Candida Detox Chronicles: Day 9

Hello Detoxers,

After 9 days on our candida detox I wanted to post an update.  Not my usual style, so if you are looking for my regular frequency / spiritual / motivational  type stuff follow me on Instagram as - Janderella, on Twitter as - @JFloydHolistic or on Face Book https://www.facebook.com/OmniaLumen/

Remember - this is for educational purposes only.  This is not intended to treat, prescribe or cure anything.  Please seek advice from your health care provider before starting any program or taking any medication / herbs.

Ok, so here we go with all the detox details  you want to know - and some you probably don't.  We are doing this detox as a family, however, to keep it simple I will only be posting my experiences. 

I am 9 days in to this candida detox and right now I feel like I could eat a whole wedding cake! My cravings come and go and are usually not this extreme.  Tonight though, is tough.  I have to admit - I caved and bought some sugar free candy for moments such as these.  I am adamantly against artificial sweeteners in any form and haven't bought or consumed any in years.  For this detox though, I would rather have the occasional piece of sugar free candy than have the actual sugar.  Sugar is a huge No-No when it comes to candida.  Candida thrives on sugar and simple carbs.  All of which are some my favorite foods.  I miss those little Hawaiian rolls that are slightly sweet, I miss brownies, bananas, grapes, and most of all I miss COFFEE!!!

Oh, but the good outweighs the bad in so many ways.  I feel so much better overall.  I've lost 9lbs, I sleep better, I'm not struggling to wake up in the morning, and did I mention I've lost 9lbs?!? LOL     I wasn't expecting to loose so much so fast.  And before you say it - it's not water weight.  I'm not taking anything that would promote fluid loss specifically.  I've always been careful about staying hydrated.  Besides, people who stay hydrated typically don't have an overabundance of  fluid retention.  Now, I can't claim that my weight loss is all fat either.  I'm sure it's a combination of some fat, some old toxic fecal mater (gross, I know), some fluid and some actual dead candida.

My biggest complaints have to be the cravings, the bloating & the zits.  Right now my face has 4 blemishes and a few odd bumps that are on their way to being zits.  We have all been bloated off and on since day one.  It comes with the territory and we still have a ways to go.  Thankfully, we have essential oils for diffusing in the house and for intestinal support.  We also have some great digestive enzymes that we love.  Also, on days 2-4 I was extremely tired in the afternoon / evening.  I just rolled with it and retired early on those days.  A little extra sleep is always welcome in my book.

Here is a list of some common signs during a candida die-off (otherwise known as a Herxheimer reaction).

• Nausea
• Headache, fatigue, dizziness
• Swollen glands
• Bloating, gas, constipation or diarrhea
• Increased joint or muscle pain
• Elevated heart rate
• Chills, cold feeling in your extremities
• Body itchiness, hives or rashes
• Sweating
• Fever
• Skin breakouts
• Recurring vaginal, prostate and sinus infections
• Luckily, we have not experienced all of these signs!  I can't imagine how we would get through this if we had.
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• We have been eating mostly veggies, seafood, nuts/seeds & poultry with some sausage to keep the husband & the son happy.  Yes, I realize sausage is not a healthy food, however, in the short term and for our purposes it is allowed.  I also made a concession for Satsuma's since our tree is loaded down with these little orange-like gems.  Other than that we have had NO sugar, NO simple carbs, NO fruit, (other than lemons & limes) NO coffee, NO sweet potatoes, NO peanuts, NO mushrooms, NO junk food, NO fast food, NO processed food, NO milk products, NO cheese, NO desserts, NO, NO, NO.....  I miss homemade macaroni and cheese right now.  I do occasionally use organic, grass fed, unsalted butter and we do eat eggs.  We quit drinking cow's milk a couple of years ago, so that's not a big deal.  Ice cream though, was an occasional treat that I loved.
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• Ok, I have to stop talking about food before I do something I might regret.  Let's get on to supplements & essential oils.  Please know that I can't get into to much detail about what supplement or essential oil is good for which issue.  The regulations surrounding this are insanely picky.  Feel free to email me with any questions about the products we are using.  I will post links and please be aware that I do get a modest commission if you purchase them from me.  But hey - buy them from somewhere else if you like.  I'm just sharing what I'm doing & using.  The best part about this is it's working for us and it can work for you too!

