When injuries from a vehicle accident in 2010 prevented me from running for about six months, I watched about 15 pounds of fat creep back upon my waistline, where it remained for all of this past year.  I regularly participate in a number of activities (cycling, running, kayaking, snowshoeing, long walks and a multitude of things at the gym), so clearly it was my eating, not lack of exercise that needed to change.  This is another area where I am probably very much like so many others – I tell myself I will cut back on certain things, and I rarely follow through. I like to eat! I knew I had to do something, or would easily find myself back up in the unhealthy range again. There is also a history of diabetes in my family, and I don’t want to be next. 

The two people in this department who, in my opinion, know the most about nutrition and exercise are Ian Carver and Rick Anglemoyer.  I had heard both of them talk about the Paleo Diet over the years, but quite frankly I had no desire to even consider something as drastic as that. As I said before, “I’ll just cut back”. Right…

In October of this year I decided to look into it.  I read The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf, and I talked to Ian and Rick.  The more I learned, the more excited I became about the results I was promised I would see if I just tried it for one month.  And it wasn’t just about losing a few pounds of fat. I was going to eliminate all of those artificial ingredients (both those we can and can’t pronounce) from my body.  I figured I had nothing to lose by trying it for 30 days.

So here it is in a nutshell. Eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch and no sugar.  Eat enough to support exercise, but not body fat. That meant no more sodas (not even diet), no chips, rice, crackers, sushi rolls, peanuts (yep – they are actually legumes, not nuts!) or sweets. It even meant no cream or Splenda in my coffee! I followed these recommendations 100%.

My original plan was to start on November 1^st, but I woke up on Halloween knowing that I would eat too much candy if I didn’t start that day.  I had already shopped for my acceptable foods the day before, so I was ready to go! Even though they tell you not to use the scale to measure your progress (take some measurement and pictures of yourself instead), I couldn’t resist. I was 185 pounds on day one.

I brought breakfast, lunch and snack foods to work and stocked the fridge. Admittedly this is more convenient when you work in an office, but it’s not hard to pack a small cooler if you work out in the field.  My list looked something like this: Hard boiled eggs, blueberries, raw unsalted almonds, lean meat (chicken breast, ground turkey, etc), guacamole (check the ingredients!), cucumbers, sliced peppers, cherry tomatoes and canned tuna or salmon.  Since I wanted to lose weight I went light on the fruit, therefore getting a majority of my carbohydrates came from vegetables.

I made it through Thanksgiving and a neighborhood holiday potluck brunch at my house, and didn’t cheat once.  Thanksgiving dinner I stuck to turkey, green beans and ½ of a sweet potato with some cinnamon.  For the potluck I made my own paleo approved “fajita egg muffins”.  My beverages have consisted of water (lots of it), coffee, tea and sparkling water. A few unsweetened dates would satisfy my occasional sweet tooth.

I weighed myself each week, and watched the progress, with the end result being an ten pound loss in 30 days.  More importantly, I very comfortably took my work belt in a notch sometime during the 3^rd week.  THAT means far more to me than what the scale says. And even more importantly, I feel GREAT!

I will, like a lot of Paleo followers, probably end up in the 90/10 range (90% Paleo, 10% not, as I certainly have not had my last piece of pizza or my last sushi roll!).  I have no desire to go back to drinking four or five sodas a day, or polishing off two baskets of chips at my favorite Mexican restaurant while waiting for dinner. I am far too excited to see what another month of Paleo does for me.

If I you are looking to improve your health, lose weight, or just plain feel better, and my short story hasn’t convinced you, consider these two examples.  With NO change in their exercise habits, Roger Engelsgaard and Marlin Weinberger lost 40 and 67 pounds (respectively) in just a few short months, simply by eating the Paleo way.  Feel free to ask them how they feel and if they would recommend this to their friends. 

For more information search for “Paleo” or “Paleolithic diet” on the internet.  Some other great sources of information:

Robb Wolf’s book (The Paleo Solution).  On his website (http://robbwolf.com/) there are links to a free food matrix, quick start guide, etc.

Mark’s Daily Apple (http://www.marksdailyapple.com/) has some great information. Sign up for his newsletter and you’ll have access to their fitness info, recipes, etc.

