Okay, I survived a 3-day juice cleanse in Bali. Sure, I was hungry sometimes but it was worth it!! I feel amazing!! My bloated belly is gone, my skin is clearing up and I feel a great sense of accomplishment. Now, I must return to solid food. Slowly but surely.
Sorry it’s taken so long for me to post the accounts of Detox in Bali Day 2!! Click here to read about day 1.
For the second time, I awake to laughter and squeals before 7am. There’s a school beside the Yoga Barn guest house and boy, they start early! It’s hard to get upset about waking up to happy children though.
7am
I sit up and reach for my water bottle and herb capsules. I must drink a litre of water before anything else enters my system. After a couple mouthfuls, I’m forced out of bed and to the toilet. Elimination is key to a good detox.
A few scrapes of my tongue is next up in my morning regime. Rinse with filtered water. Bali is like Mexico: Don’t drink (or brush teeth with) the water.
In my room fridge is a bottle of coconut kefir. It’s a probiotic – great for good gut health. I have my morning shot then jump in the shower.
9am
I have a busy schedule today so once showered and dressed, I wander to the cafe for a coconut water, green juice and more plain water.
I feel satisfied with my liquid breakfast now it’s time to get naked.
10am
I head to the Spa for my infared sauna booking. I like saunas because they make me sweat. I’m not a huge sweater (unless nervous or anxious which is just embarrassing). Another litre of water is downed during my 25 minute stint in the tiny wooden heat box. A cool shower feels heavenly afterwards.
11am
No rest for the wicked now though; I’m off to a Yin Yoga class. I’ve never been to a yin class but I choose it for its gentleness. During a detox, there’s no point pushing the boundaries on your energy levels. Slow and easy does it. There’s a lot of hip openers, which is not easy for me so the 90 minute-class is not as easy as I would have hoped for. I do my best to relax into the poses and enjoy the pain. Hahahahahahaha
1pm
From class, I race to my room for a quick rinse and more peeing then back to the Spa for my Kati Basti massage. Now, this is more like it. All I need to do is lay face down and let some Indian man pour oil into a donut (hmmmmmm donut) shaped clay mould on my lower back. It’s warm and relaxing. The entire treatment is focussed on my lower back, which in Ayurveda, it’s said to house excess Vata. I won’t go into the basis of Ayurveda now but it’s a very interesting way of life from India. My dominating dosha is Vata so this was a valuable session for me. But, what massage isn’t awesome?
230pm
Believe it or not, another appointment but I will keep the details private. I have my second coconut water during this one and of course, more water. During the day, there are many trips to the toilet – to pee. Contrary to what many people think, there is no diarrhoea during a safe detox.
PS. I cheated a little by scraping the inside of the young coconut with my straw. The gel-like meat gets stuck in the straw. It feels like a may suck my eyeballs into my skull as I try to get at that coconut meat.
530pm
Each Wednesday at the Yoga Barn, the American yoga teacher, Levi holds a free community talk on Astrology. Levi does this as a way to promote that fact that he is an astrologer and does readings. Even though I’ve already booked a session with him for tomorrow, I attend the free seminar where he answers general questions about the stars, sun and moon. Afterwards, I stop in at the cafe for the last of my liquid meals for the day: herbal tea and green juice.
730pm
My last appointment for the day: Sound Medicine. I feel like I’ve walked into a 1960s hippy commune when I enter the room. There’s all sorts of musical instruments – everything from drums to Tibetans bowls as well as colourful silks and pillows. There are 3 hosts: 2 are bearded and one’s in a flowing dress. We start off with a sing-along. Now, I really feel like flower power is upon me. Peace man. Once we lay down on our mats we are to be still for the rest of the session. It’s easy at first but then my entire body and soul aches and screams for me to shift and fidget. The girl beside me (who is also on the detox) stomach is growling. Sometimes, there’s a drum or cymbal sounding right over my face. Then, a piece of material is placed on my stomach. Suddenly, my body relaxes and I am calm again. When we are told to open our eyes, I see the red silk on my tummy and I’m amazed at how this was able to still me.
