“I fast for greater physical and mental efficiency” Plato

How to fast isn’t nearly as important as why we should fast. Fasting is simple, don’t eat and restrict yourself to a water or juice diet. Why we should fast is a question that can be simplified into 3 reasons: Physical, Mental and Spiritual Health. I was introduced to fasting when I read The Miracle of Fasting by Doctor Paul Bragg. Since then, I have performed a handful of fasts that lasted a day or two. Yesterday, I decided to start my first 7 day juice fast to cleanse my body, gain clarity and drop some weight. Any Spiritual benefits are welcomed; but not expected (it’s only a week).

Why fasting works:

The first thing a sick or injured animal does in the wild is fast. They fast because of the enormous amount of Vital Energy that is required to convert food into energy and body tissue . When we stop eating, the Vital Energy that normally converts food, redirects itself and begins to heal the body by naturally flushing out intoxicants. Hence, you starve a cold, so your body can use all of its Vital Energy flush out the sickness.

“The power to cleanse, purify, and renovate is within your body… When you go on a complete distilled water-fast, the ‘Vital Energy’ in your body that would ordinarily be used to masticate, digest, assimilate, and eliminate food is used to purify your body. That is what fasting is… deep internal cleansing – a physiological rest to build ‘Vital Power’…

…Fasting puts the body in a condition where all the Vital Force of the body is used to flush out the causes of body miseries. Fasting helps the body help itself.” Paul C. Bragg, N.D., Ph.D. The Miracle of Fasting

Day 1 – Sunday, February 27, 2011

Weight: 206 pounds

My first order of business was calling for a delivery. Yep, I ordered pizza and pigged out. Probably not what a physician would recommend, but who asked – it’s my fast – and I need my pizza fix for the mere consideration of starving myself for 168 hours. Pizza = delicious. Now I’m ready. The fasting begins around 4 pm, and I spend the night watching Hollywood stars and dreaming of Oscar.

“When the stomach is full, it is easy to talk of fasting.” Saint Jerome (347-420)

Day 2 – Monday, February 28, 2011

Weight: 205

I typically skip breakfast, so my morning was smooth. I drank at least 2 litters of water and hit the gym for a workout. Around suppertime – everything changed, my grumbling stomach began its hungry cry.. I kept drinking water and OJ as a substitute that didn’t fool my belly. The bachelor on the tube adds to the hunger… More water – more OJ and Still Hunger remains…. Yep, the realization it’s a long haul to Sunday cements in my mind….The test of will and character begins….

“Seest thou what fasting does: it heals illnesses, drives out demons, removes wicked thoughts, makes the heart pure. If someone has even been seized by an impure spirit, let her or him know that this kind, according to the word of the Lord, ‘goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.’” (Matthew 17:21)

Day 3 Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Weight ???

I feel tired and sore this morning, my body aches from yesterdays workout. It tells me that weight-training and fasting aren’t a match made it heaven. I don’t feel hunger pains, just emptiness and lethargy. The morning is off to a very slow start… I feel weak, but not tired. Around 10pm a head ache starts to set in… I thinks it’s going to be an early night………… Yep… A quick hot tube – then bed….But before that….

I would like to thank one of my readers for encouraging me and sharing some great tea recipes…

Thanks Ajnira (@Ajnira)

“Hi, I applaud your efforts and love that you are sharing it with your list. I am a spiritual healer and nutritionist. I use herbal teas to assist with detoxification during a juice fast. Take a look, ” Ajnira

Ajnira’s Herbal Tea Recipes:

1. Sage Tea

For drinking the herb must be boiled exactly 3 minutes to remove the essential oils and release the vital enzymes that benefit the health of all the glands, bone marrow and spinal disks which will be absorbed by the body.

Place 1-2 tsp of sage in 2 c. Of boiling water. Boil for 3 minutes, then let cool. Add 1 tsp each, St.John’s Wort, peppermint and Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis). Let everything steep an additional 10 min.

