More Stuff About Fasting... Part 2

Ya know those symptoms of fasting I listed last time? Well, let's just say.....It's been a tough day and a half for sure. This is day 4 of 21 days. 17 days left of my water-only fasting journey & I spent the last day or so with nausea and vomiting. But, don't "freak" this is just part of fasting for me... so I can deal. Later I will explain why some people have these symptoms while fasting.

According to Dr. Alan Goldhamer, Founder and Director of the True North Health and Wellness Center in Santa Rosa, California, there are 3 phases to water-only fasting. This explains the difference between juice fasting ("juicing") and other "detox" programs. From his article, Therapeutic Fasting, Dr. Goldhamer elaborates on the definition of "true" fasting:

"Therapeutic fasting is defined as the complete abstinence from all substances except pure water in an environment of complete rest. There are no substitutes. When therapeutic fasting is indicated, nothing else can be considered “just as good.”



Going without food ­-­­ even for a few days ­­- while working, exercising, worrying, etc. is not therapeutic fasting. A noisy, high stress and/or non-supportive environment will not provide the body the opportunity to maximize the self-healing mechanisms. To maximize the benefits of therapeutic fasting, complete rest is essential.



Eating only certain foods or drinking only juices is not therapeutic fasting. The physiological and clinical impact and benefits are different. This is not to say that juice diets or so-called elimination diets do not have a role. But they are not the same as therapeutic fasting.



When properly applied and conducted, therapeutic fasting is one of the most potent tools available for assisting the body in healing itself. When abused or applied injudiciously, harm can result. The most important advice I can give anyone regarding fasting is this. If you are going to undertake a fast, do it right or don’t do it."


During the time of the fast, the body uses different sources for fuel depending upon the phase. From glucose, amino acids and fats in phase 1, (the first 6 hours) to glycogen in phase 2, ( the first 24 to 48 hours) to phase 3 (14 to 40 days) where the body switches solely to fat metabolism. I invite you to read the complete article to learn about this miraculous body of ours and how it physiologically heals itself thru these phases. I think you will find it just fascinating!


When your body is given complete rest and sleep while fasting, this allows it to go to work. Cleansing and detoxing occurs in every inch of the body. The digestive system, circulatory system, muscles, joints, all internal organs, lungs, heart, brain, skin, hair, nails, ears, gums, teeth, eyes, & sinuses all benefit from fasting.


The body heals itself by releasing toxins and poisons that have been stored in all these areas from an unhealthy food plan, from pollutions in the environment, & from all the xenoestrogens found in all the plastics around us. All these toxins and poisons are flushed into the blood stream, enter the gastrointestinal track and then eliminated thru the urine and or regurgitation, sinus drainage, wax build up in the ears, eye drainage, coughing up mucus, belly button discharge and the white-gooey coating on the tongue. Depending on how quickly this process occurs will dictate the fasting symptoms or side effects people will experience.


During my first 29 day fast, I suffered more from the pain of the systemic lupus then from the symptoms of the fast. My 2nd fast of 22 days, I really had a tough time. I went into what’s called a healing crisis on the 4th day. Healing crises occurs when the body cleanses at a faster rate then the body can eliminate these toxins and poisons. Severe vomiting, nausea, and dehydration can occur. This is why it is so very important to do the water-only fast under medical supervision and in a qualified fasting facility like True North.





Ok, so now you know the difference between true fasting and juicing or other detox programs, how the body cleanses and why it is so important to get plenty of rest and sleep during a water-only fast.


In my next blog I will share more info regarding how your body heals itself during the fast, reactions and some interesting facts, research and studies performed regarding water-only fasting.


*****WATER-ONLY FASTING IS RECOMMENDED ONLY UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION*****


Until next time.....

GOOD HEALTH TO ALL!!

Everything You Wanted to Know About Fasting.... Part 1

Ok.. so yesterday was day one of my 21 day water-only fast. I shared how water-only fasting has been around since way before the days of Christ and was used as one of few medical treatments. Because we are the fattest, sickest people on earth and modern medicine of the 20th century is just not working... water-only fasting is making a big come back. The ability of the human body to heal itself is a miracle that cannot be ignored.

