentment.
Note – sometimes you may need to reduce fibre-rich foods such as when you are healing inflamed intestines, such as with the SCD. Be sure to have enough water, continue gentle exercise and deep breathing.
You may have heard of the term ‘activated’ in relation to ‘nuts’ – but what does it really mean?
Or perhaps you wonder why some people soak nuts before consuming them – is this just another time-wasting health obsession?
While not being a chemist or food scientist, I hail from an applied science and plant ecology background and love a little research, so I have attempted to bring together some of the conflicting arguments on soaking nuts – to soak or not to soak? And, are phytates/ phytic acid really that bad for you?
Phytic acid – phytates
Nuts (and beans, grains and other seeds)* contain natural chemicals in their outer coating, or bran (in botanical terms: testa). Of particular note in relation to nutrition, is the group of chemical inhibitors called phytates or phytic acid, but they can also contain tannins and other chemicals, which can affect the uptake of nutrients. Phytic acid is the storage form of phosphorus in many plant tissues, particularly the outer bran portion. Phytic acid in food unfortunately binds with other beneficial nutrients such as iron, magnesium, calcium and zinc, and block these from being absorbed by the body.
This seems like quite a contradictory evolution if we look through the eyes of hungry humans, but we must remember, a nut is created to perpetuate its own life foremost, and these natural chemicals protect it from insect attack and act to halt the seed from germination until suitable conditions are met, otherwise it may attempt to grow on barren ground.
Potential damage to health
Research into the effects of phytic acid on health finds that it binds, or chelates, important minerals and also inhibits enzymes needed to digest our food. Over consumption has been linked to demineralization of tissues in the body including tooth decay. It has also been found that the addition of Vitamin C in a meal can reduce the loss of iron and perhaps other minerals that are bound up in the phytic acid. For more reading on this and further references, see the article by Ramiel Nagel published by the Weston A Price Foundation.
It must be pointed out that not much research has been done into the effects on health of phytic acid in nuts, most research has been done on grains such as soy. Additionally, phytic acid has been found to have beneficial properties as an anti-oxidant with some research shown an ability to reduce the proliferation of cancer cells.
Nuts about nuts?
This is where proper preparing of nuts comes in. Using methods such as soaking, sprouting and dehydrating or a combination, has been recommended by many well known nutritionalists and ‘real-food’ advocates such as Sally Fallon of Nourishing Traditions.
Sally Fallon recommends soaking raw nuts in sea salt and filtered water in a warm place at least 7 hours. The nuts can then be drained. She recommends drying in an oven (or dehydrator), although the nuts are fine to be eaten as they are after drained from the soaking water.
This, my friends is what is known as an ‘activated’ nut.
Pretty cool term huh…activated. I reckon I might just go and get ‘activated’ – a soak and roast in a sauna finished with a plunge in a cool pool certainly does activate me!
…If a seed falls in a forest
The process of soaking is akin to when a seed falls on the earth and is rained upon. Chemical inhibitors leech from the nut and it may sprout roots (although germination usually requires other conditions to be met such as optimal temperature).
Soaking nuts also helps make digestion easier as the nut is softer and able to be chewed into smaller pieces. Another benefit of soaking is that is starts the fermentation process which can release phytase, the enzyme which breaks down phytic acid, as well as release more of the beneficial vitamins, especially the B vitamins. Soaking also swells the nut, increasing its size and can assist in feeling full.
Soaking nuts (and grains) may seem like a time consuming task but it’s really simple once you set up a habit of doing so.
How to prepare nuts for optimal nutrition
In a nut-shell (bahahah bad pun intended), the easiest methods for preparing nuts for better digestion and long term health is to soak them overnight in warm salty water, drain and either store in the refrigerator until required or dehydrate for later use. Soaking nuts (and grains) may seem like a time consuming task but it’s really simple once you set up a habit of doing so.
Store soaked nuts in the refrigerator for up to a week, or use to make almond milk, nut butter etc.
Sprouting is a secondary step after soaking and is only possible if you have a truly raw nut/seed to begin with**.
Dehydrated nuts will last for a couple of weeks if store in an airtight container, and in a cool location.
1 cup nuts
1/4 tsp salt/celtic sea salt/natural sea salt
filtered water – enough to adequately cover nuts
Place nuts into a glass or ceramic bowl or jar.
