Getting Started on Fasting....

**Talk on Fasting this Sunday at West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen, West Cork 

After my posts yesterday….I had quite a few questions and inquiries about fasting. So, I wanted to take a bit of time to answer the most important thing about getting on the road to better health; how to get started fasting.

Fasting, by the way, is one of my top 3 ways of all time, that have changed my life over the years and I highly recommend it to anyone. My other two are Oil pulling (extensive use of essential oils for healing inside and out) and deciding to be completely natural in my health & healing approach to all our physical, emotional, spiritual and energetic needs (read no drugs, no Night Shades & no chemicals).

My own personal journey with fasting started out officially in 2001 – when I embarked on a 72 hour water/herbal tea fast after doing 30 days intensive detox diet. I felt terrific after that initial experience and it was a game changer for me.

Since then, I consider fasting an integral part of any healthy lifestyle, weight loss, healing, cleansing, detox approach to eating, because our gut flora needs periods of food, feasting and fasting. That's right, you 'need' and benefit from periods of no food and have actually a digestive system geared for it.

It really is this simple.

So now, back to the topic at hand – how does one get started fasting?

Of course, the easiest and best way to get started is to pick a day and then just jump in! That’s basically what I did – I woke up one morning, said ‘enough of this’ and decided to fast again. I took in water, herbal teas, lemon juice and maple syrup, mainly, in those days.

However, you can also prepare yourself a little bit by doing several mini-fasts of 24 hours, then 48 hours, 72 hours and so forth. I’ve done those as well. Pre-planning Mondays for example, each week to give your system a break and only drink juices, smoothies, herbal teas or even water also works.

Remember, water (chemical free) is great!!! It is the single most nourishing liquid on this planet and yes, I have done water fasts….last year we did 30 days parasite cleanse on water (apparently the only real way to get rid of the nastiest ones). Grueling – but again, another huge shift for me, and something I am pleased to have done. 

Have I mentioned I did my Masters thesis for Exercise & Nutrition Science on the study of water?  (don't get me started on water LOL). We need water far more then we need food, that should tell you something really important right there - water heals, clears, cleans and shifts energy.  

To get started on your fast – follow these steps:

1. Pick a day but don’t over plan it, or make it that Tuesday, 3 weeks from tomorrow. Really, just jump in, where you are, with what you’ve got going on right now.

2. Pick up a couple of fasting helpers….I wish I knew all the little things that make fasting so much easier, years ago. I did it anyway, but now it’s that much better with my Rebel Juices (fermented probiotic drinks), immune boosting, detoxing and nourishing Herbal Tea Blends and Rebel Foods Tinctures.

3. Think about a goal/aim/purpose or reason why you need to fast and have that as an incentive. It could be something material such as a new iPad or a goal for your job, health, relationship, weight loss, writing – the lists are endless. Fasting heals inflammation rapidly by the way.

4. Get a journal and do some writing while you fast or have a project ready such as closets to be cleaned, an office to be sorted or something to keep you busy – you will have time & energy to do things like never before.

5. Fasting has a unique Spiritual element that can only be compared to being One with Nature, walking with gods and opening up inwardly like never before. Be prepared to get to know yourself on a whole new level. 

And that’s about it! The important thing here – is to fast while you are living your life, going on a ‘retreat’ from the world sounds lovely, but hardly practical. So carry on with your normal activities – we exercise, work, and do all the things that we normally do while fasting – only with a little more focus! LOL

Lastly, make no apologies for choosing to detox, heal and move forward with your life (I don’t feel the need to tell everyone I am fasting) nor do I explain my reasons if people comment in a negative way.  

I’m doing what I need to do. Moving right along….

April  

I was so impressed with fasting - I wrote a book about it! The Pagan Diet is about my life changing experiences 

Feeling A Little Stuck? 2014 - A Year for Change…..Class & Course Dates

Energy Blocks

I just realized something really important – I am having a hard time thinking about, moving and gearing up for 2014. It’s as if this next year is either not coming (it is! LOL) or there is a huge energy block surfacing for me. 

I can’t seem to get dates in my mind or anything….it’s as if  a door is closed and needs to be pushed (or kicked) open. Yet I love this feeling right now because that is what I am cleansing, clearing and fasting for!

So what am I doing to combat this energy block? I am Closing Energy Leaks© of course, exercising, fasting and pushing myself in every way that I can think of to get that ‘onwards and upwards’ feeling back again. 

But today has been a difficult day, even the weather outside is nasty – it’s wet, windy and wild out there, with the air kicking up soggy leaves and blowing them around. The kind of day where you run from one building to the other, shielding your face from the sting of the rain and every trip outside has you standing next to the stove for half an hour.

A day for change.

