(Pre detox Day 3) My 21 day experience with Joshi's Alkaline Diet detox programme

I ended up reading chapter 2 – Preparing to Detox and chapter 3 – Detox Foods last night after I posted. Just as well since I haven’t been home till just now. I was at a friend’s greenhouse picking up my annuals for the year and talking about sharing some garden space. Which I am soooo excited about given my renewed motivation to eat better. The only thing is my 21 days starts in about a week and garden goods won’t be ready for months!!

I did get some herb plants that I will be able to use during my detox though. I have already eaten a ton of mint tonight!! So yummy!!

So my learnings from Chapter 2 are:

·        Wash all fruits and veggies before eating them. Something I must  confess I tend not to do…but given that an apple can be sprayed up to 16 times with a combination of 36 different chemicals!! Yuck!!

·        That I need to cook as fresh as possible…so shop more frequently…buy loose veggies and fruits instead of bagged…and cook enough to eat…leftovers are not as good as they lose so much nutritional value.

·        I need to buy more fish and different kinds..this will be a learning curve.

·        I need to juice…my veggies L Can’t say I am excited for this as I have never enjoyed a juice without fruit…but perhaps after this detox I will actually enjoy caesars!!

Learnings from Chapter 3 are:

·        Litmus paper will be a good way to test how my PH level is..wonder where to get it though?

·        A lot of my symptoms are most likely from food or toxin intolerances..this detox will be awesome to figure out what some of them are since it is somewhat like an elimination diet.

·        Drinking with your meals…I remember my uncle Wayne talking about how you shouldn’t drink when you eat. Joshi says room temperature water and sips are good…too much fluids dilutes your digestive enzymes.

·        I’m going to learn about using Turmeric as it aids in digestive enzymes, improves liver function and is a blood purifier.

Well that is it for today…short and sweet.

(Pre detox Day 2) My 21 day experience with Joshi's Alkaline Diet detox programme

I have just made it to the end of chapter 1 even considering life commitments (full time job) and family responsibilities (I'm currently cooking supper) but I have hit a mother lode of info on Detox Supplements. (See below)

A few things that have become apparent to me are:

·        I need to increase my water intake BIG TIME for all the reasons I’ve always known (it is how my body cleans itself), Joshi says 2 litres a day. And apparently quality is just as important as quantity. Avoid distilled or reverse osmosis unless on a cleanse…they are dead water forms!!!! Stick to tap or spring water overall!!

·        I will need to exercise..it will aid in my body to eliminate toxins. Can’t say I’m terribly excited about this…my favourite part of exercise is when I am finished!!

·        I will need to plan on including more good/fresh food sources to my diet after the cleanse as well, to ensure I get waaaaaay more of the essential items my body needs!!! (below is my personal list) 

Note: not an extensive list, I only included info on the essential items my body needs more of...things that stuck out to me personally.

Amino Acids: Glutamine-digestive tract & mental clarity, Choline and Inositol-liver cleansing & brain functions, Phenylalanine-brain activity, Arginine-burns fat & boost immune system. Sources are chicken, fish, eggs and soya products.

Antioxidants:  fresh raw juices like carrots, celery, beetroot, dandelions, apples, pears and green drinks such as wheat grass, spirulina. Alpha Lipoic Acid-helps to protect the liver and pancreas from alcohol damage (found in spinach and broccoli). Green Tea: reduces high blood pressure & slows aging. Lutein-good for heart & skin (found in dark-green leafy veggies). Lycopene-reduce risk of lung cancer (cooked tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, spinach, peaches and oranges). Milk Thistle-protects liver and kidneys from toxins and pollutants. Zinc-formation of collagen & bone (found in eggs, kelp, lima beans, pecans and whole grains).

Digestive Aids: Amylase, Peptin and Pancreatic Enzymes-impaired liver function & too much acid from food. Chromium- promotes weight loss and cuts down on food cravings. Psyllium Husk-speeds food along the digestive tract.

Liver Nutrients: Antioxidants, essential fatty acids, lecithin, methionine, natural sulphur, selenium, vitamin k and milk thistle.

Kidney Minerals: Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium and Sodium.

Additional Supplements: Vitamins A, B and C. Vitamin B is especially necessary.

(Pre detox day 1) My 21 day experience with Joshi's Alkaline Diet detox programme

An embarrassing confession; over the last decade, give or take, I have abused the crap out of my body. I have overindulged in late nights, eating poorly (including some binge eating), not exercising (hello Netflix marathons), maintaining an unhealthy body weight (BMI says obese), partaking in alcohol (at times too much) and social smoking (give  or take). I have been experiencing some not so pleasant side effects of this life style (if one can call it that). Skin problems such as eczema, bloating, water retention, body odour (primarily underarm), knee pain, horrible menstrual cramps and foggy mental capacity.
    

I've known for a couple of years that my body would benefit from a cleanse. I also knew that there are so many choices out there, some harmful, some not. I knew it would become a large research endeavor to find the cleanse best suited for me. Which would most likely lead to changes and adaptations in order for it to meet my body needs. I felt overwhelmed knowing my investigation would have me studying concepts and looking up definitions in order to understand the premise of each cleanse. The cost of supplements, dietary changes and the support of a naturopath were all a huge deterrent as well. I was exasperated before I began; so I didn’t.

That changed May 8, 2015. While attending a craft fair of sorts, in Calgary with my mother and sister, we happened upon a booth offering natural body products. I was drawn to inquire, of the female owner of Earth to Body Skin Nutrition, about a product that would aid with my underarm unpleasantness. Early in our conversation she suggested a cleanse. I shared how that was an overwhelming decision for me. Which one? She suggested one she and her family use on a yearly basis, a liver cleanse. That resounded with me as I know given my wine obsession (some might call it an addiction) my liver would most likely need some serious detoxing. With the name of a cleanse and a couple of purchased products I walked away from the booth with the beginnings of a plan formulating in my mind.

Now, book in hand, I have made an appointment with Dr. Mountain (a trusted naturopath) and I have begun reading Joshi’s Alkaline Diet, The 21 day detox programme to a healthier, slimmer you – for life. I have also shared with my trusted friends, in a secret wine group on FB (see, I said I have thing for all things wine), that I am about to embark on a challenge and have asked for their support. I also contacted two trusted local health advocates, shared my plan and have asked to meet with them. Accountability will go a long way with my plan for success.

I feel inept in this journey but I have taken the beginning steps; acknowledging I have a problem and choosing to do something about it as well as setting the stage for a supportive environment with friends and family.

Some of the things I have learnt through my reading, thus far:

·        Joshi’s programme is a holistic one. I have heard the word before but wouldn’t have been able to define it fully. It means, according to Joshi, embracing the individual as a whole rather than as a collection of separate parts or (in health terms) a collage of symptoms (I have long felt that our current health system treats symptoms not causes).

·        my liver is a digestive filtration blood cleaning organ. Hmmmm..has it been that long since biology that I needed the reminder of what this vital organ is? Embarrassing.

·        That perfume is a chemical (I guess I knew this..but it saddens me…especially given my underarm situation).

·        Biodynamic farming is the best way to get the heathiest foods! (I even searched for where I can purchase foods in my area that are biodynamically farmed)

That is as far as I have gotten in my reading. I haven’t made it out of the first chapter, The Principles of Holistic Detox, but I am feeling the motivation more and more.

My next step is to read through the book as much as I can prior to my appointment with Dr. Mountain so I can be ready with questions in hand in order to make the most of my appointment.