This is day two...... 19 more days! (unless I suffer a healing crises and have to break it early. I will discuss healing crises in a later blog) As this journey continues, you'll know all about the symptoms, side effects, & results of what occurs when the body is working hard to rid itself of toxins and poisons. Yes.... the good, the bad and the ugly. Some will be strangely bizarre....... from "green avocado-like goo" oozing from the belly button to pulling out pea sized wax from the ears. The normal cycle of detoxing includes sluffing off dry skin cells, metallic taste in the mouth, gooey white blanket that covers the tongue, indigestion, sinus drainage, nausea and headaches. But.. for yesterdays and last nights experiences.... not too bad at all.

The first day I always suffer from hunger....but I get past that by the evening. I did wake up early this morning .... around 2:30am with a bit of nausea and a slight headache. I soon went back to sleep and feel much better.

Now, it's time to share the preparation for a lengthy fast. The best thing to do to make your fast successful and less intense is about 3 weeks before you plan to start the fast..... go all raw. Raw veggies and fruits. No nuts, no bread, no cooked foods, no alcohol and no caffeine. Drink nothing but water. This will make the detox experience easier to endure.

What do you need to fast? Lots and lots of water and lots and lots rest. Drink about 1 gallon of either reverse osmosis water or water from a home distillery, daily. Nothing from the tap or the grocery store. It is very important to drink the water every day or dehydration can result... very quickly.

Getting plenty of rest is the 2nd most important factor of fasting. You cannot live your regular everyday lifestyle. This means, no going to work, no work at home, no running around town, no housework, and no taking care of the family. When you fast, you need complete rest and relaxation because you are not consuming any calories.... so your body has no fuel from which to burn. This would be like putting water in your car and then trying to start it up and driving..... just won't happen. Sleep and rest allows the body to do what it needs ......to heal.

No contacts can be worn during the fast as eyes tend to dry out a bit. No showers or baths can be taken because the warm water will draw the blood away from the brain into the extremities and the chance of fainting is high. No lotions, oils, or toothpaste are allowed. There should be nothing absorbed thru the skin or swallowed.

During my fasting, my time is spent sleeping, reading, listening to music or audio books, & watching movies. I love to use the time to reflect on my life and what plans I can make for the future. This is also a perfect time to spend some quality time in the sun & will make the fast a more pleasurable experience. 15 to 20 minutes a day is all that's needed. Minimal clothes and of course, no sunscreen.

Check out tomorrow's blog. I will discuss the physiological effects of the fast and what exactly occurs in the body during the fasting experience.

Thank you for coming along on this fascinating journey with me!

*****WATER-ONLY FASTING IS RECOMMENDED ONLY UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION*****

Until Next Time.....

GOOD HEALTH TO ALL!!

Water..... The True Gift for a Healthy Life

This Human body is designed to work and perform so perfectly when we take care of it. I had no idea how truly miraculous this body is. The abilities of its defense mechanisms to keep us healthy and protect us from harm are simply extraordinary.


We demand & expect a lot from this body, don't we? We are sleep deprived. We eat unhealthfully. We don't exercise. We work long hours. We rush the kids here and everywhere. We eat too much. We drink too much. We skip meals. We smoke. We take pill after pill after pill. We get stressed from limited time & too much to do. We "bark" at our spouses, partners, friends, and kids. We are obese. We are overweight. We are sick from diseases of excess.


and, yet, this body.. in all its wonder.... keeps working for us.... until one day.... it breaks down like an old beat up 1962 Chrysler that ran out of gas and the tires fell off.


WOW!! What now? We need an opportunity to reboot...reset....recycle.....start over..... we need to heal.


Dr Alan Goldhamer, Director and Founder of True North Health & Wellness Center in Santa Rosa California, states: "Water-only fasting offers extraordinary potential for health and healing and for some conditions it appears to be the most effective treatment available."





Ok.. so I know for most of my Facebook buds and blog followers.... this sounds bonkers....right? I totally understand. I thought the same thing myself 5 years ago before I jumped off and dove into a 29 day water-only fast to treat my Systemic Lupus. After 6 years of what seemed an endless amount of pills, blood tests, and doctor appointments, I took the suggestion of one of my clients whose daughter had just returned from a 40 day water-only fast to cure her health issues.