If you are also ready for something better, something deeper and more then you feel your life is bringing you right now – perhaps it’s time to unblock 2014 for yourself! Plan to come out to one of my Winter classes to get your life back on track and discover a deeper spiritual connection.

January Rebel Foods Cookery Class Sunday 12 January 2014 – simple healthy meals & breads for winter €35 11am to 3pm or finish, Leap, West Cork

Energy Class – session 2 (anyone can join at any time) Working Through the Energy Blocks €10 each evening Tuesdays at 7pm Leap, West Cork starts 14th January 2014 runs for 6 or 7 weeks.

Fasting & Detox for Health, Healing or Weight Loss – Eat Like a Pagan 9th January 7pm €20 – includes tastings of detox juices, cleasing teas and fermented juices – Eat Like A Pagan© book on sale on the night 

Closing Energy Leaks© full day intensive workshop for those who work with energy healing, hands on healing, light workers, therapists etc. – Health & Safety of the Energy Worker €90 includes lunch, snacks – please do not bring food due to the energy work being done on this day.  Sunday 10am to 4:30pm (includes book) 26th January 2014 

to reserve your place please book directly with April on 087 2361616 or email info@aprildanann.com 

Looking forward to working with you in 2014! 

April

From little Acorns great things grow!

Don't Delay....Your Destiny Awaits!

I remember those days when several trains of thought would be going through my mind at the same time - that I wanted to get healthy, fit, trim etc. and stay that way. However, I would think that there was one more function, one more party, my next birthday or some other milestone/event/thing/person that I was waiting for or held back the start date in some way.

Of course, then another birthday would roll around and I would not be in the shape that I wanted to be in and I would be angry/disappointed/upset with myself all day because I was not able to wear the clothes I wanted to wear or feel as good as I knew that I could feel.

What a cycle I was caught up in, it was madness - and for the life of me I really thought that I could not get myself out of it. I know that I was long at the place where I thought that in order to have the health and weight that I dreamed of, it would be a vicious struggle that I was no longer certain I could win. 

And I know that there are so many people who think and feel the same way, keep putting it off until some other time. Waiting for next week, next month, next year. And for what? To spend another full year unhealthy, unhappy, heavy and full of toxins and inflammation...not much to look forward to on that end is is?

You know, the only way to get things moving is to get moving. And then I can still hear someone say, but what if it's the wrong move? So what if it is? Any movement in the direction you wish to go will be positive in the end, no matter what it is at the beginning. 

It is often the smallest things and the littlest details that hold us back in life - they are seemingly the hardest to overcome. For example, I used to put off exercise thinking that I would have to go to the gym for an hour and do this big workout. Now? I use the 5 or 10 minutes that I have, right where I am (skipping rope, rebounder, free weights) and feel better in body, mind and spirit by the end of the day.

There is really no excuse. Do not wait for someone else, this is your journey. Do not delay your weight loss or health goals - your destiny awaits!

Start this next part of your journey inwards today,

April

Glandore Harbour Sailing!

Good Morning...

This weekend is usually known around the world as Mid Summer and St. John's Eve as it has to do with the changing seasons, solstice and to mark the summer growing season in a significant way. One thing that might not be very well known, but is an obvious link here, is to water.

And of course anything to do with water interests me greatly as I have long found that this substance is the number one healer, changer, shifter and the most grounded food on the planet. So, what are the links to water?

Well - John the baptist was the one who appeared to be using water to create change in people's lives through 'baptism'. This is very symbolic of using water to cleanse as it washes away all that does not belong in the body (cleanse or detox). The other most interesting link for me is that this weekend is an ancient Pagan water festival when on the morning of Mid Summer water would be found from a running stream and honored as part of the day (spirit of living water). 

So, this weekend is a water festival as well as a fire festival - buckets of water would be poured over participants usually to cool them from the heat of the sun, but also to symbolize cleanse and consciousness. Too bad it's not hot enough here for that!  

Either way, anything to do with water as the Universal healer is most welcome - the use of water (and herbs in water) is the only way that I have found that works in the body to do nearly any healing that needs to be done - weight loss, health, spiritual journey and detox.

Check out my book The Pagan Diet to find out all about what and how I eat, live and walk the path that lies before me. 

Have a great day! 

April

The Pagan Diet  

Last Day - Back to normal?

Or whatever normal is. Perhaps this is the new normal, I feel different each time that I do a detox and I have done many over the years. However, this time is different from all those other times and I am struggling with explaining, even to myself.

I guess the operative word here is STRUGGLE. For so many of us, life has been all about resistance, hardship, difficulty and yes, incredible struggle. It is not any different for me. I have often wondered, why, do we keep trying to move forward when we are constantly pushed back? Yet this desire to move, to shift to find higher and better ground comes from somewhere so deeply buried inside of us that it is like a guiding light.

