SUMMER HEALTHY EATING ELIMANATION FAST - June 7 – 21

The Summer Solstice the longest day and the shortest night of the year a major celestial event begins in the Northern Hemisphere June 21, 2011 at 1:16 P.M., a time when the Earth Mother, the life force energy is at it’s pick, in full bloom in preparation for the harvest and the Fall.  To be in harmony, in balance with the earth changes we to need to prepare our bodies, minds and spirit to embrace the life cycle. Celebrating life's possibilities opening up to joy and sheer happiness. Join me in this wonderful Journey as we embrace ourselves and the planet.


We begin our journey by asking ourselves why fast?
There are so many reasons to fast. Some people fast to give their bodies a break from food and to cleanse and purify the body. Others fast for spiritual reasons. There is something about fasting that gives a person such spiritual clarity. This type of fasting is truly powerful. One time that is optimal for fasting is during the waning moon cycle if you seek to release something during your fast. Also, fasting during your moon (menstrual) flow is a great time to eat lighter and go into a quiet space. Many fast on their personal holy day. Your personal holy day is the day of the week on which you were born. So if you were born on a Wednesday, then every Wednesday is sacred day for you. There are many spiritual practices in which you can engage of which fasting is one. Doing so brings you further in alignment with your highest purpose and can assist you in releasing limiting behaviors and thoughts. The list goes on and on but the main reasons people fast are to cleanse the body and the spirit.


Fasting a celebration of self
I encourage each participant to consider fasting from food, be it one type of food, or to do deep physical cleanse. However, I have learned that these fast sometimes have nothing to do with food. In the past I have fasted from negative emotions, watching television, talking on the phone and fear. Fasts are not always about food. What matters most is that cutting something out of lives leads us to a freer and more peaceful place.


Be part of my personal journey
Each Season Change, I invite others to fast with me. Each season represents an aspect of the Goddess and fasting helps us to align ourselves with that energy and to maximize that particular energy. So for instance, Fall is the Season of the Goddess of Transformation. I honor Medicine and Changing women and the powerful women we are. Fasting leading up to and including the first day of Fall allows us to consider radical changes that we need to make and also allows us to release toxic emotions and behaviors that have kept us from achieving our goals.
You fast in your own way. You can participate for 21 days or not. One person may refrain from just one certain type of food while another may eat only raw foods for this time. This fast is totally up to you so search your heart and soul to determine how it will look. I often encourage people try and make sure they include the 2-3 days leading up to and including the first day of the new season. I have grown to love fasting because it is a time of respite and I usually have to slow down. I encourage you to join me! Connect with the Goddess within you through fasting!


This is what my fast will look like
Day 1 eliminate all animal produces and stimulants (sugar, coffee, soda, salt, sugar, alcohol, pot etc)     Eat cooked food, grains, beans, veggies and fruit, drink lots of water and juices.
Day 2 eliminate cooked food, oils, grains and beans (Eat raw veggies, fruit, drink lots of water and juices.)
Day 3 eliminate (Eat raw veggies and fruit, drink lots of water and juices.)
Day 4 eliminate raw veggies (Eat fruit, drink lots of water and juices.)
Day 5 eliminate fruit (Drink lots of water and juices.)
Days 6, 7 and 8 you are on liquids (Master Cleanse, Seasonal Juicing, Water)
Day 9 and 10 - Drink lots of water and juices, add juicy Fruits (grapes, watermelon, plums etc.)
Day 11 and 12  - Drink lots of water and juices, eat juicy fruits and add green leafy vegetables and seasonal veggies for a colorful salad.
Day 13 and 14  - Drink lots of water and juices, eat juicy fruits, green leafy vegetables, seasonal salad and add stemmed vegetables (Greens, Carrots etc)
Day 15- Drink lots of water and juices, eat juicy fruits, green leafy vegetables, seasonal salads, stemmed vegetables, grains, beans and oils. 


