day 92: cleansing body & mind
Since Monday I have been doing a “Green Smoothie Cleanse” much like what I was doing on the weekends during Lent. Basically that means that for 3 meals a day I drink a smoothie primarily made up of greens (swiss chard or spinach in this case since that’s that I have at home) with fruit and nuts/seeds. I also add in 1 scoop of protein powder a day to supplement my weightlifting.
What’s in it?
My usual smoothie formula is:
3-5 cups greens
+ 1 fresh fruit
+ 1 svg dried fruit
+ 1 tbsp nuts/seeds OR 1/4 avocado
+ 1 tsp spices
I like to add in dried fruit for extra sweetness especially if my fresh fruit isn’t at its ripest. Usually I will add 1 tsp of fish oil to one of my smoothies a day.
What’s the point?
-I end up consuming more servings of fruit and veggies than I would on a normal day. Especially leafy greens which are rich in minerals and vitamins like K, C, and E
-Produce is alkalinizing. An acidic pH in the body contributes to a host of health problems from osteoporosis to cancer.
Check out this table of acidifying/alkalinizing foods.
-I can give my digestive system a rest without fasting. I get loads of nutrients in a liquid form which is easily absorbed by the body.
-It reduces bloating and keeps me regular.
-It keeps my skin looking healthier.
(source)
In keeping with the cleansing theme today I decided to try to cleanse my mind as well. I’m a pretty pessimistic person and critical of myself; I’m betting that I would be much happier if I could release some of my negativity.
So, I took my very first Mindful Meditation class. I’m not generally one to take time out of my day for meditation, unless you count staring blankly at my computer when I’m at work (in which case I practice meditation very often).
What did I get out of the class? That I’m not very good at mindful meditation. Not exactly the outcome I had in mind.
I found it really hard to focus on the meditation and spent a lot of tie thinking:
- Man, my feet are asleep.
- I wonder what time it is.
- What colour represents my throat chakra again?
- I wish I had something to eat before this class.
I guess it’ll take quite a bit of practice to get it right. I have a bit of a monkey mind.
How do you feel about meditation?
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- e-mail: samanthaamenzies@gmail.com
- Samantha Menzies is an opinionated young firecracker who just happens to enjoy distracting web surfers with chronicles of her mildly entertaining daily pursuits.
How do you feel physically doing the cleanse? I feel like I’d be cranky and hungry the entire time…
All I know is I can’t meditate like you were referring to very well. For those that can more power to them. My meditation is found on the golf course. I can go out there and not think of anything but the game no matter what crisis may be going on in my life.
Wow I don’t know how you only do 3 smoothies a day– I think I’d do 4 or 5. As for meditation, I’ve done it and enjoyed it but don’t think I could do it all the time My feet fall asleep to. I like yoga better. I feel Im still channeling my inner tranquility but also doing good things for my body.
I’m really interested in your meditation class. Where are you taking it? I’ve been thinking abut exploring meditation for a while to help relax and focus, instead of being like a squirrel. I was never very good at relaxation and holding quiet poses in yoga practice – I was built for movement!
I’m interested to see how you get on with it!
I don’t think I would be good at meditation either! I have such a hard time sitting still, and not thinking about anything! Such a great thing to try out, though, I love doing things for both my body and my mind
Does the cleanse make you hungry? I always wonder that!
I’m the same way. I just can’t sit and concentrate. One way I try to overcome it is by visualizing the words of the teachers. However, the teacher would start to tell a story and they my mind wanders off into an inner monologue like yours!
oh i love this….now are you eating one real meal too?
Meditations is a nice idea but does not work for me at all, I’m too.. active person. Yoga is hard enough for me with all the concentrating on what you do, staying still etc.
The green smoothie sounds really refreshing. I’m finding this cleanse really interesting too. I’ve never done anything like it. How do you feel physically? Are you hungry on it?
Also, the meditation sounds awesome. I think it’s a wonderful practice, but I too struggle to stay present and focused.
Meditation! Love it- keep at it. I think classes are a great start but try meditating on your own also- I find it’s a very personal thing : )
xo
Jocelyn