Standard Process Purification Program- Day 19

Recall the things that have held you back. And imagine how you now can get beyond them.

Think of the problems that have frustrated you so. And imagine how you can now rise above them.

Look at how far you've come. And imagine how far you can now go.

Think of all that you've learned. And imagine what you can now do with that knowledge.

Consider all you've done in the past year (21 days). And imagine what you'll now be able to do.

You're now in a better position than ever to imagine the very best. And what you can imagine will lead to what you can be.

-- Ralph Marston

It’s hard to believe this Purification Program will be over on Sunday! (Remember to finish it through Sunday…so actually it will be over Monday morning). I hope you have learned a lot, accomplished your goals, have more energy, feel better about yourself, realized you do have self-control, and encouraged others that they can do it to. And the list doesn’t stop there. What you choose do from here on out is your decision. I hope I have provided you with some useful information, tips, and tools that you can carry along the rest of your journey. I thank you for being the first to do this Program together as a group! I wasn’t exactly sure how it was going to come together, or if was going to be useful to anyone, but I feel I have accomplished what I set out to do…help you become a healthier you!

Even though the Program is about over, I am going to continue to blog…just in case some of you might have missed me! I’m not going to update it everyday like I have been, but I do plan on adding entries at least 2-3 times per week. So if any of you have any topics you would like me to discuss I would be more than happy to. If not, then I will just blog about whatever is on my knowledge filled mind (of course about nutrition).

In Great Health,

Dr. Vanessa

Standard Process Purification Program- Day 18

When Monday morning comes I do not expect you to go back to your old ways and scarf down a donut and coffee for breakfast! What I do expect is for you to continue on with what you have learned over the last 21 Days. Many of you may not have even realized what that refined, processed, sugar filled food was doing to you until you cut it all out! I have heard “I have never felt better!” so many times this week from you guys, and I love it! So why would you wan to go back to eating the very things that made you feel yucky in the first place? I know there are certain foods that you are just dying to add back in, and that’s fine. So today I want to take some time describing food reintroduction and how to do it when Monday morning comes.

Systematically reintroducing foods from one food group at a time is a great way to figure out which foods will make the cut. This method allows you to gauge how these foods make you feel, and if they cause any problems. Just remember, your body hasn’t dealt with some of the foods in these groups for a few weeks, so you’ll want to introduce each new food in small portions at first.

Also, it is possible to have a food allergy or intolerance that you don’t know about, so one of they key aspects of reintroduction is to keep a journal of how each food makes you feel.

Here's how it works:

You’ll follow the daily diet that you have been following the past 11 days. You'll reintroduce one food from a food group at a time. Let your body be your guide: if you eat toast and feel bloated or gassy, have a headache, or have any other symptom, note it in your journal. If your symptoms are uncomfortable but not severe, wait a few hours and try the food again. And remember, each person is different, so write down what you feel-different people will have different responses to the same food.

If you choose to reintroduce some foods/food groups you eliminated during the purification program, here are some things to remember:

1. Grains: Choose whole grains, instead of refined grains. Refined grains have most of their nutrients removed and are then enriched, so whole grains-which contain their original fiber, iron, and B vitamins-are a healthier choice. Eat a healthy range of whole grains that include quinoa, spelt, bulgur, steel-cut oatmeal, brown rice, and barley.


2. Dairy: This group includes products like cheese, milk, yogurt, and butter. If you choose to incorporate these items look for raw organic butter, raw milk, and real cheese (cheese that’s as traditional and natural as possible, the kind of cheese your ancestors have been eating for thousands of years)!


3. Nuts & Seeds: Nuts and seeds can supply necessary oils in your diet.


4. Shellfish: Shellfish, like shrimp and mussels, can add important nutrients like protein and iodine to the diet.


5. Eggs: Eggs are an important source of protein, iron, and B vitamins. You may want to reintroduce eggs after grains, so you can try them with a whole grain muffin. Or you could hard boil an egg and eat it at breakfast or as a snack.

