I
decided to follow the Yoga Journal’s 7-Day Fall Ayurveda Detox http://falldetox.yogajournal.com/, but for 5 days instead
of 7. (see my post on Ayurveda 8/12/11)
Thursday before: Shopping at Nature’s
Temptation in Ridgefield for all of my ‘supplies’! Yikes, what is kombu?? How
am I going to cook the Kitchari when I am not really much of a cook? Am I
really going to use ghee when I hate butter? Well, I bought all of the
ingredients including the ghee. I even bought sesame oil for my skin as part of
the total detox regimen. I am usually a Vata/Pitta dosha, but this summer
really brought out my Pitta. I think that my skin allergies and my impatience
(Pitta imbalance) out-weigh the cracking in my joint (Vata imbalance), so I
bought the spices to make the Pitta soothing kitchari.
Sunday: I realize with my
schedule of teaching, training, and mommy-duties that I will not be able to
make it to my yoga classes. I downloaded the iPhone App ‘Authentic Yoga with
Deepak Chopra’. This will help supplement my own practice.
Monday: Day 1: Woke up at 5:15 to
walk on the treadmill instead of my usual run and then did some yoga. I didn’t
want to eat the kitchari for breakfast since it was too heavy to eat before my
next class, so I had a detox tea, and apple and some grapes. It didn’t seem to
be enough to get through teaching both Spinning and Pilates. Then, for lunch, I
had steamed broccoli, celery, and spinach with some kitchari, followed by
another apple a few hours later. I had a headache from caffeine withdrawal, but
it wasn’t too bad.
Tuesday: Day 2: Have a bad case of
poison ivy and now wondering if the three prescriptions my doctor gave me will
fit into the detox. The kitchari was still yummy, the poison ivy made me forget
my headache, and the prescription antihistamine gave me a wonderful night’s
sleep.
Wednesday: Day 3: Wishing I had the
time to do the meditation and asanas. With a 4yr old, the only time to do that
is at 5AM, but the antihistamine I am taking for the poison ivy knocked me out
and I woke up at 6 instead of 5. Also trying to learn new choreography, which
is also hard to do with a young child. My husband thinks the detox is making me
cranky, but I think the detox is actually making me less cranky than I would
have been otherwise. For dinner, I mixed it up a bit by having steamed
broccoli, kale, carrots, and celery with some avocado instead of the kitchari
and an apple for dessert.
Thursday: Day 4: Feeling very calm
and peaceful. I added some quinoa to the kitchari for more fiber and protein.
Really starting to feel the mental and emotional benefits of this cleanse
today. Even found time to do some yoga.
Friday: Day 5: This is my last
day of the detox because my family enjoys going out to lunch together on the
weekends, and it is our only time that we can enjoy meals together. I plan to
have a coffee tomorrow, but that is the only thing I am craving. I may even
find a restaurant this weekend where I can have brown rice, beans, and veggies.
I don’t really want anything else. I also did not feel any real ‘detox’ other
than the headache the first day. I think it may be because I generally eat
close to this plan anyway. I look forward to the next seasonal cleanse
(although I am not looking forward to the next season, Winter!
Weekend: Days 6&7: I really
ended this after day 5 but I stayed close to the diet plan by choice over the
weekend. I added a cup of coffee and over the course of the weekend I had some
sushi, Greek yogurt and egg whites. Other than that I stayed with the Ayurvedic
foods. I went to the grocery store to buy more items to make kitchari and will
replace the rice with quinoa and use olive oil instead of ghee.
So,
what did I get from all of this? Actually quite a bit!
- I plan to give up coffee over the next few months. I will transition to decaf and then to only teas. I feel calmer and grounded without the coffee, but I do love the taste of it.
- I really enjoy eating vegan foods. I will not go back to being strictly vegan, but I will try some combinations of vegetarian/pescetarian (fish) plans with most of my diet vegan. I just bought the book ‘Thrive Diet’ by Brendan Brazier, as I have followed his website for a few years.
- I enjoy cooking!
- Daily yoga, even if it is just 10 minutes at home, does wonders for my mind and body.
- I lost any desire for sweets (other than fruit) and meat/poultry.
I
am not suggesting that you go as far as an Ayurvedic cleanse, but it may be a
worthwhile experiment to simple spend a week with no caffeine, sugar, processed
food, wheat, and soy and see how you feel.
Namaste
XOX
This blog is for
informational purposes only. It’s not intended to diagnose, treat, cure,
or prevent any health problem, nor is it intended to replace the advice of a
physician. No action should be taken solely on the contents of this
website. Always consult your physician or qualified health professional
on any matters regarding your health. It is advised see your physician before
changing your diet, starting an exercise program, or taking any supplements of
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