Fasting, Intolerance's, Enema's, Oh my!!!

Never had I thought the day would come where I would be disappointed to eat. I know it sounds crazy, and believe me, I was hungry on my fast, but I just loved feeling so great!! I wanted this feeling to remain forever. But obviously, we all know fasting is not sustainable. I began reintroducing food on day 4, and even with all my knowledge on this subject, I still didn't do it right. I introduced a few too many things at once and paid for later. Gas, irregular bowel movements, bloating and congestion so bad I thought I got hit with another cold were all experienced in the days following my fast. I think I was able to pinpoint the culprits though, hence this is the reason for introducing food slowly. If you do experience intolerance's, you want to be able to know where they are coming from. It seems as though cashews don't like me, which is really too bad because I really like them! Cashews are also something I ate regularly prior to the fast. Why the reaction now you ask? Well, that is how intolerance's work. Reactions get subdued as our bodies adapt and 'deal with' these food sensitivities when we eat them on a regular basis, however this does not mean we are not affected by them. We brush off gas, abdominal distention, bloating as just 'normal' digestive reactions, however these are signals that we should be paying attention to as they are telling us that we are having trouble digesting them and should probably remove them from our diet, at least for a short time.

I am pretty much done my cleanse entirely, however I decided to remain gluten free and dairy free for the most part and I am still not consuming alcohol. I had a few decaf coffee's and one regular caffeine packed Americano (damn, was it good!!) but I am trying to see coffee as a treat to have on special occassions only. Decaf, green tea lattes and Bambu (herbal coffee) will have to get me by for now. My cleanse has also introduced me to more grain free recipes and I want to continue them. Most vegetarians are grain-crazy which can certainly contribute to gut flora imbalances. I am trying to only have 1 grain/day which is a challenge but as you may know, I get off on challenges!!! The easy way puts me to sleep!!

And yes, we need to have the talk again: THE ENEMA TALK!! These things saved me when fasting and following the fast. First off, when you are not eating, you are not pooping. However, your body is still releasing toxins, probably at a faster rate than usual. You must get these toxins out of the body and the best way is to poop them out!!! Enema's help you do this. I know just the thought has some of you squirming in your seat. I understand so much so that I made a You Tube video just to alleviate all those fears you have. As my video has had over a quarter of a MILLION hits!!!! 233,537 to be exact, it seems to have captured the interest of many, help them get over their fears and start to partake in something that can be so beneficial to their health. 
Check out my video here. Even if you are not interested, check it out anyway - I want more hits!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5kdIaD2QSY&feature=g-upl

Fast to Last

It has been 46 hours and 44 minutes since my last bite of solid food. I am more than half way through my three day (84 hours actually) fast. Why the hell, you ask, would anyone want to deliberately starve them self? So glad you asked:)

I have been cleansing/detoxing bi-annually for several years now. I have shared with you my many reasons why I believe cleansing is not only helpful, but necessary in this day and age. From the dirty air we breath, the poor food choices we make, the chemically-bathed water we drink and the stress we endure daily, our bodies, especially our liver and kidneys, are over taxed and need an intermission to recuperate. Just like boxers in a ring, our bodies take a beating everyday. As well as our bodies may be at fighting the good fight, even the strongest athlete needs a few minutes to catch his breath. This is what a cleanse does. A fast, well that's like a vacation to Bora Bora after the Tour de France! By not eating anything for a short period of time, your digestive system completely slows down. Instead of your liver working in over drive to produce bile, separate the nutrients from the chemicals, distribute the nutrients throughout the body, dispose of the wastes and toxins and all the other 496 functions it is required to do when we eat, it has the chance to finally dispose of the overload of toxins that has accumulated over the months/years.

There are many different ways to fast. You can do the Master Cleanse (water, lemon juice, cayenne pepper and maple syrup). However, I prefer a juice fast. I drink approximately 1-2 liters of freshly juiced vegetables throughout the day, along with drinking herbal tea and drinking pure water. I prefer the juice fast because I prefer my caloric intake (the maple syrup in the master cleanse) to come from a more nutritional source. Although I am fasting, by choosing to juice I still have a varied intake of minerals and vitamins. Also, I am a Gemini and I get too bored on the Master Cleanse. By juicing, I can change things up and experiment with some different combinations. I try to steer clear of fruits with the occasional apple being the exception. One is not necessarily better than the other. It is simply preference.