So, back to the struggle- the one huge difference that I am noticing after finishing the MC this time around is that I am struggling less. With eating, food, worry, fear, health, work and just plain effort that it takes to live life in general. There is less of a struggle involved and I know that must only come from my mind - I feel that I have re-gained more control over it and that has taken out some of the fight that I had on my hands just living my life.

I hope that this makes some sense to you  all -?? It is not an easy thing to describe, because not only am I thinking it, I am feeling and experiencing it in my body. There is less of a struggle inside of my body and therefore I am using less energy fighting with myself and have more energy for other things! 

Today is Day 13, the day that we are back to eating as we normally do and the last day of the Master Cleanse - food tastes great, I just had my breakfast of a boiled duck egg with toasted herbed spelt bread and dandelion coffee. Great stuff! And for those of you wondering, my gut is back to normal (better than normal!), no pain, no wind, no difficulty, normal function restored within 24 hours. 

And my body is more flexible, I physically feel good, my energy is great, and I feel like I am figuring things out. I have been talking with lots of people about these detoxes and cleanses and have been asked many good questions - the best way to describe the work your body is doing as you complete each MC or fast is that it is like a journey through middle earth in Lord of the Rings. Not complex, not impossible, but challenging, demanding and worthwhile. 

See you tomorrow!

April

10 Day Master Cleanse

Today is day 1 of a Master Cleanse. I decided to blog it this time to let anyone who might be interested know how easy and great this process/method of detoxing can be. I am drinking my 'juice' which is fresh organic lemon juice, water, herbal tea, pinch of pepper and maple syrup.

I use herbs in the water to help make the detox part of this work more efficiently. The last time I did this cleanse was before Christmas and I did it for 40 days. Massive time of awakening for me - think about it, nothing to do but carry on with your day, not digesting solid food, so all that energy is free to heal, shift, change and open up.

Today is only day 1, so this is the easy part usually. I do not drink caffeine or eat sugar etc so have no addictions to come off of. And my diet is usually organic, so that is good. I would not expect too much of an adjustment in the first few days which can be the hardest part as your digestion winds down.

So, why do a Master Cleanse now? Well, I have been doing some free weights lately and my shoulder  just froze....this is the 4th or 5th time in my life for this to happen with the same shoulder. And this used to happen long before I used free weights. It used to take me months to get this shoulder better in the past, and even though I have fasted over the years, I never did think of using a Master Cleanse to see if that would sort it out sooner.

So, here goes. I am coming down with a cold too (everyone else is just getting better), so this might be a  fun 10 days! And, I suspect it might do the trick. Right now I am in so much pain with my shoulder, from my neck down to my hand at times, that I would try anything. I remember this well from when my shoulder froze before. 

In my energy world I would say that there is 'energy' there in the shoulder that needs to be released, maybe this time with gentle exercise, herbs, massage, MC, and Closing Energy Leaks(c) - I will finally get to the bottom of it and sort it out once and for all.

So, a Master Cleanse - what is it? Well, basically for the next 10 days I will take no solid foods. Do light exercise, drink my liquid 'juice' and let my body do its work. I have done many over the years and always find that they move me to new and higher ground. Many people do these for quick weight loss as you can lose up to a stone over the 10 days, while I know of a lot of healing that also happens. Especially good for getting the digestion cleaned out, rested and in better form. 

I have long said that with a Master Cleanse 10 days is physical healing, 20 days is emotional healing and 40 days is spiritual healing. I have done each of these at different times since 2001 and perhaps it is time to do them all again!

I hope to keep you posted on my progress over these coming few days.

Diet and Exercise

I came across this article today, what a shocker! Now they tell us that hormone imbalance may be implicated in high rates of obesity and (listen carefully to this) may 'have' to be 'treated' with drugs of some kind to get people sorted.

Right- so now, as the scientists and the doctors start to catch up with all the things that us Nutritionists have been working with and dealing with and talking about for these past YEARS, we need a Big Pharma fix. Its such an untapped market after all- buy your organic food, get your gym membership and because this simply won't ever be enough, have your prescription filled for the hormone shots that you will surely need to keep the weight off. 

It never ceases to amaze me, no astound me, that any chance of a door open or a way in, these drug pushers and pill poppers will surely be standing there, chemical cocktails close to hand. And it always goes back to the one main precept of their tiny worlds- that the human body is not enough, that somehow our bodies have forgotten to heal, to sort out imbalances and how to return to normalized functions. 

IF, you lose weight, with REAL food (and not the plastic stuff on trays), and you do real exercise where activity is incorporated into your REAL life, and then use the 'medicine' that was placed here for our safety and convenience (HERBS) - your body will come back into its own and better. 

