The Gallivanting Green Girl

It’s THAT time of the year…

Actually, I’m about 6 weeks late. I usually try to do this quarterly (at the change of seasons) but alas, I was off gallivanting in France and Italy during that time and well, what can I say? I’ll work on detoxing my priorities some other time…

For someone who loves food as much as I do, dietary restrictions or restrictions of ANY kind are just plain brutal. But I have to say, I’m looking forward to the next two weeks because I know how amazing I’m going to feel after I survive this little mini-cleanse. My friends think I’m crazy so for those of you who are going to yell at me about not needing to lose any weight, let me remind you that fasting is NOT a quick (or easy) weight-loss plan nor is that the goal - although after all the snacks I’ve been eating lately thanks to you-know-who, it will be a most welcome side benefit…

I don’t profess to be an expert on fasting, cleansing, detoxing, or any other health-related subject. I just know what works for me and believe me, if it didn’t there’s no WAY I’d voluntarily give up food! I check in with my doctor regularly and I highly recommend the same for anyone who wants to try a fast for themselves. Incidentally, she thinks I’m crazy too, but she always encourages me to stick with it because I’m the healthiest person she sees all year!

Want to join me? Ok, here’s the plan for the next 8 days:

Eat: Only raw or lightly-steamed fruits and veggies, preferably organic and locally-grown. This may sound like torture but you’d be surprised at how many yummy raw food recipes you can dig up when you have to. There are probably some great raw food restaurants in your area as well. Try not to think of this as cruel and unusual punishment – you are embarking on a new culinary adventure! (Fortunately, you have a valid round-trip ticket…)

Drink: In addition to tons of water (add fresh lemon juice when you can), try to squeeze in the following supplements to facilitate the cleansing process:

• 3 oz. prune juice in the morning
• 3 oz. aloe vera juice at lunch
• 1 cup of laxative tea after dinner
• 2 Tbsp of olive oil at bedtime

Do: Here are a few more suggestions to help prepare for the full-on fast next week:

• Walk at least 20 minutes a day - it’s important to keep your metabolism and circulation up but also to be mindful of overexertion. If you’re used to working out for several hours a day it’s hard to keep up that pace on nothing but fruit and veggies if you’re not used to this diet. Having said that, there is a whole subculture of vegan and vegetarian athletes who seem to do just fine. I’m not enlightened enough to go totally meatless yet, but I’m doing my best.
• Take a detox bath daily - If you have the luxury of time and a tub, you can get some great detox bath powders online. We Care Spa carries a whole line of products that are perfect for a DIY-Detox at home.
• Dry-skin brush daily - The skin is responsible for 1/4 of the body’s daily detox. In addition to facilitating detoxification, dry brushing also exfoliates dead skin and stimulates the growth of new soft skin. There are several other benefits including cellulite removal, tightening the skin, and muscle toning but I’ll have to save that for another post.
• Avoid oils and lotions - Dry brushing expedites the removal of toxins through the skin, but all those wonderful oils, lotions and potions that lock-in moisture will lock the toxins in with it. So if detox is one of your goals, let your skin do what it’s supposed to do. Hey, no one said this was gonna be glamorous.

Once you’ve gotten through this week – especially the first day or two – you will be amazed at how NOT hungry you are! And all this will prepare your body for the main event: the 7-day fast.

If anyone plans on joining me let me know. It’s SO much easier with a buddy!!! But choose wisely – lest you find yourself partnered up with someone who believes with all her (or his) heart that an organic limoncello martini with orange garnish is a sanctioned libation.

Save those for your celebration toast – I do!!!

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