If you are even more disciplined and up for an even greater challenge, one can choose a water fast -  consuming nothing but water for the duration of the fast. I must inform my readers that this is not recommended. A day or two seems to be tolerable, however I know a few that water fast for 7 - 10 days, or even more. This is very taxing on the body and can cause harm. If I was able to spend my days sleeping and meditating and a peaceful temple somewhere exotic, then maybe this would be possible to attempt for a day or two. However, when one has to go to work, clean the house and continue with life's daily routine, this type of fast is just not manageable. Even on a juice fast, I do not ride my bike, I do not go to the gym and I refrain from any other strenuous activity. On a juice fast, I am consuming any where from 400 - 600 calories/day (the Master Cleanse is approximately 760). Considering some sources say you burn up to 68 calories/hr while sleeping, 500 calories is not a lot!! Use them wisely. Rest and adequate sleep is essential on a fast. I also choose to fast in the middle of my cleanse as it less of a shock on the body and by eliminating many of the 'forbidden' items prior to fasting, it makes the whole experience must easier.

My experience so far has been varied. I was definitely hungry and very tempted by the delicacies around me (everything, even the roast chicken Steve cooked was a delicacy at this point!). I did not practice what I preach and spent most of the afternoon raking wet leaves in my very large yard (cottage). I found myself tiring quickly and having to take frequent rests. Normal muscle aches seemed to be illuminated. I was flighty (more than usual that is;) and easily distracted. And around dinner time (Steve's dinner - not mine:( I found myself extremely irritable. So much so that I had to leave the kitchen and sit down away from food and attempt to distract myself with other things. It was then that I had an 'Ah-ha!' moment.

In my practice as a nutritionist, I recommend many, extremely difficult protocols to my clients. I ask them to restrict some of their biggest comfort foods and ask them to make changes they don't believe they can make. I ask a lot of my clients and I realize this. I think what has helped me realize the intensity of their sacrifices is through my own experience with those very same sacrifices. How can one be compassionate to how difficult it is to eliminate sugar from ones diet when they haven't tried it themselves? I do understand how hard it is because I have done it!

When sitting on my couch, irritated and annoyed by the grumbling sounds of my empty stomach, it then dawned on me: imagine feeling this way on a daily basis? According to the Toronto Foundation of Student Success, one in three children do experience this daily! It was there and then that I realized why kids fall behind in school or why aggressive, violent behavior is so common. They are hungry. I was obviously aware of this, hence the creation of Biking for Bellies. But it is one thing to be aware and another to truly grasp how these kids feel everyday. Please don't get me wrong. I am not comparing my 2 day fast to a childhood of hunger. However, this brief experience has helped me comprehend just how difficult it must be to live a hungry life.

You ask me why I fast. Now you can add compassion to my list.

Boost the Immune System and Beat the Flu. Naturally!

In my recent re-post ‘The Flu: To Shoot or not to Shoot”, I pointed out the ineffectiveness and dangers associated with the flu shot. Hopefully I was able to provide some insightful information for those of you that were having trouble making a decision regarding the shot. As many of you have been asking me for alternatives to protect oneself against the flu, I want to follow up with another re-post from a while ago about the many ways you can boost your immune system naturally and harmlessly.

At the first sign of an itchy, sore throat or sniffle, we are often quick to reach for the pills or syrups in hopes to relieve us of worsening symptoms. However, cold medications often just suppress our symptoms, without improving the immune system and providing no means of prevention from further infection. I am going to share with you 5 magical remedies that not only improve symptoms but also boost the immune system, protecting and preventing you from getting sick in the first place.

1: Garlic

Garlic has become my #1 friend this flu season. Garlic is one of nature’s best anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial herbs. Garlic is very effective at killing parasites and bacteria, which also means it is effective against yeast and candidiasis. This magical herb strengthens the immune system preventing cold/flu symptoms and improving existing ones.  It is even known to deactivate carcinogens. When I am really feeling vulnerable, I add a couple of additional cloves to my meal and even throw a clove in my smoothie. You need a lot of berries to mask the taste however. Before going to bed, I crush about 10 cloves in a bowl and place it by my bedside so through out the night I breathe in all the beneficial properties of this powerful herb. You won’t need a pocket full of crumpled up tissue with this great remedy, but you may want to carry some breath mints:)

2: Ginger

Not only is this herb a wonderful anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, immune booster and natural decongestant, ginger is also known to relieve nausea, inflammation and constipation. Significant evidence is now showing that ginger can help inhibit the production of cancer cell growth and destroy living cancer cells. When used for cold symptom relief, ginger tea is best. Add 1 inch of grated ginger to 4 cups of boiling water. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes. Strain and squeeze half a fresh lemon. Sweeten with a bit of honey if desired. Drink throughout the day.

