Thursday, May 6, 2010

spring cleanse!

cleansing lemons
I've been doing some spring cleaning to my diet and it feels great! My family is coming along for the ride in many ways, but mostly this is a personal quest for renewed health.  I've created a  program over the years that helps detoxify an overworked system, alleviate allergy symptoms, and shed excess weight. I'm not a nutritionist, but years of vegetarianism and time being vegan and macrobiotic have given me some insight on what works well... at least for me.  My absolute favorite book at times like this is a well loved copy of The Self Healing Cookbook  (that I've had for 20 years)! Described as "an entertaining primer in macrobiotics, psychology, modern nutrition and a planetary view of healing." It covers so much more than its over 130 recipes, it's also " immensely practical for busy moms, dads (choosy kids!) who want a delicious way to grow healthy together. Invaluable for people recovering from illness: with many self-healing exercises and charts".-taken from the back cover.
favorite healing book
Last week, meals were simplified down to the basics. Anything that didn't have nutritional value, such as sweets and caffeine, were the first to go... along with salty, snacky things (I must admit to having a thing for Newman's Own pretzels). Next elimination: dairy followed by eggs. Wheat was the last to go. Eating foods in their whole state, unadulterated or processed with something else allows you to taste each item in its purest form. Nothing to disguise or change its identity. It's a great experiment with lots to talk about at the dinner table, even if my plate is a little different from my family's. I haven't done this in a few years, and my body was overdue for a good system overhaul. Yesterday, I fasted with raw vegetable juices, fruit and lots of lemon water. 1/2 a lemon squeezed into a glass of warm water restores acidic balance in your body and flushes out impurities, excess mucus,and acts as a natural appetite suppressant.

Today, I begin my macrobiotic diet in earnest. I am not putting any time lines on it... just seeing how it goes.  I truly feel fabulous and even experienced a bit of magic as I was writing this post. Our neighbor stopped by unannounced with a huge bunch of their first crop of arugula and  greens freshly harvested. A more perfect and generous surprise couldn't have been had!
neighborly basket of arugala Pin It

18 comments:

  1. 'The Self Healing Cook Book' was the very first cookbook I bought for myself when I moved into my first apartment in 1990 at age 17. I still use it for my family today! It was my first step towards living a healthy life and taking care of myself, so thank you for the little reminder to so today. Happy Cleansing!

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  2. those greens look so delicious. i love the idea of a "spring cleanse"...i hadn't thought about it in those terms but i'm doing one of these right now too, eating cooked whole grains and beans and everything else raw vegan.

    good luck and best of health to you!

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  3. Wow, that sounds like a cool idea. I don't know that I'm disciplined enough to do that completely, but I'm sure going to try the lemons!

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  4. Thank you for this post. It is something I'm interested in learning more about. I've put the book on my wish list.
    Blessings,
    Nancy

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  5. How interesting, we just cut out sugar last week too! We've been focusing on whole, from the earth foods. Nothing processed. Which reminds me, I need to plan next weeks menu already.

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  6. i will have to check this book out! thank you for sharing! i am always on the lookout for books about how food can help heal our bodies. i have been loving a book called 'healing with whole foods' by paul pitchford and it has truly been a gem (& a lifetime of learning ahead of me)! I SO agree that when you bring eating back down to the basics, it's so wonderful to discover and appreciate the true flavor of food again ~ the sweetness of a carrot or a cashew or the tartness of a crispy apple. here's to eating lots of yummy foods just as they are!

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  7. I just reserved it at my library, thank you for the suggestion!

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  8. There are a few things that I just CAN'T let go...: milk (dairies, but mainly milk), eggs, and coffee. I need to try it. But I can't promise I will make it.
    Good luck!

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  9. Jen G- love that we got this book around the same time!

    Ali- wonderful comment! I'll have to check out Pitchford's book. Thanks so much for the recommendation.

    Julie- I doubt I will give up some of our shared favorite foods forever, but taking a break feels just right some times.

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  10. i learn so much when i stop by for a visit..i will find the book,

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  11. THis sounds like something I might try this summer, when I'm free of all my students and stress!

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  12. I think it's great every now and then to "de-clutter" the diet. When you take all the salt and convenience food and especially wheat out of the diet, it makes one a lot more focused and thoughtful about meal planning. I particularly find grain is very prevailent in my diet.
    I particularly loved the ginko stencil yesterday by the way.

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  13. Well, you've gone and made me feel guilty now. I'm making a mental note - don't eat a bar of chocolate before checking Maya*Made...

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  14. Oh my dear friend UK lass in Us: NO GUILT! This was just what I needed to do at this moment. Chocolate is a delicious part of life.

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  15. Oooooohhhh.... this is great! I love to see dietary adjustments in action!! Can't wait to see how this works out over the longer term. And what fate that your friend brought you fresh greens!

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  16. Thank you for the book recommendation and also the inspiration (today and every day)! I am going to find the book and give it to myself (or have the kids wrap it) for Mother's Day- just the healthy pampering that I need! love you Maya- blessings on this journey <3

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  17. I'm on a thirty day raw food fast right now. It is amazing how different you feel when you change your eating habits. It will be interesting to see what I crave after my thirty days are up.

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  18. How strange, I JUST purchased this book from Amazon earlier this week! Now I am really anxious for it to arrive. It must be a sign! :)

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