Winter Re-Solution
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Q. I have had some difficulty digesting a lot of fruit, including raw apples. Do you have any suggestions for me?
The high intake of apples is only three days so if you can do it for that short time it would be good. Some people are sensitive to the sugars in fruits and if that is the case I would recommend eating your fruits either cooked or fermented. Both processes emulsify some of the sugars and so they will not affect you as strongly. If the apples are not working for you focus on the berries and the beets which have much less sugar. You can also use 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar to replace 1 apple or 1 cup of apple juice.
Q. Do you have any suggestions for beet recipes? 2 raw beets seems like a lot. Can I steam them too?
Yes, you can cook them. Keep in mind that cooking them will remove some of the photochemicals that improve lymph function so raw or slightly steamed is best. I like to boil my beets in water until they are soft and then peel them. I then slice them up and put them in different things. Today I had the boiled beets with sugar snap peas in a coconut ginger curry sauce and it was good. I like to make a salad with the boiled beets and spinach with a lemon, olive oil vinaigrette dressing. I also make a beet and wild rice salad with a Dijon mustard dressing that can be eaten cold or warm. In general eat as many beets as you can it is not necessary to eat 2 if you don't enjoy them and you can eat berries instead.
Q. Do I only eat beets, apples and green smoothie on days 1-3?
No, add beets, apples, berries and greens to all of your meals. Include them with your grains, beans and other foods that are familiar to you and are part of the elimination diet. In terms of grains you can have white, brown, red, forbidden or any other kind of rice you can find. The ancient grains (quinoa, wild rice, millet, and amaranth) are the best because they are low on starch and lots of starch can create reactive mucus which is not good for the intestinal villi and the lymph. All beans and veggies are recommended during this phase.
Q. Somewhere it says drink warm water every 15 minutes for the whole day. When is that? Do you really mean that? Seems impossible!
This lasts for the entire cleanse. Sipping the warm water every 15 minutes will help to move and flush the lymph. This is what I call hydration therapy. It the best way to alleviate any unwanted symptoms like headaches or stomach upset because it is moving the toxins out of the body. You may want to set a timer to go off every 15 minutes to remind you. Stop drinking the water at 6pm so that you are not having to pee all night long. Do the best you can, the better you do the better you will feel.
Q. I am not used to eating three meals a day. How do I transition to eating three meals a day?
Start where you are. If you are currently eating snacks or are having small meals throughout the day then slowly reduce those by one snack or meal for a few days, then when that becomes easy reduce it by one again . Eventually three meals a day will feel like more than enough food. By eating 3 meals a day you will give the liver a break and to be able to start processing fat as fuel.
Q. I am feeling like I am not getting enough to eat and my hunger levels have been really high. Do you have any suggestions?
You may be eating an excess of the beets, apples and green smoothies and not enough of your normal foods. We all have emotional attachments to food so incorporating these foods into meals that are common for you will help you to feel more satisfied. Also look at the amount of oil you are using in your food. Fat is a stronger fuel so it may be that you need to slightly increase your intake of healthy oils like sesame, avocado or olive.
Q. I am concerned about stopping coffee, do you have any suggestions for getting off caffeine?
The best approach is to go slowly. Start by drinking decaf and then move to black tea and then to green tea and eventually to herbal teas. The digestive tea and the water with lemon that are recommended in the morning will also provide you with energy. You may also want to look at your morning routine and see if there are other things you can do to wake yourself up like a shower or exercise so that you are not reliant on coffee to get your day started.
Q. We are drinking a lot of water and I am wondering what type of water you recommend?
Pure spring water is the best. If there is a local spring close by or a business that delivers spring water to your house then that is the best choice. If that is not an option than using water that is filtered with a carbon filter is also a good choice. Distilled water and reverse osmosis remove all the beneficial minerals from water so it is best not to only drink those types of water. City water may contain chlorine or fluorine which are endocrine disruptors so it is best to avoid city water that has not been purified.