2.) Cranesbill Tea (Herb Robert)

Steep a pinch of leaves of her Robert (Geranium robrtianum, aso know as red cranesbill) in ½ c. Hot water for 10 min. Slowly sip ½ c. Of cold tea each day. If you notice any side effects, consult your ND.

Day 4 Wednesday, 2011 (7 Day Fast)

Weight: 201

I felt much better this morning, most of the muscle soreness is gone. I hit the gym again and weighted in at 201, a 5 pound loss. The day was easy – until 4pm – then the hunger ache took over. Thinking about food – is tormenting – I would love to eat something… Anything… Writing is making it worse. keep strong… I remember reading or hearing that the first 3 days are the hardest; hope so.

“Fasting is the single greatest natural healing therapy. It is nature’s ancient, universal ‘remedy’ for many problems. Juice fasting is commonly used (rather than water, alone) as a mild and effective cleansing plan; this is suggested by myself and other doctors and authors, and by many of the European fasting clinics. Fresh juices are easily assimilated and require minimum digestion, while they supply many nutrients and stimulate our body to clear its wastes. Juice fasting is also safer than water fasting, because it supports the body nutritionally while cleansing, and probably even produces a better detoxification and quicker recovery.” – Elson Haas, M.D. Staying Healthy With Nutrition

Over the next week, I will update this post with my progress and insights into this age-old practice. Stay tuned for more…

“Happiness lies, first of all, in health.” George William Curtis, Lotus-Eating

So what makes for a healthy life?

According to The World Health Organization; “Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.” Since sharing tips for a better life in 2008, some commentators have asked “What about 2010?” So here is my list of tips for a healthy life in 2010. I have added my best photos from Costa Rica to the mix. Enjoy and feel free to share this post via email, blogging, or link love.  I would love your thoughts and feedback on my tips for healthy living.  So Drop me a comment below.

Tips for a Healthy Life in 2010 – Healthy Living tips

1. Surrender to the sweet sound of Silence.  “Silence is Golden” Ari Gold
2. Live with the 3 P’s — Passion, Positivity, and Purpose.
3. Get outside every day. Find a favorite outdoor spot and claim it as your private sanctuary. “Fresh air impoverishes the doctor” - Danish Proverb
4. Get TiVo and only make time to watch the shows you really love. When in doubt – read a book.
5. Look in the mirror in the morning and say: I love my life because_____________. Adopt Zig Ziglar’s “The attitude of Gratitude”.
6. Read new authors, buy used books, and find the literature that inspired your favorite writers.
7. Find “the ‘way’ of art or spiritual insight through beauty. This can be practiced as traditional Zen arts (tea ceremony, painting, flower arranging) or our modern forms of painting, writing, music.” Source: Lost Coin Zen
8. Find new portals of creativity and inspiration online every day. Start here at the Webby Awards to find the best of the best.
9. Fear nothing, but if you must fear, fear not having lived a life big enough for more than just one person. 
   

10. Spend time with people who are more successful then you.
11. Dream Big! Then write down your dreams and turn them into goals.
12. Grow your own vegetables or shop local and organic. Support your local farmers market.
13. Trade some coffee for tea and drink at least 6 glasses of fresh filtered water a day.
    
