master cleanse ~ day one

me & my lemon, canon digital rebel xt

Inspired by my dear friend Thea and other inspirational stories, Boho Boy and I decided to do the Master Cleanse for 10 days. This is day one. I have decided to record my thoughts, feelings and progress here to keep me accountable because something tells me this is going to be REALLY HARD.

I pretty much love eating. The food and liquid I allow into my body is extremely healthy but there are issues with my portions. I have to admit, I sometimes find myself eating more in one sitting than my 6 foot 2 inch husband. I cannot believe I just admitted that.

Perhaps my love of food has to do with my Portuguese and French heritage. Who knows. All I know is that when all my friends were fasting or cleansing, I never tried because I thought it would be hopeless. I could just see myself lasting half a day and then grabbing something to chew on while curling up fetal position in a corner like a food junkie.

Being on the blood type diet for the last 6 months has me more disciplined, so I thought this would be a good time to try something I've wanted to do for years.

The stress of trying to conceive has made me hold onto some extra weight. Those of you that know me well, know that I love my curves. This isn't about curves. But the 15 pounds I've put on over the last year symbolizes me holding onto something that needs to be let go.

While on my vacation last week I felt myself emotionally let go of trying so hard for our baby. I cannot quite articulate how it happened. I started visualizing things I wanted for my future aside from just a child. I found myself making love to my husband without the thought of a sperm penetrating an egg. My mind didn't feel as occupied with the process and it felt so freeing.

I wanted to come home and let go in other ways. Toxins for one. I feel the need to purge the toxins in my body caused by stress, over eating and not exercising on a regular basis over the past year.

This cleanse isn't at all just about losing those few extra pounds. It is so much more. It's about release, letting go, purging, renewing and soul searching.

As much as I share here on my blog about my emotions regarding this journey, as soon as I turn away from my computer, I busy myself so that I won't feel.

This cleanse will help me focus on some blocks that are preventing me from doing so much of what I dream of. Rather than filling up space with cooking and eating, I can write, research, create, play. At least this is what I hope for. We shall see.

The picture above represents me having a face off with Lemons...as they are one of the main ingredients in the cleanse.

For those of you that do not know what my day will consist of. Here it is:

1.) Wake up and drink 1 quart of warm water with 2 tbs of uniodized sea salt (this is supposedly an internal enema calling it a "salt water flush")

2.) 6 - 12 8oz glasses of the following lemon drink throughout the day:
8oz water
2 tbs fresh squeezed organic lemon juice
2 tbs grade b organic maple syrup
1/10 tsp cayenne pepper

3.) 1 cup herbal laxative tea before bedtime

4.) Hot shower in morning and evening using a body brush to shed toxins on surface of skin

So thoughts on day one??? Oh my...that salt water flush WORKS. Today was actually really hard for me where as other people say the first day wasn't that bad. Are they smoking crack?!?!?

I miss eating.

But I do feel that something very healthy is going on inside of me. I already feel a bit lighter and that cayenne pepper totally puts a skip in my step. I actually like the taste of "the drink" and crave it when the hunger starts. I also notice this helps me live more in the moment because if I think of the next 10 days ahead of me, I will surely make a pizza.

I'll keep you updated daily. Off to squeeze some more lemons. Lucky me.

Cheers!