I used to secretly laugh when people talked about doing detoxes…

I have since changed my attitude towards them as I’ve learned more about them.

I do feel that they need to be done correctly.  I would never buy pills or “magic” detoxes because I feel that this is just another form of putting something processed into my body that I’m trying to get rid of.

Why a detox?

The typical reason for a detox is to remove toxins from the body.  But for me, the goal is not just to remove toxins, but to help me break away from things that I am addicted to… coffee, soda, bread products, and sugar.  I feel as though these rule my life and are idols.  I know that sounds silly, but I realized the other day when I didn’t have coffee at my usual time (about between 6-7), I immediately started to have a bad headache (this was while running… it made running much more difficult).  I also struggle to eat many things without sugar or dips.  I am addicted.  I would love to get to a point in which I was able to eat things in their natural state (the way God made them!).

So, not only will this be physically amazing for my body, I feel this will be a spiritual journey as well, laying some addictions down, and asking for help from Jesus to do this.  Again… it may sound silly, but food addictions can be some of the hardest to break!

I would also love to have the benefits of a detox… increased energy, better skin (I cannot get rid of these stinking pimples!), better digestion, and weight loss.  I have been running 3-4 days a week for 6 weeks and have lost all of about 6 pounds.  I’m thankful to have lost weight, but I know that I need to make some other changes as well.

My Plan: Raw Foods

When cooked (heating above 116 degrees F), foods lose many important enzymes which aid in digestion and allow for the intestines to absorb the necessary vitamins and minerals from food.  I’m hoping that by the end of this detox, my body will crave raw foods more instead of foods that don’t have any nutritional benefit (caffeine, sugar, soda).

I’m not following the raw foods detoxes that I have found online because many of them aren’t really raw… many of them that I have seen include pasteurized butters and cheeses, as well as bread products and other grains OR they are vegan… and I don’t believe in a vegan diet.  I believe our body needs animal fats (they are very nutrient dense).

I have read recently about a raw milk only fast.  Raw milk in and of itself is a complete food!  I don’t think I’m ready for a raw milk only fast… but for my raw foods detox, I will include raw milk and raw cheese, as well as homemade yogurt made from raw milk (there are ways to make it without pasteurizing it… I follow this post written by Laura at Heavenly Homemakers, but I place the jars in the oven with the light on instead of a warm cooler).

Here are the foods that I will eat:

• Mostly organic raw fruits and veggies (I say mostly organic because some things are next to impossible to find organic around here… I will at least follow the dirty dozen)
• Raw, grass fed milk
• Raw, grass fed butter (from the farm or homemade)
• Raw cheddar cheese
• Homemade raw yogurt and kefir (with only fruit or a tiny bit of raw honey to sweeten it)
• Raw nuts and seeds (almonds, pepitas, sunflower, chia seeds, flax seeds, etc)
• Coconut oil (unrefined), olive oil (extra virgin), balsamic vinegar
• Raw coconut and coconut milk (homemade)
• Cod liver oil
• Raw apple cider vinegar
• Sprouts
• Nutritional yeast
• Probably other things that I am missing…

I will start this fast on March 1st (to give myself some time to prepare) and end it on March 15th (Karis’ birthday!).

Internet Fast

During this time, I will also fast from blogging  and Facebook, and reduce computer time significantly (will only use it for researching raw foods recipes, stuff for homeschool, and my childbirth education class).  I did a Facebook fast last summer/fall and it was SO beneficial to myself and my family.  When I started it again I wondered why I was ever on so much… But, I am at a point in which I need to do this again.  Again, the biggest things that I’m trying to overcome through this are addictions.

I believe that God will give me what I need to overcome these addictions so that I can glorify Him and better serve Him.

Instead of being on the internet so much, I hope to:

• Become more consistent with homeschooling
• Have less “screen” time (we watch a lot of Netflix…)
• Play games
• Play outside more/go to the park/go on walks
• Read to the kids more… have Karis read to me more
• Keep the house cleaned/work on it to sell
• Begin doing some yoga and/or strength training (haven’t decided)
• Get some work done on my childbirth education class (I am SO behind!)
• I might even start on an e-book (or two) that I have been dreaming up!  We’ll see .

I’m honestly hoping that this “internet fast” will help me to stay off of it so much, long-term.  I spend too much time sitting at my computer… I’m sure others can relate!  How many of us stick the kids in front of “screen” so that we can sit in front of our “screen?”  It’s awful how addicting the computer is!

Okay… starting to wean myself off today!  You will see very few posts from me in the next several weeks!

I realize that two major fasts/detoxes in one is a bit extreme… but I trust that God will give me what I need!