Day 10 Juice Feast -- Adjuncts that Alleviate Detox Symptoms

Sauna Cat

Last night I crawled into the sauna and finished my final green juice--I don't remember the last time I slept so well. I felt absolutely amazing all day. The weather perked up beautifully yesterday and today so in lieu of produce shopping I went out for long walks at lunch in the sunshine.

I don't remember the last time I slept so well and it got me thinking about those extras I do to support myself. Although the ionic footbath and FAR infrared sauna are not mandatory elements of a JF, they are tools to me that feel like when I squeeze that sponge one final time. Of course I'm never alone in the sauna. When I prepare the sauna by gathering my towels, water and entertainment my cat is in before I am. She crawls down to the bottom and takes a bath. In a few minutes as the sauna heats up she wedges her way out and naps on her kitty post nearby. Even though she has been a sauna cat for over a year I've noticed lately with the spring water, she is drinking a lot more water--she really likes it.

I did an ionic footbath Wednesday night and like the sauna, it took the edge off the detox and stress I was beginning to feel. My detox symptoms have been noticeable but minor: temporary blocked nasal passage, swollen upper roof of my mouth and some tongue coating. Today is my official last day of graduate school and when I left work today and walked out into the warm sunshine I literally did not know what to do with myself. I've been attentive to my JF but I will now be able to be more mindful of the process. I have no idea what I am going to do tonight--for the first time in a very long time.

Random (Post) Updates

Short Fasting Update:

On Monday I completed my first 3 day Juice Feast with juices picked up from New Family Naturals. After I finished it I rolled into a 3 day raw foods cleanse from Khepra's. I feel great and ready for the next short Juice Feast. I'm still enjoying a juice here and there and my next 3 day JF is scheduled in two weeks.

2013 FSVB

 Feng Shui Vision Board Update:

I completed my second FSVB and I am posting it because I listened in on a Denise Linn class where she specified how she makes her vision board and that we should share our vision boards with others and when we encounter others we should send love into them. She also recommends you make a smaller version to keep close by. For me this means I will occasionally pull up a picture of my board throughout the day on my phone or computer and spend sometime visualizing.

I noticed some serious differences between this one and my first one. This one is rather sparse. I have spent a lot of effort simplifying my life and it is showing in my desires and thought patterns. There are lots of gaps in the pictures and words (you can even see the grid colors!). I'm slightly embarrassed to admit in my first FSVB I layered pictures and packed massive "things" in it. Finally this one includes a lot of animals, trees and affirmations.

Apple Cider Vinegar Challenge Update:

I am stunned how much ACV did to clear up my facial skin in particular. Within the first week I got an unexpected glow and clearer complexion and the results continued. I still don't like the taste of ACV and undiluted it's strong going down; however I am working on an ACV shot to make the process easier.

Ionic Footbath Update:

I still love my ionic footbath and I want to provide some helpful hints. If you do purchase a machine with replaceable arrays, the life can be extended by keeping the operating system at 1.5 and after use immediately wrap the array in a cloth. Others store it in a plastic bag. The trick is to keep the array from being exposed to air. Also, there are other types of footbaths that do not require arrays. One such product can be found here.

100 Days of Schizandra Update:

Another beauty tool which gave my skin the healthiest dew drop glow. I have also noticed these tonic adaptogen herbs keep me on an even keel. I am mellow and not disturbed by the pettiness of others (a needed skill at my work). I am continuing to take this herb for liver assistance and continued improvement in my well being.

My Understanding of the Ionic Footbath

I regularly use the ionic footbath during healing rituals, weekend mornings, and to generally feel better. There is a lot of information on the web about these footbaths you may be familiar with--such as this color of water means that, the footbath reacts when nothing is in it, and then there are those (not too) rare testimonials where someone is cured of a persistent health challenge over night. But wait, isn't that a common response for almost every healing technique out there?

 

 I have frustrated myself to uncover more information but for the most part, all trails seem to lead to the message: come on in for treatment and we'll fix you right up.  I already know for me, putting my health into the hands of others does not necessary lead to recovered health. I can say I have been using the footbath for over 3 years with consistent results.

Initially, in my pursuit of health, I got caught up in gadget mania. I bought every new product based upon it's miraculous results (as advertised by gurus, clinics, and spas).  A few have stuck around and a few have been let go. When I initially used the ionic footbath I was trying to convert to a 100% raw foods diet and I was eagerly trying out the common denominators of people who professed good health. Also during that time I learned to use it when I slipped up and ate cooked food for dinner and would go into a cooked food coma (when I would involuntarily pass out on the couch after a meal--such as a vegan burrito--and wake up just in time for bed). I experimented and found if I used the ionic footbath along with the splurge I was dazed but still able to function. This was proof to my constitution something was working with this treatment.

I used the footbath regularly during my first Juice Feast and towards the end of the Feast the water hardly changed. I have used two low end ionic footbath models purchased off Ebay (neither worth mentioning) with consistent results. For the vast majority of the time the water is orange and ends in black. On a few occasions it appeared green. When I use a new array the first treatment always foams like the internet pictures, but by the second use it is more like debris (a bit like lime pulp after it is juiced) floating around. Lately I have indulged in bread and I've consequently seen new flecks that appear to be yeast. I have tested the footbath to see if it would induce a healing reaction and it did. I used it heavily several days in a row and I came down with bronchitis (in my past I regularly had bronchitis).

I have been using an ordinary dish tub for soaking my feet but I have recently decided to upgrade to a copper tub to enhance the experience. I will also be adding a crystal quartz to the mix to amplify the healing properties.

My current protocol is: prepare 1 to 2 quarts of liquid for drinking during the footbath. The first is usually lemon water with salt and if I do a second it is usually herbal tea steeping while I drink the water. While I soak my feet I journal or do something pleasant. Once the soak is complete I do a coffee enema (the coffee has also been steeping in a French press while I soak my feet). Finally I drink an elixir to renew my health. Throughout the day I will drink plenty of liquids.