Getting Started
Here’s how (and why) I got started: I suspected that my guinea pigs ate better than I did, that my cat and I both had compromised digestive systems, and that this, along with my food sensitivities, was somehow at the root of some of my health issues.
I bought a book about juicing that had gorgeous photos and clever names for the juices. I got my old juicer out of the basement, found information in books and on the web, attended Cherie Calbom’s talk about juicing (here in Seattle) met a raw foodist... and that was the beginning of what feels like a new lease on life.
General ideas:
- Write down what you eat or drink each day, and how you feel afterwards. Are you suddenly energized or catatonic? clear-headed or cranky? headachy? bloated?
- Eat when you’re hungry, but stop before you’re stuffed.
- Minimize stress (around eating and life in general).
- Think about what food means to you and take a look at feelings that arise when you try to change what you eat.
- Don’t beat yourself up for eating something “bad." Negativity around food and the “shoulds” we put on ourselves probably get stored in our gut, too.
Principle #1: Make incremental changes.
- Do your own research and experimentation. Work with a naturopath or other knowledgeable health care professional if you can.
- Give yourself space and time to adjust to the changes. If you make drastic changes all at once, you may feel sick or exhausted. When you start to wake up the toxins be aware that they will make some noise before (while) being released.
Principle #2: Drink more water, reduce sugary drinks, alcohol, and caffeine (which are acid-forming).
- Drink a glass of warm water with lemon first thing in the morning.
Lemon helps disinfect the GI tract, purify the blood, and get things moving. It is actually alkalyzing in the body. - Drink lots of water throughout the day. If you don’t have a water filter, you can refill gallon jugs from a filtered water station at the grocery store.
- Drink less during your meals.
- Chew your food well. Digestion begins with saliva.
Principle #3: Increase the good.
- Eat more organic (and locally grown) food when possible.
- Eat more vegetables and fruit in their natural (uncooked) state.
- Consume more fiber.
- Check out a local vegan/raw food restaurant or join a Meetup group to discuss vegetarianism, veganism, raw food, etc.
Principle #4: Decrease the not-so-good.
- Reduce the amount of processed or junk food, cooked fats, and empty calories you consume.
- Eat fewer animal products.
- Be aware of how what you eat affects your digestive tract.
- Learn about colon/intestinal cleanses.