OneHealthyGirl.com - Carla Golden's Get Healthier! Blog

DO YOU HAVE SHITFERBRAINS?

Do you know that there is a direct correlation between what is in your colon and what is on your mind? Foggy thinking, confusion, and headaches are all signs of constipation or sluggish colon.

Having shitferbrains is not an accidental phrase!

Welcome to your colon:

Reflex points are more commonly known on the feet, hands and even ears, but have also been noted over the centuries on the colon. As you can see on the chart, different areas of the colon correlate to different areas of the body. A stagnation in one area can cause stagnation in the other.

Because we are such a thinking oriented society, we tend to realize when our brains (as opposed to our spleens) are not functioning optimally. When fecal matter builds or the mucous lining of the colon wall thickens, the toxic environment affects the whole body. 

One of the best ways to elevate your overall health is to focus on the health of your colon. Eating foods high in fiber and low in refined sugar like fruit, vegetables and whole grain products are desirable. Including any fermented foods like sauerkraut, yogurt, or kombucha will assist the good bacteria in your colon in fulfilling their roll of breaking down and assimilating colon matter.

Colon cleansing has become more popular as people have become more comfortable talking about the colon, it's functions and understanding the benefits. There are many ways to do this and here are several that I have tried:

• colon hydrotherapy (colonics)
• The Master Cleanse
• Blessed Herbs

Kevin Trudeau in his very interesting book (which I found for $2 at my library shop!) titled The Weight Loss Cure "They" Don't Want You to Know About emphasizes colon cleaning and recommends colonics as well as these cleanses:

• DrNatura.com
• TryAlmightyCleanse.com
• PBIV.com
• QNLabs.com 

No one can tell you which is the best method for you. Some professionals hold that manually cleaning the colon (colonics) first is best because if the body's drain (the colon) is clogged, taking cleansing powders or pills orally could exacerbate the problem. Fasting is definitely recommended while cleansing because adding more bulk while trying to clean it out is counterproductive.

A study was recently released linking coffee intake to decreased risks of Alzheimer's and dementia. I don't think that the substance of coffee (caffeine or otherwise) is the key element, but that coffee often instigates a bowel movement. It's the regularly moved colon that reduces the degeneration of the brain. I don't advocate the use of coffee as a colon stimulant because it carries too many negative side effects, but a more mild green tea and/or an improved diet can work together to prevent a sluggish colon.

A clean colon is imperative to sound health. Cleansing is not easy nor necessarily fun and that's why most people don't do it. But being mindful of a clean colon is far more pleasant than having shitferbrains!

Live Light, xo-C.

PS - Find a local colon hydrotherapist or a nutritional counselor in your area by visiting OneHealthyGirl.com's favorite Alternative Healthcare Directory: WellnessDestinationsCentral.com!

J&J#24: 1 pitcher matcha tea • coconut water • dried goji berries • 1 can of chickpeas • 5 Ezekiel tortillas • 3 veggies patties (a sampler!) with 1 avocado and apple sauce • 2 ears of corn (w/o butter - that was a first!)

J&J#25: 1 pitcher matcha tea • 2 bananas • matinée snacks: garden cucumber, walnuts, dark chocolate, green salad with Bragg dressing, black bean hummus with carrots, some organic blue corn tortilla chips, 30 minute swim

J&J#26: 1 pitcher matcha tea • black bean hummus • tortilla chips • whole wheat pasta w/ black bean hummus, fresh tomatoes, fresh basil and olive oil • 3 ears of corn • Ciao Bella Blood Orange sorbet with crystallized ginger dark chocolate (a decadent combo!)

J&J#27: 1 pitcher matcha tea • 30 minute jump • oatmeal w/banana • Japanese restaurant: veggie roll with brown rice, 2 seaweed salads, miso soup, edamame, green tea • 30 minute swim • dark chocolate

J&J#28: 1 pitcher matcha tea • 3 Ezekiel tortillas • juice: grapefruit + carrots • whole wheat pasta with fresh pesto + tomatoes • 4 pieces Ezekiel toast with organic apple butter • 3.5 mile jog

True Confession: I've not been very consistent with my jumping or juicing, but I've been stellar with my vegan commitment!

