My Day

Inspired by Tea Novo's recent post, and as suggested by my husband, here's a look at what my average day is like. We've recently moved and are home-educating, so there is a little less structure than usual, but here it goes....

On waking I drink a glass of room temperature water. This is to flush my system which has been detoxing all night. On an empty stomach I take a spoonful of diatomaceous earth (in water) to help to purge parasites and bacteria. As I'm trying to heal my gut I also drink a glass of kefir, or my current favourite, ginger bug, which is rich in probiotics. Starting the day with protein regulates blood sugar, so breakfast is usually gluten-free porridge oats made with almond milk and chia seeds, or gluten free pancakes made with locally sourced eggs, and covered in fruit (stewed berries in winter, cold raw fruit in summer). I try to listen to my body - in winter I really don't feel like eating raw food at all, instead I want nourishing, warming food.

Greens for juicing and smoothies

At this point I usually feed my many fermenting kefir grains, make coconut or nut milk (having soaked nuts overnight), put the coffee and linseed tea on to boil, and make a green smoothie. My current favourite recipe is; coconut milk kefir, baby spinach, baby kale leaves, banana, maca (important for balancing hormones) and a scoop of Sun Warrior vegan rice protein powder (my diet is often low in protein, and this gives me much needed energy to get through the morning. Using nut milk gives an extra protein hit).

Fermented coconut milk, water kefir and ginger bug

Next is my favourite part of the day - the coffee enema. This is the perfect opportunity to relax and meditate. It's also the time when I say affirmations, or write in my journal. I've recently started following up with a kefir grain implant (again to try to heal my gut). This simply involves blending some kefir grains with cooled herb tea (I'm using linseed) and leaving it inside the colon to be absorbed. It's a bit of an experiment, but so far I feel great. You can read more about kefir implants here.

Green tea features a little too strongly throughout my day, and I'm trying to cut back as it can be very depleting for the kidneys and adrenals (it contains caffeine, which is apparent if you try to cut it out!) I usually drink 4 - 5 cups a day, interspersed with filtered water. My new trick is to drink an 8 oz glass of water BEFORE the tea, and see if I still feel that I need or want it.

It's been a long, cold, wet winter, and lunches have mostly consisted of warming soups, or short grain brown rice dishes. Occasionally I 'cheat' and have an egg, particularly if that's what I'm craving. I try to make sure there are green veggies with every meal. As the weather warms I'll start eating more raw food (courgette noodles, pad thai, fresh vegan pestos and salads). 

Raw noodles gently stir fried

Early afternoon I have a vegetable juice. In the summer I aim for 6 a day, but lately I'm finding myself wanting something more substantial, and the density of smoothies has appealed over juices. However, if I have only one green juice a day, my alkalinity levels drop dramatically. To encourage myself to drink more juice I've recently started making it in bulk every morning. Some nutrients are lost this way (although the twin gear juicers are very good at making juice which retains nutrients beautifully when kept in the fridge) but the preparation and cleaning times are far reduced! 

I take supplements throughout the day. It's dangerous to list them, as we all have specific needs, and everyone's regime is different. However, the basics which never change are magnesium, multi-B, vitamin D3, iodine, Broccomax (or Indole 3 Carbinole/Dimpro for breast care and hormone balancing) probiotics, zinc, krill and Co-Q-10. I also take some cancer specific supplements as pinpointed by a 'chemosensitivity' test, which are basically natural angiogenesis inhibitors and apoptosis 'encouragers' (Quercetin, Angioblock and Artemix). I've also recently been taking high dose liposomal vitamin C with alpha-lioic-acid to try to bring my circulating stem cell count down. 

In the afternoons I go swimming, or for a march with the kids - something to get the heart and lymph pumping. I'm excited that we're finally getting a trampoline for the garden so that I can add ten minutes of rebounding into the exercise equation (assuming I get a turn!)

Dinner is early as I eat with the kids. I eat a LOT, and I'm constantly hungry. Stews with potatoes are great in winter, or more rice. Vegetable pies have featured quite strongly lately. I'm happy though that the weather is changing and that I'm getting my appetite back for salads. I always add as many different veggies as I can; raw broccoli, carrots, dark green leaves, avocado, tomatoes, green beans, beetroot, as well as nuts, chia and seeds for protein. I might make some cashew aioli to have on socca (chickpea bread) or add a baked potato with hummus. I cook very simply, with minimal additional flavouring. There is always chicken stock in the freezer for the kids, and plenty of greens in the fridge for me. I'm finding lately that every meal can be transformed into something nourishing and delicious with the addition of a great gravy (for hot meals) or homemade dips (to accompany salads and cold plates).

Socca pizza with cashew aioli, rocket and tomato salsa

I try not to snack, but inevitably this happens (and I'm always trying to put weight on). My current favourites are almond butter on apple or celery, a handful of nuts and raisins, or a piece of dark chocolate (a habit which has got out of hand lately I must confess!).