We forget that water-only fasting has been around since way before Christ. In fact, it was one of only a few methods of medical treatments for centuries. During the 20th century we saw western medical science take over with innovations in surgical procedures, "miracle" drugs, & radiation therapy. Water-only fasting was overshadowed and forgotten.


At the end of the 20th century, we see the U.S. is now the sickest nation in the world....with 2/3rd's of its population sick-fat-unhealthy and our children suffering from these same adult issues.....we realize these 20th century "wonder treatments" are not working. If you are a healthy individual... you are actually considered to be abnormal.


The amazing ability of the body to heal itself thru water-only fasting is resurfacing. In Dr. Alan Goldhamer's article, "Fasting Back to the Future," he elaborates on this new awakening:


"After decades of collective awe of modern medicine and its purveyors, a strong undercurrent of disillusionment began to appear. There came the beginnings of a philosophical revolution that would lead health science in a promising new direction.


This new direction centers on the realization that health and healing are best supported when the biological roots of our nature are understood and respected. This new philosophical approach is based on the awareness that health and healing are natural processes. As a result, the focus of attention has increasingly shifted away from the traditional medical emphasis on drugs and surgery toward an exploration of the circumstances and requirements necessary to unleash and enhance these natural processes."



Today is my first day of a 21 day water-only fast. I take this journey regularly to keep my Systemic Lupus in remission and to keep me medication... free. It's been 5 years this month that I said "Goodbye to my last Plaquenil, my last Prednisone, my last pain killer and my last muscle relaxer." No more monthly travel down to Houston to see the Rheumatologist and Endocrinologist. No more monthly blood work looking for protein in my kidneys. No more visual field eye checks for side effects of the Plaquenil. I have cut the chains and I am FREE.






When people find out that I water fast...... the responses are from one end of the reaction spectrum to the other. Some gasp and their mouths drop with disbelief. Some have a look on their face that says "did she just say she went 29 days with no food and just water?" And some are very interested out of curiosity and wonder. So many people ask me tons of questions about this unorthodox and "off the wall" treatment that I decided to blog this 21 day journey.



I will take you thru the daily occurrences, issues, & symptoms that I experience. Everyone is different when they fast and have very unique and individual reactions. I've fasted long enough now that I know pretty muchly what to expect. However, every time I am amazed at something new and different that occurs as this incredible body of mine takes on its job of healing.



Tomorrow I will share how I prepare for the fast, what is needed to fast, and what I do with my time while fasting.



Meanwhile... checkout the True North website to read more about the reawakening of the miracle of water-only fasting.



I invite you to come along on this journey with me. Live it thru my eyes and experiences. You might decide it is something you want to try.



*****WATER-ONLY FASTING IS RECOMMENDED ONLY UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION*****



Until Next Time.....

GOOD HEALTH TO ALL!!

Tortellini with Veggies

I LOVE Tortellini!! I love the way it looks.....so cute ....little rings filled with surprises. I love the way it tastes... especially the spinach or mushroom or cado & black bean filled tortellini. It’s just a fun to eat and an unusual looking pasta.

This dish is something I thought up one evening while watching the food channel. Hubby Bear LOVES “Diner Boy,” Guy Fieri host of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, aka... “Triple D.” So, Guy was at this one place... somewhere.... where they were fixing up a pasta dish that could be an engraved invitation for a coronary. SOOOO much fat and SOOOOO much cheese and sour cream. I thought to myself..... “There’s got to be a healthier pasta dish for sure.” So, I came up with this one.

Filled with some of my favorite veggies.... and you can substitute your favorites.......it has a light olive oil-chive coating that gives the pasta and veggies a wonderful flavor... without all the fat and cheese. Now, for you non-Vegans out there....... you can add shredded Parmesan or Romano cheese and if you have the need for animal protein..... sauté some shrimp and scallops with the chives, bells, olive oil and wine.

