Detox Diet - Day 5

Day 5 is here!

I decided that I would keep today's post short, so here goes.

The tea is interesting! I went to an herbalist the other day to pick up the herbs for the detox tea. She told me, while mixing it, that the tea sounds like it will taste good. And she was right - it's not a typical cup of tea, but still tasty. And speaking of tasty - liver cleanse!!! It is nice to have something so delicious as part of a diet.

The issue I have been having is finding something sweet to eat in the evening. I have been craving sweet pretty bad. Apple juice has been my savior thus far.

Detox Diet - Day 4

Today was a practice in opposites. My day began with a mad dash out of the house. We were off to a family gathering, then to a restaurant for lunch. Thankfully, I made my tea and had my two glasses of water. I even made a fruity-delicious liver cleansing drink. Without these I would have been lost. Perhaps the mad dash was due to all of this liquid preparation?

When we made it to the meal, I was hungry again. Everyone was drinking wine - there was even a glass bought for me that I had to politely refuse. Then the meal was served (buffet style). 3 meat options (which included pasta or veg) and salad.

I immediately gravitated to the salad. I could not eat everything in the salad (tomatoes and mushrooms) or the dressing. For this reason I got many looks and questions. This did not bother me - what bothered me was the host of cravings that followed.

Craving 1: Meat. I haven't eaten it in a while, I suppose I was due for a craving

Craving 2: Cheese, which led to

Craving 3: Pizza

I tried not to think about it and made myself a beautiful roasted vegetable lunch with greens and sprouts when I got home.

Then my mood switched and I had some alone time. I spent some time meditating and looking out at the river. I am still fascinated how quickly my focus turns inward this week, especially when I give myself time for myself.

Frankie (my faithful pug) and I took a nice walk afterward and had a wonderful run in with a bird. (for those of you who haven't noticed, the birds came back all at once). This particular bird was sitting on the grass when Frankie and I walked by. He (I have determined he is a male - no science behind this whatsoever) hopped into the tree above where he settled so comfortably. We stopped to watch him, Frankie taking a seat on the grass.

We then proceed to have a staring competition that lasted a few minutes. The bird finally gave in with a chirp and a flourish - victory is mine.

What I learned today:

- There will be temptations along this journey

- Roasted veggies are a perfectly acceptable alternative to meat

- I need practice steeping tea

- I now think staring competitions with birds are interesting.

Detox Diet - Day 3

I decided to take the day off of work to take time and reflect. I had quite a wonderful morning sitting on my back porch. Not doing much, just looking at the river and buds on the trees. Some of our perennials are coming up. I am glad that I took the time to notice. So much goes on under our noses - things that we take for granted or things that may not seem important in our regular hustle and bustle.

The river also rose this week, new meltings from the north, here to sweep away what the winter left on its shores.

All of these spring happenings got me thinking about humans and how/if we bloom and flower in the spring. Do we go through as large of a change? I feel blessed this week to have the sun and warm weather to spread my leaves and grow.

I am really settling into the food. When I need a little something sweet, I drink a bit of organic apple juice. I have not used any salt, pepper, or any other spices. Anyone who knows me understands that is very unlike me. I already have a feeling that I will be eating much more simply when this diet is done. I feel so clean and alert. I picked up the tea mixture from the herbalist today. It is steeping as I type. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow.

What I learned today:

- I can eat simple food

- Everything seems clearer

- Tea mixtures from herbalists look illegal

Detox Diet - Day 2

Part of the reason I decided to take on this detox was because my mood has taken a major shift. I wake up irritated, I have lost interest in what typically keeps me going. While I am not looking at this detox as a cure, I am hoping that it can help to give me a new outlook - that fresh start that I spoke of in previous posts.

It's day 2 and I woke up the same way, irritated, not wanting to get out of bed or go to work. After getting everything taken care of and on the road, I drank my two glasses of water and everything started to change. There is something so simple and soothing about water. I know that our bodies react very well to cool water. It is easy for Americans to get water - we have sinks, and bottled water at every turn. Our bodies, however, can go into survival mode when we do not drink liquids, causing us to get irritated or panicky. It is instinctual - we are programmed to hunt for water. I wonder if I have pushed myself into survival mode? Who knows.