Warm filtered water in a kettle (don’t boil it), or use room temperature water
sprinkle about a quarter teaspoon salt into the mix
Soak overnight or for about 7-12 hours
drain water – can use a colander/ strainer or I just use my hand as a strainer (less fuss)
(Optional) To sprout – once drained, leave the nut/seed 1 to 4 days to sprout, rinsing every day preferably in the morning and again in the evening. Best left out of direct sunlight. Only possibly with raw nuts**
(Optional) Dehydrate using a dehydrator (or an oven which can be turned to a very low heat – below 47’C/150’F).
Still confused?
There is much conflicting information on health that it is sometimes a challenge to know what choice to make. Personally, I like to follow the health motto that it’s better to consume a healthier food over a less healthy food. I also go by what makes me feel good and gives me sustained energy. So, in the case of phytic acid, if you have to decide between raw (non-activated) nuts over processed snacks like a bag of chips/crisps, choose the nuts (although I have to admit I am a sucker for a salt and vinegar chip, sigh). Again, with chocolate, if you have to choose raw chocolate over a sickly sweet cherry ripe, go the raw chocolate.
As always, ensure you are having plenty of fresh vegetables and some fruits (green leafy and brightly coloured foods), plenty of protein, good quality fats and oils and fresh spring /filtered alkaline water.
*This article refers to culinary ‘nuts’ which are not always true ‘nuts in a botanical sense. Most culinary nuts are in fact seeds. A botanical nut in the true sense is a fruit composed of a hard shell and a seed, where the hard-shelled fruit does not open to release the seed (indehiscent), an example of a true nut is a hazelnut.
**If you live in America or Canada, unfortunately for you, all American/Canadian- grown almonds (but not other nuts as far as I’m aware) are all pasteurized (heated to a very high temperature or treated with a chemical, so they are not raw). Hard to believe, I know, but it was the result of a small outbreak of salmonella and the industry passed a law (more info here).
Want to feel like you are at a gorgeous day spa in Bali?
Oh yeah, transport me there…
I invite you to make this easy body scrub and set aside some time for just YOU.
Make the scrub following the recipe below, set it aside for a few minutes while you light candles, burn incense, put on some juicy soothing tunes and take twenty minutes just for you.
Recoup. Take a few deep breaths right down into your belly and imagine all the bits of energy you may have lost throughout your day come back into your own energy centre.
Give yourself a break from having to work anything out. If you have any strong thoughts on your mind, choose to put them aside for the moment. You can always pick them up afterwards, I promise they will still be there! Gather your energy.
This is YOUR time, take it.
Sugar body scrub
Sugar body scrub – leaves the skin silky smooth and moisturised
A divinely delicious & super easy homemade body scrub recipe for EVERY body, especially YOUR beautiful body.
1 cup of sugar – I prefer a finer grade organic sugar just from any store; and
1/2 cup oil – any oil but my preference is organic macadamia nut oil or virgin coconut oil (more expensive). Other oils that work well are almond oil, olive oil (the scent can be a little strong) or any other oil you have at hand (not mineral oil/ baby oil which is a petroleum product).
Start with a small bowl, add the sugar then pour the oil on string it through. Voila – the simplest spa preparation ever.
To make this scrub even more gorgeous, add a spoonful of cocoa and up to ten drops of orange essential oil for an orange jaffa magic creation. You will have to stop yourself eating it, ’cause we all no sugar is the biggest no-no for beautiful skin!
Transport yourself to your spa
Plunge into your pre-run bath tub (scattered with flower petals), or wet your body all over in the shower.
Spoon or scoop a generous amount of scrub into one hand and start applying the scrub, starting at your extremities, using circular motions to cover every inch of skin. I save my hands and feet for when I soak in the bath, but if you are showering then do these at the same time. Soak or take your time to rinse off the mixture, leaving your skin spiky smooth.
Keep calm, breathe and surrender to this moment of self-respect, self-care and self-love. Y.U.M
Don’t slip! When you have finished, take a moment to wipe down the bath recess to remove oil so as not to cause a hazard. I use a natural mix of bicarbonate of soda and vinegar.
Love this idea ? Would you like to spend more time with me and other like-minds creating natural skincare preparations and just having a darned nice time?
Come along to my next Natural Skincare Playshop where I will pass on my passion for natural skincare preparations including more body scrub recipes. How does a coco honey scrub or a salty beach lime scrub sound?
I made a little video on how to open a drinking coconut safely for those people who have asked me.
