Fasting

Tomorrow, I am embarking on an inward journey. I am fasting. For a woman who loves to eat, refraining from eating seems like walking through a hot desert without water, shoes, juicy fruit, clothes and a companion. I feel famished and thirsty even thinking about fasting. There are many types of fasts. One can fast on juices or fruits. One can fast on pure plain water. One can fast on air. I am going to take the water and fruit approach. Fasting cleanses the body and mind and heightens our awareness to the natural rhythms of nature. We are more attuned to the forces around us.

I never fast. I am a bit scared of fasting simply because I do not know if I can to endure hunger pains. Sounds weak, huh? That is precisely why I must fast. If I am going to have a baby one day, I better be able to fight hunger pains. If I plan to push a head the size of a bowling ball out of a hole the size of a quarter, you best believe I must learn to fast. I am a strong woman. I am a determined woman. I can live one day on just pure water. The power of the universe resides within me! Yes, those are positive affirmations. Whatever it takes to accomplish my mission. I need all the help I can get. I seek to be like Gandhi and not eat until the task in completed. God, help me! Tomorrow is the day. For any soul out there reading my desolate blog, send your energy my way, and I will send my energy to you. Love be with me. (I think I just saw some tumbleweed roll over my blog.)

The reason I am fasting is because my tongue is coated a light brown. I looked in the mirror and said, "nasty." That indicates internal heat, dryness and toxins in my body. I am holding on to toxins. I eat healthy everyday. But, I was eating too much healthy food. I was not giving my body enough time in between meals to digest the previous meal. My digestive fire is weak. I can't help it though because my cooking is amazing. Ok, I'm not gonna lie, my Mother is home cooking up a storm. How can I resist fresh, healthy vegetarian cooking made with love?! I mean, saying her food is, "the bomb" is an understatement. Each bite is like nuclear fission, exploding with succulent flavors and juices.

I need to remember that Our Creator is our sustainer. Our Creator resides in every breath of air. Every time I breath, He enters me, and every cell in my body, and gives me life. When I learn to appreciate air and pure water the way I appreciate Masala Dosa (yummmy), I will be well on my way to Enlightenment.

Daily Detox

Detoxing the body is important. Why? Imagine filling your trash can with everything you ate today. Throw in the milk, oatmeal, salad, chicken, frozen yogurt, fish, etc. Now imagine if you are not throwing the trash out everyday. Your trashcan is going to be reeking, molding, and just plain nasty. If you are not eliminating everyday, this is essentially what is happening in your gastrointestinal tract.

When the body is not evacuating regularly, the body will find other channels to dispose the waste. Notice your skin on the days that you don't have a bowel movement. Your tongue will be coated white, yellow, or brown. You are likely to have a breakout. Lower back pain is also a symptom of constipation. The definition of constipation according to Ayurveda is not evacuating everyday. That's right. We should "drop the kids of in the pool" everyday. If we don't toxins can build up in the body and start the disease process.

Triphala is an Ayurvedic Remedy that is a mild laxative which cleanses the body, strengthens the eyes, and rejuvenates the body and skin. Triphala means three fruits in Sanskrit. Triphala is a combination of three fruits. You can find Triphala at your local health food store or at: www.letsallbehealthy.com or www.banyanbotanicals.com.

Directions for Triphala powder: mix 1/2 tsp of Triphala in one cup hot water and drink before sleeping.

Directions for Triphala pills: take 2 tablets with one cup hot water and drink before sleeping.

The Triphala powder is more effective, but it is very bitter. What is good for the body, is not always pleasant to the tongue. The pills are a good choice for people new to Ayurveda or Chinese Medicine.