Master Cleanse2: Recap

This is what a compost bin looks like after a Master Cleanse. Ew, I can hardly stand the site of a lemon today.

I wish last night that I had been more prepared to launch back into eating so that I could have fed myself raw, pure food. It's not that my choices were bad, they just weren't optimal. But, hey, live and learn.

I got a little flack about the butter and sour cream. Let me defend my love of butter...organic butter, specifically. First off, fat does not make a person fat. Sugar makes a person fat. Fat in the diet is necessary, sugar is not. Organic butter has redeeming qualities such as Vitamin A for thyroid and adrenal health, Vitamins E and K, selenium, has fats essential for brain function and other remarkable traits. Ideally I'd prefer organic, raw butter but so far I've not been able to locate any raw butter in my area.

As for organic sour cream, I choose Organic Valley Regular Sour Cream which is cultured with Acidophilus and Bifidus cultures which are great for the digestive tract.

I wish I had had fresh juice instead of pasteurized, store bought juice. I could have skipped the pita chips, but that salt tasted so good!

My diet is definitely vegetarian with as much raw food as I can arrange. 

And I have failed, thus far, to share here the gratitude I have for my husband for being so willing to do the Master Cleanse with me. I appreciate his support and I admire his determination. Also, I am pleased to know that he is taking measures to keep himself healthy and strong so that we may enjoy many, many vibrant years together. 

Well, that's it for Master Cleanse #2. Onward and upward!

Live Light, xo-C.

PS - Tracy, Rob is ready for the MC when you are! ;o)

Master Cleanse2: Day 10

Wednesday evening: We made it! Woo Hoo! I had no doubts, but it's still a great sense of accomplishment. But I do have some confessions.

First let me tell you how Stanley Burroughs (author and creator of The Master Cleanse) instructs how to come off the cleanse and break the fast:

• First and Second Day - Several 8 oz. glasses of fresh orange juice as desired during the day.
• Third Day - OJ in the morning. Raw fruit for lunch. Fruit or raw vegetable salad at night.

Well, let me tell you how I broke the fast tonight. 

• At 4 pm I had a colonic to make sure all was cleared out. 
• Immediately afterwards I had a Green Machine Naked Juice.
• Then I had a banana.
• At the restaurant I had miso soup, brown rice and a bowl of edamame. And a few of my daughter's left over pita chips.
• For dessert, at home, I had a baked potato with butter and sour cream.  

  

I wonder if I will eat anything else before I go to bed. I shouldn't, but I'm reuniting with my long lost lover. ;o) Do I have an emotional attachment to food? Maybe slightly. But I do know that I absolutely do not like the feeling of being very, very hungry. 

I can hear my MC buddies and MC purists GASP and I may seriously regret eating like this later, but right now I feel really, really good. My belly is content. I've never felt so hungry before and on my way to my colonic appointment I nearly wept because I missed food so bad. 

But I still stand behind my belief that pushing ourselves to new limits yields great rewards. I'm glad I did it. And I have so much compassion for people around the world, including right here in the USA, who go without food involuntarily. Please consider donating to a local or national organization to feed hungry people. It doesn't feel good at all. 

Live Light, xo-C.

Master Cleanse2: Day 9

Tuesday evening: One more full day to go! We are eating dinner tomorrow and ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT IT! Like last fast, we're going for brown rice and miso soup. I have a feeling my body will be a bit more sensitive to food since I cleansed deeper this time, so I may back off the rice and just have the miso. But if I feel fine, BRING IT ON.

I am so hungry. But I'm not going to die. Some people just don't think they can deal with the hunger and therefore avoid fasting, but it's manageable. You just deal with it. No, it's not fun. The hunger is constant (well, for me) toward the end. But it is a good exercise in delaying gratification and pursuing a goal. These traits come very much in handy in all areas of life. 

If you can master the stomach with your mind, you are more equipped to handle many of life's uncomfortable and challenging moments with grace because self-control is transcendent.

Many of us are very disciplined in various areas of our life. Some people exercise regularly without fail. Some people meditate, others practice their talents (music, art, hobbies) day after day after everything else is done. If we can realize where our natural mastery lies, we can take that same approach into other areas....if we want it bad enough.