CBS San Francisco did a 5 day series on Paleo, and links to all 5 stories are on this site:

http://primalgirl.wordpress.com/2011/10/17/paleo-goes-mainstream-cbs-news-reports/

As always, consult your physician before making any major changes to your diet and/or exercise programs!

Parasites in your colon!

Day 10

Day 11 Although I have been drinking mass quantities of water, close to 100 ounces a day, I still feel somewhat dehydrated. I have been carrying my stainless steel (not plastic) water bottle like a binky. We are all chronically dehydrated. When we eat food, it satiates us, and covers our feeling of dehydration. We all should be drinking half our body weight in ounces of water daily. Drink clean, filtered water. Please stay away from plastic. It costs ten times as much to clean up a plastic bottle as it does to make one. Plastic tends to leach into the water, and disrupt our DNA. Do yourself and the planet a favor drink out of glass containers or stainless steel. I lacked a little energy today, and although still not “hungry” seem to be obsessing over food. It seems as though everyone on the planet is eating except for me.

This may very well be in your colon!

Day 12

Quite frankly I was ready to be done. On day eleven I felt my energy declining, and felt a little lightheaded after my work out. This morning I woke obsessed with how a banana would actually taste. Today Also I had my fourth colonic scheduled. I have finally learned to relax during this process, and definitely see the benefits. During my colonic I spoke with the Dr., told him how I was feeling, and what I had an appetite for. The colonic reached my entire colon, and with all this information the Doctor decided to terminate the remaining two days of my detox. I was actually a bit relieved. For the second have of the day I was allowed to eat grapefruit. The grapefruit pulp is high in fiber which aids in digestion and bowel action. The grapefruit I was allowed to eat was perhaps the best grapefruit on the planet. Although I only felt like eating a few sections, it was delicious. For desert that night I treated myself to a banana.

Post day 1:

Ironically I woke this morning and was craving Veggie-broth. Instead of my triple tall non-fat mocha, I had veggie broth for breakfast. It is now about 6 o clock and besides a little fruit and avocado, that is all I have eaten. I really don’t have much of an appetite.

Colon Sludge!

Day #8

Along with my low energy, I felt “emotional” today.  My thoughts were how good a cup of coffee would taste on a cold, rainy, windy day like this.  So how often do I attempt to cover up my feelings, with caffeine, or working out, or other diversions?  So today, I sat with it.  I sat with being uncomfortable, knowing this is as much part of what we are doing here, as those euphoric days. 

Not too many physical changes in the last few days.  It seems like I am losing about a ½ a pound a day in the last 3 days.

Although I wasn’t hungry, I was craving food.  So much so I had to pick up some Braggs amino acid from Whole Foods, and while I was there I meandered around the fresh food section, just smelling, and looking.  My senses are definitely heightened.

I have found this week I am horrified by the amount of non-real food we are ingesting.  When you don’t actually eat, you notice finite details of what nourishes and what is in fact killing us.  Look at labels folks.  Time for some Veggie broth nom nom.

Day #9

The ND I am being supervised by stated this detox will start with physical manifestations and detoxing, turn to emotional releases at some point, and then spiritual. (You determine what spiritual means).  I have definitely felt the release, and “seen” the release of toxic crud in my system.  I released cravings, and addictions, and things I usually run to when not feeling stellar.  So when you get to this place of nowhere else to go, you simply have to ask the questions.  It’s like you are standing in front of yourself.  Do I like myself?  Do I love myself?  What is my purpose here and am I fulfilling that purpose?  Perhaps strange things to come out of a physical detoxification.  After ten days of not eating, it has appeared my world has slowed down, and a different perspective of what is truly important.

It’s been reported that Elvis Presley had 60 pounds of impacted fecal matter in his colon. John Wayne 40 pounds!

For more info on Colonics: http://www.mynht.com/puyallup_colon.shtml 

Tons of energy today.  This was the first time in the last seven days where my work-out matched the energy level I would normally have.  I had no issues like I did yesterday.  (Thank God)

I was speaking with a friend today who suffers from anxiety attacks.  Her first thought was she needed medication to “cure” this issue.  This goes back to my earlier post.  Whether the issue is physical, or emotional, taking medication for this seems counter-intuitive.  The problem isn’t a lack of valium is it?  Something is causing the anxiety.  Shouldn’t we address this?