The best implement to use is a cleaver like this one below, but I don’t have one so use my ‘chef’s’ knife, but any reasonably heavy/strong knife will do.
This is not a task for the meek and mild! Get your gusto going, your determination head on, and make a decision to do it! If you don’t feel gutsy just yet, ask someone to help you, please.
Please DO NOT place your other hand on the coconut whatsoever!
I’ve described in a previous post how I suffered from intestinal parasites for over ten months. It was only the last six months I experiencing symptoms, of which the last three were intense – diarrhoea, gas, bloating, restlessness, impaired ability to concentrate, lack of energy, generally feeling unwell and slightly nauseous.
Kefir and Kambucha
When I was first diagnosed (again, check my previous post and all the in-depth comments about the importance of proper diagnosis), I immediately began on herbal treatments – I took various herbal blends that included the usual anti-parasite herbs including:
Black walnuts (Juglans nigra)
Wormwood (Artemisia annua)
Garlic (Allium sativum)
Barberry (Berberis vulgaris)
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
I felt immediate relief from the herbal treatment, and continued with them for about two to three months. When things weren’t improving fast enough (and remember I had really exhausted myself out at this stage), I returned to my naturopath and asked for more information on medication. I am loathe to take medication unless I absolutely feel I need to, and I hadn’t had any medication for several years. I also feel that if I had more knowledge and experience, I may have been able to treat myself naturally – I am on this path now and hopefully in the future will have more information and skill to be abel to do this – stay tuned!
For now though, my naturopath (who works with her doctor husband who is able to prescribe medication), provided a script for a particular combination of medications* that she found worked best for other patients. I was warned I would feel slightly nauseous. I was also recommended to heal my gut afterwards, and this is what I want to write more about now.
Intestinal parasites occupy, obviously, the intestines, and so in themselves have an impact on the ability to uptake essential nutrients and minerals. Taking medication also harms the beneficial gut flora. I would highly recommend anyone who is mending themselves from intestinal parasites seek the help of a naturopath, and also arrange to have blood tests to determine levels of things such as iron, active B12, zinc and protein to be sure to treat any deficiencies and get back on the road to full health. My results showed very low iron, very low B12 and low zinc.
Quit sugar
In order to regain my health, I spent time investigating and experimenting with various diets such as the CSD diet (which admittedly got me to cut out sugar for three days upon which I kept going using Sarah Wilson’s 8-week IQS plan – do it!). ‘Quitting’ sugar was of major importance in feeling relief from the symptoms of intestinal parasites, and in healing my gut. Like most people, I didn’t have much obvious sugar (never drank soda/soft-drink, rarely had cake etc), but I tended towards sweet fruits and wanted a sugar hit in the afternoons (such as chocolate or toast with honey) – all signs of a sugar addict. I won’t go on about it here, there are other awesome sites dedicated to this topic, but do yourself and family a massive favour, particularly if you have intestinal parasites, and quit.
Supplements for intestinal health
I took (and still am taking, minus the iron) the following supplements. Note, I provide name and brand just for interest:
iron (ferrasorb by Thorne)
zinc (zinc picolinate by Now)
immunoglobulins (immune advantage by Now)
probiotic formula (Primal Defense which includes Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus plant arum, L.acidophilus, and others; by Garden of Life)
B complex (#6 by Thorne)
More recent supplements – are these going to be KEY to full health?
More recently, and since the medication treatment, I am taking the following supplements. I will write more about these in time, and feel these two will help to regain full health and stave of re-infection. I am taking the first one in the morning, the second one before sleeping.
MSM (methyl-sufonyl-methane) – for it’s supply of sulfur
Fossil Shell flour (diatomaceous earth) – for its anti-parasite/wormer qualities**
Superfood powder for general health pick me up
I also started to take a superfood powder, which I highly recommend called MANABlend. It is a mix of eleven ‘super’ foods and I love how it makes me feel. I will keep taking this even when I stop taking the other supplements.
MANABlend – boosted green smoothie for general pick me up
coconut kefir (occasionally, I can’t quite get used to it yet!)
sauerkraut
kambucha (more recently).
In addition, I started taking herbs for stress and for my overworked adrenal glands. I swap between these two brands, and find the top one the best:
Adrenal Health by Gaia Herbs
AdrenoTone by Metagenics.
Heal Well All
To those on this journey, I wish you the most success with your health and I would love to hear any tips you can share on your journey to heal your gut.