14. Get your emails organized into neat little folders; trust me it helps.
15. Only purchase art when it’s a piece you can’t live without.
16. Never interpret your dreams in terms of gold and silver.
17. Give genuine compliments. Give them without wanting anything in return at least 3 times a day.
18. Quit Hording useless stuff.  Watch 20 minutes of Hoarders to inspire a junk free life. If you find yourself relating to the A&E show Call 1-800-Got-Junk immediately!
19. Stop reading cheesy tabloids. Don’t concern yourself with the problems of celebrities. Especially since they don’t know you exist.
20. Remember that if you keep hitting the same road block, it’s because you haven’t yet learned the lesson needed to surpass it.
21. Practice simple enlightenment by tasting every meal from the first bite to the last.
22. Laugh out loud as much as possible and use the LOL symbol: it makes the other person smile.
23. Become a better lover, practice a lot on your own if you have too.  LOL  – see they make you smile
24. Life is fair to those who make their own circumstances.
25. Life is too short. Period. Don’t make yours a dress rehearsal.
26. Take yourself seriously when it comes to being the person you want to be.
27. Give up your need to be right and choose to be open-minded.
28. You can’t live in the past or future; bring all your plans into the present moment.
29. Jealousy works the opposite way you want it to.  Lululemon Manifesto
30. You’re the guardian of your emotions; choose to be happy.
31. Frame every so-call disaster with these words: Shit happens – usually for a reason beyond our understanding.
32. Get over it! If you can’t forgive; then forget. If you can’t forget; then forgive. If you can’t do either: then ask a close friend for help. If that doesn’t work; then say a prayer and seek a Shrink.
33. The only opinions that matter are your family, friends, and teammates. “When things go wrong, the only friends you have in this world are those you eat with, sleep with, bleed with, pray with, and cry with. That’s your family, and your teammates.” Lou Holtz
34. Know that we are all moving towards or away from the soul of the universe with each decision we make.
35. Good can always get better; never settle for anything less than your best.
36. The best friends to have are usually the ones that require the least amount of effort.
37. If there is something in your life that doesn’t bring you peace, happiness, or joy: Try to discard it.
38. Only envy happy people, and then quickly join their parade. You too can be happy at any moment.
39. All the best moments in your life happen in the present moment. Stay focused on the now.
40. No matter how hung-over or tired you feel, suck it up and pay the price for success.
41. Never break your word. Each time you do, it has less value.  Cultivate your moral-fiber.
42. Use all the social media portals wisely; reconnect with a few TRUE old friends you have missed over the years.
43. Take at least three deep breaths every night before sleep and visualize something positive.
44. Remember that stress is who you think you should be, and relaxation is who you are. “A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book” – Irish Proverb
45. Enjoy the ride: “Life is like a roller-coaster, it has its ups and downs, but when part of it is over, you wish you could do it again. …” —Jerry Seinfeld,
46. Remember “sharing is loving”. What are you waiting for? Pass this along to a friend…  (blog humor)
47. Life isn’t like a box of chocolates. Life is all we have: I suggest you fill it with things you’re proud of.

“The best six doctors anywhere
And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend
If only you are willing
Your mind they’ll ease
Your will they’ll mend
And charge you not a shilling.”
~Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, What the River Knows, 1990

Yes, that’s me, hanging in Costa Rica. Thanks for stopping in to E.y.D – Feel free to share your thoughts on living a healthy life in 2010 below.  Are you living healthy? Was there anything you hated about this list? Share 2 Cents Please…

“Breathe deeply and appreciate the moment. Living in the moment could be the meaning of life.” lululemon manifesto

This is a special post worthy of your time: It embodies the definition of a healthy and inspiring lifestyle. Vancouver has many treasures to offer: Stanley Park, Yaletown nights, The Art Gallery, Yoga Bums… Wait did I say Yoga Bums? Yes it’s true, the first perfectly engineered and shaped yoga bum was born in Vancouver Kitsilano by a man called Chip. A shape so perfect in every way, I felt the need to investigate further; perhaps even acquire my own Yoga bum J

lululemon athletica (@lululemon) is a company both rich in quality and culture. Known for its comfy fit and great symmetry, it has given a healthy boost to the beauty of the buttocks. Yoga butts aside for the moment, the corporate culture of lululemon is enchanting and worthy of praise. Their mission: “creating components for people to live a longer, healthier, more fun life.”

The lululemon manifesto tells all…. (Flickr photos link back to lululemon athetica’s photostream)

Drink FRESH water and as much water as you can. Water flushes unwanted toxins from your body and keeps your brain sharp.

A daily hit of athletic-induced endorphins gives you the power to make better decisions, helps you be at peace with yourself, and offsets stress.

Do one thing a day that scares you.

Listen, listen, listen, and then ask strategic questions.

Write down your short and long-term GOALS four times a year. Two personal, two business and two health goals for the next 1, 5 and 10 years. Goal setting triggers your subconscious computer.