Colonic:  OK, turn away if you don’t want to hear about this.  We have years and years of goo in our system, we eat meats and fish with parasites in it, we drink toxic water, and breathe dirty air.  So, today was my second colonic.  The first colonic I could feel water moving up my descending colon, but there appeared to be a blockage right at the transverse colon.  Here with the second colonic, I could feel water moving along the transverse colon.  We all have some semblance of parasites in our system.  They hide in the warm atmosphere of our colon, eating a way at the garbage left behind.  I was a little surprised to see two large parasites leaving my system.  OK, I was mortified.  The Dr. assured me this was very common, and in fact have seen worms up to 30 and forty inches long.  “Sushi anyone”?

These are not my worms, but they may be yours!

DAY#5  Nothing much to report.  My energy was up, no hunger issues, I felt alert and clear.  One thing of note is my world has seemed to slown down

DAY#6

I woke up with tons of energy, clear and alert.  I did my regiment of juice and herbs, and decided to head off to the gym.  Half way to the gym, I had what is called a “Healing Crisis”.  You see once the body starts the healing and cleaning process of years of toxic build-up the body is prepared to complete the job.  I believe my body is in rid mode, the liver and colon cleanse formulas are working, the colonic is working, my body is working.  And today it manifested in quick severe nausea, and flop sweat.  It wasn’t pleasant by any stretch of the imagination.  Some of you may think, I am an idiot for continuing something that brings on such events.  I trust my body, and my intuition, and am venturing on.

It is a foreign concept to western medicine but it goes something like this:  In our western medicine we treat systems, not diseases.  If I am feeling nauseas and have diarrhea, I take some Imodium, if I have a headache, I take some Excedrin, if I have cancer, I do chemotherapy and radiation.  In the first two examples we cover symptoms, our bodies are trying to rid our systems of goo, and we prevent it.  With chemotherapy we kill as many cancer cells as possible, while killing just as many healthy cells, along with our immune system.  Doesn’t it make sense to boost our immune system, rid our bodies of the causes of these diseases instead of trying to cure the symptoms of what is really going on.  Please don’t get me wrong I believe in your absolute choice in treatment, as I do my own, but I think we have it wrong.  Our bodies are pretty amazing things, if we let them be.

DAY #2

I woke up with no headache which was a relief.  My energy levels were decent so I went to the gym.  I did some light cardio, abs, and some back extensions.  I also sat in the sauna for a bit.  I have already lost five pounds, yes in two days, and my abs magically appeared again.  I didn’t feel hungry at all today until night time.  The unfiltered apple juice is high in nutrients and does an ok job of keeping me satiated.  But when I was making my son dinner, it took quite a bit not to munch.  This was really the first real cravings I have had.

Physical changes:

I felt cold today!  I mean it was cold outside, but I had the chills all day.  My energy level was mediocre.

DAY #3

Woke up feeling pretty decent.  My energy levels were up, and had a decent work out. I didn’t have a BM today, but then again have lived on water and apple juice for the last three days.  I am about done with Apple Juice.  I did get to shop for veggies today, and the smell of cooking them brings a little satisfaction actually.  Tomorrow is the big Liver dump day.  These first three days of detox were preparing for day 4.  Tonight I drink cold pressed expeller oil and grapefruit juice.  This releases gallstones, plaque, mucus and other toxins on the fourth day of the detox.  If you need me, I’ll be in the bathroom!  Fun!

Physical changes:  Nothing too noticeable, I may have lost half a pound.  I do feel very light.

DAY #4

Last night wasn’t much fun, I was achy and uncomfortable.  I am assuming some of the toxins were being released from my liver to be purged.  I also had some vivid, emotional dreams.  These detox’s truly do work on all aspects of the being.  This morning I purged some nasty from my system, that I can only explain as poison, as soon as this was purged I felt much better.  I lost 5 pounds since day 1.  Not a significant amount of weight, but definitely noticeable.  After a little morning misery, I felt well enough to go to the gym and sit in the steam for awhile.