Have fun reintroducing foods back into your diet, but make sure to only add in one food group at a time. This way you know exactly how your body is reacting to that particular food. If you are finding the food cause symptoms for you, I would consider cutting that food out of your diet.

Standard Process Purification Program- Day 17

Its Day 17 already and you know what that means…only 4 more days until this Program is over! From the feedback I have been getting, this program has really made a difference in your life and the choices you will make from here on out. And I couldn’t be happier! But remember feeling this good doesn’t have to end on Day 21! If you incorporate these new habits you are forming throughout your life, you are doing your body so much good! Maintaining your weight and staying healthy are lifelong commitments. Along the way you may run into road blocks that make your commitment difficult. Below are some ways to keep your challenges to a minimum.

1. Don't try to lose too much, too fast. If you begin to gain some of your weight back, it is tempting to try to lose more weight in a shorter timeframe. However, the safest way to lose weight is setting a goal of 1 to 2 pounds per week. That way you take the weight off and keep it off without "yo-yo" dieting.
2. Don't underestimate the number of calories/nutrients in food. Often we really don't know how many calories or nutrients are in foods. When in doubt, you can visit the USDA National Nutrient Database to look up any foods you're unsure about.
3. Prepare for social gatherings. When deciding to eat out, plan what you'll eat ahead of time so there's no guesswork when you arrive. Don't forget to drink water before you leave and while you're there so you don't mistake hunger for dehydration. If you're going to a place with appetizers to munch on, eat a healthy snack beforehand so you're not tempted. A healthy snack includes: baby carrots, celery sticks with 1Tbs. organic peanut butter, an apple, or a cup of grapes.
4. Dealing with feeling deprived/bored with the diet. Depriving yourself all the time of your favorite, albeit unhealthy, food may lead you back into unhealthy eating habits. It's okay to give in once in awhile and eat your favorite foods. But if you're just bored with your diet, try veggies and fruit you have never had before. Remember to eat a wide variety of foods; choice a rainbow of colors.
5. Reaching for processed or refined foods. These can be high in sugar, fat, and additives. Most of us use these foods for their convenience. Try to keep these foods out of the house so you won't be tempted. Review the menu before you go out to eat with friends so you can avoid these foods.
6. Drinking alcohol or caffeine. These kinds of drinks can be consumed in moderation, but many people find that drinking them can easily become habit forming.
7. Portion control. Portion control is all about how much a serving size is and how many calories a serving contains. Nutrient dense food gives the most nutrition per serving. Being able to visualize correct portions is hard when you first start. Here are some pointers when planning what to eat:

• Portion of carbohydrates should be one fistful (for example pasta)
• A potato serving is equal to the size of a standard computer mouse
• 1 cup strawberries, 1 cup broccoli, raw greens, or carrots are equal to the size of a baseball
• 1 oz. of hard cheese is equal to 1 domino
• 1/4 cup almonds or pistachios is equal to a golf ball
• 3 oz. of meat/poultry is equal to the size of a deck of cards
• 3 oz. of cooked fish is equal to the size of a checkbook
• 1 tablespoon of butter or salad dressing is equal to a poker chip

Let your body tell you when its full. Never feel like you have to eat everything on your plate. Eat slowly and enjoy the eating experience. If you are still hungry, pay attention to portion sizes so you'll know what foods to go back for.

Standard Process Purification Program- Day 16

Once the Purification Program comes to an end you will need to define and establish your “new normal”, the healthy diet that will meet your nutritional and lifestyle needs. One of the main intentions of this Program was to start taking your dietary lifestyle in a new direction. By the end of 21 days you should have a new attitude and appreciation for “good” food and health in general. Now that the program is coming to an end you have the opportunity to continue on the road to maintaining a healthy body, mind, and spirit. Or you can choose to go back to what wasn’t working for you before. The choice is yours. (I really hope you choose the first choice!)