* For those still looking for information on best method of treating D.fragilis, I will be compiling further research and comments of those who have contributed to my initial blog post on the topic. Anyone who has suffered or is suffering from intestinal parasites will understand how horrible it is. It’s a difficult battle at the moment, as most docs still think the parasite shouldn’t cause any issues and thus do not, a) properly diagnose, and b) properly treat. Many people are being reinfected, particularly those with small children, as there is a big possibility pin worms could carry the parasite (and anyone with kids will know how easily they get worms).
**If you do any internet research on these two supplements you won’t find a great deal. It’s worth remembering that just because there isn’t extensive research undertaken on things doesn’t in fact mean they won’t work/help. Research is very expensive. Its unlikely that research will be undertaken for products which big pharma’s can’t make money from (fair enough). I like to keep an open mind about such things, learn from those who are on this path, and if something is not going to damage my health I am open to experimenting.
Most of us overindulge at this time of the year – yippppeee, enjoy it, love up every single minute, slurp, chomp and bite. Fill yourself with love and cuddles and a healthy dose of ‘time out’.
If you know your body could do with a break from all the extra servings and perhaps, emotional triggering that occur when far-flung families get together, a cleanse could be a great thing to plan for the start of the new year.
I’ve got an example cleanse below which is really quite easy to stick to as it includes plenty of fresh vegetables, a little fruit, and for the first seven days a little protein. There’s also links to some great resources and references. I’d love to hear of any other great cleanses and your experiences – let me know in the comments below.
At the turn of the season, I completed a two week cleanse ending in a three day juice fast. It was simple and uncomplicated and felt beneficial for my overall health, but it was the element of discipline that felt most satisfying.
The first juice fast I did was over twelve years ago at the Funky Forest retreat centre in northern NSW (see reference below). I have also done a couple of five day Blessed Herbs colon cleanses, and various other ‘spiritual’-based cleanses through practices such as Pancha Tanmantra, and other sporadic self-led cleanses and fasts. There is much written on the history of cleansing and fasting, but strangely this regular practice still raises eye brows ……
Fasts are embedded in the practices of many religions and cultures such as Hindus who regularly fast during various religious festivals such as Maha Shivaratree or many Indians who choose a regular day each week to fast such as Sunday. Muslims and others fast from dawn until dusk during the month of Ramadan. A modern example of fasting is the recently popular Michael Mobsley 5:2 diet , which includes two days of reduced calorie intake.
Our bodies are already amazing cleansing machines
Some will argue that we are so perfectly designed that our bodies cleanse all the time and there is no need to undergo any additional sort of cleanse or fast. It is true, we have such a miraculous vessel of a body which is working 24/7 to ensure our systems are working as best as possible. However, in my experience, by taking pressure off the overworked organs of digestion and cleansing, we can allow the body to undergo even deeper cleansing and allow healing to occur.
The cleanse – set your self an intention
If you are keen to undertake a cleanse, I would recommend setting your self a purpose so that you can come back to that if it becomes difficult, and as you are changing habits, there is sure to be moments that are challenging.
For example, my intention on this fast was to clear my system in the changing season, rid myself of any toxic build up, break a habit of overeating (and feeling slightly out of control with food), plus give myself solitude and time to go deep within to clear old patterns and beliefs.
The Cleanse and Fast
In a nutshell this is what I did in relation to the fast, starting from the last three days working back.
3 days – juice fast (the finish line)
Three glasses of freshly pressed juice(mostly vegetables – see examples below)
A few herbal teas
A tea with raw almond milk (homemade, soaked almonds, nothing added)
A little coconut-water kefir, and I had one coconut water drink after a sauna.
4 days – fruit and veg only (mostly veg)
Breakfast: green smoothie (leafy greens such as kale, handful berries, chia seeds, ½ tsp coconut oil, MANABlend powder, coconut water if I had any or filtered water)
Lunch: salad with avocado and homemade zingy dressing (olive oil, raw apple cider vinegar, crushed garlic, grated fresh or dried tumeric, ½ tsp cayenne)
Dinner: steamed veggies, mostly non-starchy (broccoli, kale, red cabbage), and a little starchy veg (kumera/sweet potato; every second night I’d have quinoa instead of starchy veg (only 20% of the meal)
7 days – cleanse
As above but I also had some animal protein two nights (one of mum’s Austrian stews) and some fish; plus milk kefir in smoothies (omitting the kale and including sprouts such as mung-beans or sunflower if I had any growing) or an after dinner snack with berries and stevia; I also some sugar-free coconut/almond meal/butter biscuits.