Q. When do I drink the apple juice?
Fruit juices are best drank between meals or 15-30 minutes before a meal. This is because fruit is digested quickly and so the body will shift it’s attention from harder to digest foods when there is a lot of fruit included in the meal. Also too much fruit juice with meals can dilute the digestive enzymes in the stomach and small intestine and cause gas or bloating when eaten with meals.
Q. I currently take supplements. Which of those supplements should I continue taking during the cleanse?
Continue taking any herbs or supplements that have been prescribed by your primary health care provider. It is best to not take any additional herbs and supplements during the cleanse because the cleanse is focusing on clearing out the waste of our body and so the supplements you take may be eliminated in your urine or bowel.
Q. I have been feeling really spaced out and have had a low grade headache since starting to eat all the beets and apples. Any recommendations?
Feeling spaced out is usually an indication that you may not be getting enough fat and protein in your diet. I would recommend recording what you are eating and when and see how much fat in the form of oils and protein in the form of beans and seeds you are getting and then increase that amount slowly. Headaches are an indication that your body is cleansing too quickly. This usually only lasts a day or two, but you may want to stop taking the Liver Formula to slow down the process until the headaches go away.
Q. I have been noticing that the food I am eating feels satisfying at the time but when I feel stressed or emotional I seek out comfort foods. I have not eaten any yet, but is there anything I can do?
For specific instructions I would review the “Release Depleting Emotions” section in the manual. A more general approach is to: Identify what is the emotional need that is being fulfilled by the comfort foods you are craving. Recognize if eating those comfort foods is an effective strategy for getting your emotional needs met. Determine other ways besides food that you may be able to get those needs met.
Q. Since staring the beets and apples I have been having low grade headaches right after I eat. I don’t drink coffee, but I do eat a lot of chocolate. Is there anything I can do?
Headaches are usually due to detoxing too fast. The first step is to get rid of your headache. Some suggestions are to rub peppermint essential oil on your temples (it can burn your eyes so be careful), put a cold pack or ice pack on your head , take white willow bark, get a massage as headaches can sometimes be due to poor lymph drainage or tension. If none of these works and the headache is really slowing you down consider taking Ibuprofen.
Q. Since staring the cleanse I have been crying a lot and feeling really emotional. Is this normal?
Many of us store molecules of emotion in our fat cells and self medicate with food. If you are feeling emotional then process your emotions in a mindful way. Talk to a trusted friend, practice “Release Depleting Emotions” in the manual, or see a counselor. Having emotions come to the surface is normal and it is what we do with those emotions that will determine if they are released and lead to healing or are stored again.
Q. I feel really great and I have lot’s of energy, but I am having trouble winding down and I am not able to go to bed. What can I do?
The herbs taken after dinner can stimulate liver function and may make it difficult to fall asleep. Start by taking your after dinner herbs in the middle of the afternoon or double up your dose of these herbs after lunch and see if that helps. If that doesn’t improve your sleep patterns consider doing the self massage after dinner to help you wind down and drink a glass of warm sunflower or hemp milk with nutmeg before bed.
Q. Can I expect to be tired more than just one day? Would like to make sure I don't over schedule. Is this primarily on the kichari days, or also on the first few days?
A: Eliminate whatever you can from your schedule over the next two weeks. Everyone responds differently to each phase of the cleanse. Usually after you phase in to a fat metabolism state you have plenty of energy throughout the day but when this happens is very individual. I would look ahead and try to reduce your schedule for the entire month of April just in case it is best to have more space instead of less.
Q. What is digestive tea that is mentioned for the morning protocol? I have some detox tea that is a bunch of detox herbs. Would that be a good thing to drink as well?
A: The digestive tea is 1/4 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp coriander, and 1 tsp fennel seeds in 8 cups of water, boil for ten minutes strain and serve. You can make a bunch and reheat it throughout the day. Use more fennel and coriander seeds if you like a slightly sweeter flavor. You can use any other kind of Detox tea that you like as well that would be fine to drink.