9pm
I’m so tired and hungry that I don’t even attempt my enema. I shower and go straight to bed. I try to read but there’s no point. I can’t stay awake. Day 2 is over. Bring on Day 3. I’m already planning my return to food on Day 4 (breaking the fast).
Okay, so I know this post is well overdue. It’s been over 2 months now since I actually did my detox in Bali and over a month since I wrote the first post in this series. I won’t lie. Life’s busy and getting busier each day.
Many of you may have forgotten about my detox series but here I am, back to remind you that I did do a mini detox in Ubud and it was fantastic. So, let’s get on with what happened on day 1.
~
I wake up eager to start the day even though I had a fitful night. I regret not bringing my fleece onesie along. I didn’t expect it to be so cool. But, there’s no time to dwell on that. It’s the first day of my mini juice cleanse and I’m pumped to get started!
I arrive to the Kush Spa just before my 8 o’clock appointment. I pour myself a glass of water from the fountain and sit back in a wooden chair. It’s hard and uncomfortable, kinda like what most people think a detox will be.
The deck of the Colonic Hut looks onto a small rice field. It’s dry and brown but the birds love it.
A petite woman arrives and heads to the door. I sit up in my seat.
“Hi, are you Andrea?” I ask.
“Yes. You must be Jennifer,” she responds. “Follow me and we can start.”
Her accents suggests she is American and her smile shows that she is friendly and approachable.
She shows me to a small office just inside and to the left of the main entrance.
After some chitchat Andrea gives me a questionnaire and leaves the room. It’s basic health stuff until I get to this:
Draw your poop
So, here it is, my last post for 2012. And based on today alone, I cannot wait for this year to end. And so I look forward to 2013 but not too much as I want to focus on the NOW. But there is always a time and place for planning and that time is NOW.
My goals are not outlandish, far-fetching, crazy, unachievable day dreams; they are within my reach.
Career
Health
Wellbeing
Ommmmm
Travel
Now, it’s time to bring this year to a close with a refreshing pina colada because I’m absolutely melting here (it’s 40 degrees Celsius and for all of you in the cold, THIS IS NOT FUN. And yes, I am a bit lot irritable!!!).
But please have a Happy New Year and come back here in 2013!!
Ahhh, Wednesday again. Things are settling down a bit for me, maybe too much, but I’m very busy with Nanawrimo! I’ve written over 10,000 words so far and I’m on target. It’s great but I feel I’ve really slowed down on the paid work side of things. I did send a pitch off today, my first in 10 days or so. Even though my writing is working for me, I am going to tell you all about something else that is working for me, that always works for me every Wednesday: YOGA.
I’ve been doing yoga for many years but I cannot say that I’m an accomplished yogi. I remember well my very first ever yoga class.
It was 1997 and I was new to living in Vancouver. I joined a women’s only gym in the trendy neighbourhood of Kitsalano and I would go and fumble through “work-outs”. When I saw the class roster included yoga, I was keen to try it. So I did. Once. All classes were held in the middle of the gym so all the girls on the equipment could watch. I often found these general classes not suited to me as I always felt silly if I didn’t know how to do something. And this was a city gym so there was easily 25 people in each class. And the instructor didn’t help. Well, she did try to help but not in a loving way. She “adjusted” me several times throughout the class and now I can appreciate that she was trying to help me but it was obvious that I frustrated her at the time. I mean, I couldn’t even stand in tadasana properly!!! I never took the class again.
Moving ahead to 2005, I resumed yoga during my pregnancy with Master T and a love was born. Six weeks after his arrival, I was back to it. From there I have been practicing regularly though not daily. I sometimes go months without, especially if we’ve shifted towns, states or countries!!! Now, in a new town I have found Iyengar yoga. Some will say this is the only yoga.
