A little note regarding the irritating run-on paragraph: I CAN'T FIX IT AND IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY!!!!! So appologies for the confusion while reading.
Ok I know this is a little strange (and gross) to read on my blog considering it's almost always kid pictures and short stories on our family.
However I thought I'd share some research I've been doing and some thoughts I've been processing, incase anybody out there has some of their own thoughts/research facts they'd like to add! Please beware that it is all about gross things in our bodies which are, well, "extracted". Happy reading;)
A friend came over for dinner a couple nights ago and we got talking about cleanses/detoxes/fasts. She has tried a few and has had great results. I've been wanting to do a type of fast which focuses more on the physical aspect of health... of course, one should (in my opinion) consider that fasting time to reflect on other areas of life which can also be improved, which encourages me even more to give this "detox" type of fast a try.
Anyway - I've done a little research and have come across a few types.
One article I read is from "Alternative Health Magazine" and gives a rundown of
Colon Cleanse Product Reviews.
The article stated,
"Based on our personal experiences, and supported by most detox experts, a one or two-week program is simply not sufficient, considering the fact that it took years or decades to accumulate all the toxins in the colon and in other parts of the body. A more realistic approach takes at least 30 days and up to 6 months, or even longer, depending on the level of toxicity in one’s body."
The product most recommended was called "
Colonix".
Now, orginally I wasn't sure I want to begin with a 30 day cleanser however if anything with a smaller time frame doesn't do it - what's the point?
Then I read this,
"“Any cleansing program should begin by ‘pulling the plug’ that blocks the passage of waste. The ‘plug’ is in your colon, the last portion of your food-processing chain. If you try to clean your blood, lymph, or liver without first addressing a stopped-up large intestine, the excreted toxins will get right back into your body and make you sicker than you were before you started.” [Dr. L. Berry: Internal Cleansing]
The concept of cleansing the colon as the most important first step of a detoxification therapy is unfortunately missed by many detox programs sold on the market today. Without cleansing the colon, it is impossible to effectively and thoroughly detoxify the body."
A couple more
facts I've been reading:
"Autopsies often reveal colons that are plugged up to 80 percent with waste material." (The Vegetarian Times - March, 1998)
Toxic build-up can cause stomach pain, constipation, fatigue, gas, bloating, headaches, indigestion, weight gain, lack of sleep, irritation and restlessness.
All the toxins and 'dead' processed foods lead to poor digestion causing a toxic build-up in the body, including the colon. This toxic waste material in the colon then frequently turns into - in the words of National Geographic - "a sinister world of monstrous creatures that feed on living flesh: parasites".
If you want to see a really gross picture of colon build-up (one of hundreds on this website)
click here. If you have a weak stomach and would rather ignore what may be building up in your body, remind yourself that ignorance is bliss and don't bother.
So that's the most extreme (or rather, efective) cleanse I've considered so far.
It costs between $55-$88 (for 30 days worth) if you buy directly from the website.
The second one is the
Master Cleanser.
Basically you drink a lemonade concoction, a ton of water and you "flush" your system by either chugging a huge amount of saltwater twice a day or take a laxitive (b/c bowel movements aren't naturally present w/o fibre intake).
The lemonade consists of:
14 tablespoons Organic Grade B Maple Syrup (or 2 tbsp. per glass),
14 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (or 2 tbsp. per glass), and
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (or 1/10 tsp. per glass) or as much as you can handle.
The one thing I'm hesitant about with this is that I've read that "flushing" your system with so much fluid can be harmful to your digestive track, more specifically to your colon and bowels. Also, this cleanse can be purchased as a package or you can find the ingredients yourself and create a similar home-remedy.
The third cleanse I'm considering is the
Wild Rose Cleanse.
The website intro says,
"Internal cleansing is considered to be the cornerstone of good health by many natural health care practitioners. Pollutants from the environment - found in the air, water and foods that we eat - as well as wastes produced from normal bodily processes, can tend to accumulate within the body and lead to a state of congestion. To help maintain a healthy balance of assimilation and elimination, the Wild Rose Herbal D-Tox Program is uniquely designed to enhance all aspects of metabolism.
Wild Rose Biliherb formula gently promotes bile production by the liver, supporting digestion and enhancing the elimination of toxins. Laxaherb, Cleansaherb and CL Herbal Extract additionally support the cleansing and elimination of wastes from the system."
I haven't researched the wild rose beyond this but I know it's basically a formula you can take either in pill form or syrup form. It only costs $33 dollars online (7 day supply).
Ok that's all. Kevin just commented, "Why are you writing this all on the blog? It's disgusting!!!" Well, what can I say? It's a disgusting fact of life that perhaps I, and others, need to take a closer look at in order to lead a healthier life. Please feel free to comment, as that is the purpose of this post.
Sorry for grossing anybody out:)
I think the photo above will be our Christmas letter photo, however I really like the colours in the one below and the "chaos" of it is kinda fun - and accurate:)
The kids did pretty well considering they hadn't napped yet that afternoon!
By the end however, we were saying things like, "Atalie!! Look at Daddy!!!!!" in frusteration, and then, "ok smile sweetie!" with big flakey grins.
Can you believe I had so many opportunities to be INFRONT of the camera with my kids??? It was a nice change!