The high intake of apples is only three days so if you can do it for that short time it would be good. Some people are sensitive to the sugars in fruits and if that is the case I would recommend eating your fruits either cooked or fermented. Both processes emulsify some of the sugars and so they will not affect you as strongly. If the apples are not working for you focus on the berries and the beets which have much less sugar. You can also use 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar to replace 1 apple or 1 cup of apple juice.
Q. Do you have any suggestions for beet recipes? 2 raw beets seems like a lot. Can I steam them too?
Yes, you can cook them. Keep in mind that cooking them will remove some of the photochemicals that improve lymph function so raw or slightly steamed is best. I like to boil my beets in water until they are soft and then peel them. I then slice them up and put them in different things. Today I had the boiled beets with sugar snap peas in a coconut ginger curry sauce and it was good. I like to make a salad with the boiled beets and spinach with a lemon, olive oil vinaigrette dressing. I also make a beet and wild rice salad with a Dijon mustard dressing that can be eaten cold or warm. In general eat as many beets as you can it is not necessary to eat 2 if you don't enjoy them and you can eat berries instead.
Q. Do I only eat beets, apples and green smoothie on days 1-3?
No, add beets, apples, berries and greens to all of your meals. Include them with your grains, beans and other foods that are familiar to you and are part of the elimination diet. In terms of grains you can have white, brown, red, forbidden or any other kind of rice you can find. The ancient grains (quinoa, wild rice, millet, and amaranth) are the best because they are low on starch and lots of starch can create reactive mucus which is not good for the intestinal villi and the lymph. All beans and veggies are recommended during this phase.
Q. Somewhere it says drink warm water every 15 minutes for the whole day. When is that? Do you really mean that? Seems impossible!
This lasts for the entire cleanse. Sipping the warm water every 15 minutes will help to move and flush the lymph. This is what I call hydration therapy. It the best way to alleviate any unwanted symptoms like headaches or stomach upset because it is moving the toxins out of the body. You may want to set a timer to go off every 15 minutes to remind you. Stop drinking the water at 6pm so that you are not having to pee all night long. Do the best you can, the better you do the better you will feel.
Q. I am not used to eating three meals a day. How do I transition to eating three meals a day?
Start where you are. If you are currently eating snacks or are having small meals throughout the day then slowly reduce those by one snack or meal for a few days, then when that becomes easy reduce it by one again . Eventually three meals a day will feel like more than enough food. By eating 3 meals a day you will give the liver a break and to be able to start processing fat as fuel.
Q. I am feeling like I am not getting enough to eat and my hunger levels have been really high. Do you have any suggestions?
You may be eating an excess of the beets, apples and green smoothies and not enough of your normal foods. We all have emotional attachments to food so incorporating these foods into meals that are common for you will help you to feel more satisfied. Also look at the amount of oil you are using in your food. Fat is a stronger fuel so it may be that you need to slightly increase your intake of healthy oils like sesame, avocado or olive.
Q. I am concerned about stopping coffee, do you have any suggestions for getting off caffeine?
The best approach is to go slowly. Start by drinking decaf and then move to black tea and then to green tea and eventually to herbal teas. The digestive tea and the water with lemon that are recommended in the morning will also provide you with energy. You may also want to look at your morning routine and see if there are other things you can do to wake yourself up like a shower or exercise so that you are not reliant on coffee to get your day started.
Q. We are drinking a lot of water and I am wondering what type of water you recommend?
Pure spring water is the best. If there is a local spring close by or a business that delivers spring water to your house then that is the best choice. If that is not an option than using water that is filtered with a carbon filter is also a good choice. Distilled water and reverse osmosis remove all the beneficial minerals from water so it is best not to only drink those types of water. City water may contain chlorine or fluorine which are endocrine disruptors so it is best to avoid city water that has not been purified.