I knew all the poses that Lara Favelle was teaching but I had no idea that I was not working through them as I could have been. Maybe that’s why I am still very inflexible after 7 years of yoga! Iyengar yoga is based on the ancient teachings: the roots of the asanas (poses) if you like. The poses are performed with the aid of props such as bolsters, blocks, blankets, chairs, belts and pads.
Since committing to Lara’s Wednesday class and really working my body in each pose, I have noticed a difference. It’s not huge, but it’s there. She often reminds us that it may take years to achieve a certain pose in its entirety and that the learning never stops. She’s tough too but in a good way; she has a sense of humour at least!!! I’m so glad that I’ve matured enough that I can take her saying, ‘Jennifer, are you working that thigh?’ or ‘Jennifer, I’ve seen your legs straighter than that before’. I usually snap a hasty reply, which she says she doesn’t mind. She keeps me focused that’s for sure.
Today was a good yoga day as well because Mr M was home and we played yoga photo shoot at the beach.
downward facing dog
eagle pose
tree pose
So there it is. Yoga was definitely working for me today….and how about the blue sky? Beautiful.
What’s working for you this Wednesday?
Are you one of those people who exercises every day and loves it?
I have gone through many phases of committing to fitness over the years but really, it’s not my favorite thing to do.
Even yoga, although I’m committed to it, I have to force myself to do it.
Starting in July, I have been training with Mr M. It’s something I never fancied because he has heaps of experience with martial arts and kickboxing and he can be quite intimidating. I feel embarrassed to be punching a bag when I don’t really have the proper technique and to watch him do it is scary because he has so much physical power. I do have some experience because when I lived in Sydney in 2001, I went to a boxing gym twice a week but did not keep up my work. But, now that I’m over 40, I notice my body changing.
3 2-minute rounds of skipping
I’m tired of my bloated and fat stomach; I figure exercise is the best way to combat it. Now, I have taken to it and even when Mr M is not training, I am doing it on my own (once I get passed my mind resisting it).
Ab work is a must
I am now doing some form of fitness up to 6 days a week, even if only 20 minutes each day. When Mr M is training with me, we do 60 minutes of mixed training (cardio, strength and boxing) twice a week. I also attend an Iyengar yoga class each Wednesday and do Pilates and the ‘5 Healing Tibetans’ at home. It’s never enough.
I wish the results were instant. My body seems to want to resist this help and I don’t see much change happening. Maybe my diet has something to do with it? Ha!! I know it does.
Now I’m angry
I need to kick my muffin habit
I seem to be stuck in a rut with food now. I can be so healthy & diligent at times and destructive at other times. When Mr M is away, I don’t like to cook for myself. I often give Master T something easy; something he will actually eat and I’ll eat whatever is quick, like homemade chocolate chip biscuits.
I need to stop baking. I gave away 4 chocolate banana muffins yesterday because I didn’t want them in the house anymore.
If I were I fitness freak I wouldn’t have to be bothered with food issues. It’s my belief that fitness gurus never consume anything that is not healthy. Fact or fantasy? It doesn’t really matter. However, it made me happy to read that celebrity trainer, Tracy Anderson works-out like a maniac so she can eat chocolate.
I do respect my body and believe that if I treat it well, it will treat me well. It’s soon lunchtime and I think tuna salad is on the menu today.
Do you exercise so you can indulge in your favorite foods?
hmmmmm…..bread
It’s day 16 of my NO wheat, dairy, yeast and alcohol fit and it’s not going well. It’s not like I’m “cheating” or anything but I’ve not been well, I’m sensitive and I find myself wanting to devour a loaf of raison bread or any other comfort food (mainly bread).
Master 6 loves raisin toast so it’s in the house most days. I am grateful that my sense of smell is dead and I do not have to be tempted by wafting aromas of cinnamon and warm raisins as I make his third piece. Meanwhile, I’m spreading another rice cake with chunky peanut butter.