More on the 3-day juice fast
I researched the web, and books I had on the topic and followed the fast regime quite methodically. This was great for sharpening my discipline, which for me is not a dirty word. In fact discipline really provides me a feeling of ultimate freedom, free from the ‘monkey on my back’.
Example juice fast intake
Glass of warm filtered water with lemon on waking. I also added drops of a parasite-cleanse herbal mixture (for more info on possible parasite cleansing see here).
Breakfast Juice (e.g. whole grapefruit, half orange, handful strawberries, couple sticks celery, ½ cucumber, one granny smith apple). I added one tsp chlorophyll to a small portion of the juice for a bit of a cleansing hit.
Midday juice (two carrots, celery, lettuce, silverbeet, tops of beetroot, ½ lemon, tumeric root, ginger).
Dinner juice (similar to lunch juice, omitted the lettuce and cucumber).
Plus a couple mugs of tea (one caffeinated, one herbal, and on a cool night I had a warming tea of sliced ginger, cayenne powder and stevia!)
Other things to help the cleansing process:
Enemas– I have been giving myself enemas regularly for about six months. Jess of The Wellness Warrior got me across the line on this one, check her posts on the topic here. For the stage of the cleanse, I did one about every four days. Then during the juice cleanse I did three a day – coffee, morning and afternoon; – chamomile tea in evening. I also had my first colonic ever the day before the juice fast. I wasn’t completely blown away by it, but it certainly allowed me to take in more liquid in the following home enemas. Go on try it – let me know if you do!
Exercise – such as gentle yoga, Pilates, walking – I did a yoga or Pilates class nearly every day. I just took my practice down a notch and rested when I needed to, no pushing, the best benefits are the deep breathing and movement. Breath work (Pranayama) could be beneficial, and meditation, contemplation, journaling.
Sweat it out – great to sit in a sauna/infrared sauna (the best) for half an hour to open the sweat glands and detox through the skin. Don’t overdo it, take it easy, make sure you are hydrated prior to going in. Probably best time is between breakfast and lunch. I also like jumping under the cold shower, back into the warm a couple of times to encourage the lymph system to turn on. Note: I am of a rather robust body type, people who are on the frailer end, underweight or going through a strong detox phase should be very cautious if using a sauna while on a fast.
Dry body brushing – Using a natural bristle brush, circular motion. This encourages the nerves under the skin to fire and improves circulation. It is also said to encourage lymph to circulate (and rememeber lymph is a ‘pumpless system’ so unlike the heart it relies on osmosis to be transported through the body.
Write, inspiration and intention – This is a great opportunity to take some time out from the big wide world. I relished the opportunity to set myself some time to be quiet and in my own world. I need to take time out regularly to nurture my introverted side. Cleansing and reducing digestive stimulation can bring real clarity. Write down things you want to create for the next season of your life. There are some great resources available on the web, and inspiring books, see below for my picks.
Prepared for deeper confronts and release – On my last day of the juice fast I had some stuff come up – old stubborn belief patterns surfaced. I turned to a few regular practices I have such as journaling, pulling cards and EFT, plus a yarn with a soul mate helped me transition this one last time. Cleanses and fasts can do that. I felt a veil come down that keeps a barrier between me and the world. I couldn’t consume away my issues. Luckily I have practices and resources to draw upon. I feel a new sense of humility around the topic and feel it will steer me clearly. If you don’t feel in a sound space to cope with issues that may confront you, I would highly recommend doing a cleanse/fast in a supported retreat setting.
Quit coffee before you start – I would highly recommend giving up drinking coffee at least a couple of weeks in advance. Caffeine withdrawal headaches can be quite rough and I would not recommend enduring these AND juice fasting. I gave up coffee a few months ago (unexpectedly as I went to a two week course where it wasn’t available – mostly raw f&v, and I was stuck a few kilometers out of town- perfect!) I love coffee and will occasionally indulge but right now it’s been great to kick the habit (I don’t like being addicted to anything, it feels restrictive, also I hadn’t realized how much it was adding to my adrenal exhaustion). P.S My housemate is a barista and roasts his own beans at home, so I enjoy their aroma daily. I am also lucky to be the recipient of any roasted beans he doesn’t want to use for my coffee enemas!
