Now on Day 7

The days seem to be going by fairly quickly, I am busy at home, so this Master Cleanse is not too bad at all. Each day now gets easier as I am not feeling overly hungry or anything and clearer (more grounded) each day.

So, what to talk about for Day 7 -hmmm. One of the things that my family does each time we do a Cleanse (yes, we do it together) is that as we get closer to the finish line we start a list of foods that we would love to eat when we are done. 

These lists have evolved over the past while to become quite interesting from a nutrition perspective. I wish I had kept them all now because it would nearly make up a lesson in the miracle of detoxing. In the beginning when we were doing this for a few days at a time, the cravings for food might be for treats when we finished the MC. Not that we eat sugar or anything, but more along the lines of snacks and stuff.

This time, is quite different. We are all craving veggies (this is normal), beans, garlic, herbed bread etc. More savory foods but also just looking forward to some simply prepared mung bean stew with lots of root vegetables and perhaps some garlic toast. Gentle, soothing and comfort foods perhaps? 

How I feel today --  My energy levels are quite good again today, the cold/flu is pretty well gone and my shoulder, other than feeling tight is back to normal. I have been doing a variety of exercises using my shoulder to keep it loose and moving and have had no problems with it whatsoever. I am doing about 20 minutes of Yoga, mini free weight session of about 5 minutes each, low weight kettle bells, walking and cycling again for short bursts of about 5-7 minutes each. My shoulder feels fine and .....

I. AM. ASTONISHED. --- I have had this condition (frozen shoulder) several times and in the past (many years ago in my teens and twenties) would have taken anti-inflammatories but refused the steroid injections. Can you believe that we would fill our bodies up with chemicals and drugs when this is what it takes to actually heal it, completely?? What would happen if everyone who had a frozen shoulder did a detox for a few days and calmed down the inflammation enough for the shoulder to heal? I actually know people who have had surgery for this condition - as it can last for months and it is very painful.

Today, I have no pain. My shoulder is better and I have full movement in the joint. It has been 7 days of a Master Cleanse. Imagine what a person can do - imagine all that healing force within your body just waiting for the opportunity to be released unimpeded!! This is what I have been talking about with doing a MC. For me, it has come full circle here - I have proven to myself over and over again that I can do exactly this as my body heals itself gently, easily and quickly using only water and herbs.

Well, off to enjoy my day, have a good one yourself,

April

And On the 6th Day....

Another day and another layer of toxins have left the building! I must say that by early morning yesterday I was feeling better than I have in months and I usually feel pretty good. My energy levels are great and I even did a few mini workouts yesterday - lifting weights again with my shoulder without a problem.

So, how am I feeling today - well when I turn my head to one side I can feel it catch and a tightness. However there is not much pain, just a small ache in the one area. It has completely settled down. My cold is better, but I have a cold sore now! Which is typical for me, I usually get one with a flu. Oh well.

Yesterday was a surprising day for me in that a lot of deeply buried emotions were coming up to the surface as well as all the physical stuff. And it was all about being bullied as a child and in my life day to day. I think that most of us are bullied in some way - however we have come to refer to it as 'normal human interaction' and dismiss these low feelings we experience as a result of the contact with these people. 

It felt like I was watching myself in slow motion - I was being pushed by someone to do something I did not want to do. Then gave in to it and for the rest of the afternoon felt disappointed and low in myself. And when thinking over why I was doing it - kept coming up with guilt, obligation and then a blank! So, not my stuff clearly an energy transfer that I needed to sort out.

If you were ever bullied, especially as a child you know exactly what I am talking about. This is like a download of negativity that has been inserted into our souls and needs to find a way out. And there is a part of me that sees bullying as evil as well. Something about this demented behaviour is sinister and it makes the hair stand up on my neck just thinking about it. 

I was not expecting this to come up during this Master Cleanse because I was so focused on the physical healing that needed to take place and not fully connecting it to the bullied emotional/energetic/spiritual layer of myself even when I know full well that is how this works and that anything might come to the surface. LOL

However I am pleased that more of this old pattern is moving and perhaps will entirely shift for me once and for all. Who knows, maybe even more of these patterns will surface as the physical block is sorted out and then I will really be moving forward.

On the weight loss side, I am down about 5 or 6 pounds, which is what I would expect right now and I am feeling light and strong. Very grounded within myself which the herbs have a lot to do with, I am certain. 

Well, off to get going with my day - I am looking forward now to see what this one brings! Have a good one everybody.