It’s been over a week now since I contracted a cold that has shifted to my chest and considering I have weak lungs already, it’s messy. I also have a sore throat and the obvious sinus congestion but I am not willing to seek the help of western medicine….yet.
I returned to my weekly yoga class yesterday where I had to “take it easy” on the advice of my instructor. She made me realise that, YES I’m still sick and I need more rest. I do push myself physically on occasion, mostly when I shouldn’t do at all. But then, I got a wakeup call.
Whilst in a wide legged forward stretch, I nearly lost the plot. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes and luckily I could bow to the tri-coloured carpet for solace. Some deep breaths took it all away. I stuffed the emotion down deep in my soul not even knowing where it was coming from. But later it resurfaced at the dinner table.
As per the norm, I made the menu for the evening’s dinner and prepared the feast alone: BBQ drumsticks, rice, sunrise carrots and steamed spinach. I like to cook and don’t mind preparing meals for my family. Dinnertime is not my favourite time of day because of the constant dramas created by Master 6. He’s one fussy bugger and kicks up a fuss at the table 90% of the time.
The dinner that caused my breakdown.
He did his usual whinge at the fact that I put a carrot on his plate but it was Mr M’s reaction to the BBQ chicken that set me off. Drumsticks are a bitch to cook on the BBQ because they take so long and usually burn a bit. I marinated them in a homemade teriyaki sauce before cooking so the sugars caused some additional burning. When I told Mr M what the marinate was, he gave me, ‘Oh, that’s why’, with a look that was full of disappointment.
I could feel the tears brewing again as I forced a carrot in my mouth. As I chewed and tried to swallow, the bottled up feelings left over from the morning said, ‘Oh no, we don’t want any more of your suppression down here…get rid of it now,’ . I felt the ugly cry invade my face and couldn’t sit there as Mr M ate and Master T picked and complained so I got up and left the room.
I had every intention of getting over it and returning to my meal but as I sat in the lounge overhearing a casual conversation that eventually escalated to a fight for an ice cream dessert, I couldn’t go back. I felt so unappreciated and tired that I just left Mr M to clean up and Master T to cry himself silly over carrots vs. ice cream while I showered and went to bed to read my MiNDFOOD magazine. Nearly 12 hours in bed did some good.
I woke this morning and felt slightly better. After my regular morning routine of mediation and the 5 Healing Tibetans, I made the boys pancakes for breakfast.
I’ve decided to forgo fitness training and other strenuous activities until I am better. I was considering starting a 2-week anti-candida diet this weekend but have also passed on this thought. Although I am trying to do what’s good for my body, sometimes it doesn’t work in your favour. Until I’m over this chest cold, nutrition; rest, relaxation and reading are my priorities.
My new regime.
These sweets don’t tempt me…
Do you struggle to stick to a diet or restricted eating plan?
I’ve been up and down on different regimes over the past 8 years or so and have failed to make a permanent lifestyle change. Mind you, I am fairly healthy and my eating habits are very healthy….most of the time.
Yet here I am once again flapping on about food and my struggles but that fact is: I like to eat and drink!! I love FOOD!! But I am destined to live a life of deprivation and limitation.
It’s August 1 and for the next 31 days I am challenging myself to restrict the foods and drink that I know for sure interfere with my health (and waistline):
Wheat
Yeast
Dairy
Caffeine
Red Meat (I don’t eat it anyway)
ALCOHOL
Sugar needs to be on the list too and I will not add sugar to anything but I am not going so far as to totally ban it….life’s too short for that nonsense.
Right now, I’d say my biggest battle will be with the withdrawal of alcohol. I’m not an alcoholic by any stretch of the imagination but I do like a beer or two come 5pm most nights.
The thing about booze, especially beer is that it makes me fat. There is no doubt in my mind that a few beer everyday has contributed to the BBB (bloated belly blues) I have and the additional 3kgs I’ve been carrying around since mid-June. Like food, my alcohol intake has been inconsistent over the years.