Take it easy – Don’t stress, no pressure, get a buddy for support, join a retreat, and also know when to finish. Come out of it slowly, taking time to reintroduce food. Allow yourself at least a day of just fruit & veg at the other end.
Structure
I started on Friday and was in the office all day. This was fine for me, particularly as I had had a colonic the night before (so I felt inspired to go deeper), and mostly as I had led into the fast with days of light fruit and veg meals. It also meant I had the weekend to be on the fast which was perfect for me, and I said no to too many social arrangements. I found personally I had plenty of energy in the day (great to play with my nephew at the beach), but by the late afternoon I wound right down and it was good to plan a relaxing afternoon if you can such as a gentle chat with a friend, sauna session, or reading.
Prepare your tools and tricks
Ensure you have your tools on hand such as a good juicer. I bought one on eBay the night my first day on the juice fast as my juicer was not going to cut the mustard this time. Each juice needs to be strained of pulp to reduce stimulation of digestion. This is essential. Use a nut-milk bag or knee-high panty-hose.
Other tools to have arranged prior include an enema kit and that you are regular and practiced in using it prior to the fast. I would also recommend booking a colonic the night before your fast (see Karen Kipp’s info on this below)
And of course stock up on fresh juicing produce.
Cusco Peru – juice lady slicing aloe vera into my smoothie
Resources
A few resources on cleansing and juice fasts include:
Enema (coffee) – this chick nails the coffee enema instructions: The Wellness Warrior
Since realising I have the iron levels of someone who should stay in bed all day and not the levels required to lead a lifestyle of a superhero, I have been led down a path towards iron rich foods. And when it comes to iron-rich foods any non-vegetarian will tell you that livers are number one!
Yikes. I have not been a friend of offal*. Ever. It stinks. It has the texture of grime, its an animals’ organ for heavens’ sake! I would never eat such fare as steak and kidney pie, that god-awful dish. Don’t even try and disguise it with a yummy pastry lid.
However, I am hooked on health, absolutely. Always have been. Ever since I was a youngster I would read anything on health with intrigue. From old hippy cookbooks printed on textured paper, to calorie counter pocket books, even those glossy health mags that are like junk food for gym addicts. So, looking into how to hit myself up with iron to ensure I can fly once again (my superhero status is looking rather grim), liver is well known to be the number one source of heme-iron. Heme-iron, compared with non-heme iron found in plant sources, is the most easily absorbed source of iron.
I do not wish to change your view of organ meats and will never try, particularly when it comes to pate, a dish to become acquainted with on your own terms. This post will likely serve to either reinforce your disdain of offal if you are a flesh-avoiding vegetarian and all power to you. To be honest, I do wish it was my path to be solely plant-based, but right now it’s not the road I appear to be able to take and maintain full health. Perhaps one day when my digestive health has recovered (see here). For the other campers, with all the chat about this oft wasted organ you may feel fired up to crack out a version of Maggie Beer’s Grand Marnier and pink peppercorn!
It’s got me thinking about how traditional cultures and ancient societies, Indigenous people of any land, used every part of an animal, including the organs, brain, hoofs etc. Here in the ‘west,’ we choose mostly to only eat the muscle or the leanest parts of a beast. The rest is not held in the same regard. Even the word offal refers to a waste-product. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word entered Middle English from Middle Dutch in the form afval, derived from af (off) and vallen (fall). A fallen good, wasted.
A friend of offal
So, like I said, offal and I are now friends. Well to be precise organic chicken livers and I are now friends, in fact we are super close all of a sudden.
Saying that make me think of a wise crack my brother would make:
‘But arn’t all organs organic?’
If you don’t get it, don’t worry you are not dumb.
I sourced the livers from a local organic butcher (which are thin on the ground, but do your best to find one or ask your local butcher if they will get them in). I also used ghee/clarified butter as I have read that dairy (the calcium, actually) interferes with the uptake of iron when eaten with iron rich foods, and ghee has less casein left that normal butter (which is the dairy part). I have also seen a coconut milk/oil version that looks awesome and is dairy-free so I will be trying that.
