Nadine Feldman, Author

celebrating strong female characters and whatever else strikes my fancy

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Kindles, Feedback, and — Mosquitoes!

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I’m smacking myself silly this morning. After the heat FINALLY broke here in Houston, bringing the kind of temperatures that remind me of why I moved here 30 years ago, we now have to avoid going outside because of a massive mosquito outbreak. Now, mosquitoes are not-so-lovingly referred to here as the Texas State Bird. We always fight them in the summer, so it’s not like this is anything new. Except, apparently, it is. These mosquitoes are a “floodwater mosquito” variety that are more aggressive. We didn’t have rain for months, but a good soaker from a few weeks ago (we were out of town and missed it) has brought the skeeters out in force. I’m used to swatting the occasional mosquito in the house, but we’re getting a mess of them indoors as well. I am currently wearing my new favorite fragrance, eau de Off!

However, neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor the ten plagues of Egypt, nor these nasty little bloodsuckers will keep me from my appointed task of writing my little blog. Today, I get to have fun by sharing some reader feedback.

First, thanks to Renovating Rita, along with a few other folks on Facebook, to remind me to pass along information that some of you may not know. You do not need a Kindle to read Kindle books! If you have a computer or mobile device, you can download Kindle software for free and enjoy inexpensive and fun reading (may I recommend The Foreign Language of Friends – ahem). I read my Kindle books on my iPad, and it works out great for travel — I no longer have to load down my suitcase and backpack with the inevitable pile of books that go with me on a trip. For more information, visit this link: Kindle Reading Apps.

Second, Alex Hernandez responded to my recent posts about physical cleansing. Alex pointed out that some of my readers may be withdrawing from drugs and/or alcohol, in which case any detox should be done with the help of someone trained in such matters. Alex, I agree! I wrote those blog entries to an audience who I assume are reasonably healthy and who just want to do some seasonal cleaning on their innards. Anyone dealing with medical matters, whether addiction or diabetes or whatever, should make sure that they work with a healthcare professional if they’re doing any kind of detox.

Alex recommended the following websites for anyone who wants more information:

http://www.rehabinfo.net/alcohol-detox/ and http://www.rehabinfo.net/drug-detox/
Thanks, Alex and Rita! And thanks to all of you who read and comment on A Woman’s Nest. Together, you are helping me shape this blog into what it is meant to be, and I am grateful. I learn so much from my readers.

 

Resources for Safe Physical Cleansing

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September is waning, though with a forecast high of 95 degrees, it’s not feeling like fall just yet. We comfort ourselves by planning some upcoming trips: New York and Tucson in November, and Port Townsend, Washington, in December. The trip to Washington, scheduled for the week of my birthday, will give us an opportunity to explore the area with the intention of possibly moving there. It feels as though big changes are ahead.

As I’ve already mentioned, we’ve already begun the process of cleaning the house. Since this is a Major Life Change, I also think it’s a good time to clean out my body, mind, and heart. It’s time for a physical cleanse.

You may ask, what’s that?

Simply put, cleansing involves eating less and eliminating processed and allergenic foods in order to give the digestive system a chance to rest. We remove foods that tax the liver, pancreas, and other organs, and instead provide nourishment that quiets us physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Why cleanse? We live in a toxic world. Processed or junk foods, pollutants, alcohol, etc., can drag us down, leaving us with low energy and health problems. Periodic cleansing can help us feel better. Doctors disagree as to how much we can actually detox in a few weeks, but most agree that a cleanse, at the very least, creates a “reset” for our system. Often after the cleanse ends, we continue with better food habits for a time, and the new habits we learn give us sustained health and well-being.

During a time of cleansing we may meditate or relax more, or even do some exercises to identify aspects of our life that we can release. Cleanses can provide profound opportunities for spiritual growth. I’ve included it in our “relax, renew and flow” September because it fits in well with the subject matter we’ve explored this month.

When is the best time to cleanse? Well, we’ve all heard about spring cleaning, but ideally, we spend some time at or near the change of seasons. We can also cleanse if we’re considering a Major Life Change, whether it’s moving, marriage, divorce, or career change. We can even do short cleanses of three days or so if we’re just feeling sluggish. If we cleanse in a safe manner, we can do something whenever the time is right.

How do we cleanse? Unfortunately, for some, cleansing involves a period of fasting. I do not recommend this, and I feel distressed when I see people with health issues doing unsupervised fasts. This can be dangerous! When I hear them say, “Wow, I’m really cleansing! I had a horrible headache today!” I want to say, “Duh! You’re blood sugar has dropped too low. Go eat something!”

Instead, I suggest opting for cleanses that involve eating light, non-allergenic food. We will eat less, but not skip eating altogether. For example, last summer I did the Colorado Cleanse. Dr. John Douillard, author of the book of the same name, is offering a two-week fall cleanse beginning October 11. The cleanse starts with a pre-cleanse diet, then moves into a period of time where we eat kitchari (rice, mung beans, and spices), and then move into a post-cleanse diet. Certain supplements are suggested to support the cleanse. I had to add whey protein powder to each meal to keep my blood sugar level, and occasionally an apple here and there.

This time I have opted for Yoga Journal’s Seven-Day Fall Detox. It includes porridge and kitchari in the diet, daily yoga sequences to support the cleanse, certain Ayurvedic herbs, and guided meditations. Since I’m starting on Thursday, I’ll report my results next week, but it appears safe and nourishing.

Another safe program is through Standard Process. The company prefers that you work with a health provider familiar with Standard Process, but it involves a special whey protein supplement and a gentle, healthful diet to keep you energized.

The main thing to remember when cleansing is to keep the blood sugar level. If you’re feeling hungry, cranky, or listless, add some protein or other non-allergenic food. Apples are great! Hunger, low energy, or any other suffering is an indication that your body needs more food. Ideally, a good cleanse brings a sense of delight, not deprivation.

As the body moves into the cleanse, we may feel emotions come to the surface, or remember dreams we had forgotten. We may get guidance or a sense of direction for our path. Keeping a journal, finding time to be quiet or in nature, or getting some pampering (a nice massage during a cleanse does wonders) can support new insights to bubble up.

I invite you to give cleansing a try!