Cleansing during a pandemic…

One of my goals this spring was to embark on a guided Ayurvedic cleanse. I had been wanting to do one since last summer and when some April break plans were thwarted, I knew that there would be no better time for me to take this on. Ayurvedic eating and living (working with natural rhythms of the earth and food qualities) has attracted me over the years, and I knew that doing a cleanse in this way would keep me engaged.

When work began shifting to my home, and staying in place was the new way of life, I indulged in some social media and found what I knew would be the best opportunity to make this cleanse happen. Kate O’Donnell was offering a 10-day Ayurvedic spring cleanse at the end of March.

A key component of a cleanse is the ability to cook meals fresh, and do very little in terms of exertion. Anxious about what working from home would mean for me, and learning that my husband is considered an essential employee (potentially putting himself at risk of infection) weighed heavily on my mind, and made this time for a cleanse especially challenging. Having a new and exciting focus was helpful.

So, why a cleanse? My body was due for a re-set. I recently turned 40, and despite my seemingly good health, I knew that there was more I could do to care for myself, and learn something new that could help me feel even better down the road. Another piece is that sometimes you just know when systems aren’t functioning properly. I always considered myself someone who could eat anything…but should I? This often came up for me in terms of digestion. With so many different emotions and information amidst, it turned out to be a great time to wake up early, get moving, eat healthy, limit social media, and go to bed early. Additionally, an Ayurvedic cleanse can help build immunity to illness.

The great thing about an Ayurvedic cleanse is that you eat food! When you mention the word “cleanse” people often think of withholding food or drinking juice or smoothies all day. You can drink juice if you want, but it is certainly not a main component of the cleanse. This type of cleanse, nourishes, and heals the body and mind all at the same time! Not to mention that you don’t need to buy expensive powders or gimmicky shakes and smoothies. Smoothies are actually a bad idea in terms of Ayurveda, as mixing lots of different textures can do a number on your digestion. Just wholesome, good food is all you need to stay healthy, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s a win-win if you ask me!

I wanted to share a little about my experience. I hope you enjoy!

Talk about jumping right in! I could never envision life without many of the things listed above. That is why I appreciated having someone to guide me through the process. It was necessary for me to take it seriously and follow the recommendations to get the most out of it.

Each day would begin at 6am by scraping my tongue, and drinking a glass of warm water and lemon. This helps aid in digestion. Daily meditations were provided for each day of the cleanse. After meditation, I would do some gentle yoga, then practice daily abhyanga (full body oil massage) prior to showering. I like to use sesame oil for my dry skin, and doing this locks in moisture during a shower. The difference in my skin is quite remarkable. After the shower I would eat breakfast. Generally it is best practice to eat after showering. This was something that I learned a couple of years ago, and it has worked well for me since.

Beginning the cleanse required two days of a “pre-cleanse” diet. This meant eating three meals a day, without the allergens listed at the top of this section, and included whole grains, vegetables, beans, and seasonal fruits. For breakfast on these days I had things like quinoa and date porridge for breakfast, rice with vegetables for lunch, and black bean taco (above) for dinner. The black bean taco above includes a homemade corn tortilla, black bean mixture with shredded carrot, kale, and avocado, heavy on the lime. These were tasty and filling! The recipe was provided as part of the cleanse, which was very helpful! All meals were eaten warm, to again aid in digestion during cooler months.

The main cleanse consisted of kichari (basmati rice, mung beans, spices, and vegetables) three times a day (even for breakfast). As someone who favors sweet things for breakfast, as well as eggs or dairy, this was a shift. On day 5 or 6 I really had to get creative with other flavors. Not to mention that when they say three meals a day, they mean three meals and no snacking! This was another tricky area for me; especially on day three, as news of COVID-19 was spreading. I learned that family and friends had symptoms. This required some extra strength from within and was a good reminder of how I can sometimes use food to cure boredom or feed emotions. The removal of sugary snacks throughout my day continues to be a work in progress. However, throughout the cleanse, I was able to stick to it.

Making a big pot of kichari each morning to last the day, allowed me to get outside, work on some projects, and not have to worry about what I would eat, at least for five days. I really enjoyed this part of the cleanse, but when I have the time, I enjoy being creative and making meals as fresh as possible. I have always been one to eat leftovers, but after two days in the fridge, food loses its prana (life energy) and no longer supports the immune system. After five days of kichari, I had had enough! My excitement for cooking was rekindled.

Day 8 was a rest day. It was a day for the body to continue to process the five days of a simple meal of kichari without snacking. It allowed my body to remove any toxins that might have been lingering in my digestive tract, and take them right out! I struggled with what to eat during this time because I was so tired of rice! I was able to go back to the simple diet, but that required thinking about what was in each and every thing I ate. This was difficult for me, again, because I could always eat anything, but knew that I had to omit or limit certain foods and get especially creative. I tried some new recipes during this time, including a lentil dish. It was nice to have a different texture, and it lasted a couple of meals. One important thing to note is that cleansing provides a framework and guide. If there is any diversion from the plan, it is ok. It is important to go easy on yourself if it does happen.

After day 10 is when allergens (eggs, dairy, soy, meat) are re-integrated to recognize any allergens.

The picture above is two glasses of “refresh-o-rama” from the provided cleanse recipes. It includes grapefruit juice, lemon, ginger, honey, and a dash of cayenne if you’re up for it! It is a great alternative to coffee to get your day going.

One of the biggest benefits of this cleanse was being able to take a closer look at the foods I was eating, learning exactly what I was putting into my body and when, and most importantly-how. Since the cleanse, I have reduced my sugar intake. I had reduced my coffee intake a few years ago, but then began drinking it often again. Now I try to brew up some homemade chai when I need an extra boost. I continue to wake up at 6am and practice meditation. It is a great way to clear my mind before starting the day-along with some yoga. Ensuring that I am eating whole food when possible, and being mindful when I sit down for meals has also seemed to stick.

Although I have snacked between meals at times, I am more mindful of what I am eating. This awareness has been helpful. The goal is to only eat when you feel hunger so that you body’s fire (agni) can build, and be ready to receive food and digest when it is ready. For some people this is three or four times a day, for others, it may only be twice, depending on the season. It is important to listen to your body, especially your stomach! Eating your largest meal at in the middle of the day is a guideline from Ayurveda; second largest should be breakfast, and then a small dinner. This is contrary to how many of us eat, however small and gradual changes can help.

During this cleanse I learned how to substitute different spices for different cravings. Instead of grabbing a sugary snack, I found some great recipes for snacks that taste sweet without the sugar. The picture above is my variation of Kate’s “coconut chocolate ojas bars”. I used a recipe in one of her cookbooks, but substituted carob powder for chocolate. I was introduced to carob when I worked at a cafe in Australia and have wanted to use it differently. Carob is a great substitute especially for someone like me who could eat chocolate or sugary foods all day. I keep these in the freezer for dessert.

In conclusion…

The most influential take-away from this experience was something I learned called “prajnaparadha” pronounced “pradna-parad”. It translates to “crimes against wisdom” or doing things that you know aren’t good for you, but do anyway. This is one cause of disease, along with the effects of time and misuse of the senses. Being mindful of how often we partake in these offenses can lead to small changes that contribute to better overall health.

For me, this cleanse has assisted me in staying steady, especially during this uncertain time. It has allowed me to stay focused, foster relationships, and practice being my best self by staying present.

Thank you for reading! As always, please contact me if you have any questions. If you are interested in learning more or signing up for a fall or spring cleanse, I would recommend any offerings by Kate O’Donnell.

May you be happy, may you be safe, may you be healthy,

Kara