Fiber - if you haven't read my previous post about fiber, please do so.  I am taking  Loclo Fiber daily.  No bloating, no nasty side effects. Yay!

Probiotic - Honestly, I am rotating between 2 probiotics. Not because I need to, I'm just trying to see if one works better for me.  So far, they are both excellent and I like them equally. They are Probiotic Eleven & Life 5.

Essential Oils - I am using these topically, internally & aromatically.  Some I apply to the bottom of my feet, some on my abdomen, some in my tea or water and others in my diffuser.  These oils have been a huge help for so many reasons.  They support my immune system, my digestive system, my mood and even help to banish some of my cravings. The ones I am currently using can be found here.  (I'm currently using oregano, lavender, ocotea, tea tree, clove, thieves, lemon, peppermint, eucalyptus, joy, stress-away & frankincense) 

Herbs - I am using Pau d'arco for it's well known 'abilities'.  It strengthens the immune system and fortifies against "foreign invaders". (I highly recommend a quick search on Pau d'arco for loads of good info about it's benefits.) 

I am also using food enzymes  milk thistle & digestive support as needed.  The digestive support provides friendly bacteria which helps support the immune system & the colon.  The food enzymes are a great help with all of this meat I'm eating. (I normally only eat poultry, seafood & deer meat occasionally rather than almost daily.)  I do take the milk thistle on daily basis to help support & protect my liver from toxins.

I  take 2-4 tablespoons of high quality, virgin, cold pressed coconut oil daily.  I get mine from a local shop, but this stuff is available everywhere.  Just make sure you get a good brand that has not been destroyed during it's processing.

On my list to use, but not for another few days is Inner Defense.  Why wait you ask? Simply to not overload my system.  Step 1 - kill the candida.  Step 2 - support the body. Inner defense is part of my step 2, but more on that later.

Protein shake mix - This is totally optional.  We happen to like having this option for busy mornings or even a mid-day snack.  My protein shake mix of choice is not on my meal plan right now.  I have two that I like for this detox.  One is called Love & Peas. It is totally sugar free and made with stevia.  It also has fiber, vitamins & is Vegan.  The other one is called Balance Complete and it has wolf berries, vitamins, coconut oil & whey protein.  This one does have a little sugar in it from the fruits in the ingredients, but is acceptable as long as there are absolutely no other sugars in the diet. I love both of these and they are both delicious! 

Another thing I will be adding is a product called AlkaLime This is used to maintain proper PH, which can sometimes be challenging during this particular type of detox.  With such limited food choices, we often find ourselves a little to acidic.  This will do the trick.  BONUS - candida hates an alkaline environment! 

Alright, so no pretty pictures or fancy blog stuff.  Just straight forward information of what I'm doing to kick candida's ass.  Feel free to email me with any questions you have OmniaLumen@aol.com.  Yes, I still use AOL - don't laugh to hard.

If you would like to have a personalized candida detox plan from a professional Holistic Wellness Practitioner who specializes in Holistic Nutrition contact me at the above email.  Not everybody's body is the same and no one detox plan is right for everyone.  Don't guess when it comes to your health.

Love & Light,

Rev. Jan Floyd HWP, RMP, CHt

Pre-Detox Sushi Binge

Ok, I'm usually not one of those gal's who posts pictures of food, but since we are chronicling our detox journey, here it is.  We are celebrating in a twisted sort of way.  Saying goodbye to some of the foods we love for a while feels a little scary.  At the same time, it feels good & we're pumped up about it.  We are celebrating the end of an era as well as new beginnings.

Yes, we ate every last bite and it was absolutely delicious and worth every penny!  No regrets moving forward with our detox after this meal.  This is not the last of the "last suppers", but it certainly is our most favorite.

Saying goodbye is a good way to prep for something like this. It allows you to have a form of closure on your old ways.  It makes room for, or paves the way for something new.  In our case, better health through a through detoxing.

We will be starting off Monday, November 2nd with what I like to call Phase 1.  This is when we will be starting our diet, daily fiber, daily lemon water, and daily essential oils.  Sounds like a lot and it is.  But - we are starting off slow to give our bodies a chance to adjust. The probiotics come a little later.  Why? Because we are waiting on snail mail to deliver them lol.  The herbs will be introduced a few days after our bodies have adjusted.  Why? Because by supporting our liver with essential oils and taking fiber first, we pave the way for everything else to work more effectively.  This also helps to not overload the liver all at once.  The liver is one of our bodies biggest filters.  We don't want it getting overloaded with toxins from candida die off on the first day.

