MC Day 3

Today: 3:30am: Bathroom. 6:30am: Bathroom.... basically this continues on/off for the next hour and a half. 8:25am: 3mL salt in a shotglass of warm water; 2.5mL salt in 1L very warm water. 8:40am: Done the sw. 9:30am: No signs of a bathroom break coming up ~~~ I think it may have been lost through my bladder instead. Tried walking around and chugging lemonade to push down any remaining sw. 11:00am: Still no "flush" from the sw. I heard a theory that your salt intake should depend on your body mass. One lady on the discussion forum said she takes 2tsp salt in 1L of water. That's just disgusting! But I've decided that it's double or nothing tomorow. If 2tsp salt does not work I'm not going to try it again... why beat a dead horse?! This has definately been an experimental cleanse. I've heard rave reviews, infact I'm doing it along with a friend who has done it before and she has had great results this whole time. We've been doing the same things but my body hasn't been responding the same way as hers. Perhaps I'll have to try something different in a little while. The Colonix still looks promising however I've been reading up on the Acai berry as well... Either way, I'll finish this cleanse as best as I can and chalk it up to an experiment on behalf of many who are interested;) Weight loss: 1.5 lbs this morning (total of 6 lbs) One more thing: I've had tons of responses (mostly via facebook) regarding this cleanse I'm doing. It's kinda fun receiving so many comments! I just want to remind everyone that I'm not trying to convince anybody to jump onto some sort of cleansing bandwagon. I'm not selling anything either. I'm trying to live a healthy lifestyle by cleaning out what I've put in. And this is the journal, for those who are interested (b/c there seem to be many!).

MC Day 2

Sooooo I think I've cleared up a couple of Day 1's confusions. First mistake: The seasalt/epsom combination was optional and I think I'll stick with pure seasalt for the morning saltwater flush. It isn't as bitter and doesn't make me gag. Second mistake: Don't drink Laxative Tea in the morning. It is meant for night time b/c it slows you metabolism a bit by working over a longer period of time. Third mistake: Even if you enjoy spicy food and the heat doesn't seem to bother your tastebuds, you must consider your insides!! Because I've been pregnant and have had to make food to feed young children for the past 2.5 years, I haven't had the opportunity to make much spicy food... thus, my insides were not prepared to handle the extra dose of cayenne which made my lemonade so tasty! By the way, I'm serious there. It tastes awesome with a little kick! So here's the days events (again, hate to sound like a broken record but this paragraph structure is rediculous - if anyone knows how to edit that problem in "html" mode please give me detailed instructions!): LAST NIGHT 10:00PM: Drank a cup of herbal laxative tea. Didn't taste bad. However, I'm not used to drinking tea w/o half a teaspoon of honey so that was different; also not used to licorice (sp?) flavour in the tea. Ok though! 6:30am: A el banyo! Yes, to the bathroom I go. The laxative tea works, as it is intended, OVER NIGHT. Not as terrible of an experience as I expected. Weighed myself - lost another 1.5 lbs (4.5 total). 7:30am: To the bathroom again. 8:30am: Make saltwater with 1L water (32oz to be exact) and 1tsp seasalt ONLY. Begin to drink while watching TV for distraction. The key is to relax, drink quickly, take a break, drink quickly again and continue to be distracted!! 9:30am: Finish saltwater, after trying a few tricks that is. I brushed my teeth countless times during the chug and used a straw so the taste wasn't swimming around my mouth. Much better!! Didn't gag at all. Woohoo! Still sucks though. I'd almost rather eat a partially raw hamburger than do that again (almost). 10:30am: Blog... b/c I'm waiting for the saltwater results. So far I'm thinking I will not do this cleanse again. I don't doubt it will flush my system out and get rid of many of the toxins which were present, and I don't mind the sacrifice of food (although I miss it), but it's just not worth the torture at this point. My alternative cleanse was the "Colonix". It would have cost $80 plus tax and shipping, but would have been the same cost as the Master Cleanse in the end and I believe you are able to eat some foods while on the Colonix. It takes a month b/c it isn't as extreme as the MC, but is also very thorough b/c of the time period. It's also been tested as most effective product out there. Next time I'll try that one I think. But for now, I'll continue what I've started:) 12:30pm: Make lemonade, drink over the next two hours. No results from saltwater flush. 5:30pm: Make second litre of lemonade and drink over the next three hours. Still no results from saltwater flush. I'm wondering if I just absorbed it?? 8:45pm: Blog some thoughts... I think I'm going to try a new technique of saltwater tomorow. I've been told today that the warmer it is, the quicker it goes through you and the easier it is to handle while drinking. Perhaps I'll try puting half the salt in a shotglass and hope to keep it down; if successful I'll put the other half in really warm (like tea temp but drinkable right aways) water and hope for the best. I better start "flushing" tomorow b/c that is the point of this cleanse! Apparently your kidneys can't separate the salt from water so it is sent to your bowels instead of your bladder. This is what "flushes" your colon out. hm. who knew??! 9:00pm: Put in girlie movie and finish my lemonade before taking the laxative tea at bedtime. Although I'm generally not into "brainless" chick flicks, I reluctedly rented one that doesn't look too bad... after all, Kevin is playing hockey tonight so I have the 42" to myself!! Wooohoo:) No hockey Night Tonight in my house! ...too bad I won't be endulging in a bowl of popcorn...