One of the main things I recommend once you come off the Purification Program is to establish a good supplement regimen. Everyone’s needs are different, but I definitely recommend that you take a multivitamin and a good fish oil (omega-3 fatty acid) at the very least. Also, depending on how much you enjoyed drinking your shakes each day you can continue to drink them. This will provide you with amino acids, essential fatty acids, and other vitamins to support intestinal, muscular, and immune health. If you do decide to continue on with your shakes I would also continue adding the Whole Food Fiber to it. This is a great source of fiber made from whole foods, all playing a vital role in keeping the intestinal tract and immune system healthy.

If you haven’t found a good multivitamin or fish oil we do carry both here at the office. Our multivitamin is called Catalyn and our fish oil is called Tuna Omega-3 Oil. Catalyn contains concentrated multiple vitamins, minerals, and trace minerals providing complex nutritional supplementation. And our Tuna Omega-3 Oil provides a rich source of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, comprised of DHA and EPA in a naturally occurring 5:1 ratio. They are responsible for promoting and supporting healthy cardiovascular, nervous, and immune system health. (All the supplements we carry at the office are from Standard Process)

I also recommend filling out another Symptom Survey, which you can pick up here at the office. After doing so compare the new Survey to the first one you filled out and see what has changed and what hasn’t. If you would like to bring them in for me to look at I can most certainly do that. This will also give us a glimpse into which systems in your body are functioning at reduced capacity.

Summary: Make sure to get on a good supplement regimen and fill out a new Symptom Survey Form.

Standard Process Purification Program- Day 15

In my opinion there is nothing better than a cup of warm hearty soup on a cold…dreary…did I mention windy day. To my rescue was Alton Browns Lentil Soup recipe. It was exactly what I needed this afternoon to warm me up! I have a new found appreciation for lentils. After never wanting to cook with them ever again I actually used both bags of lentils this weekend that sat in my pantry for months! All I needed was the right recipe to come along and spark my interest…and his sure did the job! Thanks Alton.

About this point in the Program many people find they are not drinking as much water as they did when they started. If this is you…please increase your water intake. (Remember you should be drinking ½ your body weight in ounces daily.) Just like last week you should be continuing to feel great! Can you believe we just have this week left? As this week progresses I will be giving you tips and recommendations on how to come off the Purification Program. I hope you are all finding that you feel so wonderful that you want to continue this way of life…therefore I have some suggestions for you as you introduce certain foods back into your diet. So stay tuned!

*Remember you should be eating twice the amount of veggies as fruit!

Standard Process Purification Program- Day 12 (WOW!)

We are coming up on the week 2 mile marker! That is Great! Again, I will not be posting any blogs over the weekend so I wanted to leave you with some encouraging words and also some yummy recipes to try out this weekend!

START SOMETHING POSITIVE

Momentum can be difficult to establish. And that's what makes it so valuable. Because once you have it going in your favor, momentum can be hard to stop. With momentum on your side, small efforts can bring big results, and those big results can lead to even bigger ones. Yes, momentum takes some effort and commitment to put into motion. And it is very much worth the trouble. Take the time and make the effort to start something positive. Even though, in the short term, it would be easier and more comfortable to just do nothing, look past those immediate concerns. Look ahead to that point where momentum kicks in, and consider the value of putting it to work in your favor. Then get up, get going, and get to work on building that momentum. Start something positive, and create some valuable momentum. You'll be able to ride that momentum as far as you can imagine.

- Ralph Marston

Inspired yet?

And on to some yummy recipes...(in addition to the good ones that came along with your packet!). Here is a recipe for Artichoke and Sun-Dried Tomato Stuffed Chicken Breasts that I plan on making this weekend (of course with modifications!). I am going to use fresh ingredients instead of ones in a jar, omit the butter (use EVOO in place of it), and add chicken stock instead of the white wine to deglaze. You can make whatever modifications you want to this recipe, you can also substitute the veggies for whatever ones that interest you! And here is a recipe for Grilled Salmon with Pineapple, Mango, and Strawberry Salsa (YUM). You might be like me and have your grill packed away because after all...it is winter! So I am just going to bake the salmon instead of grilling it. If you have an indoor grill (lucky you) go ahead and use that.

