Coffee

by natalia | Apr 22, 2014 | Health & Wellness

Coffee (September 26, 2011)

Dear Ana,

Every morning I keep trying to give up my coffee and I just can’t seem to go through the whole day without caving in and having one small cup. How bad is coffee? Is it keeping me from moving forward with detoxification?

Thanks,

Marley

A: Hi Marley,

Thank you for your email. Here are the facts about coffee:

1. It is acidic. When we are trying to mobilize old toxic acidic waste using alkaline foods like green juice and raw fruit and vegetables it works against us by adding a daily dose of acidity.

2. Because it is a stimulant it is not recommended on any yeast or Candida cleansing eating regimes. If you are trying to cleanse intestinal yeast growth it will not help you.

3. All stimulants can contribute to adrenal fatigue, which I know many of my clients are dealing with. They stimulate a low-grade fight or flight response which overwhelms a delicate system in a world where we are in a constant state of panic already (traffic, scary movies, financial fear, etc).

4. It creates a false sense of energy that keeps us from getting in touch with our body’s natural rhythms and really listening to which substances drag us down and which substances elevate us. It would be hard to tell, for example, if you were needed to lighten your lunch meal because it was making you too tired if you’ve just had coffee.

If you are going to continue having coffee, please do it in the most intelligent way. We all must respect where we are on our transitional journey, and if coffee is still a part of your day, it’s ok. It is hardly the worst thing you can do, and there is a smart way to place a cup o’ Joe.

1. Keep it at least 30 minutes separate from your green juice so that it’s acidity does not lower the alkaline Ph of the vegetable juice.

2. If you must have something in your coffee, use stevia for sweetener, and only almond milk or heavy cream (NOT half and half) which has a lower casein content and will be less sticky and mucous-forming that less fatty cow dairy.

3. Try to balance your acidity. If you are having coffee, wine, and dark chocolate it may be too much if you. For example, I am not a wine drinker, and I will only have the occasional espresso if I know I am not touching dark chocolate or anything else acidic during my day.

4. Americano coffee is a great suggestion for a way to get a creamy espresso-based drink that needs no cream or almond milk. A little stevia and nutmeg makes it delicious without making it any heavier.

5. Lastly, remember that for every false high, there must be a low. Keep a careful watch on your day and if you are more likely to overeat or have an emotional binge in the late afternoon or evening it may be because you are very sensitive and the caffeine letdown is affecting you at that time. It can make you feel sad, irritable, depressed, and hopeless. Just start to notice the rhythms created by the stimulation and if they make things harder for you it may be time to gently give it up.

Coffee is one of the little extras, like wine and chocolate, that add a little acidity to the day without being too sticky in the tissue. It can have a place if you are not ready to say goodbye yet and would like to honor and respect where you are on your path. However, it certainly does not serve your body’s higher good.

Green Juice versus Green Smoothies

by natalia | Apr 22, 2014 | Health & Wellness

Green Juice versus Green Smoothies (September 14, 2011)

Dear Ana,

I have read that green smoothies are very beneficial in a raw food lifestyle. Is it okay to substitute a green smoothie for a green juice in the morning?

Thank you,

Sherry

Hi Sherry,

Thank you for your question. There is a lot of confusion about green smoothies versus green juice.

A green juice is a raw vegetable juice that contains at least one leafy green, like romaine, kale, chard, or spinach. It can also have green apple, lemon, and ginger for flavor, as well as any other raw vegetables that you enjoy. The juice has been separated from the fiber of the vegetables through either a centrifugal extraction process using a juicer such as the Breville, or with a cold press such as the Norwalk. A centrifugal juice should be consumed as close as possible to the time it is made, while a cold pressed juice remains enzymatically intact for up to three days.

• A juice is filled with the most easily accessible and assimilable chlorophyll, high-vibration raw life force, alkalinity, vitamins, minerals, and protein.

• Juice does not have the cellulose or fiber of a blended smoothie, and therefore enters the blood faster and easier.

• Juice does not require significant digestion, so we are able to use it to sustain us through a mini-fast when we may otherwise have wanted breakfast or lunch.