3: Elderberry

Probably the most amazing characteristic about this powerful antioxidant is it’s ability to block viruses from entering cells. Therefore, this fruit is one of the greatest remedies for the prevention of colds and flu. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, elderberry is great at relieving coughs and congestion. Along with cold and flu relief, elderberry has shown benefits in lowering cholesterol, improved vision and improved heart health. Elderberry can be found in capsule or syrup form.

4: Oil of Oregano

I don’t know anything more powerful than this potent oil. Oil of oregano is an anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-microbial and anti-fungal. I literally sleep with my bottle beside my bed; therefore if I awake with the slightest tickle in my throat, my little army is within arms reach. Oil of oregano is wonderful at preventing colds and flu as well and diminishing symptoms. This oil can also be helpful for digestive disorders, muscle and joint relief, respiratory problems as well as skin blemishes. I recommend everyone to have a bottle of this ‘cure all’ on your nightstand, especially during flu season. Just a few drops under the tongue or a few drops in your favorite juice for the less daring.

5. Probiotics

Last, but certainly not least, probiotics are a must have this cold & flu season. Many people have heard about the benefits of probiotics for the treatment of yeast and gastrointestinal health, but many have not heard how important this supplement is for the immune system. Probiotics stimulate the production of healthy bacteria, and immune cells. With an increases number of immune cells, immune response is more effective, preventing the spread of viruses and infection. Production of mucosal tissues, which are tissue that line the GI tract, mouth, respiratory system and urinary tract, are stimulated by probiotics. Research is showing that up to 70% of the entire immune system capacity lies within these mucosal tissues.

Medicine has traveled great lengths from the days of medicine men and witchcraft. The drugs and cures that exist today and the lives these drugs have saved is remarkable. However, sometimes we are so caught up with the complex, genius inventions of today that we forget to look in our own back yards. Mother Nature has provided us with plentiful gifts to help better our lives. Remember, pure and simple does not mean inadequate.

The Flu: To Shoot or not to Shoot, that is the Question

With flu season creeping quickly upon us, Health Canada seems to be making it more and more convenient to get the flu shot. Did you know your local pharmacist can even administer the shot now? At this rate, next flu season we may be able to purchase take home influenza vaccines!!

I posted this two years ago and thought it could be helpful for those of you who haven't read it and are debating getting the shot.

For most of you that know me, you probably already know my opinion on the flu shot. However, it is not my opinion that will help you make the decision on whether you or your children should get the flu shot this season. So I will do my best at putting my biased opinion aside and provide you with some informative facts to help you with your decision to roll up your sleeve this season or not.

How does the flu shot, or all vaccines for that matter work anyway?  Vaccines work by creating antibodies. Our amazing immune systems have the ability to build army’s that attack specific viruses or diseases. These army’s however, can only be created once the body has had exposure to that particular disease or virus. Healthy people with strong immune systems are often able to do this, build antibodies against a virus before the symptoms get too severe and in the end be forever immune to that virus. However, for many of us, we do not have the time to build enough antibodies before the virus becomes too severe and this can be dangerous for many. The amazing thing is that the virus that the body is exposed to does not even have to be living in order for the immune system to build antibodies. That is how vaccines work. They contain inactivated viruses in which enables the body to create antibodies, protecting you if you come in contact with that virus again – and all without ever getting sick. Pretty amazing.