Life is full of setbacks. Success is determined by how you handle setbacks.

Your outlook on life is a direct reflection of how much you like yourself.

That which matters the most should never give way to that which matters the least.

Stress is related to 99% of all illness.

Jealousy works the opposite way you want it to.

The world is changing at such a rapid rate that waiting to implement changes will leave you 2 steps behind. DO IT NOW, DO IT NOW, DO IT NOW!

Friends are more important than money.

Breathe deeply and appreciate the moment. Living in the moment could be the meaning of life.

Take various vitamins. You never know what small mineral can eliminate the bottleneck to everlasting health.

Don’t trust that an old age pension will be sufficient.

Visualize your eventual demise. It can have an amazing effect on how you live for the moment.

The conscious brain can only hold one thought at a time. Choose a positive thought.

Live near the ocean and inhale the pure salt air that flows over the water, Vancouver will do nicely.

Observe a plant before and after watering and relate these benefits to your body and brain.

Practice yoga so you can remain active in physical sports as you age.

Dance, sing, floss and travel.

Children are the orgasm of life. Just like you did not know what an orgasm was before you had one, nature does not let you know how great children are until you have them.

Successful people replace the words “wish”, “should” and “try” with “I will”.

Creativity is maximized when you’re living in the moment.

Nature wants us to be mediocre because we have a greater chance to survive and reproduce. Mediocre is as close to the bottom as it is to the top, and will give you a lousy life.

lululemon athletica creates components for people to live longer, healthier and more fun lives. If we can produce products to keep people active and stress-free, we believe the world will become a much better place.

Do not use cleaning chemicals on your kitchen counters. Someone will inevitably make a sandwich on your counter.

SWEAT once a day to regenerate your skin.

Communication is COMPLICATED. We are all raised in a different family with slightly different definitions of every word. An agreement is an agreement only if each party knows the conditions for satisfaction and a time is set for satisfaction to occur.

What we do to the earth we do to ourselves.

The pursuit of happiness is the source of all unhappiness.

Author’s note: I found this manifesto to be something I needed to share with my readers. Simply put, it enlightened my day, and I was grateful for it. This is published with permission from lululemon athletica via one quick call to their guest education hotline. I’m not affiliated with lululemon, but I do practice Yoga and enjoy the comfy fit of their men’s line. Oh… …And I think they fit women just fabulously…

Please share any thoughts or feedback below in my comment section about Yoga bums, lululemon, or its healthy manifesto. Thanks

Related Posts:  Create your own Personal Creed today.

Amazing Tips for living a better life in 2008

Here are some amazing tips for a better life in 2008. One of my close friends Chris sent this post to me on Facebook. I inquired as to who the author was, but he didn’t know, it was a chain email that was sent to him. Whoever it was, the Tips are amazing…  The photo was taken by Chris (it’s his girlfriend Nadia)

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the
   ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have
   to.
3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, ‘My
   purpose is to __________ today.’
5. Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2007.
7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, and prayer. They
   provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water.. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan
    salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and
    flowing energy into your life.
14. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of
    the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are
    simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a
    college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy flowing.
18. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don’t have to win every argument.  Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.
23. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: ‘In five years, will
    this matter?’
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. GOD heals almost everything.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.  Stay in touch.
31. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your friends often. (Or email them to death!!!) Hey I’m thinking
    of ya!
37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don’t want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.  Anonymous

I wrote a follow up post regarding the notorious # 28 “God heals almost everything”. I hope you will take the time to read this new post and add comments on what you think are the most essential questions one must answer in their lifetime. Here is the Link: A debate on the most Important questions in Life.

Your feedback on this debate is greatly appreciated. Cheers 

By changing what you eat, you can enliven your heart and enhance your soul.  I found an amazing post this week containing some delicious healthy drink recipes. The article was so tasty that I left a comment for the writer requesting permission to share his work; luckily he agreed.  The post was written by Jaison, if you’re interested in reading more of his material, you can find his blog at the following address: http://iamjaison.blogspot.com/

The Body Cleanser:  Use 3 parts apple 1 part ginger and 3 parts carrot. The main benefits of this juice include revitalization of the body, good for cold and glowing skin. Beauticians usually prescribe this juice because of its extremely good effects on the skin. But the benefits are not limited to the skin. It has a cleansing and boosting effect to the whole body.