A green smoothie is processed in a high-speed blender such as the BlendTec, not a juicer. The plant fiber is still present, although the blending process helps with the breakdown of cellulose walls and makes digestion easier. For a yeast-conscious diet, such as the one outlined in Detox4Women, green smoothies should be a combination of leafy greens such as spinach, kale, chard, or sprouts with low-sugar fruit such as berried, green apple, or grapefruit. Avocado is a wonderful thicker, and stevia, cocoa powder, or other spices can be added for flavor. This is also often referred to as a blended salad.

• Green smoothies can be a great lunch option for someone who is looking for a light meal.

• Green smoothies are wonderful for cancer patients, or other detoxers with compromised immune or digestive systems as they are partially pre-digested through the blending process.

A blended drink should not take the place of a morning juice, but can be enjoyed as a mid-morning snack or lunch. They are a great way to keep a meal light, and to enjoy a sweet meal rather than a savory salad if that is what you prefer. They are also a wonderful aid to those transitioners who are dealing with serious illness.

I hope this helps! Keep juicing every morning, and try my favorite blended green smoothie recipe for lunch on a hot day:

• 1 5oz boz organic baby spinach

• 1 cup frozen blueberries

• 2 tbsns cocoa powder

• 1/2 avocado

• 1 cup pure water

• stevia and nutmeg to taste

Blend these ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth, and enjoy.

Love,

Ana

How to Find a Good Colon-Hydrotherapist

by natalia | Apr 22, 2014 | Health & Wellness

How to Find a Good Colon-Hydrotherapist (September 12, 2011)

Dear Natalia Rose Institute,

Can you please tell me how to find a good place to get colonics in my area? I don’t know what I am looking for because I have never had one before. Is there anyone you can recommend near me?

Sincerely,

Annie

Dear Annie,

Thank you for your email. All of the Colon-Hydrotherapists that we are familiar with and have had contact with are listed on Natalia’s Natalia Rose Institute website. You can visit the Colon Therapy Directory anytime to find the recommended hydrotherapist closest to you.

There are many wonderful hydrotherapists out there whom we have not been introduced to. When you are doing your own research you will want to call and ask several key questions:

1. Do you use a gravity-fed closed colonic system? If the system is not gravity fed then a machine controls the flow of water. This does not work with the natural rhythms of the body in the same way as a gravity method (where the tank of water is above your head, and powered only by the pull of gravity). A closed system means that waste will exit through tubing instead of into an open toilet.</span>

2. How long will my colonic take? The answer should about an hour. Anything less and you are not getting to the full range of the large intestine. The ascending colon, which runs up the right side of the body, usually only begins to release matter after about 40-50 minutes on the table.

3. Will you be in the room with me the whole time? A therapist should never leave the room while you are on the table. A good therapist knows how much as possible while making the experience as gentle as he or she can.</span>

If you find a wonderful place to get treatments, please ask them to reach out to us so we can add their listing to the site and direct others to them as well!

Love,

Ana

Scalp Issues, Almond Milk, Blueberries

by natalia | Apr 22, 2014 | Health & Wellness

Scalp Issues, Almond Milk, Blueberries (August 25, 2011)

Hi Ana,

I hope everything is well. I have a question. I have scalp folicilitus. I have been juicing, eating my salad everyday etc. I wonder does this have to do with a compromised immune system?

Thanks,

K

Hi K,

Thank you for your email. I am happy to hear that you are eating so beautifully! I’m sorry to hear about your scalp issues.

My understanding of scalp folliculitisis that it is the result of inflamed hair follicles. Research tells me that it is common among patients who are dealing with serious health issues like HIV or undergoing cancer treatment. So you are correct in that it is common in people who have a compromised system. Scalp issues are also common in those who are dealing with yeast or fungal issues.

The Detox4Women approach that you are using is the perfect way to irradicate yeast and fungal growth in your system. It is the only approach that will help to deal with scalp or skin issues. I also recommend adding a Candida yeast fighting supplement like Candex or CandiGone into your routine to move the process even faster. It should be take on an empty stomach, so mornings or afternoons are the best times to take it.