Celebrate your salve with a lot of Love.
The next few days will be the hardest as you will choose powerfully to return to un-healthy eating or continue on the path of will being and good health. If you choose to eat meat eat less and organic. Stay away from red meat, diary, fried food, sugar, coffee, alcohol and drugs. Join a group stay healthy.
Make sure you keep your blows moving during the fast. You can drink Smooth Move Tea, do enemas and or a colonic, For a Colonic you can call Vetora at (212) 368-8581. If you have health concerns make sure to talk to your primary health practitioner.  Keep a journal, get a fasting buddy and read Fasting with the Seasons by Dr. Elson Hass. Good luck on your journey. Lots of love Esperanza


Here are some readings:

http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.aspx?Id=1996

http://www.pureinsideout.com/elson-haas-detox.html

http://bellowingbantam.blogspot.com/2008/07/detoxification-improve-your-health-by.html

http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/june-solstice.html

More Tips for Spring Cleansing & Spiritual Renewal ...

Dr. Elson Haas : Physician - Healer - Author - Teacher ...

1. Feel the power of Nature all around you and within you. Know that this awesome force is available to you, and allow it to influence the course of your life and health. Identify the areas of your life that need some work and plan specific improvements that incorporate the changing seasons. Allow yourself to visualize your Perfect Life, and nourish that vision through your cleansing and renewal process.
2. Spring is the time for renewing your life - letting go of what you don't need (physical, mental, and emotional habits that undermine your health) and bringing in what you need anew (accepting positive health habits that will satisfy your soul). Take a break from the TV to be more creative, or read by candlelight without the electrical vibrations at night, or just sit quiet to meditate and listen.
3. Get more outside exercise and spend more time in Nature. Take hikes, plant a garden, or work in a community garden. Create a balanced fitness program or modify the one you are already following that will support your healthy, body/mind happiness. Working up a sweat helps you dump toxins; this will improve your health and lead to fewer doctor's visits. Also add some reflective practices such as stretching, yoga, or chi gong; these help support renewal by giving your body time to gently de-stress and deepen the changes you are making in your life.
4. Consider a special and specific detoxification program. This could include substance avoidance (off sugar and caffeine, for example), The New Detox Diet, or a Juice Cleanse (with the warming of the weather), such as the Master Cleanser (lemonade diet), all discussed in my books and in several Articles on my website. Herbal remedies for detoxification can also be helpful.
5. Renew all aspects of your Life. Go through your piles of papers, your clothes, and the corners of rooms in areas that haven't seen light for years. Don't be afraid to let go and let things flow. Give things away, have a garage sale, and recycle or re-circulate what you can. "Being simple, simply being." (Argisle-izm)
6. Begin to gently; yet seriously, re-evaluate the key areas of your life - work (career), relationships, and health. Again, look at what undermines your potential in these worlds and allow clear guidance, suggestions, and actions to arise in your being. Try to be more aware of the subtle areas of life and the effects of foods. How does the food you eat make you feel. Increased vitality and improved health will change how you view your life and how much energy you have to create positive change for yourself.
7. It is your healthy body that lets your Spirit fly more freely. Nutritional supplements (as the raw materials--vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids) nourish and support your body and mind, and this in turn enhances your higher dimensions. The cleansing process de-stresses your body and lets your energy rise and awaken your psyche. Freshly squeezed juices and herbal teas are vitalizing, high-vibration nourishment. Sprouts from seeds and grains are live, vital food. Aromatherapy and smelling the beautiful sweetness of the spring flowers will soother your soul as well.
8. Be Earth-aware and Earth-friendly. Be conscious of where things come from and where they go - and the real cost of products you use - such as plastics and chemical products. Re-use and Re-cycle. Support more earth-conscious businesses and products. How do you vote with your dollar?
9. Cleansing habits to incorporate include deep and relaxed breathing, yoga-type stretching, dry skin brushing, and wonderful walks in Nature. When was the last time you de-stressed, downloaded and digested your life experiences to catch up to the present? After detox, people are usually more attuned and more aware of their habits, and have made long-term positive changes. It is crucial for most people in our busy society to take occasional food fasts (instead of fast foods), substance breaks, and even appliance (electromagnetic) and news/TV vacations.
10. Do something that uplifts your Spirit, such as caring for a loved one or an elderly neighbor. Trust your heart and feed it joyful experiences. Put your Spirit on the line for what you believe. Doing for another is key to completing the circle of life, called Love. Building community is a positive change for Earth as well as for our Spirit.

http://www.elsonhaas.com/detoxcleansing.html

Urban Atabex Winter Solstice Fast

A Time for rest, At time for self-reflection, A time for dreaming our passion, A time for Inner Healing

From December14 to the 21st, Fast for health and Peace on the Planet

Wishing you and yours the very best in the coming year,

Lets be the change we want in the world!