Q. When do I drink the apple juice?
Fruit juices are best drank between meals or 15-30 minutes before a meal. This is because fruit is digested quickly and so the body will shift it’s attention from harder to digest foods when there is a lot of fruit included in the meal. Also too much fruit juice with meals can dilute the digestive enzymes in the stomach and small intestine and cause gas or bloating when eaten with meals.
Q. I currently take supplements. Which of those supplements should I continue taking during the cleanse?
Continue taking any herbs or supplements that have been prescribed by your primary health care provider. It is best to not take any additional herbs and supplements during the cleanse because the cleanse is focusing on clearing out the waste of our body and so the supplements you take may be eliminated in your urine or bowel.
Q. I have been feeling really spaced out and have had a low grade headache since starting to eat all the beets and apples. Any recommendations?
Feeling spaced out is usually an indication that you may not be getting enough fat and protein in your diet. I would recommend recording what you are eating and when and see how much fat in the form of oils and protein in the form of beans and seeds you are getting and then increase that amount slowly. Headaches are an indication that your body is cleansing too quickly. This usually only lasts a day or two, but you may want to stop taking the Liver Formula to slow down the process until the headaches go away.
Q. I have been noticing that the food I am eating feels satisfying at the time but when I feel stressed or emotional I seek out comfort foods. I have not eaten any yet, but is there anything I can do?
For specific instructions I would review the “Release Depleting Emotions” section in the manual. A more general approach is to: Identify what is the emotional need that is being fulfilled by the comfort foods you are craving. Recognize if eating those comfort foods is an effective strategy for getting your emotional needs met. Determine other ways besides food that you may be able to get those needs met.
Q. Since staring the beets and apples I have been having low grade headaches right after I eat. I don’t drink coffee, but I do eat a lot of chocolate. Is there anything I can do?
Headaches are usually due to detoxing too fast. The first step is to get rid of your headache. Some suggestions are to rub peppermint essential oil on your temples (it can burn your eyes so be careful), put a cold pack or ice pack on your head , take white willow bark, get a massage as headaches can sometimes be due to poor lymph drainage or tension. If none of these works and the headache is really slowing you down consider taking Ibuprofen.
Q. Since staring the cleanse I have been crying a lot and feeling really emotional. Is this normal?
Many of us store molecules of emotion in our fat cells and self medicate with food. If you are feeling emotional then process your emotions in a mindful way. Talk to a trusted friend, practice “Release Depleting Emotions” in the manual, or see a counselor. Having emotions come to the surface is normal and it is what we do with those emotions that will determine if they are released and lead to healing or are stored again.
Q. I feel really great and I have lot’s of energy, but I am having trouble winding down and I am not able to go to bed. What can I do?
The herbs taken after dinner can stimulate liver function and may make it difficult to fall asleep. Start by taking your after dinner herbs in the middle of the afternoon or double up your dose of these herbs after lunch and see if that helps. If that doesn’t improve your sleep patterns consider doing the self massage after dinner to help you wind down and drink a glass of warm sunflower or hemp milk with nutmeg before bed.
Q. Can I expect to be tired more than just one day? Would like to make sure I don't over schedule. Is this primarily on the kichari days, or also on the first few days?
A: Eliminate whatever you can from your schedule over the next two weeks. Everyone responds differently to each phase of the cleanse. Usually after you phase in to a fat metabolism state you have plenty of energy throughout the day but when this happens is very individual. I would look ahead and try to reduce your schedule for the entire month of April just in case it is best to have more space instead of less.
Q. What is digestive tea that is mentioned for the morning protocol? I have some detox tea that is a bunch of detox herbs. Would that be a good thing to drink as well?
A: The digestive tea is 1/4 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp coriander, and 1 tsp fennel seeds in 8 cups of water, boil for ten minutes strain and serve. You can make a bunch and reheat it throughout the day. Use more fennel and coriander seeds if you like a slightly sweeter flavor. You can use any other kind of Detox tea that you like as well that would be fine to drink.