Also, you may want to weigh, measure, and take updated photos of yourself on Sunday. This will help you see the progress that you have made thus far! I wish everyone a wonderful, sunny, stress-free weekend!

Standard Process Purification Program- Day 11 is here!

Make the decision,

then do something

no matter how small

toward accomplishing what you want.

I thought this quote summed up what we are all in the process of doing here (with this Program). For one reason or another we have each made the decision to change the path our health was taking and set it on a new path. I know each of us has a goal of what we are looking to accomplish on this journey, and I hope you are starting to see that it can actually be accomplished! Doesn't that feel wonderful?

And for those who aren't participating in this Program:

I really mean...do something...no matter how small. Even if you just change one thing a day about your health/diet/lifestyle...that is significant! And if you keep that change going each day, then you are on track to better health. I understand it can be tough for someone to make a lot of changes in a short time. I get that. So instead of not changing at all, just make smaller changes, which all add up in the long run. The journey to better health is about making decisions. Do I eat this piece of cake, or not eat it? Do I get up and exercise today, or can it wait until tomorrow? What are your goals??...

Now that you know them...take hold of them! They CAN be accomplished!

Standard Process Purification Program- Day 10

Yes it is Day 10 already! Remember tomorrow you can start eating lean protein! I have been hearing great feedback from all of you, so keep up the good work!

I had someone comment yesterday's post about Leek Soup, and was wondering if anyone had a good recipe for it. I have never personally made it...only eaten it! I really do love it and would love to find a great recipe without the potatoes...and cream...and bacon. The place I usually order my Leek Soup from has a secret recipe which I am sure they won't give up (because I have already asked them!). Please post if you find one!

By this point in the Program you should be feeling really good! And by Day 21 you'll be feeling not only great, but fantastic! I hope you are all enjoying trying new foods and incorporating more fruits and veggies into your life. I hope this becomes a way of life for you all to follow way beyond Day 21.

Standard Process Purification Program- Day 9

The time is just flying by. Only 2 more days until we can introduce lean sources of protein to our program like chicken, fish, and turkey! By now some of you may really be missing meat and for others you might be finding it rather easy to give it up. As for me...I can go either way. I was never a big fan of a nice juicy burger or a tasty rare steak. Red meat just isn't for me. But oh how I do love chicken and turkey! So needless to say I am really excited for Thursday!

Remember that when buying meat choose organic, free-range, antibiotic-free and hormone-free if possible. Also, fish should be deep sea fish (e.g. salmon, cod, or sea bass), not farm raised.

On another note: I FOUND BEETS! You can only imagine my excitement as I walked up to the produce section of Giant Eagle and low and behold they actually had beets (for the first time in I don't know how long!). Everyone around me must have thought I was crazy because I had a huge smile and said "Yes! Beets!", but I didn't care what they thought! So I think I am going to steam one tonight.

Standard Process Purification Program- Day 8

First let me start off by saying that I will never eat Tomato Soup at a restaurant or out of a can ever again. Over the weekend I made the recipe I found last Thursday and it was AMAZING! I encourage all of you to try it…you will not be disappointed. Of course I never follow the directions on a recipe exact so I again improvised a few items. I used water instead of Vegetable Stock, I didn’t use the crushed red pepper flakes (I’m not big on spicy), I used enough Extra Virgin Olive Oil to only coat the plum tomatoes, I used Organic Fire Roasted Tomatoes instead of just plain canned plum tomatoes, and honestly I didn’t really know what a food mill was (I had to look it up) so I put the soup in the blender (in batches) to make it the consistency I wanted. And it worked just great! I will be enjoying this soup for days to come.

Day 8 is here! Only 2 weeks left to go! Congratulations! Today you should have finished up taking the last of your SP Cleanse capsules and moved onto the SP Green Food. I think you will like taking the SP Green Food since you only take 5 capsules 2 times per day…it seems like nothing compared to the first 7 days.