Winter Solstice Affirmation

I am comfortable with who I am in the moment and who I am becoming. I release the past with ease and welcome the new into my-being. I am safe; all is well in my world.

Winter Solstice Fast

As we inter the holidays and you've resolved to be healthier in the New Year, don't just jump head first into a hard-to-follow detoxifying plan. Instead follow your body's natural rhythm to rest and keep things simple, says Elson Hass, MD, in his book The New Detox Diet.

Dr. Hass, an integrative-medicine practitioner, promotes in the winter a gentle cleanse to reduces toxin intake and support the body's natural detoxification system. He offers a one-week detoxifying plan of eating only brown rice, cooked vegetables, Miso broth, and seaweed, while also working out toxins through massages, saunas and steams. You can also try his three-week plan, which omits alcohol; caffeine, dairy, sweets and wheat, while eating primarily steamed vegetables and warm broths. He has simple guidelines to help minimize your exposure to toxins throughout the year:

1. Drink filtered water.
2. Eat organic and seasonal foods.
3. Cook in iron, stainless steal, glass or porcelain cookware.
4. Eat a variety of foods and don't overload on potential food allergens, such as dairy, eggs, wheat and yeast foods etc..
5. Reduce consumption of red meats, cured meats, refined foods, canned foods, alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, salt and sugar.

10 Tips for Winter Health

1. Take time for reflection. The introspective nature of winter provides an excellent opportunity for greater reflection and self-assessment. Take an honest look at where you are. At the same time, be gentle with yourself. If you are somewhat depleted, you may also feel more vulnerable and more susceptible to illness. Your emotions may be high, or you may be more sensitive than usual. See if you are able to accept yourself more fully in as many areas of your life as possible.
2. Reduce stress. That will help you conserve energy and slow down unnecessary drains on your energy. Assess the type of stress you are experiencing - is it physical or emotional? Are you feeling stress from your environment, an illness, your work, or your relationships? Write down a few tips to help with your stress.
3. Get quality sleep. Sleep involves both your state-of-mind and body chemistry. If you go to bed feeling stressed or laden with worries, even if you don't normally have insomnia, your sleep may not have the quality it does when your mind is relaxed. On the other hand, I have patients who report that they sleep more deeply and more easily if they supplement with certain nutrients, such as calcium and magnesium.
4. Increase the relaxation in your life. Learn some relaxation exercises or practice yoga, Tai chi, Qigong, or Pilates exercises. These gentle practices can be done almost anywhere, regardless of the weather.
5. Nourish yourself. In this still cold time of winter, provide your body with the extra raw materials it needs. Emphasize warming foods - more concentrated sources of fuel and nutrients, including whole grains and beans, nuts and seeds, seaweed, and quality proteins. In cold or damp weather, you also require a few more calories and spices such as ginger, garlic, and cayenne to heat your body.
6. Be sure you're getting enough Essential Nutrients. You also need some nutrient enhancement to protect you from the stresses of cold, wind, dampness, and the decrease in sunlight. [This is the reason cod liver oil, containing vitamins A, D, and good fatty acids, was a staple in healthy families in the 19th century.] The antioxidants are important, especially vitamins A, E, and C. Nutrients that address stress include the B complex vitamins (with B5 and B12), as well as the range of "smart supplements" now available such as alpha lipoic acid, phosphatidyl serine, and others. Make sure you get enough friendly fats and oils - the essential fatty acids you all need to operate the nervous system, rebuild and protect your cells, and assure good brain function. Remember that these fats do not make us fat - in fact, you're more likely to gain weight if you don't have them, because the lack may increase your food cravings.
7. Avoid over-indulgence. If you feel like you're "running on empty," it makes sense to give yourself a little extra nurturing. But don't confuse self-care with self-indulgence. Continue to minimize sweets and simple starches and avoid the empty calories of junk food. Portion sizes may also be a factor. Provide yourself with quality nutrition and supplements rather than constantly jump-starting yourself with caffeine.
8. Have fun. Laugh. Hang out with your most fun-loving and light-hearted friends, including animal friends. Simple pleasures are stress reducing and very healing.
9. Make time for love. Touch and intimacy are also good for your health. If you're not in an intimate relationship, get a massage, renew an old friendship, or make time for some close emotional interchanges with a trusted friend or family member.
10. Nourish others. Notice how deeply that nourishes you in return. Build giving into your life. Another important aspect of giving is remembering to keep reasonable limits or boundaries, so you don't feel swallowed up or depleted by your generosity. That brings us full circle to the idea of conserving energy at the end of winter, in preparation for the rebirth of spring.

