Here we go!  I give myself permission to heal.  I said it, I wrote it, I blogged it.  And why not on a random Tuesday in November?  I chose today, and I am writing on PTH to put it in ink— I commit to a 21 day cleanse.  Choosing is scary.  Sharing that choice online is pretty darn intimidating.  It's also pretty exciting. I'm anxious to see the before and after blog! (especially the "after" pic) Haha!

Below is a pic of me on Day 1 (today).  Check back in 10 days for blog and pic update. *grin*

I'm hiding behind my shades (my notorious "coco's") because it's pretty much what I brought to the outside world this morning. Note: one indication that I need to cleanse is my tendency to hide out (hats, shades, make-up).  The other is my hair. My hair is a beacon for my state of health.  I've been told that our tongue is another good indicator of toxicity.  I'm learning. I'll share as I go along. Please share as you read along. 

Why cleanse?

I need it and I want what it gives...

my body— energy, reduced joint pain, clear skin, full hair, abs!  

my mind—emotional balance, regulated stress response

my spirit- joy and a deeper sense of connectedness (i thought this effect was a bunch of woofoo until I felt "it" after my first cleanse. I will write more about that soon. Experience has taught me that cleansing is as much a spiritual journey as it is a physical one.)

As a founding member of this Permission to Heal community, a community of empowered healers, one might think I would be one of those freaks of nature who suspends all temptations of refined sugars or the many wonders of the standard american fair in favor of the higher, less toxic temptations.  And of course, I am a freak of nature.  A force to with be reckoned! But if you think I make good food and lifestyles choices all the time, you haven't seen me eat under stress or hide out in my cave! Let's hope you never see that. Haha!

It's time to check in with myself and return to practice.   *om*

This is a challenge I am up for.  I've never shared the cleansing journey in public forums like this before. I will do my best to honor this journey, share it here with you amazing people, and encourage myself and others to:

• be gentle with myself, yet stretch myself beyond my comfort zone
• ignore the voices that would hold me back
• hang out with loving people who encourage me
• embrace that I need support from others and communicate my needs clearly
• meditate daily & reduce my stress environment
• journal here as I go

In doing all this, my hope is that sharing my journey through this cleanse supports the Permission to Heal community and leaves my readers feeling open to the possibilities for themselves and their families. 

Here are my cleansing resources for the next 21 days:

1. A supportive book:
Crazy Sexy Diet: Eat Your Veggies, Ignite Your Spark, and Live Like...

2. The Permission To Heal community

3. A loving relationship 

4. Kind friends with kind food & exercise habits

5. Music, music, music!

6. Victoria Moon's food & recipes 

7. Herbal teas

8. Sevananda Natural Foods

9. Filtered Water

10. A workbook for goal setting:
Pick Four (4 Pack - Designed to Share)

11. Sunshine & fresh air