Decisions decision....

Last night Hubby reminded me that we're going to London sans child this weekend, so I chose a pretty crappy time to do a cleanse. So I am cheating, or taking it slower, depending how you look at it. For the remainder of the week until the weekend is over I am having the lemonade (which this morning is mighty spicy. I think I may have gone a wee overboard on the pinch of cayenne) and one raw food meal mid day. That way I can still treat my darling dearest to Sushi at the weekend. Then come Monday I will do the full Master cleanse.

Back to my hot and spicy lemonade now!

Day Zero- Or the Day I decided to cleanse

For months I have been toying with the idea of doing a cleanse- be it 3 day, 1 week, 2 week, even a month. What's stopped me? My daughter- she is still breastfeeding and supposedly when you detox your breast milk becomes a dumping ground for all those nasty free radicals and toxins that have been screwing about with your system, thus scarring your child's delicate intestinal flora forever. So instead of cleansing I've tried to just watch what I eat, take lots of supplements and try to just suffer through the eczema, constipation, recurrent yeast infections...all things I know from pre-motherhood I could sort out with a decent detox to reset my body. I told myself, she'll be weaned soon enough and then I can detox all I like. The problem is she is 2.5 and I am happy still breastfeeding her. She is such a happy healthy child, and all I have learned of extended breastfeeding has made me realize that the best thing for both of us is to keep going until she's ready to stop. Be that next week, next year or in 3 years time (but I REALLY hope it's before then!). In the meantime I am sick of my body being so helter skelter all over the place.

So yes. I have made the decision to cleanse. I'm trying to do it with the least number of chemicals (hey- even if it comes from a plant or mineral, most of the pills and powders are still chemical, processed, not totally natural) and thus I have chosen the 'Master Cleanse' also known as the drink yourself silly on spicy lemonade diet. It's a pretty simple concept- and pretty well known- squeeze half a lemon 2 tsp of organic maple syrup and a pinch of cayenne pepper into a glass of water and enjoy as often as you like through the day. Don't eat anything. Drink 2 quarts of salt water in the morning to clear out the garbage, and if you feel you need a bigger kick drink a little laxative tea last thing at night. To be honest- I'm hungry just thinking about it. More than hunger though I am sick and tired of having yeast infections. I should buy stock in Canesten for the amount of pessiaries I have shoved inside me and creams I have smeared all over me in the past 2 years.

I'm going home to America to visit family in 3 weeks time and I want to enjoy myself. I don't want to worry about where I can buy yeast tablets or laxatives. I want to sit out on our boat and enjoy the lake. Tomorrow morning I start. I haven't dedicated myself to how long this cleanse will last, but it will be at least 3 days. My hubby should be happy as it means he gets to eat meat for as long as I am cleansing (he is normally a forced vegetarian as my daughter and I are both veggie). He might not be happy at the emotional and physical roller coaster I am about to step onto, but at least when it's all done I should be feeling nice and clean.

To prepare I have bought:
1 bag of unwaxed organic lemons
1 bottle of Grade B maple syrup
1 pouch of super strong cayenne pepper
4 face masks (dead sea salt, cucumber, jasmine, and clay) - a girl has to treat herself!!

Right now I am enjoying a big bowl of Thai red curry soup and mentally preparing myself for tomorrow. Wish me luck!