April

Its Day 5!!! Half Way

Morning all,

'The answer is blowing in the wind' - as usual I have been really drawn to listening to music first thing in the morning when the house is still quiet and I actually get some time to myself. Of course some of the old classics are soothing for the soul! 

Well, I made it through day 4 - flying it actually. So far this has been the easiest MC that I have done, in terms of feeling lots of energy, clarity and certainty about what I want to accomplish. Part of that I would put down to the fact that I have done so much Intermittent Fasting over the past few months that my body is a clearer or more grounded place.

However, some of it may have to do with the fact that it is spring and the sun is shining (at least in the morning) making me feel great each day getting up. Sort of like urging me forward with this detox in every way. 

I have been keeping busy finishing up projects and working from home which is what I usually do, however I do take time out to paint or draw a picture during the day with the kids as well as sit in the sun for a few minutes and get into the garden to pull some weeds around the herbs (yes, I know, herbs are weeds LOL).

One thing that I commonly find during a detox such as this is that I have an urge to clean - my house is generally clean and mostly tidy, however I always know that the cleanse is working on some deeper levels when I find myself wiping out drawers and organizing closets a little better. Cleaning outside - cleaning inside.

This reminds me of another issue when it comes to cleaning - I would not use harsh chemicals in my house nor would I use them inside of my body. One of the main reasons to remove toxins in general from you diet - all toxins - as they will accumulate and cause harm. Poison is still poison no matter how attractive the package. 

So what are these toxins that I am talking about - well we can start with any medication, synthetic chemicals, drugs, alcohol, highly processed foods, night shades, sugar, and food known to be contaminated with any of the above. Before you choose to believe that this will leave you with nothing left to eat - I eat. My family eats. And we eat very well choosing a wide variety of great tasting, high quality and interesting foods.

The reason I mention the above toxins and poisons is because this is what you will be removing from your body during your Master Cleanse should you decide to try one. Many times our livers are busy processing so many other things coming into our bodies that these toxins accumulate and build up in the tissues (one of the functions of fat leading to over weight) if you want to lose weight effectively and keep it off, do a detox at the same time as part of a weight loss program and it is more likely to stay off.

However, 10 days would just be the beginning for many of us, as there is a lot to remove, heal and re-build from years of poor lifestyle, unhealthy eating and exposure to contaminants. 

I just realized that I have written all of this and have not yet told you how I feel! I am much better, my shoulder is 80% back to normal with only one area that is still sore, most mobility is restored and I can raise my arms over my head without a problem.  My cold is on its last legs as well and I am sleeping very deeply at night. 

I did some exercise a couple of times yesterday as well which makes me feel great and plan to do yoga today, especially after dreaming of it last night! See, what I mean about those dreams, they will inform you of what you should be doing to keep the detox cycle going and the body healing.

Oh, and as many people wonder about the weight loss aspect of the Master Cleanse, even though that was not my reason for starting a cleanse at this time - I can give you some statistics. I am about 5'10 and weigh about 10 stone. My weight has come down about 3 lbs during the past 5 days. If you have weight to lose, you will lose a lot more and there have been times when I have lost weight rapidly when doing a Master Cleanse.

The weight is mostly water for me and some will likely go back on, but not all as fat, toxins etc are also reduced significantly. However, I can tell you that immediately following a MC is an ideal time to build up muscle, so I plan on jumping into my free weights again as soon as I am finished the 10 days.

I hope that you are enjoying my posts on this, I am certainly enjoying writing this as I go along. I recorded my 40 day MC as well and plan to put it in my book on fasting that will be ready soon.

Have  a lovely day!

April 

Master Cleanse Day 4

So, here we are at Day 4 - and yesterday was not a bad day overall. To report in on how I am feeling firstly- Feeling Much better! My shoulder is steadily improving (fastest time ever) after only 5 days I am able to lift my arm up over my head and I am actually sleeping at night.

If any of you have ever had frozen shoulder, you probably know what I am talking about - the last time I had this, close to about 5 years ago, I was a few months before I was able to raise my arm over my head fully. And I never slept for weeks, it is that painful to lie down, mostly because pressure is then placed on the back of the body, I suppose.

I was also able to move my arm up and behind my back up to my shoulder - another move that is impossible with a frozen shoulder. Now, I still have a bit of pain, it is still uncomfortable and sore. There are actual tender spots across my neck and shoulder where the inflammation is. However, they do appear to be receding into one main area. All good!