I am writing this before my last meal!  I get one more normal meal, and then 14 days of water, broth, juice and herbs!  No food whatsoever!  These fasts tend to bring up much more than the physical.  Emotional, mental and Spiritual cleansing usually takes place.  I believe in detoxing the body.  Our lives, food, and water are so full of toxic substances.  If we don’t get rid of them, well we don’t get rid of them.

In the next fourteen days you may read some things that you find, off, weird, gross, or enlightenening.  If you can’t handle reading about poop, well stop now, that’s part of the process.  This is my process, but I am glad you are coming along.  Even before the fast I am feeling on some level this is working.  My awareness of food, smells, and emotions are on edge.

This Detox is extremely comprehensive.  I have done week long fasts, and Master Cleanses before, but nothing close to this.  I am being supervised by Restoration Movement Center in Folsom.  I would be happy to pass on any information to contact them.  Although I eat pretty clean, and stay relatively lean, I do know I can lose a few pounds and rid myself of some stored up toxins.

Prior to day 1 155 pounds.Prior to day 1

 

DAY #1 

Whoa big mistake!  I decided surfing on the first day of the cdetox was a good idea!  Upon waking I longed for that first habitual cup of coffee!  I am never one to pass up a Starbucks but managed to make it to Santa Cruz on water and unfiltered apple juice, along with some high saline water and a few herbs.  The swell was good so for a few hours my mind was off of not eating.  I was up at 4am, and by 8 felt as though someone had thrown a blanket over me.  I was tired, hungry, mentally unfocused, and just wanted to do nothing, including interact with the folks I surfed with.  Although I was drinking mass quantities of water and apple juice I felt dehydrated.  I knew the caffeine headache would kick in at some point and it surely did a little after noon.  I struggled through some yard work and then had to lay down, or felt my head may expload!  Later in the evening I took the dogs for a slow walk which I never do, and felt things were going to be ok!

As far as physical changes: I did feel dehydrated which was interesting and also had metallic taste in my mouth

Who will start the compassion evolution?

            Several years ago I believed I had had enough of law enforcement.  I went back to school and received a nutrition degree, was certified in massage and Reiki with the intention to pursue the healing arts.  The universal joke was on me, as all those things, are landing directly where they were suppose to be; in my career. 

             I have been with the Sheriff’s Department for 23 years, I have seen four Sheriff’s, I have seen Problem Oriented Police come and go.  I have seen High Impact Teams, Gang Suppression Teams, Team Patrol, centralized, decentralized districts, more cops, less cops, better equipment, more technology, blah blah blah.  Guess what folks in my twenty three years nothing has helped to suppress the crime in our fair county.

              The truth is as hard as we push, as much as we want to, we really change nothing.  Sure we make small head way each night.  But if we really did make some sort of difference, why in the world do we still have cops on the street?  Why do we still have crime, and unconsciousness, and people walking through this life, where cops have to literally take over their existence for them?

            When you become management you have time to think about these things to the detriment of anyone wiling to listen.  I do not have the answers, but I do have an understanding of what we have been doing for over two hundred years may be outdated.

            Of course you men and woman of law enforcement can keep doing what your doing and I will respect and honor you unquestionably,  but we will have the same results, or we can ask ourselves some very simple yet profound questions.  If we choose to answer these questions, we choose to grow, grow as individuals, as a society, as a community, spiritually, and consciously! 

            There is scientific evidence and spiritual understanding that in fact each one of us at our very core, are connected.  We truly are “one”.  If we are going to teach anything in our academies it should be this.  The happiness of our children, is in fact our happiness, the sorrow of the transient going through the dumpster is in fact our sorrow on some level.

            I know of several officers that have Archangel Micheal tattoo’d on them, or Michael pendants.  My belief is Michael is not going to do anything for you.  My belief is YOU ARE Michael.  And when we acknowledge we are all connected, when we acknowledge we are in fact much grander than we give ourselves credit for, things change.  Our practice of compassion changes.  Our purpose changes from taking bad-guys to jail, to being a spark in the true evolution of this planet.  It really isn’t a huge jump.  The only leap needs to take place in our heads, and in our hearts.

