Fasting Journal #1
The fasting journal that appears below is from 2007. If you would like to read about my most recent 11 day Master Cleanse, from February, 2010, click HERE to read my blog about the process.
If you would like details on what the Master Cleanse consists of, click here. The fasting journal documented below was a mix of fruit and vegetable juices along with a gallon or so of the master cleanse mix. What follows is not an orthodox Master Cleanse, but the link I just mentioned will share more on that topic.
As you’ve probably read, I believe in fasting as a means of cleansing and detoxfication, physical healing and regeneration, and fasts are also very balancing to the spirit. Recently I was inspired to conduct a juice fast and I decided to document it in a public arena. Bear in mind, my initial decision to fast was seasonal, I haven’t done my bi-annual Master Cleanse, having had a BIT of changes going on personally which made it impossible. So the other day, after reading on a favorite forum of the success an online penfriend was having, I decided to jump in and do a four day fast on fresh juices. The timing couldn’t have been more optimal, however, because the night i made the decision, I started showing early signs of a cold/flu virus. And I’ve learned over the years, that fasting on juices is a great way to deal with such infection.
So, In this journal I will be fasting primarly on fruit juices, but I will combine several pints of the Master Cleanse drink in the mix as well, one because it’s easy, and two because I like it and I think the cayenne is supportive to healing anyway.
Most of what I follow in terms of a fasting regime comes from information I’ve gathered over the years through research. I love the book “The Miracle of Fasting” by Paul Bragg, and as you read my journal you’ll see that I pulled his book out again this time to help support me and keep me on track.
According to some experts, working with a doctor or natural practitioner to make sure you are on the right while fasting is a good idea, in particular if you have never done a fast, have medical conditions such as diabetes or are unsure how your system will react. I think that short juice fasts can be done unsupervised, but water fasts, or those longer than a day or so will require you to be more vigilant. My goal this time is to do just four days. Starting on a wednesday night after dinner, and breaking the fast on sunday.
As I shared with my online friend, day 5 is always the hardest of the fast for me. For some reason, that’s when I start to crave the ‘chewing’ mechanism. But I’ve learned to just swish and gum my juices such that I feel like I’m chewing! Once day 6 turns to day 7, I find I can manage again. But the longest juice or master fast I’ve ever done was 11 days, so beyond that I can’t say how I would feel. My father has done the master cleanse fast for weeks on end, and used it as part of his cancer treatment quite sucessfully.
Being around food and others eating is sometimes alkward when you are fasting. Bragg suggests that if you are on a long fast that you don’t share it with people around you. Fasting can be a very private matter, and it can also cause undue concern by others, so if you are progressing comfortably, there is often little reason to share. I personally believe fasting can be a key to wellness, when done properly, and with a depth of knowlege. I always tell my loved ones, and typically my TCM doctor as well.
If you’d like to follow along with me as I complete this fast, I’ve jounaled a page for each day. You’ll see these pages noted in the right hand sidebar. Enjoy! And if you’re feeling up to it, join in!