Back in Boston, a blizzard was brewing -- while in British Columbia, temps were in the 40s and the air mild enough to go for long walks. Fresh Start Health Retreat Center was working.
Group counseling after isotonics seemed appropriate, as you were, figuratively, stripped raw by then, the perfect time to deal with emotions. You might discover a better appreciation of what you have in your life, or you might realize what you need to change. There may be tears shed, intimacies discussed and decisions made. And then there’s juice. More juice. Beet juice, kale juice, every kind of juice that will add nutrients to your body. And 2 shots of wheatgrass, daily. You also have the choice to sit with a doctor of naturopathy for a blood analysis and energy testing (additional cost). If you choose to do this, be prepared to know the truth about what you’ve been doing to your body via emotions, lifestyle and food choices. After this, you will be scared straight, for sure. Animal proteins will show up, as will a sluggish digestive system. And the energy testing is in a realm of its own. After this, you'll know yourself better than you ever thought you could.
“Chew your juice and juice your food” is a common theme around the Center, where a showing of “Food Matters” is just one of a selection of educational tools utilized. Facts discovered while at the Center include:
- Black spots on bananas mean they were gassed in order to ripen.
- Stick with organic everything possible.
- Drink milk thistle tea to cleanse your liver, and drink it 2-3 times each day.
- You have free will to choose what you will or will not eat.
But, whatever you decide, know this. Two weeks after I returned from the Center, still eating healthy, mostly raw foods in my diet, I had a blood test with my doctor, which showed my cholesterol dropped 62 points --- and I’d lost 12 pounds (4 pounds during my time at the Center), and gained a lot of energy – without coffee in the morning (not planned, but you feel so much better without stimulants!).
So, after 5 days of yoga, meditation, steam baths, counseling, lectures, art class and walks in the magnificent outdoors, including a few walks inside the on-site labyrinth, what is one supposed to do once you leave the Center?
Well, first things first: eliminate temptation by cleaning out your kitchen cupboards as soon as you get home. Next, purchase the proper kitchen equipment, such as a dehydrator (recommended: Excalibur 9-trays), a Vita-mixer for chowder and green smoothies, and learn how to make raw desserts. Add protein to salads, such as hemp, nuts and avocados, and know that vitamins are not intended for long-term use, but are transitional supplements until your body is working at peak performance. Eat two-thirds vegetables to one-third fruits and purchase a raw food cookbook immediately.
Leaving Fresh Start, I felt proud of my accomplishment in detoxing/cleansing, and empowered by the experience. And please know – it’s definitely worth the investment of your cash, time and energy. To take your health to the next level, visit www.healthretreat.ca.
This excerpt is part 3 of a series of 3 articles on Fresh Start Health Retreat Center. To start from the beginning, click here.
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