Pre-cleanse Headache
Hi Friends,
I was feeling all blissful about the pre-cleanse. I actually enjoy the mindfulness of noticing what I put in my mouth: interesting and educational. I managed to cut out bread (tortillas actually)and cheese with no problem. Boy, I sure eat a lot of cheese! Normally I don't eat a lot of dairy (except for cheese) so that was relatively easy. Anyway, my caffine is dwindling as Gina instructed us to do. I've replaced my usual lunch with a leafy green salad and some sort of bean and potato soup I put together. Today I find myself hungry (most of the day) with a huge headache. I'm feeling depleted of energy. I forgot about stocking rice cakes and gave into a bagel and peanut butter. I know I could've chosen to cram down more fruit, more soup or another salad but honestly, it just wasn't appealing. Any ideas? Suggestions?
Another challenge: the sweetness of chocolate after a meal. I notice this after every meal. I've given in a couple of times but with limits. Tough for me this week. What will it be like next week? As I scooped the ice cream cone for my daughter, Abby, I so wanted to steal a taste--but I didn't. Just the smell was alluring. I don't think I ever noticed the smell of ice cream before. Her daddy will have to do the scooping for a while.
Hope you all are doing well with your pre-cleanse intentions. Let's keep pressing on!
Anita
posted by Anita Bailey @ 4:12 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
I didn't know I ate so much cheese either! I really like cheese! I'm on a cheese vacation! I can see how this relates to my asana practice (did I say that right?) Anyway, hold a position (notice the cheese sitting on the table),breath(you can smell the cheese),be mindful...(acknowledge the pretty color of the cheese), childs pose.....Back away from the cheese!
I can do this!
Headaches are not that abnormal when you're detoxing and in general, I think we all eat a lot more dairy than we know. Lots of foods are made with dairy. Including ice cream, which seems to sometimes get it's own food group!
A note about cheese...this is coming from a serious cheese lover. Heaven is lined with rounds of Pierre Robert cheese...but I digress... I seriously love cheese and unchecked, I will eat more than my per capita share of it. So I talked to Xi's husband, the herbologist and Oriental medicine doctor, about this once and he explained that what I craved about the cheese was it's density. And that was like a light bulb going off because it makes a lot of sense. Some of us can eat a trough of salad and our stomachs are literally full but we don't feel sated and I think that's because our minds are craving a density that salad doesn't provide.
Here's some practical advice:
Eat several more meals than you usually do. This came up at the kickoff. Don't do your usual breakfast, lunch, dinner (or lunch, dinner as the case may be.) I would recommend having "approved" snacks on hand and nibble regularly so that your body doesn't get to the point of being hungry, just as we're advised to drink water all day and not wait until we feel thirsty. I find that when I'm really hungry, stomach growling, is when I want the density of cheese and bread, etc.
Begin to learn the difference between what your body needs and what your mind wants. We're using this focused diet as a way to learn this difference. Your body would be thrilled to have you "cram down more fruit, more soup or another salad". It's your MIND that says "No, I want ice cream instead!" Just like your mind inhibits you from trying a daring new arm balance when all along your body would be happy to give it a try. Yoga is learning to control the mind and the first step is learning how it works...
As for the sweetness of chocolate. It's just sweet so go immediately to Nature's Pantry, do not pass GO, and buy yourself a bag of the coconut covered date rolls in the cooler with the refrigerated vitamins and supplements. These things are uber sweet. Don't decide you don't like dates because they're ugly, they are damn delicious and satisfy the sweet craving. I challenge you to not ask Paul to scoop the ice cream so that you can see it is your mind that wants it and that in fact you can control that desire. Yes, it's a hard core approach but we don't transcend our challenges by having someone else face them for us, no? :)
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