Just look at these gorgeous vegetables! LIGHTLY steamed so as to not destroy the nutrients AND to not wash out those wonderful colors AND to not leave these veggies limp like noodles. The asparagus is steamed for 60 seconds... and that is it! The broc steams for TWO minutes max! So Yummy!

As Always.... I DO ORGANIC ...as much as possible!

Here is what you’ll need for this tasty pasta dish:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 1/3rd cup
Garlic, fresh pressed or grated – 2 to 3 cloves
Fresh Chives, finely chopped – ½ cup
Dry white wine – ½ cup
Juice from a Lemon (if you like the taste of lemon... use a large lemon)

Tortellini – about one pound
Red and Yellow Bells, julienned & lightly sautéed (as much as you like)
Broc, tops & lightly steamed (as much as you like)
Asparagus, thin and sliced on the angle into 2 to 3 pieces, lightly steamed (as much as you like)
Fresh large Cherry Tomatoes, quartered – about 4
Fresh raw Baby Spinach – about 2 cups

OK....let’s get this party started!!!

Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Add a dash of Olive Oil. Cook the pasta to al dente, according to the package directions, about 7-8 minutes. When the pasta is ready, drain and set aside.

While the pasta is cooking.... steam up your veggies. REMEMBER... lightly. ONE minute for the asparagus and 2 minutes for the broc. Remove immediately from the steamer so they don’t continue to steam. Cut your asparagus... I use just the tips and cut your broc tops. Set aside.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a pan on low heat. Add garlic and stir, careful to not burn. Add the bells and suate for about 30 seconds. Add the wine and gently reduce for a couple of minutes more. Stir in the lemon juice. Add the pasta, veggies and tomatoes. Toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle the chives all over the top and gently fold in. Turn off the heat & coat for about one minute. Fold in the baby spinach and you are ready to serve. Enjoy with a salad, garlic bread and a glass of your favorite vino. YUM-MO!..... this is what we’re having for supper tonight!!

Until Next Time.......

GOOD HEALTH..... and....GOOD EATS TO ALL!!

MOTHER EARTH......Our Home Sweet Home

"Among other things, 1970 in the United States brought with it the Kent State shootings, the advent of fiber optics, "Bridge Over Troubled Water," Apollo 13, the Beatles' last album, the death of Jimi Hendrix, the birth of Mariah Carey, and the meltdown of fuel rods in the Savannah River nuclear plant near Aiken, South Carolina -- an incident not acknowledged for 18 years." (Earth Day Network)


It took a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin named Gaylord Nelson, back in 1970 to finally take a stand and propose the first nationwide environmental protest. This gathering of thousands of people focused our interests and concerns on our home front... our local environment..... our Earth.


On April 22nd, 1970.... The first Earth Day..... led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts.


Today is Earth Day 2010. What will YOU do to protect our Earth from further destruction? What will YOU do to reverse the damage and devastation that our Earth suffers daily?

“Many environmentalists suggest switching to compact florescent lights, turning off the water when you brush your teeth, recycling, or driving a hybrid car. While these things do help, the environmental benefits of these actions pale in comparison to the good done by going vegan—eliminating your consumption of meat, eggs, and dairy products—the single best thing you can do to protect our environment and reduce pollution.” (Action for Animals)

Ever wonder what impact we have on this incredible Earth? Check this out:

*A 2006 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) concludes that animal agriculture contributes more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere than all the cars, trucks, planes, and ships in the world combined.

*Researchers at the University of Chicago have determined that just going vegetarian is more effective in reducing global warming than driving a hybrid car.

*The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that animal waste is responsible for 80 percent of ammonia emissions in the United States.

*According to the Audubon Society, over half of the water used in the US goes to raising animals for food.

*The EPA reports that waste from factory farming pollutes more water sources than all other industries combined.

*According to a US Senate Committee on Agriculture, livestock produce 130 times more urine and feces than the human population of the US—all without the benefit of a sewage system. This manure—more than 500 million tons of animal waste annually, according to the EPA—far exceeds what can be used for fertilizer.

*The Sierra Club reports, “America’s drinking water, rivers, and lakes are at risk from giant, corporate-owned factory farms… waste leaks into our rivers and streams, fouling our air, contaminating our drinking water, and spreading disease.”