Yesterday I was trying to note what I was feeling so that I could tell you about it - one of the main things that was coming up for me (and I was happy that it was because it can be rare enough) is that I was again 'remembering' or having very early memories surface from infancy and early childhood. It feels as if these things are coming up and out from the bones or somewhere equally deeply buried. I was aware of the deep level of detoxing that was taking place and just observing the thoughts that were moving through my mind.

One of the things that I was 'remembering' was how my gut felt after having been fed as a small infant. I was given Carnation evaporated milk in tins from the first week of life because it was cheaper than formula and I would imagine it shut me up and made me sleep for a few hours. Now, if any of you know anything about cows milk - it is completely indigestible by infants as well as an inadequate diet from a nutrition perspective. And I do think that now there is a warning on these cans to not use as infant formula!

Its a wonder I have not had more issues with my gut and health than I have in my life. I was aware yesterday of these deeply embedded toxins from that milk loosening up and moving out. And memories associated with that time were also coming up - so I spent the day reminiscing and thinking back to my childhood in Newfoundland. Seems like lifetimes ago now.

Other than all of this - my cold is much better, the sun is shining (sort of) and I feel a fairly good level of energy overall. I had very interesting dreams last night - I usually dream a lot since I changed my diet, and over the years have kept dozens of dream journals, so that it nothing new, however in one dream I was told that one more day and some issue that I had been working on would be sorted! Now to uncover which issue that is.... LOL

When I did the 40 day Master Cleanse I had dreams in which I would be informed that on day 25 or something like that - a particular 'thing' would come to the surface and for me to pay attention. It felt as if this same thing was happening again. And I am pleased - because this shows me without a doubt how inline I am with my body as well as how much the body appreciates the care it receives from healthy living and detoxing.

As it is Day 4, I did another salt water flush first thing this morning as well and I must tell you - it was easy! Again, I now know that this (perhaps ALL things about healthy living) are simply a mindset. If and when you decide to take charge of your own health, healing and well-being, then it becomes an absolute pleasure. And your body thanks you with continued health and vitality.

Well, off to do some work! Hope that you are all enjoying my blog. Maybe tomorrow I will write more about my experiences with Intermittent Fasting, which I credit for changing my life and moving me to better and higher ground.

Have a lovely day,

April

Master Cleanse Day 3

Good Morning!

Another sunny day here in West Cork, so far anyway. Hope to get out into the garden today again. I am just waiting right now for the kettle to boil to make my tea and Master Cleanse juice for the day. So, we made into another day, it is now day 3 of the cleanse, this is usually the day where the worst is behind you in terms of adjustment and it is just counting off the days from now on. 

Of course, there is a bit of a detox cycle - and I hope that I can explain my experiences adequately during these next few days. The detox cycle has to do with the kinds, amounts and level of toxins moving within the system as a result of the cleanse. We are literally forcing toxins out to the surface and then eliminating them from our systems via the bowel, urine, skin and breath. Many people find that this happens in waves - one day a rash or bumpy skin, then another day slight nausea, you could experience a slight headache, aches or pain and any number of different emotions such as anger, sadness, elation etc.

I was noticing a couple of things yesterday - that as the day moved on my shoulder was gaining more movement and felt freer. The pain and discomfort is still there but once again it is much reduced from yesterday morning and I have less restriction in my neck. I felt happy to be doing this and more in control of my life and it was a productive day overall with getting a lot done. You would be amazed how much time, energy and effort is involved in thinking about food, preparing food, eating food and cleaning up! When you are not doing these things (I am still cooking for my children) then there is energy for many other things.

I still have a cold, and my ears keep popping, but not as many aches and pains. I went to bed early last night thinking that I would not sleep very well, but I did manage to get some sleep even with a stuffy nose! Last night I took Senna tea which is the other part of the elimination process, again we only drink the tea every other day. Apparently the senna tea loosens up and moves debris from the upper bowels down to be eliminated because it causes slight cramping. Combined with the salt water flush on alternating days, you can actually keep these toxins moving out very well.

I was asked a great question yesterday about the Master Cleanse - how do you handle the hunger? So I thought that I would post my answer on today's blog entry. Hunger has come to mean something very different to me (us) over this past while doing regular fasts, cleanses and detoxes. 