If your system is compromised for any reason it is always a good idea to add more blended and highly digestible meals into your day. Your lunch salad could be a blended salad or soup. Natalia’s Pumpkin Pie in a Bowl soup is delicious (using stevia instead of dates for sweetness). My favorite is Choco-Avo Blended Salad:

• 1 box baby spinach

• 1/2 avocado

• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries

• 1 heaping tbsn cocoa powder

• 1/2 cup pure water or coconut water

• stevia to taste

Blend in a high speed blended until creamy.

In addition to a yeast-conscious diet and highly digestible meal options, please check possible environmental irritants as well. Make sure you are using a natural gentle shampoo (like an organic baby shampoo), soap, and check all lotions and toiletries. Use only natural unscented laundry detergent and household cleaning products.

I hope this helps, and I wish you a speedy recovery.

Love,

Ana

Hi Natalia,

I know you may not be able to answer all your emails but I am starting Detox4Women have a few questions. I have always been a big milk drinker and I know you recommend almond milk which I am now drinking. How much can I have during the day and does it matter when? Also blueberries are abundant on the family farm and I know you said no fruit but that berries were ok.  I have had them as a snack throughout the day, is that ok?

Thanks so much, Beth

Hi Beth,

Thank you for your email. I am happy that you are doing so well using Detox4Women. Almond milk is a great substitute for cow milk, however, it shouldn’t be used all day. It is very important to give the system a rest between meals, which is one of the reasons we have green juice for breakfast instead of something heavier. I would choose two times a day that are really special to you and have your milk then. I recommend it after dinner with stevia and cinnamon as a desert treat, or as an afternoon tea-time snack. If you find yourself wanting to sip something throughout the day lemon-water with stevia is a great detox-friendly lemonade.

You are lucky to have fresh blueberries readily available, and you can absolutely have them on Detox4Women. The low-sugar fruits like green apples, grapefruit, and berries are included in your menu options because they are not as yeast feeding as the sweeter fruits. Fruit is best consumed alone and on and empty stomach, so blueberries would be perfect as a mid-morning snack if you feel you need one.

<span style=”line-height: 1.714285714; font-size: 1rem;”>Never limit your intake if you are truly hungry. However, resting the digestive system gives it the chance to play catch-up, and begin to assist with the detoxification process. Munching on berries and drinking almond milk all day will keep the body dependent on outside stimulation instead of giving it the break it needs to clean house and begin to give you true energy and joy. So enjoy snacks in moderation by listening to when your body really wants them.</span>

To make your own raw almond milk:

In a high-speed blender blend the following until creamy.

• 1 cup raw almonds

• 3 cups water

Once blended, strain through cheese cloth and sweeten with stevia if desired. This will last for up to four days in the refrigerator in a sealed container.

I hope this helps, and that you continue to enjoy the lifestyle and your fresh summer blueberries.

Love,

Ana

When to Re-Introduce Fruit

by natalia | Apr 22, 2014 | Health & Wellness

When to Re-Introduce Fruit (April 24, 2011)

Hi,

I have been following the Detox4Women program for some time. I want to know if it’s okay to add more fruit back into my lifestyle. How do you know that you can safely have fruit?

Thanks,

Susan

Thank you for your question. Addressing fruit feels very timely as summer finally starts to show her face. When it is warm it feels more natural to eat lighter foods.

Fruit is the highest vibration, fastest moving, and most alkaline food that we can put into the human body. It is difficult in the beginning stages of detoxification because it is so alkaline and fast moving that it awakens toxins faster than we can release them, and because it is so high in natural sugars that it feeds existing yeast and fungal growth in the system.

Here is a guide to understanding if your cleansed body is ready for fruit:

•*Warning: A yeasted woman who still has significant weight to loose should not try fruit yet. She should stick to the low-starch and sugar Detox4Women approach. Fruit is also not for cancer patients, and some fruit (especially grapefruit) interferes with certain medications, so make sure you know what you are allowed to eat if you are still taking pharmaceuticals.

You know fruit is safe when you try a fruit-based meal or snack and…

1. You eliminate within 14 hours of your fruit meal. The bowel movement should be easy and plentiful. Fruit will only work in a system with a clear elementary canal.