There is no amount of willpower that's going to make someone do 100 push-ups a day if they have no reason or desire to do 100 push-ups just as there is no amount of willpower to do a fast if you see no benefit in fasting.

We are all stronger than we give ourselves credit for. Push yourself somehow. You will gain an inner strength that will serve you in unexpected ways in other areas of your life. 

Or don't. 

But don't complain that you really, really, really want to change something and yet it remains unchanged. If you want it bad enough, you have the disciplined behavior somewhere in your life that you can replicate or refocus to help you achieve your goal. Let the passion lead the commitment.

We are all born with the same potential for greatness. Those who achieve it just want it bad enough to take the necessary - and often uncomfortable - steps. 

But you don't have to. 

Live Light, xo-C.

Master Cleanse2: Day 8

Monday evening: I had planned to write a delicious book review tonight, but am afraid I might eat the book if I spend that much time with it. 

So instead I'm taking my very hungry self to the tub to watch L'Enfant and then go to bed. 

We've hit the infamous "wall" of which marathoners speak. It's a mind game from here on out. We'll make it, no worries.

Live Light, xo-C.

Master Cleanse2: Day 7

Sunday evening: Not much to report upon from this side of the foodless fence. It's been a pretty standard day on the MC. What was notable was the amount of energy and the amazing progress made on tasks and chores. I'm happy to report that the Christmas decorations are finally packed and in the attic, most of my cards are complete, packages are ready for shipment, house is clean, laundry is done, phone calls have been made, dog has been long-walked, and email inbox is more empty than it has been in months. 

I had a conversation today about colon hydrotherapy and it brought up a good point that I want to make here. If you are chronically constipated or are very toxic, you will want to do some colon hydrotherapy before embarking on a cleanse. If your plumbing is backed up, the clog needs to be removed before you start pulling toxins from your tissues and dumping them, along with liver (and other organ) toxin, into your colon. With clogged pipes, those toxins can sit in your colon and slowly get reabsorbed. 

One of the things I love about Yogi Tea is the inspirations on the tea tag. Today my tag read "Meditate by emptying yourself and letting the universe fill you." All I can say is that I am full of nothing BUT universe on Day 7 of my foodless meditation!

Live Light, xo-C.

Master Cleanse2: Day 6

Saturday evening: Today started out with a migraine. OUCH! My hormones are in fluctuation (interpretation: I just finished my period) which sometimes triggers a migraine and I suspect I am still doing some nice deep cleansing too. 

Luckily I had already booked an appointment for an ear candling and some Raindrop Therapy. The two therapies helped to relieve the migraine and the intense application of essential oils during the Raindrop will do nothing but assist with my deep cleansing with their antimicrobial properties. Find therapists in your area who offer ear candling and/or Raindrop Therapy on WellnessDestinationsCentral.com.

So here's my routine now: 

1. Herbal laxative tea in the morning. I prefer Yogi Tea's Smooth Move (funny, huh?). I stopped doing the salt water flush when the edema started happening. It's all gone now and I don't want it to return.

2. A double batch of lemonade (according to the MC recipe) so that I use the whole lemon - about 24ozs.

3. A pitcher of matcha green tea.

4. Toggle between #2 and #3 about four times a day. I think in total I drink 8 servings of the lemonade. Between 6 and 12 are suggested.

5. Another cup of herbal laxative tea before bed. 

That's it! Though today I snuck in a little treat and had some Guava Goddess kombucha by G.T Kombucha. I wanted the probiotics to get in there and help cleanse. Ohhh, a different flavor was so refreshing!

We had a good laugh tonight. My husband, my MC buddy, was so proud of his "invention." He froze lemon wedges and ate them dipped in raw, organic agave syrup. That was his version of the lemonade! Very clever. 

I wanted to address weight loss with the Master Cleanse. Often people use the MC to lose weight. It works for that, but it is primarily a cleansing diet. Part of cleansing is losing the excess junk and weight loss is often a side effect. But if you don't have weight to lose, you won't lose weight. Often thin people are reluctant to do the MC because they don't want to lose weight. I can attest that during this second Master Cleanse I have lost very little weight compared to the first time. I must be at or near my ideal body weight. That's good!

Only four more days! Woo Hoo!

Live Light, xo-C.