I was 14 when I got drunk for the first time. My friends and I were on our way to a school dance (hey, it was 1986!) and I downed 3 bottles of beer not knowing the effect it would have. Well, I have no idea how I made it through the doors of the school because I couldn’t even walk!! Booty shaking was definitely out!
Over the next 18 years, I used the drink as a way to party and socialize. I was a classic binge drinker and usually only drank to get drunk. It was never a loved pastime so when I began to reflect on my health and change some consumption habits, booze was easily off the intake list!! During the years of 2003-2009, I rarely drank but then something changed.
While living in tropical Australia, I realised how good it could be to enjoy a cold beer after a long, hot day at work. This easily became a habit and before long I was drinking 5 out of 7 days a week. For the first time in my life I was drinking to wind down and cool down, not for the purpose of getting wasted!! But I knew it was going to catch up with me.
After my 2nd nasal surgery in 2008 and several allergy tests that all proved to be inconclusive and unsuccessful, I had to accept the fact that it was food and drink products that were playing havoc with my sinuses.
I’m trying to avoid this look ( I have no idea why this photo refused to stay upright)
August 15, 2012 will mark the 1 year anniversary of my 3rd nasal surgery to remove nasal polyps and the last 12 months have been my most consistent year of restriction so far, though my eating/drinking habits are constant peaks and valleys. I know this is how I must live my life in order to stay out of the hospital and to just breathe easier. I recently had the all clear from my Ear, Nose and Throat doctor so I’m doing something right.
That is why today marks the beginning of yet another stint of going without. This newest deadline is set at 1 month but I know I will have to keep it going well beyond September 1.
Along with the forgoing of alcohol and the danger foods, I am committing to:
My end goal is to just be healthy…..bahaha…………. and look damn good in my bikini by November 1!!!
I spent the past weekend attending the Hay House conference, I CAN DO IT here in Vancouver. Honestly, it was fabulous!
I could go on and on about how fabulous it was, but I won’t.
I could tell you that the presence in a room of 3000 like-minded people is of love and calmness.
I could tell you that listening to Wayne Dyer speak for nearly 3 hours was not only inspiring but soul touching. He spoke with such knowing and experience that it was hard not to be entranced. There’s something so pure and honest about seeing a man show emotion as he talks of a moving, personal experience. I won’t even bother saying how beautiful it was to hear his daughter, Skye sing to him and all of us.
I could tell you that Marianne Williamson is a funny woman…..I wasn’t expecting that. I could also relay the story of how she (lovingly) told off a woman who was seeking advice on how to deal with her unconscious partner. I wasn’t expecting that!! That an evolved, spiritual person who preaches about self- love to also be bluntly candid!!! She was my favorite presenter. She was is awesome!!!
Me with Marianne Williamson
I could tell you how Doreen Virtue gave comfort to a woman who had just lost her young daughter to cancer and how the entire audience felt her pain then relief. And how she gave the grieving mum a hug, special gifts and words.
Or how Louise Hay and Cheryl Richardson joked and laughed on stage and basically just let us sit in on one of their conversations. I could let you in on the secrets that they carry in their bras, but I won’t.
Louise Hay signing books.
Cheryl Richardson signing books.
I could gush on and on about how giving and practical Robert Holden was and how he engaged us all with his witty dialogue. His British accent was a surprise….I had no idea he was British.
I wish I could tell you how they all wanted the message of change to get through to everyone. We are in a great time of change and consciousness is on the rise. But you had to be there to fully feel and understand the message.
I could ramble on and on about how I sat there in awe of these inspirational humans and how I long to be like them. I could sing out the words of love and praise I now have for myself after their gentle guidance. But I won’t do all that.
What I will tell you is this: After I left that conference, I ate a light dinner then went to a warm yin yoga class. Upon leaving that class, I did not walk: I floated. In the middle of a bustling city, I floated with ease and grace to a place that has been within me all along. And I may not stay here at all times, but it is this place where I will always return. Namaste.
Kai Chronicles 