*According to a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) statistical bulletin, 80 percent of the agricultural land in the US is used to raise animals.

*Time Magazine reports that we feed 70% of the grains and cereals grown in the US to livestock. This is very inefficient because most of the feed gets wasted and only a small amount of the protein is converted to flesh. Animals require many times more calories—in the forms of grain, soybeans, oats, and corn—than they return in the form of meat.

*The University of Chicago notes that raising animals for food requires ten times as many crops as we’d need if we just ate the grains directly. If we were not using all that land to grow crops to fatten chickens, pigs, and cows, we could reforest millions of acres in the US alone. Or, we could use the grains that are not wasted on livestock to feed all the starving people in the world many times over.

*Commercial fishing drift nets are wiping out biodiversity, as miles of nets sweep up all the fish in their path, and often damage delicate coral reefs. Commercial fishers have devastated the ocean’s ecosystem to the extent that large fish populations are only 10 percent of what they were in the 1950s.

*The fish on ocean-based farms are plagued by parasites and diseases, which they pass to fish living near the farms. When foreign fish escape from their underwater cages, they threaten the well-being of native fish species. Fish farms pollute coastal waters with massive amounts of fish feces and require huge numbers of wild-caught fish to feed their captives

*Rosamond Naylor, Senior Research Scholar at the Institute for International Studies at Stanford University, reports that it takes about three pounds of wild-caught fish to grow one pound of farmed shrimp or salmon. She also says fish farming often produces a flow of effluent, containing feces and uneaten feed, which contributes to pollution of coastal waters; additionally, hundreds of thousands of acres of coastal wetlands have been destroyed for aquaculture ponds and facilities

It all starts with YOU, ME and EVERYONE. As each one of your cities celebrate Earth Day today.... I invite you to consider "what are YOU going to do to help clean up YOUR environment, to lessen YOUR impact on your local city and to make YOUR Earth healthy again?"

Until Next Time.......

GOD BLESS THIS EARTH!

AH....SPRING TIME.......

Wow! As I was standing in the laundry room washing my hands... I noticed that I can no longer see the house behind us. In the winter, because the brush is so thin, you can see almost the whole house. But now that spring is sprung... the brush is filled out, thick & full in all its greeness & now the house is almost hidden.

At the first part of spring, seems like everything grows so quickly... like on steroids. You can see day to day changes. Flowers, trees, bushes all experience a rebirth. Something else I just noticed is a VERY LARGE wasp tapping on the window & ..I am thinking “Dang I am so happy I am inside & you are outside!” Seriously, are the insects on steroids too? I dread seeing the first snake of the year!! (SCREAM!)

Spring, not only brings beautiful wildflowers & great weather, but also it’s my cue for my bi-annual “spring cleanup.” Everything within a mile’s radius....well maybe not a mile.... gets cleaned from top to bottom & everything in between....this includes pups & Hubby Bear LOL!!! Nothing like a clean, dust-free, bug-free environment to promote good health for those around it.

Spring is a fresh new start... a new beginning.... a new birth for creatures, a chance for new opportunities.... new dreams....It is a time to reflect & look ahead at the coming months of summer fun with family & friends.

So, it is only fitting that life is returning to normal as baby boy beagle ..Jack.... is doing much better. He is experiencing his own new beginning, his chance to dream again. He is maybe 65 to 70 percent & most likely won't be much more. But, bless his heart.... he can stand & walk on his own. He no longer requires his harness or his rear sling. We have to help him pee. His little rear end & hind legs wobble & he fishtails a bit... but, so do I sometimes! His hair is growing back & his nearly 3 inch scare on his back is no longer visible. He had so much hair shaved off his little body... we would joke & say all he needs now are a few tatoos & some body piercings!

Hubby Bear & I are so thankful that he is still with us. He has come a long way since I last blogged about Jack. And that would not have been possible without Dr. Tige Witsberger over at TAMU Vet School. God Bless him!

I hope to return to regular blogging... although my business is really picking up again...& for that .... I am again, very thankful. Finding time to blog every day, may be difficult, but several times a week will work. I have new recipes & new "Not So Humble Workouts" to share!

