The Cleanse: Day Two

My advice to anyone out there considering doing a cleanse program like this: take the first week off from work, if possible! The added stress and irritations really seem more pronounced than usual. In addition, it’s nice to be able to have extra time to prepare your meals, which is at a premium when you’re working a full day and spending 1-¾ hours commuting on top of it. Granted, I’m one of the slowest cooks you’re likely to meet, but I was definitely running on fumes by the time I got home and decided what to make for supper. Not to mention that nasty little headache I was nursing during my bus ride home. Thankfully, the universe threw me a little thunder and lightening storm to enjoy and help keep my mind off my head for a wee bit.

I think cumin might be inching its way up towards the top of my favorite spices list. Rosemary is pretty confident up there, but she's keeping her ear to the ground for rumblings.

No exercise today, what with the billion gallons of water that fell from the sky and my empty tummy calling the shots. I feel completely ready for my bed, and as soon as I finish this cup of ginger tea, that’s exactly where I’ll be.

The Cleanse: Day One

The journey has begun! I spent yesterday filling up on lots of favorite foods in anticipation of the cleanse. Lattés, scrambled eggs with smoked cheddar, chocolate (in the form of peanut butter cups, my childhood favorite), mac ‘n’ cheese for dinner, and some lovely scotch to cap it off. This is a fairly representative list of foods that I was supposed to avoid during the preparation period, but if I can find a silver lining, it’s that I certainly didn’t wake up hungry today.

Despite the labeling, the colon cleanser/fiber powder does not actually “taste great.” Plug the nose, and down the hatch it goes. Fortunately, the variety of tea I have on hand has been tolerable, even without honey!

Day One has gone very well. I’m patting myself on the back for having started this program on a non-working day. A very relaxed beginning. I did venture to the Northwest Folklife Festival, knowing full well that there would be a hundred food booths there beaconing me. I had a strong resolve, though, and still found pleasure just smelling it all. I was pleasantly surprised to find a roasted corn-on-the-cob vendor, and happily nibbled away on an ear by the fountain.

Dinner was a sauté of fresh asparagus and leeks with cumin seasoning. I’d never cooked leeks before! I’m looking forward to trying some other new veggies during the next couple of weeks. The book I’m following strongly suggests adding sea vegetables to my diet, and although I feel quite tentative, I’m hopeful I’ll find one (or more!) I like. Lots and lots of minerals and chlorophyll.

I took a gentle walk after dinner, and enjoyed a beautiful evening. Seattle got lucky this Memorial Day weekend!

Not much to report at this point in terms of body sensations. My energy level feels stable, and I’m not experiencing any physical or emotional discomfort. Bless that! Here’s to another easy day tomorrow.

The Cleanse

Tomorrow I start a 15-day cleanse program. The plan I'll be following comes from a book called "If the Buddha Came to Dinner" by Halé Sofia Schatz. In terms of nutrition, the program is divided into three phases: 5 days of fruits and vegetables (not combined in a meal); 5 days of fruits, vegetables and whole grains (not containing wheat); and 5 days of fruits, veggies, grains and proteins (except meat and dairy -- fish is ok, eggs are optional), though no one meal should have both grains and protein. There will also be lots and lots of tea, along with "colon cleanser" and probiotics in the mornings and before bed.

Schatz recommends a 1-2 week preparation period, which I haven't followed very well. My intention is to fully apply my discipline skills to the next 2 weeks, however. I've had the idea to do a type of detox for quite some time, even entertaining the idea of going to a spa specializing in such things. This will be a considerably less expensive adventure, though a journey all the same. It will go beyond what I choose to put in my mouth -- I'll also be paying attention to what I allow into my energy field and senses. If it's not nurturing (see ya later, internet news and entertainment sites), it's off the radar for awhile. At the same time I'll be working on increasing what I do find to be nourishing: time with the kitties, photography, cooking, spring cleaning, walking in the beautiful parks of Seattle, etc.

From time to time I may check-in here and share my thoughts and discoveries. For now, I'm enjoying my final cups of coffee and looking forward to heading off to the farmers' market shortly. Wish me luck!

Turtle Medicine

In Native American teachings, Turtle is the oldest symbol for planet Earth. It is the personification of goddess energy, and the eternal Mother from which our lives evolve.