But what else does the flu shot contain? I am so glad you asked;) Unfortunately, this is where the ‘amazing’ gets a little scary. One of the main ingredients in the influenza vaccine is Thimerosal, a preservative that contains mercury. I don’t have to emphasize much about the dangers of mercury. It is a well-known fact that the body cannot dispose itself of mercury and the nervous system and brain are usually the systems/organs most greatly harmed by this toxic heavy metal. Yes, there may be the same amount of mercury in that can if tuna you ate for lunch, however that mercury was not injected directly into your bloodstream! The flu shot often contains aluminum; another dangerous heavy metal that is linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Next are eggs. Eggs are what carry the inactivated virus in the vaccine. Not too scary unless you are allergic to eggs which therefore makes that vaccine ineffective. Then there is the sucrose, which is used to concentrate and purify the virus, however sucrose, also known as sugar, is known to lower ones production of antibodies. Gentamycin, an antibiotic shown to cause deafness is also found in your flu shot. Other antibiotics found in the flu shot are Neomycin and Streptomycin, which can often be the cause of allergic reactions following the flu shot. Oxtocinol - a detergent used as a spermatocide (kills sperm) is also found in the vaccine as well as Polyethylene glycol. Now, just to clarify, this is not the same as Ethylene glycol – the main ingredient in antifreeze although many anti-vaccinationists claim it to be. However, Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is still a toxin that has been greatly associated with cancers, especially leukemia. And although you won’t find this ingredient in antifreeze, you will find it in your oven cleaner. Then there’s Formaldehyde; yes the same kind they use to embalm dead bodies. Formaldehyde, a well-known carcinogen is used as a preservative in the vaccine. This information was not found on the Health Canada website however. I searched the Health Canada website and nowhere could I find a detailed list of ingredients.

Effectiveness of the flu shot is also questionable. Because the influenza virus changes each season, vaccine manufacturers actually do not know which strain will be circulating. That is why the flu shot contains strains from 3 different inactivated viruses in hopes that one if the strains will be the one that is infecting people that season. Really though, it is somewhat of a guessing game and this is why many people still get infected with the influenza virus even after getting the shot. Actually, according to Sherri Tenpenny D.O (http://drtenpenny.com/the_truth_about_the_flu_Shot.aspx) a study that included 66,000 adults, the vaccination reduced their risk of influenza by only 6% and showed no change in the number of sick days taken or the number of people that were hospitalized.  Another study showed no difference between the vaccination and the placebo for infants between the ages of 6-24 months. In children over 2 years old, the vaccine helped to prevent the flu in 33% of cases.

This is a tough call, especially for parents. For someone with a compromised immune system the flu shot may be helpful. The only thing is if it doesn’t work, your immune system is now even more compromised from the ingredients in the flu shot. Many people that are pro-vaccines emphasize that although many of the ingredients are toxic, dosages are safe. This may be true but the accumulation of several different vaccines and/or those who choose to get the flu shot every flu season are not accounted for. Ultimately, you have to go with what you feel is right. Either way though, it will always benefit to help boost your immune system naturally in case you do get sick. After all, the flu shot doesn’t protect against colds or pneumonia. There are many easy ways to boost the immune system naturally and if you check back here in a few days I will tell you how!

In the meantime, I found this funny YouTube video for your enjoyment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWfCnjnShnM

References: http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_366.shtml

                       http://chemistry.about.com/cs/howthingswork/a/aa011604a.htm

Thankful for Rowan

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'nough said

I hear much about this love that a mother experiences for her children. Supposedly there is no grander love in existence. Nothing that comes even close in comparison. It is larger than any of history’s most romantic star-crossed lovers. I have yet to experience this grand love. It actually frightens me terribly, the thought of a love so strong. It frightens me because right now I am experiencing love that is bigger than me, I can’t imagine something bigger.  A love that is so powerful, my heart feels squished inside my rib cage as I am convinced it has increased in size. All this love is not even for a child of my own however, it the closest I have to it. This is the love of an aunt.

 As it is Thanksgiving, I thought it appropriate to write this ‘love ‘ post in dedication to the ‘little’ person I am most thankful for right now. I am writing this on the bus heading back home to Toronto. I am returning from a beautiful few days in Montreal with my family for Rowan’s first Thanksgiving. This trip was my first time back since June! Normally this wouldn’t be such a big deal but when my nephew has only been on this planet for 8 months, that means I missed more than a third of his life!!  This upsets me so much.  My brother and I, as well as my aunt, uncle and cousins are strong and pick up where ever we last left off, no matter how much time has past. But a baby this young can forget about someone. It’s a fact. It makes me so sad at the thought that he may have forgotten me. But, whether he did forget me since our last visit, I know that each visit is an opportunity to I lay a deeper foundation, a foundation for our love to grow on.