This week I hope to conquer my fear of…Lentils. I have two packages sitting in my pantry that stare at me every time I open the door (that I just either ignore or move from one side to the other to justify my buying them). I have not had much success with lentils even though I have only tried to make them once. Actually, I have never had any dish fail as bad as my lentils (except my Chicken Cacciatore that burned in the crock pot…yes I said burned in the crock pot…another story for another date). So I went onto my beloved Food Network and found this recipe for Alton Browns Lentil Soup. In my mind he is a genius when it comes to food…so this has to be good, right? I’ve had the Lentil discussion with several patients and they make it seem so easy to cook these little round legume seeds, but I fear them! So, if I get a chance to make Lentil Soup this week I’ll let you know how it turned out.

Standard Process Purification Program- Day 5

Day 5 is here! I don’t know about everyone else, but these past 5 days have flown by for me. Week one is almost completed…Congrats and Good Work! I have a few reminders before I leave you for the weekend:

• Sunday Jan. 17th is the last day to take the SP Cleanse capsules. On Monday you start the SP Green Food (5 capsules 3 times/day). Also you should have 3 leftover SP Cleanse capsules on Monday...go ahead and take them Monday morning. The SP Green Food is also taken on an empty stomach.
• By now you should be feeling more energized, so PLEASE exercise this weekend! The more you get moving and sweat the better the toxins are released from the body.
• Some people like to get on a schedule and eat the same thing day after day after day, but this weekend I want you to switch things up. Start to eat some veggies that you have been avoiding because you are not sure how to prepare them. Go to Food Network online and type in a particular veggie and a whole list of recipes will come up. All you have to do is find one that sounds appealing and modify it to fit the guidelines of the Program. That' it! EASY!

That's all for now! Good luck this weekend...I know weekends can be difficult, but remember you already have 5 days under your belt. Is it really worth cheating now? NO NO NO!

Standard Process Purification Program- Day 4

All I can think about today is Creamy Tomato Soup…Mmm! Since I have tomatoes on the brain I would like to share some of the amazing benefits of these juicy red spheres of goodness with you.

Tomatoes are full of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. Tomatoes (especially when cooked) are a key source of Lycopene, an antioxidant that has been shown to fight a number of health conditions. Lycopene is not a naturally produced element within the body and the human body requires sources of Lycopene in order to make use of this powerful anti-oxidant. While other fruits and vegetables do contain this necessary health ingredient, no other fruit or vegetable has the high concentration of Lycopene that the tomato takes pride in.

The health benefits of tomatoes are becoming more and more documented every day as we learn new uses of this amazing fruit. (Yes I said Fruit!) Cancers such as prostate cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, and cancers of the stomach, mouth, pharynx, and esophagus have all been proven to be blocked by high levels of Lycopene. When tomato products are heat processed the bioavailablity of the Lycopene actually increases rather than decreases. This is amazing news since most of us just can’t get enough tomato soup and tomato sauce!

Some other health benefits include:
· A large consumption of tomato can help improve skin texture and color
· Good blood purifier
· Tomato helps in cases of congestion of the liver (protects the liver from cirrhosis) as well as for
dissolving gallstones
· Tomato is a natural antiseptic therefore it can help protect against infection. Nicotinic acid in tomatoes can help to reduce blood cholesterol, thus helps prevent heart disease.

· Vitamin K in tomatoes helps to prevent hemorrhages
· And the list goes on…

As my obsession with Tomato Soup intensified today I searched for a good recipe that I could easily incorporate into the Purification Program. I think I found a pretty good one called Roasted Tomato Basil Soup. With a few changes, I’m sure this will be a winner (Changes are omitting the butter, and instead of Chicken Stock use Vegetable Stock or just water). I plan on making a large batch of this soup this weekend!

We are close to finishing Week 1 already!

