FASTING
Spring Cleaning For The
Physical
Nancy Grundy
The Spring Equinox is a time for renewal and new growth, therefore
it is an excellent time to cleanse the body. Fasting is an old custom
originating in ancient ritual, designed to promote health of the
body. The purpose of a fast is to cleanse the system of undigested
residue, to stimulate the organs and glands, and to revitalize the
entire system. Fasting does not necessarily mean abstaining from
food, but does entail following a specific diet of foods, liquids or
combination of both. Fasting should never result in dizziness,
nausea, or fatigue.
Many popular fasts can harm your health. A fast consisting of only
water is valuable only in specific instances, and not for prolonged
periods of time. Water contains little nourishment and cannot cleanse
the glandular system effectively or expel mucous from the digestive
tract.
Fasting for the first 10 hours of the day and then eating a heavy
meal will drastically alter the metabolism to shock the system. It is
not effective to try to combine eating with fasting. A fast should be
followed for at least 24 hours or should not be attempted at all.
Repeated fasting for one or more days a week, for months on end, will
cause the stomach to repeatedly shrink and expand and may eventually
harm the system.
If you are mentally and physically prepared, however, fasting can
be very beneficial to your health. A fast during an illness, such as
a strict juice fast during a cold, can help the system fight
infection and heal wounds. The length of a fast should be determined
by your schedule. Do not attempt it when you are very busy or under
severe mental or physical strain.
General Fast
Combine 4 oz. papaya concentrate, 4 oz. prune juice, 4 oz. fresh
pineapple juice and 8 oz. orange juice with 1 quart distilled water.
Set aside a 2nd quart of distilled water. Once an hour, or less often
if you are not thirsty, drink 4 oz. of the mixture and 4 oz. of the
distilled water from the second quart.
You may use this fast for 1 day to 1 month. A 3 day fast will
cleanse the entire body. This is a pleasant fast and you should not
have hunger pains. Be sure all ingredients are organic and distilled
water is pure. Tap water which has been chlorinated will inhibit the
benefits of the fast.
How to break a fast
How you stop a fast is very important. The stomach is smaller and
the body clean. If you immediately help yourself to a steak or pizza,
you will shock the entire system and destroy the benefits of your
fast. Here is a sample diet for breaking a fast.
On day one, eat an apple and sip slowly a small bowl
of fresh vegetable broth or soup. Do not use any salt or spices.
On day 2, repeat the menu for day 1, adding a small portion of
mashed potatoes, a glass of sour milk and some yogurt.
On day 3, increase portions of the above foods, adding a small
amount of a raw vegetable salad, a small portion of brown rice and
some fresh cottage cheese.
On day 4, start to eat normally. Between meal snacks should
consist of fruit only. During the 4 day diet, be sure to drink plenty
of water and fresh juices.
Ed. Note: This article is for informational purposes only.
Before embarking upon any nutritional program consult with your
physician.
Thanks to Terry Teague and Mildred Jackson for their book, The
Handbook To Alternative Medicine.
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