I may or may not have bought him that t-shirt:)

I arrived late Saturday night and Rowan happened to have woken up just then. I couldn’t contain myself and let out a screech upon seeing him (the really loud ones my friends & family are well too familiar with - right guys?:). Well that didn’t go so well. He immediately started crying and continued this every time he saw me. My heart broke. He had forgotten me.

It must have been about 4 am when he woke the next time. I instantly sprung up out of my deep sleep and raced through the dark to his cries. I did this to make sure my sister-in-law didn’t have to, but also because I couldn’t miss any opportunity to fix the cracks and empty spaces I caused between us. I poked my head around the corner, waiting to see whether my presence would upset Rowan more or would it be welcomed. He stared at me. He didn’t cry. So I carefully approached, watching his every expression in the little light that shined from the nursery rhyme toy in his crib. He kept staring. Then I made my move. I reached for him and picked him up -  and he let me. He stared at me in full curiosity. I melted. I brought him to the chair and rocked him softly. Instead of relaxing, he continued to examine every bit of my face. I melted more. After a little while, he finally laid his head on my chest but on an angle that he could still stare up at me, as if trying to figure out who this person was holding him. That’s it. I was done!

I managed to put him back in his crib and rubbed his back until he fell back asleep. I quietly crawled back in my bed and stared up at the ceiling and smiled. Something bigger than me appeared in that moment and changed my life forever. 

The rest of the weekend was filled with heaps of cuddles, 4 teeth dimply smiles, story time and pre-bedtime massages, beat-box feedings as well as infectious giggles. We bonded big time!! However, the best moments were from the looks he gave me. The looks after he woke up from a nap or when I came back from being somewhere else. These were the looks I was hoping for all weekend. These were the looks of recognition and familiarity.

Cleanse Day 3

 Day three is important to document because it is often a toughie. This is the day not your body, but the critters within your body realize what you have been doing the last few days. Your little yeasty beasties start to take notice of how hungry they are and how you have been depriving them of all their favorite treats. They are not happy and they are most probably letting you know. Day 3 often brings headaches, nausea, fatigue and even dizziness. These are all quite normal signs that your body is detoxing. In other words, hooray!! You’re doing a great job!!

Compare your cleanse to a bootcamp class or a 10km run. You start off great with tons of motivation. But about halfway through you start looking at the clock wondering how much longer you have to go.  Then it can get worse as your muscles ache and burn. But the closer you get to the end of class/finish line, the easier it becomes and the motivation returns. And then after your done, you reap the rewards of the beautiful transformations your body experiences. Although you are not halfway, you are getting into that uncomfortable zone. My ‘uncomfortable zone’ usually starts around day 5 actually. I am still waiting for the coffee with drawl headaches to occur. I did try to taper down the week before I started the cleanse but I won’t fool myself. Headaches are coming.

However, it is day 3 and I am feeling great. Yesterday at the café when baking sugar-filled brownies (no, not by choice), I wasn’t even tempted to lick the spoon! Motivation is definitely high and I am starting to notice a few changes in increased energy and less ravenous appetite. Often when cooking all day, the last thing I want to do when I get home is cook some more. However, I have been exploring some new recipes and excited to try them. Here’s what I had for dinner tonight!

Fresh Collard Wraps

2 Large collard leaves

½ cup sweet potato, steamed & mashed

1 tomato, chopped

½ avocado

1 Tbsp coconut oil

1 cup cooked navy beans (soak overnight before cooking)

½ onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, diced

1 tsp ground cumin

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

1 Tbsp cilantro, chopped

Handful of arugula

1.     Heat oil in a sauce pan over medium heat. Add onions and sautee until clear.

2.     Add cumin, cayenne and stir. Add navy beans and let cook, stirring occasionally.

3.     Meanwhile beans are cooking, remove the hard stems of the collard leaves until just above where the leaf begins. Steam over boiling water until pliable but not too soft, about 1 minute.

4.     Once leaves and bean mixture are ready, start filling leaves. In center of leaf, put about ¼ cup bean mixture. Top with a few spoonful’s of sweet potato, some tomatoes, avocado, arugula and cilantro.

5.     To fold: fold sides overfilling. Then fold bottom of leaf over top, tuck under filling and roll towards top while pushing everything inside.

And voila!!! Beautiful salad rolls!! Serve with bragg’s soy sauce. YUM!