MC Day 1

Master Cleanse Day 1: So really, if you're expecting light, happy reading on the topic of cleaning ones body, don't bother to read further. There are vague details (if there is such a thing!?) but nothing gross. I realize this is a little out of the ordinary for my blog but whatever;) I've had quite a few people show interest and ask me to tell them my results so they can consider this cleanse as well. 8:30am: Starred at 25oz of water combined with 1/2tsp seasalt and 1/2tsp epsom salts. Attempt to chug failed miserably after 1 second so I added the optional 10oz of water to ease the taste slightly. Better now! But still not good enough, apparently... 8:45am: Have drank 15oz of the saltwater. All the saltwater comes up. Now what?? 9:30am: Decide to try a laxitive tea instead, even though it's intended for the evening flush only. 10:00am: Squeeze 3 lemons, measure 12 Tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp cayenne pepper & 2L water into jugs. First taste is POTENT!!! Could possibly breath fire. Note to self: Shake container before drinking anything containing cayenne!!!!!!!! 12:00pm: Done my first litre of "lemonade". SO much tastier than saltwater:) Trying to remember to rinse mouth with water occassionally while drinking lemonade b/c the acide apparently tends to wear down your teeth. Nice. 12:30pm: Make kids Kraft Dinner and drool:) Ok, it wasn't that bad. I've so far kicked the habit to nibble as I'm cutting cucumbers and apples or dishing out pasta for the kids and it hasn't been killing my will power (yet). 12:45pm: Potty break ~ go quickly! 1:00pm: My stomach is feeling unsettled. Hmmm... could it be the acid fire combination brewing up inside???? I'd say YES. It doesn't hurt and I don't feel hungry... just a little strange. Like I'm anticipating something unpleasant. 2:30pm: Potty break ~ run a little quicker! I'm now wondering if a laxitive tea is supposed to have an all-day lasting effect?! I didn't think so! Also, I'm wondering if the acid in lemon juice combined with cayenne pepper can produce an unpleasant feeling when on the pooper...? Possibly yes! 3:00pm: Blogging about the day so far b/c I don't want to lose track. I plan to drink another litre of lemonade before/during dinner, then (possibly, likely) try the laxitive again this evening. That's what you're supposed to do anyway. I'm waiting for responses on the MC Discussion Forum to see what others say first. Weight loss so far (b/c I'd be lying if I said I wasn't look forward to this part!) From night previous to cleanse up until morning of Day 1: 1.5 lbs From morning of Day 1 up until afternoon of Day 1: 1.5 lbs (Total 3 lbs)

The Master Cleanse it is!

And it begins. Tomorow. Which means, today is my last official eating day... and I'm going out in style. A bowl of popcorn and icy cold glass of Coke with a movie!! Then it's 2 days of liquids (oganic juices, broths, etc.); 7-10 days of saltwater, lemon/maple syrup/cayenne concoction and laxative tea (yummmm!); 5 days or so of raw, high protein foods to ease back into regular eating. Sounds delicious - can I count on some others to join??! Huh? Huuuuh?? I have a friend who I'm doing this with so it'll be fun (ok, wrong word) - supportive, to have backup when the concotions and laxitives just aren't enough;) Encouragement is great:) Then again, so is ignorance! If I knew what was really ahead I may not be so excited. And I am actually quite excited:) Increased energy and weight loss are the two most noticeable results apparently - and of course, the lack of appetite for junk food. So these things are pretty good motivators too. Anyhow, I'm letting everyone know that I'll be blogging about this (hopefully daily), partially to keep track of how I respond but also b/c I'm not sure whatelse I'll do with myself when my family is endulging in the delicious meals I've made them for supper. I may need to escape! :) I'll save nasty details, except for those who write in wanting them; may have to leave them in the "comments" section in that case;) Wish me luck (bad choice of wording again) - encouragement!

Kids, Thanksgiving, Baby Ruggles

Aaah the kids... it's been awhile since I've blogged! What better way to start it off? :) A walk to the park is pretty much a must when we go visit Grandma and Grandpa in Coaldale. The Christian school just got a new playground, which was pretty cool! Grandma helps (spots) Atalie while she climbs up the ladder! Aiden's look says it all, "More Grandmpa, spin me more!!!!" It was a big, thick, metal bowl that you sit in and spin. Aiden's expression says it all, again... "But I don't WANT to pose for this picture!! Spin me again Grandpa!" Atalie sits on the spinny thing (a small green disc that has a pole protruding up through it) but doesn't like to spin... just sit! Mom and Dad try the spinny thing for the sake of a fun photo and the dizzying effect afterwards:) Atalie brushes her own teeth. Grandma was quite pleased when Aiden jumped off Mommy's lap to go suggle with her instead! We were so excited to see Leah again this weekend and to meet little Finn Buckey Ruggles!! He was born on October 4th, weighing 9 lbs 12oz. SO sweet!!! Congrats again Leah (and Buckey!!!) This last one is one of the many beautiful mountains that everybody sees when driving through the Pass.

Finn Buckey Ruggles

I assume most people reading this don't know our friends Leah and Buckey Ruggles. They are very good friends of ours from Lomond, AB. Buckey passed away August 20th in a car collision (see past post). Leah was almost 8months pregnant at that time and yesterday evening she had a beautiful baby boy, whom Buckey chose to name Finn Buckey Ruggles (a perfect name, by the way!). He weighs 9lbs 12oz. We're thrilled for you Leah(!!!) and can barely wait to see you this weekend and to meet lil' Buck-junior! Blessings! (I'll post pics after Thanksgiving weekend)