I feel that there are 2 stages of hunger, the largest one being mental or in the mind. In sports psychology it has long been said that 90% of winning is mental while only 10% involves skill. Here with the desire to create change within your body, the same rules apply. This is entirely a mental process - when you overcome the negatives, fear and worst of all - the social conditioning that exists around food, you can do anything you want with regards to health, healing and diet. 

I feel that there is hunger and there is an empty stomach - both of these are different from each other. In our society we do not know hunger, we are well (over) nourished and going without solid food for a few days will only enhance and improve our health not take away from it. Hunger is the mental or mind part of this that you will have to overcome - you know how your stomach grumbles at 5 o'clock simply because it is 'time' to eat? We are acting like Pavlov's dogs, eat around the clock, little will power to refuse 

rubbish foods and just because someone dangles something in front of our noses we must have it. NOW.

An empty stomach is what you experience when your digestive system is emptied out and allowed to heal, revive and restore itself as a result of the Master Cleanse. An empty stomach is a physical thing and not a mental process, and actually quite easy to deal with compared to the mind! Hunger from an empty stomach comes in waves which subside by about day 3 for the most part. I am aware that my stomach is empty however it feels natural because I 'know' I am doing a detox. Every time you feel a wave of hunger you can drink your 'juice' and it goes away or sip on some water or herbal tea.

For people who believe that they cannot cope with the hunger - this is not a physical issue, this is a mental decision. Once you start doing a Master Cleanse, your body shifts into detox mode and not only works very efficiently to get toxins out quickly, but enjoys the process as well. How do I know this? Because I listen to my body (part of my job as a Medical Intuitive LOL) and I just feel better overall so I know that my body is in line with the process.

I have found that the single biggest result of my detoxes, cleanses and healthy lifestyle over these past few years has been regaining control over my own mind. I did not like the feeling of a lack of will power, fears and doubts about my health and weight nor did I wish to be controlled by marketing (I have a degree in food marketing) and have others tell me what to eat and when. 

In essence I wanted to eat healthy food, make healthy choices, live a superior lifestyle and enjoy it! To achieve this takes involving the mind on the highest level which is one of the most positive outcomes of a Master Cleanse.

Onwards and Upwards or as they say in Narnia - further up and further in!!

April

Day 2 Master Cleanse

Woke up this morning after having slept better than I have in weeks, pain has subsided about 30% and my cold is 50% better. Its funny but these were not the things that I noticed right away! It was how my mind was ticking over - as if I just felt more positive and that my attitude was better in general.

Normally whenever I do a MC, I do a salt water flush every other day. So this morning was the 2nd day of the cleanse and it needed to be done. I drank the salty water in my best time ever and with no problems. Even as I was drinking it I was thinking to myself that this really is all in my mind. If I want to drink it and 'like it', then I can decide to do just that.

Needless to say it was the best salt water flush ever and I feel even better now after having done it. So, this is where it gets a bit like too much information. But, if you really want to know all about a Master Cleanse then this is a big part of the process. 

You drink 4 cups of water with 2 teaspoons of sea salt every other day (that's what I do) to clear out any debris in the bowel that has come loose as a result of the detoxing. You have to drink the mixture first thing in the morning, as quickly as possible, before taking even a sip of water and then move around until it works. Which usually happens within the hour, sometimes faster. And it does work, it cleans you out making you feel bright, light and energized.

Detox Symptoms:

When I went to bed last night I had a slight headache, but that was really no different from the last few days as I was getting a cold. Can't really say it was because of the Master Cleanse and detoxing. My hands are coming up in a bumpy rash which usually happens every time I do a Master Cleanse, so that is not a surprise and I also equate it to the detox process as well my tongue is really coated this morning. Another good sign of the toxins moving and coming out of my system.

What I really enjoy about each of these cleansing and fasting times is that I get so much done. I usually work extensively on my self but I also have other work that tends to be put off so this usually gets some attention. 

Under normal circumstances I practice Intermittent Fasting (I have developed my own methods) a couple times a week for a few hours combined with my exercise routine which i find really works for me. That brings me back to another thing - even before I was up and out of bed my mind was ticking over the kinds of exercise I can do with my shoulder as it is. I can still cycle, walk, skip rope and a few other things that will not require me to raise my arm. I feel more or less back on track here!

Last night I made another comfrey compress for my shoulder and continue to make the herbal teas to heal my shoulder up from the inside. Now it's just a matter of time for this energy to shift and the healing process to proceed. It feels great to be fully supporting that function of my body and equally empowering to be in touch with it. 

Off and running on day 2! Talk to 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.