We will be testing our herbals over the next couple of days just to make sure there are no adverse reactions.  After all, just because it's natural doesn't mean its ok for every body.

We will be taking specific herbs, probiotics and essential oils based on months of research specifically related to candida overgrowth.  I will post links to the products we will be using so you can research them if you want.  Yes, I do get a modest commission IF you choose to purchase them from my link.  But hey, you could purchase them directly from the company if you want.  I'm certainly not trying to sell you anything.  I'm just trying to be as transparent and helpful as I can be.  I want you all to be inspired by our journey as well as be successful in your own.

Remember, the products we will be using have been selected based on our individual needs.  I am also doing muscle testing to ensure that each of us gets exactly what we need.  And, since I am a spirit junkie, I will also be meditating and prayerfully considering our unique & individual needs.

Let me not forget to tell you that we will be omitting the following from our diets:
wheat (and most grains - this means rice, pasta & breads)
sugar (any and all of it, even raw honey & fruits - oh  man, help me now!)
dairy
coffee (yes, don't come to my house anytime soon! I might not be a happy camper for a while lol)
peanuts, pistachios
mushrooms
processed foods
potatoes - all potatoes for at least a month.

Now do you see why we allowed ourselves to indulge in the sushi dinner?  I will miss it for sure, but I'm also sure that it will be totally worth it in the end.

Here are some basic candida overgrowth signs & the spit test.  Of course, none of this is as definitive as having a medical professional diagnose your specific condition.  These signs & the spit test should be used as a guideline for you to be self informed.  If you think you may have candida overgrowth please seek the advice and care of a medical professional.  This information is for educational purposes only and is not meant to treat, diagnose or cure anything.


Ok, spit test - Yum-O!  First thing in the morning before you put anything in your mouth spit into a clear glass of water. (Don't cough up anything, just spit.)

If your saliva does anything other than float on the surface after 15 minutes it's a good indication that candida is present.  The water could be cloudy or have any of the signs in the diagram below.  The cloudiness, appearance of 'legs' or even globs at the bottom of the glass are all indicators of candida overgrowth.  If you are unsure of your results please check with your health care provider. (and submit a pic and get some feedback if you like)


Additional signs of candida overgrowth can include:

bad breath or body odor
dry cracked feet - especially on the heels
cloudy urine
skin irritations (dry, flaky, scaly, irritated, blemishes)
bowel problems
trouble loosing weight
and even food allergies

OK, now you are armed with a spit test, a sushi picture and maybe a little to much grossness for one day.  lol  I urge you to nourish your mind, body and spirit with clean water, lots of veggies and lots and lots of meditation &/or prayer.  Spend some time in nature.  Go earthing, go for a walk, go get a massage, GO FOR IT & Go Tigers!  (had to get a little LSU action in there haha)

 

Pre-Detox Chronicles Part 1 - Fiber

Please be aware that for the next several weeks I will be chronicling our personal family detox journey.  This is not my usual style, however, I wanted to present a real & unedited feel to this blog during our journey.  We are detoxing for many reasons including yeast overgrowth.  We are also taking this opportunity to detox or Cleanse our spiritual selves and other aspects of our lives.

If you prefer to not hear about bodily functions, tortuous fiber drinks, sugar deprivation induced madness, random thoughts, funky new recipes gone wrong (or right), herbs and essential oil faux-pas and other miscellaneous  weirdness that might lean a little towards the Misfit - Hippie realm, then please, for the love of God, don't read my blog until after the new year. And please don't correct my grammar.  When I go back to writing more formal posts I will re-implement proper grammar.  



OK, the fiber in the Orange container is definitely NOT my friend! LOL.  Nothing against it, it's just not for me.  I've been using the LOCLO fiber in the white container for years with no issues.  I have even used that most popular Meta... fiber without complaint.  But this organic 365 brand will be finding a new home far, far away from me! I didn't even take a full dose (2tbs).  I took 1 level teaspoon and OMG the agony almost brought me to tears.  It kept me up most of the night feeling like a balloon with a pin hole in it.   Funny and gross, I know, but hey - if I can save you from the pain it's worth it.


