I recently completed an 8 day liquid fast. This fast is considerably different than any other that I have done. I feel it could benefit many because it is versatile, nutrient dense & safe for those with Candida. In fact, I feel it assists acid conditions in the body re colonizes the friendly flora in the intestinal tract.
I feel that a traditional juice fast, although it can be quite healing can actually feed candida if it is not properly balanced with plenty of greens and land vegetables. I am a huge advocate of fresh pressed juice with a high caliber juicer such as the Green Star Elite or the Angel Juicer which is stainless steel a juice feast is a lot of fun. It slowly presses the juice extracting as much of the nutrient value as possible while lessening oxidation with its slow gears.
What I have found is utilizing fresh pressed juices with land vegetables (not root veggies-sugar) green apples, lemons, limes, and tons of herbs, wild flowers, & dark greens like spinach etc will be an optimal combo for juicing. If this is not a concern for someone and they are feeling strong with there intestinal flora then of course go for yummy root veggies like non-hybrid carrots, beets etc. Green apples are some what sour so if you utilize these you won’t get the sugar rush to the pancreas. Also if someone has diabetes this might be an optimal fast program.
A sample juice might be:
Fresh Lemons with peel (only if organic with peel)
1 green apple
1 large or 2 small cucumbers
2 inches of ginger root
1 bunch spinach
1 bunch wild dandelion greens (usually growing in your backyard)
1/2 of a celery bunch
1 big piece of fresh Aloe leaf (loaded with nutrients like zinc, sulfur, selenium, magnesium, amino acids & enzymes)-blend this into the juice once peeled.
Another liquid I am enjoying and utilizing to rejuvenate my intestines and body is young coconut kefir water from green coconuts and friendly microorganisms. They really have a consciousness and once our body is flooded with billions of friendly microbes are whole outlook can really change on life and how we see things. Try it!
I also have incorporated fresh veggie broth into the fast. What I do is take Cabbage, Dark Greens(collards & kale), Lots of Sea Vegetables for their amazing nutrient content especially iodine, carrot with tops, beets with tops, garlic, 1 whole onion, 1/2 a celery bunch etc… and put into a big pot, fill with filtered or spring water to cover and let simmer for 30 minutes. Then let the broth sit for a while with heat off. Now you have a savory broth for your lunch/dinner meal. I choose to incorporate the kale & collards thru lightly simmering the broth instead of in my fresh raw green juice b/c raw kale & collards have been known to suppress the thyroid. So with a light steaming you still get nutrients just no effect on the thyroid.
If one has a desire or consumes meat you might try getting bones like grass fed red marrow bones and simmering these for 12-24 hours. Skim the fat off the top and enjoy that broth for its ability to nourish the digestive tract and heal the gut walls. The added benefit to a grass fed bone broth is its ability to rebuild collagen in the face and body. I believe it also assists with cellulite concerns. This is something Donna Gates recommends in The Body Ecology Diet.
Another option for your liquid fast are herbal teas. I enjoy mixing different herbs like Gynostemma tea, with Lycium, Schizandra & some vanilla bean. Then I might add Chanca Piedra for its ability to decalcify the liver and tissues. I simmer different herbs and create a decoction with the roots, stems & herbs.
Another tea you might try is one made from Nettle Leaf. The B vitamins and Protein in nettle is incredible not to mention its silica content. I like to take a glass jar and at night time fill 2 ounces of Nettle Leaf and an 1 ounce of the Root, then I might add some Rose hips and Astragalus.. I let that sit over night in water and then the next day I simmer it for just a bit then let it soak. This is a beauty tea for sure! The whole body will get a chlorophyl rich treat from the nettle leaf. The hair and skin will shine.
As a sweetener for your tea you might try a high quality stevia. I like sweet leaf stevia. This will not be a challenge for those with candida. If candida is not an issue than try a local raw honey for the nutrient value & taste.
So through out the day I am enjoying, fresh pressed juices, young green coconut kefir water, broths, & teas. I am also incorporating other nutrient superfoods and cleansing products.
Dr. Shulze Intestinal formula 1 & 2: So awesome and wildcrafted/organic too! This will actually go in and pull any hardened mucoid plaque that is challenging to remove with just a green juice fast.
Health Force Nutritional’s Vitamineral Green: This product not only has greens and herbs from the land like Tulsi, Horsetail, Nettle, Barley grass, Dandelion leaf juice, Moringa but also Spirulina & Chlorella from the waters. It has tons of sea veggies, enzymes, shilajit & billions of friendly microbes! IT is hands down so awesome to incorporate in the fast for high energy.
Fasting is a great idea to clear blockages and heal the gut walls. I would suggest consulting with a health care practitioner if this is new for you.
My results were wonderful with 8 days of liquid fasting. My digestion and elimination has improved. If you eat 3 times a day that is how many bowel movements you should be having. A good habit to get into is about 20 or 30 minutes after a meal go into the bathroom and prop your feet up on a small stool. Then lift your arms up in the air. This will assist a bowel movement and is very similar to the effects of squatting which is a natural way to evacuate. It should be easy and effortless. If not drink more healthy fluids and do a colon cleansing fast now:) If we get into the habit of going into the bathroom and eliminating our bodies will retrain to make time for it. Otherwise life and activities take over and we find ourselves not digesting life! We get uptight or upset etc..
As we can digest, assimilate, utilize and absorb foods and get rid of the waste gracefully so too we can handle life in this way. We notice our ability to digest life and take what is good and eliminate what is no longer serving us. I feel that 3 or 4, 7 day fasts per year will yield great results.
Enjoy! Once you have completed a colon cleansing fast you might consider a weekly 24 hour Water fast to maintain your work. This way toxins do not accumulate as much and the digestive tract takes a break once a week. Try it with Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, some Herbal tea and Coconut Kefir Water….now the digestive tract is getting coated with probiotics and healing liquids.
Utilize Spring Water or the best water you can find free of plastics, chemicals and hardened mineral deposits. Too much calcium in the water cements the body and creates calcification.
