I keep on my counter here at Native Roots, a definition of balance.  It’s what we all strive for.  It certainly is what I am in search of, especially now.  I found this intro to a magazine article on fitness several years ago.  It sums it up nicely!!  As follows:

“FITNESS EQUALS BALANCE, A striving for success in the important facets of our lives – outer strength, inner beauty, healthy bodies, meaningful relationships, satisfying careers, stress-relieving diversion, the feeling that we make a difference. Being positive and expecting success has a major impact on our lives.  Dreams, fueled by hard work and perseverance, do come true.  Hard work includes caring for your mind and body so that they can serve you in the realization of those dreams.”

I will admit, I was quite nervous on Monday as I was preparing both my salt water flush and then the lemonade/maple/cayenne mixture. I had no idea what to expect! Since I wrote in my previous blog, I won’t go over my experience on Monday, except to say I was surprised at how I had NO hunger for food all day. Again, on Tuesday, no hunger. The drink really has satisfied me. I did drink lots of water and tea throughout the day. It is advised not to take any vitamins or supplements during the fast, but up until last night, I had been. Being the supplement queen that I am, I wanted my body to continue to be nourished with omega 3 and herbs as well as my multi-vitamin. Well, I found out last night that perhaps, I would allow the cleanse to do its thing and not take any supplements, since I experienced extreme cramping right after I took them, before bed. It lasted for only about 10 minutes, but enough for me to understand not to do it again.

Now its Wednesday. I feel like a pro at preparing the drink and a pro at drinking the salt water flush. I woke, enjoying a moment or two with a cup of tea, then got ready, as I did yesterday, for my step/kick/strength training routine. I had been concerned with my energy levels not being the same as they were before the cleanse, but my energy levels have been steady and actually increasing since I started this. So just as my exercise has been important to me up to now, it is not something I want to do without during this time. 

I prepared the salt water flush with more salt than I did yesterday and found that the flushing process was quite a bit stronger. I actually felt a bit sick for a few minutes, as I was warned might happen. It is a natural body reaction to the cleansing. And I accepted that. And after a few minutes, I felt like I had before the flush. Now, in my case, since I open the store at 10:00, I have the morning to fit all this in. Some prefer to do the flush in the evening. It all depends on individual schedules. 

I’m sure you may be wondering if I’ve lost any weight. Until last night, I didn’t own a scale (not a big believer in numbers). I decided to get one, since I did want to know if indeed, I would show on scales what I could see in the mirror. I’m not sure what I weighed before the 1st, but I know I have lost a few pounds. I can tell you that I weighed myself as soon as I woke this morning and then again after drinking the salt water and that was after exercise. I weighed 3 lbs more! So therefore, reason to not get hung up on numbers! Oh – didn’t weigh after the flush. I would hope that I lost it again! OK, now, enough about that!

I will continue to share as I continue to experience this cleanse. At this point, I am taking a day at a time, listening to my body. When it tells me I have had enough, I will start the process of phasing back into food again. Will keep you posted!

Now that I have Native Roots, I have access to several lines of cleansing and detox products.  I have a solid understanding of the herbal formulas and their individual roles in helping the body to eliminate toxins and get rid of unwanted pounds.  But I have been asked several times if I have tried the Master Cleanse.  My answer?  I have heard of it, but not tried it due to the fact that, as an instructor, I had concerns about my ability to teach, knowing the calorie restrictions and energy requirements. 

Well, truth be told, I was also afraid to try.  It is intense.  It requires great determination and discipline.  It teaches control. All of which,  I was never certain I had enough of.  But hey, there’s always time for change.  And who am I kidding anyway? I have everything it takes to do this!

I was looking for a challenge.  And with this, I certainly have one.  On New Year’s Day, I made my broth and vegetables to eat.  I took some to work with me, made my pot of tea and was perfectly satisfied throughout the entire day.  Good to go – day one.  The next day, pretty much the same.  I was prepping for the cleanse, as they say you should.  Yesterday, juice and tea. All day, fine and getting mentally ready for the big day.

So day one of the Master Cleanse!  I prepared my lemon, cayenne and maple syrup mixture, then prepared my salt water flush. Let’s cut to the chase!  Salt water flush?  Yuck! But I did it!  I looked at it as a challenge, actually.  Had to.  Or I wouldn’t have gotten it down.  So again, to cut to the chase, I have been drinking my cleanse recipe and drinking tea and water throughout the day, and I must say, so far, I feel good!  I have energy and clarity of thought.  I hope I find that to be true when class begins in 20 minutes!  At least, I can tell my class that I now know more about the Master Cleanse – as I am in the process of experiencing it!  I’ll keep you posted!!

December 4th and still NO SNOW in Stowe!!  No – really!!!  Nilch, Notta, None!! Now for those of you who don’t know Stowe or may not fully grasp the meaning here, let me help. Native Roots has recently re-located to the Mountain Road in Stowe – a small, quaint and picturesque village nestled in the beautiful Vermont mountains.  We very much depend on snow this time of the year to draw skiers, boarders and snow lovers alike to liven up an otherwise sleepy, quiet community. Usually by now, the town is hustling and active with people all around, doing what they come here to do!  And that equates also to shopping.  Well, when you are a retailer, you come to just LOVE your shoppers!  So, without snow, we have no folks heading to and from the mountain!  I continue to be told by EVERYONE that as soon as the snow flies, business will come back to life!  So YEAHHHH for SNOW!  And in the meantime, let’s keep healthy!  After-all, if our immunity is not up to par, and we get colds or flu, then we won’t have to worry about skiing or boarding anyway!   Native Roots has you covered with all your cold and flu remedies, energy boosters and products to relieve your bumps and bruises (in case you take a spill or two up there)!  Oh – and don’t forget those STRESSSSSS and SLEEP remedies!  We all know what this time of year can be like.  (I’ll talk about liver detox and intestinal cleanses after the holiday parties are over) – Promise!  In the meantime………..  let me remind you that you can shop in my store on the Mountain Road, shop on-line or shop by phone at 802-917-1774!!  I look forward to serving your nutritional needs!  Happy Holidays!

Wishing you the Best In Health.