Toxic Relief!

Twice a year my parents have implemented a fasting plan into their lives. I joined them last year at this time. My mom picked out great weeks to cleanse our bodies, once after Christmas (peanut butter balls be gone) and other time at the beginning of May (don't want to feel like yuck for bathing suit season).
We use the book 'Fasting Made Easy' by Don Colber, MD. I like it because it's little, simple and allows you to maintain a regualr healthy lifestyle, you can still go to work and exercise. It's a short, thin book. If you have never fasted before, I started with this one and really enjoy it. Plus he adds in the biblical benefits to fasting as well. Although, I've been working on this verse:
"And whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face..." (Matthew 6:16). To be honest, I wasn't completely thrilled to do it the first time, but I knew it would be good. And if my parents were doing it to, that would be the best time. It's just like exercising, it's good to do with others.
And I noticed the verse says "when" you fast, not "if' you fast. It's something God wants us to do regulary. Certain days used to be set aside for fasting, but when Luther lead the Protestant reformation, he called for voluntary and private fasting.
When I started last year, I didn't want to let go of my coffee or choice to delve into certain cravings...like chocolate:) Then I started to incorporate the spiritual aspects too. I found this line in the book:
"And it is vital that you be motivated to please God and die to your carnal desires in order to receive the blessings God promises to those who fast, including physical, mental and spiritual health."

The fast we are doing is a juice fast. However, starting today, we start three weeks of a liver cleansing diet to prepare for the fast. In short, you let go of foods that cause your liver to work hard, even if they are normally good for you, like what products. So for the next three weeks, we have rice bread. You know you're fully cleaned out when you start the three day juice fast afterwards b/c whatever color of juice you drink can be seen later...and not to much later-with nothing stopping it, it flows right through you! It's fun to try a lot of different recipes you can make with a juicer too. After the three days, it gives you samples for how to build back up slowly, allowing only certain foods in the body first.

Guess it makes sense. Sometimes you have to wipe out your hard drive and clean everything out to get your computer working at proper speeds. Your car oil has to be fully drained and replaced. Your body is more complex than either-why not clean it out every once and a while?

So if you come over, you'll see lists of good foods and foods to avoid that my mom photo-copied and taped around the kitchen as helpful reminders. We're on detox duty!