Master Cleanse2: Day 5

What a fantastic day! Doing the Master Cleanse for the second time is a whole new and amazing experience. I am cleansing at a deeper level (surely you don't want me to tell you exactly how I know this) than the first time. Very odiferous, old...um, let's just call it "stuff"...is leaving my body. We're having lots of "two match" send-offs here!

I find that the hunger is much easier to deal with this time because I know the depth of the reward after 10 days. Food is not tempting, though it certainly smells SO good.

I look forward to sharing with you two new books that I just bought. I think one - which is full of vegetarian recipes - is going to slowly become my new favorite. I was reading it last night in bed and I could really taste the meal by reading the ingredients. I nearly cried. It was a beautiful thing. 

I'll post quick updates of the fast over the weekend, but I'll save the book reviews for next week. Oh, actually I have three to share! One I've been saving for a loooooooong time!

Live Light, xo-C.

Master Cleanse2: Day 4

I'm hungry! But that's normal when you haven't eaten for four days, right? But it's ok. It's all worth it. 

I was asked today "How do you do it? I couldn't deal with the hunger and the food cravings!" And I replied that the food I eat on the night of Day 10 or the morning of Day 11 is going to taste soooo good. Not just because I haven't eaten in 10 days, but because there will be pure self-satisfaction in having accomplished a goal. Self-discipline and determination to fulfill a goal leads to self-empowerment...and that duly earned food is getting more and more delicious as the cleanse ticks on. Oh, I can taste it now!

Oh, and this was asked of me by a woman who is doing a 3-4 week early morning exercise bootcamp! I'm telling you, I would MUCH rather not eat for 10 days than to wake up early in the cold and dark to go exercise!?!? She has FAR MORE discipline than she gives herself credit for!

So today was fine. The real work has started. My system is empty and the deep cleanse of the tissues has kicked in. I've got a little ketosis happening which always makes for foul breath (oh joy) and a little edema happening. My overdose of salt on Day 2 surely didn't help. I went on a power walk with the dog today to pump my lymphatic system and I'll lay off the salt for a few days or maybe the duration and just take the herbal laxative tea AM and PM instead.

I am definitely enjoying and taking full advantage of the clearer mind and the increased energy. A trick that I use to endure the duration of the cleanse is to make a to-do list of things you want to accomplish before the end of the cleanse (besides completing the cleanse)....especially things you've been putting off. This way, if you keep procrastinating the time starts to go faster! And then the days without eating start getting shadowed by the mental pressure to FINISH THE LIST! Good trick, eh?

Here's my list:

1. Send out our Happy New Year cards that just arrived,

2. Catch up and get back on track with Project Manifestation,

3. Send out WDC's January newsletter. 

Those are the biggies and should keep my mind well occupied through next Wednesday. Oh my! That's only 6 days away!! I'd better get on it!

Live Light, xo-C.

Master Cleanse2: Day 3

Wednesday night: It's the bottom of Day 3 and I had planned to write a really witty post, but it's late and I have a movie to watch. 

Today went well. The fog has lifted! I am free again and am starting to feel the energy surge inside. I love that fasting/cleansing high. It really makes one aware of how exhausting digestion is to the body. But I have to say that I'm a bit hungry. But that's ok - only one more week to go!

As mentioned yesterday, I did the Salt Water Flush (SWF) later in the day today - 2:30 pm to be precise. All I can say is that my body is purging what I can only describe as cellular sludge. I'll stop there. Some of you may be eating while reading and I wouldn't want the mention of greasy colon moss to land your meal on your keyboard. (Oh, did I just say that??)

You know, the body is an amazing thing. It can produce some really beautiful sounds and smells. But life indeed is a dichotomy and where there is beauty, there is ugly. And cleansing certainly brings out the ugly, the smelly and the sometimes scary. Seeing discarded parasites - flukes or worms - in the toilet bowl in one respect is ugly, but on the other hand knowing that these beasties are no longer in your body...well, that's downright beautiful!

So now I'm off for my last round of lemonade and then my herbal laxative tea while watching Processed People in the tub. I'll give my full report tomorrow...on the movie, not the parasites. They obviously haven't read their eviction notice yet. Yeah, I'm landlord and this is my house...er, temple!

Live Light, xo-C.