Depending on how I feel I sometimes use the evening as time to have a FIR infrared sauna, an epsom bath or a liver pack, all of which can be done whilst reading (I'm still reading and researching all the time!) I really loathe routine, so I tend to go through phases of treatment plans - at the moment the sauna is packed away under the bed!

Sleep is so integral to healing, and what's more I LOVE it! I try to get 9 hours a night.

I'd love to hear what your healing day looks like :)

Cleansing

There are many ways to help the body to cleanse, and I'm a firm believer in making this a way of life rather than getting into a regular cycle of over-indulgence followed by a guilt-induced detox. It's important to understand the process of detoxification. We are essentially trying to liberate toxins from the cells, into the lymphatic system, and out of the body via the lungs, skin, kidneys, liver, and finally colon, whilst supporting the whole system. 

Detoxification is a delicate balance of pushing and pulling, and must be done at a sympathetic rate to avoid a healing crisis or herxheimer reaction (traditionally experienced as headaches, nausea or skin complaints). Obviously it goes without saying that processed foods must be cut out and replaced with fresh, organic produce, but here are some other ways to aid a detox.

1. Flush your system by drinking up to 2 litres a day of filtered water daily. Ideally use a Reverse Osmosis filter, which removes not only chlorine and fluoride (both of which are toxic to the body) but also oestrogen, which is a massive endocrine disruptor and is prevalent in nearly every part of modern life (not only from plastic bottles, and BPA in tin cans, but more worryingly in our recycled water supply as a residue of the contraceptive pill). It's beneficial to meter your water intake throughout the day. Gulping pints at a time can actually flood the kidneys and brain, causing hyperhydration. We're currently on a water drive in my house. I've noticed that my children have forgotten how to be thirsty and are drinking very little. We've set an alarm to go off hourly to remind us all to have a drink, and as a result our thirst is increasing! Remember that even green tea is a diuretic because it contains caffeine, which will irritate the bladder and cause dehydration as the body tries to flush it out. 

2. Bathe in Epsom Salts. When I was younger, my best friend's Mum had arthritis. She always had a huge bag of epsom salts in her bathroom. I used to think this a little odd, but now I swear by the power of epsom salts, aka Magnesium Sulphate. Magnesium is necessary for nerve and muscle function in the body, and is great for reducing inflammation. Sulphates are necessary for healthy joints, skin and nervous tissue. The skin is our largest organ of detoxification. During a bath Magnesium and Sulphate are easily absorbed into the blood stream via the skin, replenishing supplies and enabling the body to flush toxins out by sweating. Adults can tolerate 1kg per bath. I buy mine in 25 kilo bags on ebay. You can add fresh grated ginger to your bath to increase the sweat factor, and if you don't have a whole-house water filter add some bicarbonate of soda (make sure it's aluminium free) to negate chlorine and increase alkalinity. For a brilliant body scrub mix epsom salts with coconut oil!

3. During a detox, you're asking your liver to work extra hard. It's always a good idea to support this organ by doing a liver pack. The work of Edgar Cayce proves that castor oil is a miraculous substance. It promotes healing, reduces inflammation and improves immune function by increasing lymphocytes and cell cleansing fluid in the lymph. Castor oil molecules are small enough to be able to permeate the skin, and positioning the pack over the liver is gently stimulating. Coat some unbleached flannel with organic cold-pressed castor oil and cover the area over the liver (from under the breast to the bottom of the ribs on your right hand side front to back). Wrap the area with cling film (castor oil is heavy and will stain clothing and furniture). Finally, warm gently with a hot water bottle, and rest for between 20 minutes to an hour. Ideally repeat this process for 3 consecutive days every week, but avoid during a period. 

4. Use a FAR infrared sauna. I was lucky enough be given a grant from Yes 2 Life to buy a FAR infrared sauna. FAR infrared rays are like those emitted by the sun. These rays easily penetrate several centimetres through the skin, warming subcutaneous tissue and liberating toxins stored in body fat. It's important to shower after a sauna to wash off toxins which will otherwise be reabsorbed. Saunas are safe to do every day, but be patient - take your time to work up to longer sessions and greater heat.  

5. In addition to water, drink herbal tea and green juices. It's not just what you're pulling out, but what you're putting in! If you flood the body with goodness it will become more alkaline and more able to detoxify. Green juices deliver a quickly absorbable, dense hit of powerful live enzymes, vitamins and minerals. Because the fibre has been removed, the body can assimilate this goodness without being taxed. Herbal teas can be a good addition in winter when the body craves warmth. Fennel is particularly helpful in supporting the kidneys, whereas Pau D'arco is great for eliminating candida, strengthening the immune system and supporting the liver (as well as having powerful anti-cancer properties).

6. Improve lymphatic function by dry skin brushing (always towards the heart), rebounding (otherwise known as jumping on a trampoline!) and exercising.

7. Take Coffee enemas. All of the above will tax the liver and liberate large amounts of toxins. Coffee enemas will encourage bile production and aid the liver in processing and eliminating toxins. 

Using some of these techniques will help to avoid or relieve the discomfort sometimes associated with a detox, instead bringing clarity, increased energy, and focus!