Stay safe out there

Be safe out there,

Your Health and Wellness Team

To Serve and Protect: Law Enforcement as Ministry

By Joey Garcia

advice columnist, Sacramento News & Review

     When my cousin, Tony, was in high school, he felt an undeniable call settle deep inside his bones. He believed everyone had a special purpose, and he was suddenly certain that his was to enter the Roman Catholic priesthood. But while studying theology at university, he realized that although he had a servant’s heart, he also possessed a warrior’s mind, sense of justice and unrelenting courage. Tony quickly changed his major to criminal justice. After graduation he became a Chicago police officer stationed in one of the city’s most notorious public housing projects. He loved it. For Tony, law enforcement wasn’t only about arresting the bad guys, although he did that without question. But, just as importantly, he believed that every day on his beat was an opportunity to help people turn their lives around and he continues to devote himself to that calling.

     For law enforcement to evolve, those who have sworn the oath to protect and serve must integrate the best qualities of ministry into their work: a respect for the sacredness of all life (yes, even the perps), the skill to teach others how to live within a community’s laws (because not everyone has parents who care enough to be guides) and an awareness of being connected to something greater than oneself (yes, something even bigger than the brotherhood of the shield). I also believe it is essential that law enforcement shift out of black and white thinking, the mindset in which something or someone is pronounced all good or all bad, and begin instead to see possibilities beyond expectation and to acknowledge the humanity in every person encountered. Why? Doing so protects the humanity of the individual deputy and this is essential for a deputy’s mental and emotional health. Think of it as an inoculation against depression, rage, alcoholism, adrenaline-fed romantic dramas, and other problems that commonly arise within the ranks. Other vital changes necessary for the evolution of the badge include the need for deputies to engage in regular examinations of conscience (What am I most grateful for? Least grateful for? What or who am I taking for granted in my life right now? ); reflecting on the parts of their own personality needing adjustment  and being committed to making those adjustments, with help from professional therapists if necessary; practicing meditation, centering prayer, tai chi or yoga to reconnect with the internal world and learn to treat it with as much respect as the outer world. A contemplative sitting or movement practice will also help deputies value each moment and treat their lives and loved ones with more appreciation. To bring law enforcement into the 21^st century is to make each deputy a model of emotional, mental, spiritual and physical health because that benefits the deputies and the communities they protect and serve. 

Joey Garcia

Joey Garcia, life coach and facilitator, has written the “Ask Joey” advice column in the Sacramento News and Review for 14 years. She has six cousins in law enforcement.

Stupid is Fun!

If you don’t play, what are you doing what you are doing for?  My gawd most of us work and work, work ungodly hours, work overtime, work off-duty, and then our pay checks go to homes, and cars and school, and kids, blah blah blah.  And then we die!  Take a look folks you are dying!  That’s right we all are, but why not have a good time, and stop worrying for a few hours, and play.  I’ll tell you at forty-four I am having more fun playing than I ever have.  I don’t mean playing dumb-ass mind numbing card games, I mean get outside blow some stink off and go roller skate, go chase your dog around the park, show the neighbor kids what kick-the-can is all about.  Put your vodka-cran down, go buy a skate helmet and pretend you are twelve again.

Watch and Learn!

In the last year I have fallen off a jungle gym, sliced my head open on a plastic slide, been bitten on the toe while surfing by some strange bird, ate s### while skate-boarding a skate-park, been pulled around Capitola on a long-board, and threw fig-newtons at life-guards at the beach.  Yes, I am apparently accident prone, but I am also pretty good at playing.  Do not walk in front of me at Target YOU WILL get a rubber bouncy ball to the head.

 Any ways, my point here is for you to ask a very elementary life question?  What is it you are doing here on this planet?  And two, are you having fun?  Ok, that’s two questions to task your grey matter with.  Are you happy and having fun?  If you forgot how to play let me know, my play buddies and I are always looking for new recruits to get into trouble with.  Seriously next time you are at Target stop being a grown-up for one second and huck a bouncy ball at your kid, they will love you for it!

My Kid with his helmet on backwards! haha