Detox Camp: Day 1

Imagine a week without eating meat. Or chicken or fish or eggs or cheese. No sugar. No bread. And NO artificial sweeteners of any kind! Starting today, that's what I'm doing. It's no coincidence in my mind that this is happening during the same time as Lent.

Today is Day One of the Detox Camp at the Downtown Jackson YMCA. I'm doing it with some book club girlfriends. Thank goodness--I don't think I could do this alone!

Something had to give. I have gained 20 pounds since Nicole's accident. Obviously, I'm a stress eater.

I dragged myself out of bed this morning and drove to the Y (and I'm not even making this up--the Village People were singing "YMCA" on the radio as I pulled into the parking lot! Jonni told me it was an affirmation that I was supposed to be there!).

There are eight of us in the class. Most can stand to lose a few pounds, myself included. We were met by a very perky yoga instructor named Jacklyn. Skinny. Young. And very knowledgeable about nutrition, the body and how a weeklong detox can help the body in many positive ways. OK. I'm in.

Jacklyn passed out little plastic bags filled with all kinds of goodies we'll need for our detox.

Detox tea. Tumeric powder. Pepitos. Flax seeds. Dried papaya. Aloe capsules. Multivitamins. And chia seeds. As in chi-chi-chi-chia pets! Evidently, they are a great source of nutrition. A quick online research revealed that the use of chi seeds as a superfood can be traced back as far as the Aztec and Mayan civilizations. Warriors used it as a high energy endurance food, but also as medicine. Indians would pack the wounds with chia seeds to avoid infections. It is said that one tablespoon of the seeds could sustain a person for 24 hours. Jacklyn told us to sprinkle it on our oatmeal in the morning.

What I didn't realize going in is that we were going to be doing yoga. A lot of it. I've never practiced yoga, but  I liked it more than I thought I would. Of course, I predict that I'll feel it tomorrow, but that's OK. I was doing the cobra, downward facing dog, and all kinds of poses. Jacklyn also placed a huge focus on breathing. Really deep, controlled, intentional breathing. It was amazing how relaxing it was. We don't breathe deep enough in our daily lives, and according to Jacklyn, deep breathing will increase metabolism and reduce stress.

After class, I met up with Shari and Roxie, authors of Tiaras, Tatersalad and Toddies, at Rainbow Whole Food Coop. We went shopping for some of the things we CAN eat over the next week, and ended up eating lunch and visiting  in the atrium. These girls are lots of fun, and they can seriously cook, so it's going to be very interesting to see how they incorporate their detox experience into their blog. I'm counting on them to come up with some great rice-and-bean recipes! (A challenge? You bet!

It was so beautiful out today--with a high in the mid-60's--and I wanted to work in the yard so bad. But the crud still has a hold on me, and I ended up falling asleep not long after I got home. I'm hoping that this detox will also get rid of all the toxins that have been making me sick for the past few days.

Tune in tomorrow for the update on Day Two of Detox Camp.

Blessings to all who read this!
Susan