Turtle has a shell which is similar to the protection that Earth has employed for centuries as her body has been defiled. Mother Earth's protection has come in the form of Earth changes, new plant growth, the creation of new landmasses by volcanoes, and climate alterations. Like Turtle, we also have shields that protect us from hurt, envy, jealousy, and the unconsciousness of others. Turtle teaches you, through its habit patterns, how to use protection. If you are bothered by the actions or words of others, it is time to go inside yourself and honor your feelings. If you are attacked, it is time to give a warning snap.

Honor the creative source within you, ground yourself in the energy of the Earth, and observe your situation with motherly compassion.

From "Medicine Cards: the discovery of power through the ways of animals" by Jamie Sams and David Carson

The Body

"The church says: The body is a sin
Science says: The body is a machine
Advertising says: The body is a business
The body says: I am a fiesta."
Eduardo Galeano

Mind as creator

"Mind is the creator of everything. You should therefore guide it to create only good. If you cling to a certain thought with dynamic will power, it finally assumes a tangible outward form. When you are able to employ your will always for constructive purposes, you become the controller of your destiny." Paramahansa Yogananda

Our life is one

“One day, during one of my first visits to the United States, I was having lunch at Boston University with some friends, and I was looking down at the Charles River. I had been away from home for quite some time, and seeing the river, I found it very beautiful. So I left my friends and went down to wash my face and dip my feet in the water, as we used to do in our country. When I returned, a professor said, 'That’s a very dangerous thing to do. Did you rinse your mouth in the river?' When I told him yes, he said, 'You should see a doctor and get a shot.'

I was shocked. I hadn’t known that the rivers here were so polluted. Some of them are called 'dead rivers.' In our country the rivers get very muddy sometimes, but not that kind of dirty. Someone told me that the Rhine River in Germany contains so many chemicals that it is possible to develop photographs in it. If we want to continue to enjoy our rivers – to swim in them, walk beside them, even drink their water – we have to adopt the non-dual perspective. We have to meditate on being the river so that we can experience within ourselves the fears and hopes of the river. If we cannot feel the rivers, the mountains, the air, the animals, and other people from within their own perspective, the rivers will die and we will lose our chance for peace.” Thich Nhat Hanh

Anaïs - June, 1932

"A summer evening. Fred, Henry and I are eating in a small restaurant open on the street. We are part of the street. It is not Henry, Fred, and I eating, but the street full of people eating, talking, drinking. It is the whole world eating, drinking, and talking. We are eating also the noises of the street: the voices, the automobiles, the cries of vendors, children's cries, the cooing of doves, the flutter of pigeons' wings, the barking of dogs. We are all fused. The wine which runs down my throat runs down all other throats. The warmth of the day is like a man's hand on my breast; the warmth of the day and the smells of the street caress everybody; the restaurant is wide open and the street penetrates into the restaurant. The wine bathes them all like an aphrodisiac ocean..." Anaïs Nin

The Guesthouse

This being human is a guesthouse
Every morning a new arrival
A joy, a depression, a meanness
Some momentary awareness
Comes as an unexpected visitor

Welcome and entertain them all
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows
Who violently sweep your house
Empty of its furniture
Still treat each guest honorably
He may be cleaning you out
For some new delight

The dark thought, the shame, the malice
Meet them at the door laughing
And invite them in
Be grateful for whoever comes
Because each has been sent
As a guide from the beyond

Rumi

Ruts

"Very often we fall into ruts in our lives, we maintain the same routines and act in the same manner predictably day after day after day. We set our minds on a certain course of action, and simply proceed. How can miracles happen if we march mindlessly, unthinking and unaware through our lives? Coincidences are like road flares, calling our attention to something important in our lives, glimpses of what goes on beyond everyday distractions. We can choose to ignore those flares and hurry on, or we can pay attention to them and live out the miracle that is waiting for us." Deepak Chopra

The Garden

"A garden can only grow if there's a gardener to prune, fertilize, seed, and regularly care for the soil and plants.

It's actually not very different for people. If we want our spirits to soar and direct our lives in rich and meaningful ways, we need to feed ourselves with nourishing foods, activities, and relationships that encourage growth. What would happen if you treated your whole self -- body, heart, mind, and spirit -- as a garden worthy of your love and diligent efforts? What dead matter would you clear away? What would you plant? How would you fertilize the soil and nurture the seedlings? What will you do with this plentiful harvest from your garden?" Halé Sofia Schatz

Amy

Athena of I-85
Singing her truth
Rockin' like a hurricane
Gracious, humble, giving
Nice
Shadow and light
Glittering in a Crystal Ballroom in a Western town this evening
Pachamama has you covered, dear one.