http://www.elsonhaas.com/preventing_treating_colds_flus.html

http://www.shareguide.com/Haas.html

Herbs for Kidneys and Bladder Health

CRANBERRY, keeps your kidneys clean. Taken at the first sign of bladder or kidney infection (painful urination, back pain), can often provide relief overnight.

GINGER ROOT, has a cleansing effect on the kidneys and bowels, stimulates the circulatory system, good for a sore throat,

Nettle Tea for Kidneys and Bladder function, fevers and colds, dandruff, weight loss and brings back the natural color of hair.

Red Clover blossoms, detoxify and promote kidney essence

SHEEP SORREL expels gravel from the kidneys. When the kidneys are functioning properly, the entire body will feel better and the skin will look much clearer.

http://asktom-naturally.com/naturally/herbs.html

http://www.drfostersessentials.com/store/kidney_cleanse.php

http://www.goddess-body-mind-spirit.com/Winter-Solstice-Fast.html

Fasting Joy

The fast has been just wonderful, it's been a week already, coming off it slowly, sending lots of love, take good care of your selves, it's all good!

Karen and me sharing a little love
Watermelon Juice with Seeds

Dr. Elson Hass General Tips For Staying Healthy

Staying Healthy with the Season: Ten Tips for a Fabulous Fall www.vitalitymagazine.com/oct08_pg32feat

Detoxification is the word for early Autumn. I am doing a whole month of detoxing by myself as well as a three-week detox group at this time. Doing an effective Detox Diet or avoiding sugar, wheat and dairy for a couple weeks (as I write about in The False Fat Diet) is often quite revealing and helps us to feel better – lighter and more youthful with greater energy. I often recommend taking a two to three week break from the big five – sugar, caffeine, alcohol, wheat, and dairy products. Doing this, it may be challenging, yet most people feel much better and the body can clear many problems it has. Since it’s getting cooler, we’ll also need to exercise and spend time in the sauna or steam room as a means to sweat to clear toxins. Regular sweating is important to health and longevity. Prepare for the cold season. Gather your fuel and food, breathe and exercise, as you should. In Chinese medicine, the fall season focuses on the lungs and large intestine. Overdoing it can lead to congestion and toxicity, as well as constipation and the clogging of the nose and sinuses. This leads then to upper respiratory infections as the germs grow in the mucus and then inflame the membranes. Staying clean and clear this season along with a healthy immune system will help keep you well. Try a facial steam and breathe in the herbal mist (you can use mints, rosemary, chamomile, lemon verbena, and other herbs) to help clear the sinuses.

http://www.elsonhaas.com/staying_healthy_tips.html

Fasting 101 with Esperanza

Being mindful while preparing for, during and after the fast

· See a doctor if needed before beginning your Fast
· Avoided overeating at all times, chew your food well and slowly.
· Support your digestion process, no soled food after 8pm
· Drink 8 glasses of water daily and one gallon of distilled water
during Fast.
· Drink herbal tea to warm up (peppermint, chamomile, or rose hips).
· Sip water with lemon juice and honey if you feel dizzy or chills.
· Take an herbal laxative or enema if you get a headache and or
body pain.
· Prepare the Master Cleanse, drink 3 times a day
· Prepare a Potassium Broth, drink the broth,
bland the veggies if you need to eat
· Exercise daily, less strenuous during Fast.
· Dry brush beginning with the left side of your body moving up
and then the right side
· Shower daily (hot then cold to stimulate the circulation)
use peppermint liquid soup.
· Brush your teeth at least 3 times a day.
· Rest, keep warm and sun your self every day.
· Meditate, read, write, listen to music and get a massage.
· Think positively; surround your self with beauty and
nurturing people.
· Fast a day at a time, remember why you are fasting at all times.
· Enjoy the moment