Jeanne's Juice Fast Experience
Posted by Jeanne M. Schmit, Pharm. D. on Sun, Sep 25, 2011 @ 07:46 AM
I've wanted to do a daily blog entry but really, this is the first time since being here I could muster the energy and focus to get on my computer. I'm at We Care Spa in Palm Springs. It's 5:10am and the sky is filled with stars, I'm sipping my liver/kidney tea, the air is calm and I'm feeling energized and clear. David and I are here going through the experience together (he's sleeping right now!).
Since we were instructed to do a pre-fast of only fruits and veggies for 4 days before arriving, I felt light headed, tired, and not interested in coversation by the time wearrived on Friday. Everything felt effortful, including sitting up.
Upon arrival Friday morning we had an orientation to learn how to make and when to take the detox drinks and juices. My head was spinning. It all seemed so complicated. We walked the grounds to see the infrared sauna, labyrinth, floating beds, gravity area and more. Even this short walk was an effort for me. We had an opening circle that evening where we met each other and learned the experience here covers mind/body and spirit, and that as we detox, as our bodies let go, changes will happen in our minds and spirits as well.
Many in the group wanted to find clarity in their lives...some felt like they've lost themselves and wanted to get in touch again. For me, I'm looking for a clearer mind and more energy. I love my life, my husband, my girls, I love my work. It's all there...I just don't have the energy to live it to the fullest.
With the fasting, the first thing I noticed in myself was what a hold food has on me. I really rely on it to make me feel the way I want/need to feel. Without food to take me there, it feels blank, void, but also open. It's odd going on a trip with David and not eating together....kind of disappointing...like something is missing.We've been quiet together, not a lot of talking (and we normally talk A LOT).
Last night we both had our first treatment. David did a Korean Body Splash and I did a Sysyem Recovery treatment. David's was a whole body scrub with warm scented water pored over. It was a VIGOROUS scrub and his back was burning when they put the aloe on. It was too vigorous for him. The point was to clear the skin so the toxins can leave easier.
My teatment was meant to help restore the organs and nervous system. I got castor oil rubbed all over me (castor oil holds in the heat and pulls toxins), then layed down on a hot infrared panel with hot castor oil packs on my back and belly, then got all wrapped up. It was uncomfortably hot, meant to make me sweat. I'm a bit claustrophobic and I don't like being hot so it was very intense for me....took lots of slow breathing and concentration to not freak out. When it was all over and the castor oil and sweat was showered off, I felt GREAT. The best I've felt since this all started! I felt clear, clean, calm, and my focus came back.
We've been going to classes on digestion, yoga, Pilates, meditation, hypnosis and NLP, cooking classes to learn to make green drinks/soups, etc. Between going to classes, getting treatments and taking these many many drinks, we stay quite busy.
The point of the spa is to improve health through detoxification. We take in many, many drinks through the day including detox teas, green drinks, detox fiber drinks, aloe vera juice and lemon/mint water. The highlight of my day is when we get a glass of carrot/green juice and every evening the wonderful vegetable puree soup. The first night it was zucchini and last night yam.....simply heavenly...but only one cup!
We take timed supplements of probiotics, enzymes and more green powder. Taking all this liqiuid is a full time job. David does better than I do staying on top of it all. Everyone at the spa gets a daily colonic to keep clearing the body.
There are only about 25 guests here at a time. It's quite intimate. People are here from all over the world. We make our drinks in the kitchen/common area... giving us a chance to spend time together...getting into quite lively conversations.
Everyone here says they don't feel hungry. I do. I'm not craving chocolate cake or anything like that. I'd just LOVE another cup of that wonderful soup......or my protein shake. I'm waiting for the hunger to go away for me...maybe today?