Standard Process Purification Program- Day 3

Day 3 is already here! I’m telling you this Purification Program goes fast! Before you start it you may not think so, but once you get going and are used to preparing all the food it really does fly by!

Day 3 might feel the same as Day 2, but hang tight each day gets better and better. You still may be experiencing some cravings (of the naughty things you used to enjoy), but these cravings will begin to disappear shortly (within another day or two). If you are having a particularly hard day just remember why you are doing this Program in the first place. For some it might be to fit into that pair of skinny jeans, or to prove to yourself you do have self-control, or maybe it’s because you want to be around as long as you can to see your children grow up, or even just to accomplish that New Year’s Resolution for once and for all. Whatever your reason was to start this journey always keep it in mind, it will motivate you at the times you need it most!

Now we’ll move on to exercise! (Yay! Everyone’s favorite subject.) Have you started exercising yet? I know all too well what it feels like to be too tired to exercise! But the truth is…you just have to suck it up and DO IT! Even if you don’t feel like it, find something you can do. Just give me 20 minutes walking on the treadmill, or 3 sets of pushups, just give me something! The first week can be hard to get motivated to get up and move your body because you might not have the same energy you had last week, and that’s okay. I’m not asking you to train for a marathon here, I’m just asking for 20-30 minutes of something you enjoy doing at least 3 times per week. The first couple days are the hardest trying to incorporate exercise into this Program, but I know once you start you’ll thank me later (because you’ll see even better results!).

I wanted to thank everyone for the feedback I have been getting so far! I hope you are enjoying this blog as much as I like writing it. Also if you have any recipes or suggestions to share please leave a comment below.

Standard Process Purification Program- Day 2 (Yes Day 1 is already over!)

“If you don't do what's best for your body, you're the one who comes up on the short end.”
-Julius Erving

I found this quote and thought it was important to share with you. It doesn’t matter if in the past you didn’t treat your body the best, abused it by eating one to many chocolate cake slices, or finished off that bag of chips when you know you shouldn’t have. What matters is the fact that you decided to make a change NOW! And I know you decided to make the change for you, which is most important. Now that we have the “old” you out of the way, we can focus on the “new” you! Doesn’t that feel great!?

I hope everyone’s Day 1 went spectacular. Today you might not be feeling as great, maybe you are, but just remember everyone is different and everybody experiences detoxification different. From experience I know that Day 2 of this Program feels A LOT better than Day 2 of my last Program. Last time I did the Purification Program I experienced a severe headache that lasted all of Day 2. I also had little energy and was very irritable. So far on this Purification Program I have much more energy and not even a trace of a headache. Hooray!

The first couple days are usually the roughest. You might be experiencing withdrawal effects from the caffeine, sugar, or artificial sweeteners your body is used to consuming, but this will pass!! You just need to hang tight and let the body do what it does best…HEAL! Also make sure you are drinking enough water! You should be drinking half your body weight in ounces EVERY day. (Example: A 150lb. woman should be drinking 75 ounces per day.)

Standard Process Purification Program- Day 1 is finally here!

The day we've all been waiting for is finally here! I hope everyone is as excited as I am to start this journey.

I hope you took my advice and did all your shopping and prep work this past weekend (trust me it makes it so much easier). I also find it helpful to plan out all my meals and snacks for the week ahead. This way I am not scrambling to find something to eat or also so I don't just sit staring at all my fruit and veggies wondering what in the world I am to do with them. Planning out my meals also makes me look forward to making and enjoying them! For instance, I can't wait to make the Lettuce Wraps on Wednesday for lunch or to eat the Chilled Cucumber-Red Onion Salad I made as a snack for tomorrow!

If you find you are struggling with ideas for snacks or what to make for dinner tonight I recommend looking over the packet of recipes I gave to you. There really are some great ideas in there! You can also look up vegetarian dishes/sides on the Internet. You can always modify them if they don't fit the proper criteria for this program. The idea is to have a variety of foods to eat. Make each day interesting and try to incorporate a new veggie each day. This Program will go much smoother if you have variety. Make this 21 Journey fun and exciting (because IT IS!)!