Do not let any of this scare you into thinking for one minute that your body is anything less than miraculous, magnificent and more than capable of weight loss, perfect health and beyond. Remember my one golden rule: Don't eat their food and don't for heavens' sake, drink their water. That stuff is poison.

Now, that this has been said, I feel that I can go on with my day. 

More on Water- The Stuff of Life

Diet and Exercise: Not Enough?

The Only Way To Lose Weight....

I have come to find out during my years working in the food, diet, nutrition fields and as a Medical Intuitive, that the only way forward with regards to weight loss is to detox your body as the weight comes off. 

Our bodies use fat to store toxins and debris that can clog up the system - it is a very efficient and life preserving mechanism. These toxins have usually built up over a life time and can only be broken down with specific support for the organs and of course exercise to help push them out thoroughly. These days we are exposed to far more chemicals and poisons which also interact within the body giving rise to the situation (excess weight and ill health) that we are now in.

Toxic fat stores need to be carefully removed during a time of liver support, careful diet and exercise and self reflection. This is not something to be taken up lightly either as I have seen many people who lose weight quickly and without detoxing become unwell as a result. And, if lots of toxic debris is circulation round the body, your body will do everything to put the weight back on, just to keep you safe. 

Why waste time and energy to take off weight and then put it back on again? Why not detox as you go and do it properly. Take your time, build up your body and create the life you always dreamed of having. 

OMG- Now they are Nutritionists too???

Obesity is at an epidemic level reports the daily news sources- well I wonder how did that happen? And now the UK government wants to do something about it. That is wonderful news! The first thing that they can do about this epidemic is go into these supermarkets and declare an outrageous tax on 90% of what is on the shelves- these can all go into the non food category.

Crisps are NOT a food group

Sweets are NOT a treat

Caffeine containing drinks need to be classified as a drug

Prepared food is not fit for human consumption

And what is all this packaged stuff? U.F.O. – unidentified food origin

Message to all governments everywhere- if you want people to lose weight (and you don’t) start with the food manufacturers and then put an honest effort into some real form of nutrition education.

I laughed when I read that Boots pharmacists will now be offering nutrition advice. So, with your chlosterol pills you can go down aisle 3 and get some yummy weight watchers low fat, low calorie, low vibration plastic meal and take off those extra pounds.

My God! I think we just went one giant leap backwards. AHHHHHHHHH! (tears hair out)

Boots Weight Loss Advisors  

Get my Detox Book instead and get real with food 

My Master Cleanse

I have been doing this and talking about it for several weeks now, and it is really helping me to get things moving forward in my life. I am feeling lighter in myself, more in control and like I can do the things that I have longed dreamed of. So here is my recipe and some info on my Master Cleanse. I use herbal teas in clean spring water, and drink this for the 24 hour time frame. If you are new to this, add to these teas, some juices and dandelion coffee to get your through it. Once you get used to doing this regularly, your body looks forward to it and as you always feel great afterwards!

This recipe and many other instructions, discussions, details, and healthy eating guides are in my book- The Way to Detox

Aprils’ Master Cleanse

Yeast, fungus and mold have become epidemic in our bodies possibly causing the vast majority of dysfunction and disease. These pathogenic organisms take over in the gut whenever the opportunity arises and are known to cause many of the symptoms we are feeling and dealing with on a daily basis.

If you suspect candida is causing your problems, and want to do something immediate to combat this and alleviate a few symptoms- try a 24 hour Master Cleanse that is specially formulated by April to deal with yeast and mold overgrowth. You can also do this to give your digestion a break, jump start a detox or weight loss program and to feel better.

A cleanse is very different from a detox- while a cleanse is similar to cleaning your kitchen, a proper detox is like moving or renovating your house. Once you have established a better eating regimen, the cleanse is more effective, however it will be of significant benefit under any circumstances.

It is best to start in the morning when not having eaten since the day before. Carry on with your normal activities as usual, while being mindful of the purpose of the cleanse and any specific things that come up. Prepare your cleanse juice ahead of time or first thing in the morning and start drinking it right away.

April’s Recipe

Using a big jug pour about 2-3 litres of tea* inside

Juice of 1 lemon, 1 lime and 1 orange (plus pulp if desired)

2 tablespoons of maple syrup

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

*Use spring water to make the tea (nettle, dandelion, marigold, lemon balm, rose, rosehips, milk thistle seeds- in different combinations). Repeat this tea as much as you need to for the 24 hours, at least 2-3 litres and more if desired.

Drink this blend for the full 24 hours using different combinations of the teas (nettle, rose and marigold, then dandelion, lemon balm and rosehips etc). Do not store liquid in plastic bottles, consume within the 24 hours.

The Way to Detox- Body, Mind & Soul ebook on Kindle