2. The fruit elevates you rather than bringing you down. You should feel joyous and energized, not angry, sad or tired.

3. You have no adverse reaction to the fruit. This includes headaches, skin rashes or breakouts, and a feeling of bloating and queasiness instead of just full.

4. The fruit-only meal feels complete and satisfying. It should not feel like a fast, and if you find yourself craving more density (like fish or goat cheese, or a pile of cooked veggies) you are not ready for fruit meals.

How to eat fruit:

1. Fruit should always be eaten alone or in the company of raw leafy greens and on an empty stomach.

2. The placement in the day of a fruit meal or snack is very important. It should come before any other foods, so enjoy it as a mid-morning snack, a lunch if you juice until lunch, or a dinner if you juice until dinner. It should also only be consumed in the presence of colonics, and is best eaten no more than 1-2 days before a colonic treatment.

3. Fruit can work for you for several days in a row, and then begin to create an adverse reaction. Never eat it for more than 1-3 days in a row, and pay careful attention to your body (adhering to the guide above).

4. Ease into eating fruit again by starting with meals of winter fruit (apples, pears, bananas, and grapefruit) or making sure to eat your fruit in the company of raw leafy greens (like an avocado-banana-spinach salad, or a green smoothie).

If you are not able to do fruit yet, you can satisfy your palate with big juicy salads. Greens with plenty of lemon juice and stevia, covered with hunks of cucumber, tomato, and avocado will give you the water-containing alkalinity you crave.

Remember, in the cleansing game there is no race to the finish line (and no finish line!). You will have your fruit in time, so relax into the lifestyle at the level you need to be eating and love the meals that are safe and helpful for you NOW. Then when you think you are ready, try moving forward a step. If it makes you feel worse instead of better, scared instead of excited, or isolated instead of included, stay where you are! Slow and steady is the most effective means to your best self.

Iron and Red Meat

by natalia | Apr 22, 2014 | Health & Wellness

Iron and Red Meat (December 5, 2010)

Dear Ana,

I just finished your blog about the trip to the GP and was wondering how you maintain your iron levels without meat. About 3 months ago, I was diagnosed with severe anaemia due to bleeding. The gynae put me on hormones, which I resisted, then after about 6 weeks stopped taking because the side effects sucked and the bleeding didn’t stop. I’ve been off them for about a month, and slowly my body’s normalizing. I’m still having problems getting enough iron, though. When my iron counts drop, I have trouble breathing. This becomes an issue if I skip meat for a day or two.

As an aside, the hormones were causing me to retain water, which caused my joints to swell. The doctor was puzzled because the “solution” should have been NSAIDs, but because of the “reactive respiratory disorder” caused by the anemia, she couldn’t advise me to take them regularly. This helped end the hormone prescription because I couldn’t deal with the pain they were causing. What should I do?

Best,

Marcy

Hi Marcy,

Thank you for your question. The issue of iron deficiency is a big one. Correcting it is not a simple case of taking iron and high iron containing substances into the body but rather it is a case of creating the environment for building healthy blood. What Natalia feels made the difference in her hemoglobin count was moving from being a waste-filled body to a waste-free body. Pre-cleansing, when she was chronically anemic, she says her system was suffocating – denied adequate life force and unable to absorb and make proper use of the nutrients that she took into her body. The radical change came from the radical steps she took to unblock her system. That is what ultimately strengthened her blood. After cleansing she naturally absorbed and synthesized all nutrients more efficiently. The simple answer is that a clean body is able to get all of the nutrients it needs, and to perfectly regulate blood levels, as well as all bodily systems. When cells are carrying a toxic load, and frantically helping the body to deal with the daily onslaught of ingested and environmental toxins, the body suffers and, of course the blood reflects this.

I could point to the high levels of iron in vegetables like kale, broccoli, and spinach, but this is not the whole answer. The cleaner a body is, the better it is able to properly assimilate the nutrients it receives. Clean cells sustain optimal blood level!

I hope this helps your decision-making process, and thank you again for your email.

Love,

Ana