When I started my #30daycleanse, I’d been told that cleanses can be spiritual, or that there were things I’d learn about myself. I think the idea is that in the midst of intentional longing and desire, you rely on something outside yourself. For me, that is God. But there are other things I’ve learned as well.

Things have happened outside of the cleanse in the past few weeks that have perhaps sped up the thinking part.

Patience

It was so difficult for me to wait for the fog of the detox to end (3-5 days). It is sooo difficult to wait to be able to eat bread and fruit. I’ve had to wait to see the results of this eating plan, if any. I am still waiting to feel AMAZING. Where is the amazing?!

With the beginning of my kids yoga classes, I’ve had to wait to solidify my schedule as I see which locations meet minimum enrollment and which don’t. So difficult for someone with control issues.
Patience.

Flexibility

Without access to sugar or fruit, I’ve had to think differently about breakfast. Instead of daily oatmeal, I’ve had to substitute rice congee or barley. I’ve finally come up with a pretty yummy concoction of congee, barley, soaked & pureed dates cooked in apple juice and soy milk. Yum!

I was also able to attend a long-anticipated arm balance workshop this weekend at one of the studios where I practice. It was amazing! Going into the workshop with an open mind, I was able to do poses that were unimaginable before. So fun!

I might actually be slightly obsessed with balances, and frustrated often when I don’t have an opportunity to practice. I need to do them when I can, find the time.
Flexibility.

Living

The author of my particular regime emailed a reminder last week: are we eating to live or living to eat? I have actually never been someone who ate for fun. Sure, I enjoy the taste of many foods. But eating takes time and, for me, is often followed by feeling sick. So I ate to survive, not for enjoyment.

Spending the last 12 days restricted to only a few foods has made me examine why I eat. I realized that I miss flavor and variety. I miss eating a colorful array of fruits, vegetables and even breads. I don’t miss “junk food”, I miss fruit the most.

Another thing happened that reminded me to enjoy life: someone close to our family took their own life. The person was our age, so young. So many things to process, and so sad.

For this reason, we find ourselves on an unplanned quick-turnaround trip to a funeral. When you read this, we may already be back. Unfortunately, things have been a little chaotic since we found out. I stuck with macrobiotic eating until the last minute, sauteéing butternut squash in coconut oil as we left the house. I have brought all my macrobiotic foods that are portable. But when we reach our destination, we’ll be staying with family. It won’t be my kitchen, and I’ll need to eat what is served. Which is ok because I’m flexible. And so blessed to be
Living.

The words of the day are: patience, flexibility, and living. Go out & do it!