This is not a recipe
Besides the livers and ghee, I added half an onion, a garlic clove, sprinkle of mixed herbs, grind of fresh nutmeg, salt and pepper and a superhero splash of brandy (no special type in my house just the sort that a friend left here years ago!) Best you follow a recipe like this one here, here or coco goodness dairy-free pate here. But basically it’s a few scoops of fat (ghee/ organic butter/coconut oil), melted, add shallots/onions, garlic, a couple bay leaves, sprinkle of herbs, salt and pepper and simmer for five mins; then add a couple of handfuls of liver, turn over to seal on both sides, grind some nutmeg on top, and cook for about 8 minutes; pour into either a blender (or a bowl and use a hand-blender – my preference), don’t forget the dash of brandy/whisky, also take the bay leaves out before blending. Pour into ceramic dishes and melt some more butter/coco oil to seal.
Devine. Treasure. Glorious sacred animal gift. Thank you universe!
Are you a friend or foe of offal?
*I am only referring to liver here but enjoy saying that word now that we are friends – offal.
How divinely perfect are flowers. These incredible examples of the earth’s glory are not made pretty just for human enjoyment.
Flowers have a biological purpose for reproduction. They are designed to be beautiful in colour and design to attract animals for pollination which in turn creates a fruit and seed, which if left to ripen is another perfect plant ready to begin!
Remember to leave some flowers for pollination by the bees, insects, hummingbirds and for beauty xx
Nasturtiums, borage and pansy are all edible flowers
Many flowers are edible and a great addition to salads, as garnishes and to flavour water. I’ve even seen them frozen into ice cubes which are perfect for plonking in refreshing summer beverages.
Edible flowers can flavour drinking water
These little jewels of mother nature have been used for centuries as flavouring, garnish, and dyes. The Romans used mallows, roses, and violets. In Victorian era England, they used violets, borage, primroses, and nasturtiums, and also candied the violets and borage flowers to decorate cakes and desserts. Native Americans are said to have used red clover and squash blossoms.
What will I do with these earth gems?
Edible flowers can be used to add a bright garnish to any dish. Put a large hibiscus in the middle of a salad, add blue borage flowers to a glass of water. White ginger lily’s infuse cool water with a sweet freshness, and in a salad add an Asian twist. As mentioned earlier, place small flowers into ice cube trays with spring water, freeze and serve with coconut-water kefir, juice or gin – very botanically cool!
A bursting raw soup topped off by a Hibiscus centrepiece
Which divine petal shall I pick?
While some flowers are edible, not every flower variety is. Below is a list of my favourites. Be sure to only pick them from a known organic (or spray free garden or wild area), and only if you can positively identify them.
White Hibiscus/ Hawai’ian Hibiscus (Hibiscus arnottianus) is deliciously sweet! All hibiscus flowers can be eaten, but some are sweeter than others! And how fabulous do they look as a garnish anyway!
White Ginger Lily/ White butterfly lily (Hedychium coronarium) is probably my number one favourite all time yummiest, sexyiest, sweetest flower around! Can be slid behind your ear, braided in your hair or put in a jar of water to sweeten it- yum!
Kristen picking White Ginger Lily’s for use in meal preparation at the Hawaiian Sanctuary
Borage flowers (Borago officinalis) are like beautiful blue stars and a perfect addition to a cool pitcher of water. Add sliced cucumber, sliced ginger and lemon circles and you have a refreshing spring brew.
Geraniums, marigolds, nasturtiums all add a vibrant orange to a salad or a garnish on salad or lightly steamed veggies. Pea blossoms and pansy’s are often soft blue, white or a mix of colours add a beautiful burst of colour.
Rose petals range in flavour from sweet like a berry to sour like a green apple, so be sure to try before serving. Also, remove the petals from the base, and remove the bitter white portion. In any case they are an exquisite addition to a fruit salad, stevia-sweetend cakes, coconut yoghurt, or even sprinkled on an indian rice dish. If you don’t want to eat them, sprinkle them in a bath with bath salts for a truly revitalising experience. If you have ever been to Bali, you would know how luxurious slipping into a bath of flowers feels – it definitely does something to the soul to be infused in a rose bath!
Balinese bathing adorned with frangipani and rose petals
Recently during a San Pedro ceremony in Cusco, Peru I was offered roses every so often by a beautiful Swedish pixie girl. She would pick perfect roses and offer them to me in cupped hands or drop them into my tea. “Eat more roses darling, they are good for your heart” she would say. She laced flowers in my hair and said “a woman should always wear flowers in their hair, my dear.” Ahh, what a divine walking angel. She inspired me to write this post.
Have you got any edible flower suggestions to share?
natureglow 