Remember that you should be eating twice as many veggies as fruits! I know all us sugar lovers tend to go straight for the fruit and bypass the veggies, but vegetables are better at detoxifying the body than fruit is. Plus fruit does have sugar in it...so for those looking to drop a few pounds and fit into that special dress or those favorite pair of jeans might want to keep fruit to a minimum.

I also wanted to let you guys know how proud I am of you for taking the first step to better your health!

* I have had a ton of inquires about the recipe packet. I have now added a Buy Now PayPal button below where you can purchase this packet of recipes from me. Once you submit your payment, please send an e-mail to drsgolojuh@gmail.com letting me know you just purchsed your packet and I will e-mail you over the recipe packet. Also with this purchase I will send you more recipes as I add them. *

Only 1 weekend stands in our way!

Since I probably will not be posting over the weekend and we start MONDAY MORNING (Yay!) I wanted to make sure to clear a few things up that might be confusing.

1. On Monday start the SP Cleanse capsules. Take 7 three times per day on an empty stomach. An empty stomach means either one hour before a meal or two hours after you finished a meal. The SP Cleanse will take you through Day 7 (Jan. 17th).
2. On Day 8 (Jan. 18th) start the SP Green Food capsules. You will take 5 capsules two times per day. Same goes with these…take on an empty stomach.
3. I recommend 2-3 SP Complete Shakes per day. When you want to drink these are up to you, just make sure that in one of them you add one scoop of Whole Food Fiber. Each shake should contain 2 scoops of SP Complete. You will do the shakes Day 1-Day 21! Yummy Yummy!
4. Make sure you are prepared! Take one day this weekend to prep your fruit and veggies. Make a couple batches of soup, clean and cut all the veggies you’ll be snaking on, wash the fruit so you can grab and go, and even cook a big batch of brown/wild rice. You will find the cleanse the hardest if you are not prepared!
5. If you are a big caffeine drinker I recommend that you begin today easing off of it. Whether it’s coffee, soda, or tea you may experience some caffeine withdrawal effects during this time. I don’t want you to quit caffeine cold turkey Monday or you may experience a pretty intense headache or some irritability (or a lot of irritability as Josh might tell you).
6. Plan your meals for the week and go shopping before Monday! Either take a list with you to the store or bring along the back tear-off flap that comes with your Program Booklet. Make sure you get everything you will need, including spices, oils, etc.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and if you have any questions please leave a comment and I will answer it ASAP on Monday morning! And NO this weekend is not for loading up on all the junk you won’t be able to eat over the next 3 weeks!

Some Fruit For Thought

Since fruit is a major part of this Purification Process, I thought it would be wise to share a little of my knowledge with you about how you should be eating it. It’s been known for a long time that fruit doesn’t combine well with other foods. Many of you may have experienced this first hand with some of the digestive problems it can cause. The reason is that fruit contains simple sugars that require no digestion. Meaning they will not stay for a long time in the stomach. Other foods, such as foods rich in fat, protein and starch, will stay in the stomach for a longer period of time because they require more digestion. So if you eat fruit after a meal, the fruit sugar will stay far too long in the stomach and ferment. This is why people experience digestive trouble when eating fruit that way. They then blame that particular fruit for their trouble and claim that they are “allergic” to it.

Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit digests quickly and is ready to go straight through your stomach into your intestines, but its passage is blocked by the bread which takes longer to digest. In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in your stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil.

The fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and will cause bloating. This is why you hear people complaining "Every time I eat watermelon after dinner I burp" or "When I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet". All this will not happen if you eat fruit on an empty stomach.

I hope this helps you all learn to incorporate some more fruit into your diet, especially if you were a little weary before hand!

The Packets Are Ready...But Where are Our Supplements?