The Cholesterol Buster:

 A juice made from Apple cucumber and celery is known to fight cancer and reduce cholesterol. It also improves any sort of stomach upset and headache. This juice is a must have once you have crossed your 30′s. If you have this juice every other day, then you will not have to worry about your cholesterol level any more.  Sample proportion – 2 parts apple, 1 part cucumber and 1 part celery

Super Breath:  This juice is specifically for people who want to improve their skin complexion. The ingredients are Apple, Carrot and Tomato. For better effect use Green apples. This juice also had an added advantage of eliminating bad breath. This is due to the Apple, Tomato combination.  Sample proportion- 2 part apple, 2 part carrot and 1 part tomato

Super Cooler:  A combination of Bitter gourd milk and Apple is used when one generates lots of internal body heat. This juice will instantly cool down your internal body heat and make you more comfortable. It also fights bad breath just like our previous recipe.  Sample proportion- 1 part Bitter gourd, 1 cup milk, 2 full Apples

Super Skin:  It is a very well know fact that orange and cucumber are the most vital things to have if one is concerned about the skin. A combination of these two combined with ginger will act as a supper supplement for your skin. Its combined effect will improve the skin texture and moisture content in the skin. It is also a body heat reducing drink.  Sample Proportion- 2 parts orange 2 parts cucumber ½ part ginger

The Wild Thing:  Now, this one is one of my favorites. Apple, Pineapple and Watermelon blends together to form a wonderful mouth watering juice which is excellent for you kidney and bladder. It also helps dispelling excess salts from your body. Some people use a tint of salt with this juice but I like to drink it as it is without the salt flavor.  Sample proportion- 2 Apples, ½ Pine apple and ¼ Watermelon (The seeds should be removed otherwise the taste will differ)

The Vitamin Juice:  This is an extremely healthy drink with loads and loads of vitamin content. It is made from Honeydew, black grapes, watermelon and milk. If you have kids at home, they will love this. Other than Vitamin C, it also has Vitamin B12.  It also increases the cell activity and strengthens body immunity.  Sample Proportion- Mix in equal proportions.

The Sugar Fighter: This is a simple but very useful and easy to digest juice. It regulates the sugar content in our body. The juice is made of Pear and banana. Pear is good for an ulcer, constipation, and urination and also works for congestion, fever alleviation, and cough. Banana is good for people who have high blood pressure because it is low in salt. Banana contains tryptophan, a type of protein  that the body converts into serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that is known to make you feel happy and improve your mood.  Sample Proportion 3 parts pear and 2 parts banana.

 Anti Oxidant:  A juice made by mixing mango, pear, carrot and apple will act as an antioxidant. It clears the body heat, counteracts toxicity and decrease blood pressure. Apple is a well known anti oxidant. The addition of mango makes this juice a very tasty drink.  Sample proportion- 3 parts mango, 2 parts peer, 2 parts carrot, 2 parts apple.

 Purple Pine:  Purple pine is made from pineapple and grapes. A black grape is usually used. The drink is high in iron and pineapple acts as a Potential Anti-Inflammatory and Digestive agent. It is a good drink to have after your lunch or dinner. Grape juice is known to be good for heart.  Sample Proportion- ½ Pineapple and 1 full cup of grapes.

 Pink Floyd:  This is an extremely tasty juice (Most of the times used as milk shake) which is made from a combination of banana and strawberry. The strawberries should be ripe enough and should be mixed or blend very well before using. Some people filter this drink but I like to drink it without filtering because I love those tiny strawberry pieces floating in the drink.   Sample Proportion- 8 medium size strawberries and 3 bananas with half cup milk

Related Posts:  Amazing Tips for living a better life in 2008