One thing I am missing today - caffeine. I gave up coffee, for the most part, months ago. I do still enjoy a glass of green or black tea most days. Today would be one of those days. I am not craving caffeine, as a matter of fact I am not really craving anything today, but I do feel the affects of having no caffeine - sluggishness, heavy eyes. I am sure this is more a side effect of not having caffeine, not a side affect of actually being tired - but we shall see in the next 8 days.

My day ended beautifully with Karuna's Thursday night class. We worked closely with Pratyahara, or a softening of the senses to bring the focus inside. This theme is perfect for this detox. Getting the chance to go inside and be with myself was amazing. I would have to say that I had the most quiet savasana ever.

Points from the day:

• The detox gets easier. I was scared that this was going to be impossible. I do miss certain foods, but have gained a new perspective.
  
  
• Caffeine plays a greater part in my life than I thought
  

• Grapefruit rocks my world
  

Detox Diet - Day 1

I woke up this morning hungry- so I was immediately skeptical of how my day was going to go. One of the hardest parts of the morning was drinking 2 glasses of water before eating anything. I was able to get down 1 glass of water before leaving, and got the other one down in the car.

After getting to work, I allowed myself to gorge on fruit - we are allowed, after all to eat as much as we want. Two grapefruits and a kiwi later, I felt amazing and completely alive. I had my mid morning snack all prepared - I made my homemade apple sauce, but I put it in a container that apparently last held tomato sauce - and I could taste it. Regardless, starting the day with fruit really left me energized and alive.

Before lunch, I took some time alone and meditated for a half an hour. My energy felt so different. Almost like it was flowing backward. I wonder if this is because of the amount of citrus I ate, or perhaps it was that I had not eaten any grains? I felt lighter and more inside of myself. Regardless, I felt a different flow of energy that quickly brought a calmness and a steadiness.

This calmness has followed me through the day. I did however have some serious cravings mid afternoon. I learned this evening that potatoes may be the best way for me to feel satiated in the vegetable arena.

Lessons from day 1:

• Perhaps going back to basics with food - fruits and vegetables - can bring the mind back to basics.
  
• I can do this. All of my fears: not being feeling satiated enough or not having enough energy have proven to be only in my mind.
• Do not put apple sauce in a container that last held tomato sauce. Garlic, tomato, and apple do not taste good together.
  

Spring Detox Diet - the Next 10 Days

I am incredibly excited to begin a 10 day detox diet as part of a spring yoga workshop. Over the next 10 days, I can only eat fruits and herbal teas in the morning and only vegetables and herbal teas in the evening. I am incredibly excited to give this a try, as I am in serious need of a reset for spring. Over the next ten days, I will keep you up to date on what is happening and how things are going.

What I am afraid of:

• I will be hungry all the time
• I will not be able to digest everything well
• I will cheat and have some grains to keep me full
• No SWEETS!

What I am excited for:

• Getting in touch with more natural foods
• Trying things I would not normally try (I am talking to you beets!)
• Making apple sauce again
• Still being able to have garlic
• Ginger!
  
• Allowing myself some time with myself - and meditate on this new transition
  

I am planning my last few meals pre-fast.

For lunch: Avocado Roll and Sweet Potato Roll at one of my favorite sushi restaurants
For Dinner: TBD - thoughts?

Presence

I am reading a wonderful book called The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice written by T.K.V. Desikachar, the son of Krishnamacharya. It is always exciting to read the same ideas in a different way. This is the reason why I enjoy taking class from different teachers. Sometimes, the way someone phrases something can affect understanding that would otherwise be impossible. A simple difference in language or applying a concept in a different way can open doors.

In the first few chapters of the book, the author talks about how "yoga attempts to create a state in which we are always present-really present-in every action, in every moment." This means that whether we are working, cleaning the house, or doing our asana practice we should strive for presence. Doing our best at everything, but without attachment to the outcome.

This is a very difficult part of the practice. Staying present at all times. It is easy for me to zone out at work or with friends. Being fully present is work, but the more we do it, the easier it becomes.