Hmm...this is actually the first time I have placed an order for supplements and had them not arrive on time. Well, since I am already annoyed with the snow I choose to blame this too on the snow! In my imagination our UPS driver is stuck in a 9 foot snow drift on the side of the road somewhere between here and Harrisburg with our supplements tucked nicely away in a box on his truck.

Moving on. The packets of information are ready at least! There is just something about a packet of info that I love. Call me crazy but it's like opening a Christmas present to me. I just love information! I am also the type of person who gets a new electronic device and before even pulling it out of the box I am reading the instruction manual front to back to see how it works! Maybe that's why I put so much information in these packets. But as I have learned by doing this purification program several times...the more info the better!

What's included in this magical packet you ask? Well, since you don't have it yet I might as well give you some hints.

1. Recipes, Recipes, and more Recipes!
2. What you might experience each day from Day 1 through Day 21.
3. Your Purification Program booklet. This little baby is awesome! With this you can keep track of what you eat each day, along with how you are feeling, and also what other type of purification techniques you're using (infrared sauna, massages, etc.).
4. My recommendations on what things you should do before you start on Monday.
5. And more...

You might not believe this, but as I typed that last sentence...our UPS man walked in. He must have known I was talking about him! So, for all you doing the Program with me, your Supplements are here for pick up!

Introduction Video

I posted this video which is from Standard Process (explaining the lack of creativity) just to show you visually why it is important to follow through with this Purification Process.

Purification can help remove natural toxins from our bodies and help us maintain a healthy weight. Everyday we are exposed to toxins whether it be from our external environment or internally from our own bodily processes. External toxins can be anything from pesticides, pollutants, or chemicals to coffee, tobacco, refined sugar, or refined flour. Internal toxins can be from waste byproducts produced as a result of normal metabolic function, bacterial/yeast/fungal overgrowth, or even sluggish lymph and skin elimination.

Our body is designed to rid itself of these toxins, but often times our body can become overburdened. Purification offers our body additional support to expel these toxins and minimize our weight, which is important in maintaining our health and vitality.

I am so glad you decided to take the journey with me to Better Health....Naturally!

I look forward to giving my expertise during this Purification Program as well as hearing all about the success stories I know you'll be experiencing!

Oh and one more thing....Have you started moving that body yet?!

Welcome 2010! (With Open Arms)

More often than not the start of a New Year symbolizes a New You, and this year is no different! Except that I'm here to help you actually stick to that New Years Resolution of a healthier you instead of seeing it fall by the wayside...(again). The phrase "there's always next year" will no longer be a part of your vocabulary! I hope you are ready because I sure am!

With the start of the Purification Program only one week away I wanted to share with you some things you should be doing this week. For starters...

1. Clean Out Your Refrigerator! This week focus on getting rid of all the leftovers and goodies from the holidays so that when you start the Program you will not be tempted by any of that bad (but very yummy) food. Trust me this will make the Program that much easier!

2. If you haven't already, start moving that amazing body you've been given! Now this doesn't mean go crazy and start doing things you haven't done in a while or you might not be able to move again until next week, instead walk for 20 minutes at least 3 times this week, or do a couple sets (12-15 per set) of jumping jacks each day. The key is to get your heart rate up in any way you can. Now these are just a couple of examples...be creative, get moving!

3. Go over the specifics of the program. Read over all the material I give you and make sure you know which supplements you should be taking on what days and which foods are allowed and which foods are not allowed. If you have any questions about this please contact me either by phone, e-mail, or you can leave a comment below.

4. Make sure the people you surround yourself with during the rest of the month understand what you are trying to accomplish, whether it's weight loss, detoxification, improved digestion, overall better health, or anything else. Doing this will help them better understand that you are serious about this Program and that you will not buckle under the pressure of temptation.

I started this blog to help us all stay on track with this Program! Feel free to leave comments, suggestions, ask questions, or even tell us a little about what you are experiencing while on the Purification Program! And as always I am available to answer any questions privately as well.

January 11th can't come soon enough!

In Good Health,

Dr. Vanessa Golojuh