For over a decade I have not been 100% well, 100% of the time. There are glimpses of what healthy might be for me, but it often eludes me. I’ve taken this test and that test, this supplement and that medication and this practice and that program. All of these choices have been good for me, but nothing has helped me feel fully rested, clear, energetic and strong. No healthy accomplishment.
I have had pretty severe psoriasis since I was a teenager. My naturopath asked me the last time I had done a Candida cleanse, to which I responded “never”. She was beyond surprised given all of the programs I have done, especially in the last decade. Of course, I am up for it. I’ve tried just about everything, why not this?
Well. This was hard. Not as hard as quitting smoking. Not as hard as giving birth. But it was pretty darned tough.
I am an eat to live person so at least I have that going for me!
FOOD
It started with the list of items I was NOT ALLOWED TO CONSUME for the duration of the 30-day cleanse:
- NO raw foods*
- NO fruit*
- NO dairy products (including goat-based)
- NO wheat
- NO bread (except spelt bread)
- NO mushrooms
- NO potatoes
- NO red meat
- NO peanut or cashew product
- NO tea or herbal tea
- NO coffee
- NO alcohol
*first 10 days
If you cheat once during the first 10 days you have to go back to the beginning. NOT something I wanted to repeat!
I did my best to set myself up for success for phase 1. To get me started I did a big grocery shop!
Then time was spent roasting brussels sprouts, broccoli and asparagus; baking chicken thighs and salmon filets; and, preparing a pot of quinoa/bulger which made things very easy.
I am not much of a breakfast eater, but I did get the authorized Brown Rice Crisp and Earth’s Own Original Almond Fresh and ate it either as breakfast or for a snack.
Fortunately I was “cleared” of my egg allergy and that really saved me! Scrambled eggs, onions and spinach? Delish!
SUPPLEMENTS
- Pau D’arco – kills yeast
- Probiotic – good bacteria
- Chlorophyl – blood cleanser (mix w/2L water daily and drink throughout day)
- Black Walnut – kills parasites
- Milk Thistle – liver support
- Super Omega 3 – reduce inflammation
I am so accustomed to taking pills and supplements, this really wasn’t much of a stretch for me. THOUGH, mindfully drinking 2L of water a day? Tough. I fired up my neglected iDrated app and kept filling up my Brita filter and made sure my “wine fridge” was filled with Perrier.
OBSERVATIONS
I was warned that day 4 is the worst. It is.
To get this done “right”, I spent the duration of the cleanse following the foods allowed in the first 10 days and never added in fruits or non cooked vegetables.
Though I drink only one cup of coffee each day it was the coffee I missed the most. Followed by cheese! Zero cravings for wine.
RESULTS
A big fat FAIL. Not only did the psoriasis not clear up, at all, I also did not lose one ounce. I weighed myself at the start just out of curiosity to see if I would lose anything during the month. I weighed the same, down to the ounce at the end. I had my daughter stand on the scale to make sure it wasn’t broken or “stuck”. It wasn’t.
I suppose the good news is that I can go a month with no wine!
The rules are very similar to the trendy The Whole30. At least I know I won’t do that program. I spent so much time thinking about food it was overwhelming.
WHAT NOW?
I refuse to beat myself up, or to give up on finding the key to my getting healthy.
- I’m eating a Mediterranean inspired diet.
- I’m drinking 2L of water every day.
- I’m drinking one cup of coffee in the morning.
- I’m moving a minimum of 10 minutes of each hour. And walking, daily.
- I’m getting 8+ hours of sleep each night.
- I’m taking my medications and supplements as required.
- I’m meditating a minimum of 30 minutes every day.
- I’m seeing a new naturopath and am all signed up for a MedCan assessment.
Onward! Who knows, the next step may be simple acceptance:
- Eat well.
- Move more.
- Be mindful.
- Make good choices.
- Laugh.
- Breathe.