Lesson for today - always test your fiber for a couple of days with a small dose before taking the recommended amount.

I can't even imagine how miserable I would have been had I taken the recommended amount.




Please note that everyone is not the same and what works for me may not work for you.  This post is intended for educational purposes only.  It is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure in any way. Always consult with your health care professional before taking any supplements or OTC products.



If you are interested in learning more about the LOCLO fiber or ordering some for yourself, click the link below.    http://healthybayou.mynsp.com/index.html   It actually tastes ok - kind of like apple pie.

Top 5 reasons to DETOX

1. Detoxing helps remove toxic build up in the body.  Things such as artificial colors, flavors, pesticides, preservatives, etc... can all build up in the body over time.  Detoxing (or cleansing) can help to remove these things.

2.Detoxing can help improve digestion.  This means you would be helping your body to reduce things like bloating, gas, and even body odor.

3. Detoxing usually provides an increase in energy and helps to promote a feeling of well being.

4. Although weight loss is never a guarantee, regular detoxing can help promote a slimmer and healthier you.

5. Detoxing helps to promote better nutrient absorption in the body.  This means that the foods you eat are better absorbed and therefore better utilized by the body.  This makes eating all of those greens you didn't really like worth it!



Get a Clean Start with a little help from me & NSP.


Want to take your weekend detox to the next level?  Not even sure why you should detox or what detox even is?  Check out this slide show from NSP that explains how to detox and why we need to in today's world.

http://blog.naturessunshine.com/en/cleansingdetox/?sponsor=3397153


Ready to get started?  Here is a link that will help you get on the right track with the right products.  Bonus - if you purchase $40.00 or more you get Big discounts on everything you buy!
http://healthybayou.mynsp.com/shop/index.html

Not sure where to start or how to begin your detox?  Email me at OmniaLumen@aol.com for help.

Get clean, eat clean, live clean!


Some information was sourced from http://blog.naturessunshine.com/en/blog/

   

        I am often asked what exactly is Clinical Hypnosis? Here is my simplest  answer.
"In short, hypnosis is a shift in consciousness that can facilitate healing on a physical level, a mental level and a spiritual level. Hypnosis allows the client to remain in total control while in this relaxed state because their subconscious is in alignment with their values, morals and judgment. This means that you would not do anything under hypnosis that is contrary to your beliefs."
~J. Floyd
     This picture is what Clinical Hypnotherapy looks like.  You will notice that there are no pocket watches or people dancing like chickens.  Clinical Hypnotherapy and Transpersonal Hypnotherapy focus on relaxation and the intended goals of the client.


Transpersonal Hypnotherapy is extremely effective at managing, reducing &/or eliminating concerns such as:  migraines, anxiety, chronic pain, phantom limb pain,  acute pain, addictions, PTSD, weight loss, smoking cessation and of course, stress.


Check these stats out regarding Hypnosis and its effectiveness for healing after injury or surgery -

Healed 41% faster from fracture
Healed significantly faster from surgery
Two studies from Harvard Medical School show hypnosis significantly reduces the time it takes to heal.

Study One: Six weeks after an ankle fracture, those in the hypnosis group showed the equivalent of eight and a half weeks of healing.

Study Two: Three groups of people studied after breast reduction surgery. Hypnosis group healed “significantly faster” than supportive attention group and control group.
Harvard Medical School, Carol Ginandes and Union Institute in Cincinnati, Patricia Brooks, Harvard University Gazette Online at http://www.hno.harvard.edu/gazette/2003/05.08/01-hypnosis.html.




Here are some success rates for Hypnosis and it's use for smoking cessation taken from the ICBCH-

90.6% Success Rate for Smoking Cessation Using Hypnosis

87% Reported Abstinence From Tobacco Use With Hypnosis

81% Reported They Had Stopped Smoking After Hypnosis

Hypnosis Patients Twice As Likely To Remain Smoke-Free After Two Years

Hypnosis More Effective Than Drug Interventions For Smoking Cessation

Hypnosis Most Effective Says Largest Study Ever: 3 Times as Effective as Patch and 15 Times as Effective as Willpower.

To read the full article click here - http://www.hypnotherapyboard.org/research-statistics-on-the-effectiveness-of-hypnosis-with-citations/