Thanks to all of you following this Humble Vegan, I appreciate each one of you! And if you are not yet following... I invite you to click on "FOLLOW THIS BLOG" right below my Humble Fit Bits. I would be thrilled & honored!

So...my dear ones.....I invite you to take a moment.... wherever you live...... stand still....look, listen, smell, touch.... & take in spring & all of its wonderments...as it will be fleeting & if you live in Texas..... the heat & humidity of the Texas weather will be upon us very soon.

Until Next Time.... Jack says.....

"GOOD HEALTH TO ALL!!"

That'sa Stretch!

What is the most important task you can do in the mornings when you first get outta that bed that will reap the most benefits as you age?

Let’s see.... Is it....
*Bathroom stop?
*The first refreshing cool glass of filtered water?
*Breakfast?
*Brushing and Flossing teeth?

Well... of course all of the above are crucial and critical to good health.... but the ONE thing missing is....

S T R E T C H I N G!!!

YES! Even our pets know the importance of this ritual. Every morning, as soon as they get their little bodies out of bed, my Jack n Jill beagles stretch their whole bodies.

People! Each day, we are fighting against nature’s cruelty of gravity and aging. These wreak havoc on our bodies. Gravity pulls us DOWN..DOWN..DOWN..... Our spines collapse, our necks fall and our heads jut forward and down. Our shoulders round and turn in, our chests cave in and we lose inches off our height.

As we age, the ligaments and tendons in our legs (and over our whole body) lose their elasticity and our ankles begin to weaken with age and weight. Our feet grow longer and widen because they flatten out. We lose the arches and the feet begin to pronate. Without the strength of the tendons and ligaments and muscles, they simply cannot hold up.

WOW!!! Bummer, huh?

Well... a lot of this can be prevented or at least postponed if we simply take the time and stretch our whole bodies every morning.... first thing....before anything else... Well, maybe except for the bathroom stop..... LOL!

In addition to addressing the issues mentioned above, the benefits of stretching are endless. Did you know that most heart attacks occur on Monday mornings? Regular stretching helps with circulation, gets that heart pumping steadily, & keeps it healthy and ready to meet each day. (as well as a healthy food plan, regular exercise, at least 7 hours of sleep each night and meditation to relieve stress)

Stretching elongates that spine & neck, assisting you in standing up... standing taller. Stretching releases the stress from all the joints allowing the tendons, ligaments and muscles to perform their functions without issues. Stretching improves your balance, flexibility and coordination. Stretching prevents injuries from performing daily activities of life.

Here are some suggestions: Hold each one for at least 10 seconds or more. NO BOUNCING on any of these.

REACHING FOR THE STARS: stand tall and raise your arms straight up like you are reaching for the stars.

HUG YOURSELF: stand tall and wrap your arms around your chest and give yourself a hug.

BUTTERFLIES: stand tall; with elbows bent bring your arms back like wings. Squeeze the scapula and open up your chest.

BENDOVERS: stand tall, bend from the hips, with knees slightly bent, touch your knees, your ankles, your toes, or the floor. Whichever is comfortable. Do NOT force this. As you progress, your flexibility will improve and you can reach further!

RUNNER STRETCHES: squat down on the floor, place one leg all the way back behind you and carefully stretch that leg. Switch to the other side.

QUADS: stand tall, bend back one leg at knee and grasp your ankle. Keep knees close together. Gently pull until you feel the quad muscles stretch. Make sure the opposite knee is slightly bent. Switch to the other side.

HAMS: stand tall and place one leg on a chair or bench. Carefully bend forward until you feel the stretch in the hamstring muscle. Make sure the opposite knee is slightly bent. Switch to the other side.

CALVES & SHINS: stand tall, take one foot and flex it. You can feel the calf muscles stretch. Now take the foot and extend it, feeling the pull around the shins. Make sure the opposite knee is slightly bent. Switch to the other side.

So, tomorrow morning... take an extra few minutes and give your body a wonderful “wake-up” for a change. Make this a habit and you will feel so great and your body will thank you!!





Until Next Time....



GOOD HEALTH TO ALL!!