The Spring Equinox is coming up on March 21st. The equinox represents a balance point, when the length of the day and the length of the night are the same.
Equi: equal
Nox: night
It also represents a shift from longer nights to longer days; the end of winter, and the beginning of spring; the return of the light!
As we come out of winter hibernation, and the winter holidays, we may feel heavier and more sluggish from the slower, colder winter season. This is a good time to stimulate our internal organs to shed some accumulated STUFF. The holidays often mean indulging in excess sugar, fat and alcohol. While we may have enjoyed those indulgences very much, and appreciated their warmth through the long cold dark winter nights, we don’t necessarily need to carry all that into the spring. Additionally, they may have built up a certain level of toxic accumulation, that leads to health problems such as sore, aching joints, or increased irritability. Now is a time to return to balance.
The words “fasting”, “cleanse”, and “detox” can be interpreted a variety of ways. I use these terms loosely. My goal with my five-day fast is not to lose weight, or to purge. More simply, it is just setting aside a specific period of time to abstain from stimulating food and drink, and eat a simplified diet. I’m not reducing, or even counting calories. My goal is to reduce my intake of stimulants; to re-set my tolerance levels; and to enjoy a brief period of simple, whole foods. With intention.
There is a common conception that fasting must be extreme. I’m interested in moderation, and in working with current conditions, to do as much as we can, now. There is an idea that, in order to fast, a person must be able to walk away from daily responsibilities, to climb up a mountain, sit in a cave, and experience solitude: a renouncement of worldly stimulation. While this may be ideal, it simply isn’t realistic for most of us, most of the time. So I’m interested in exploring how we can incorporate simple fasting, in the midst of our hectic lives. How can we turn down the amount of stimulation, while still maintaining our commitments and responsibilities?
Here’s my plan:
5 days
No alcohol, no coffee, no chocolate - none of the usual stimulants
Eating a simplified diet of cooked breakfast cereal, and kicharee for lunch & dinner.
Drinking water.
Drinking tea.
That’s it.
Taking my usual herbal formulas.
Maybe adding in more consistent yoga sun salutations, or QiGong stretching.
Getting plenty of sleep (8+ hrs/night).
The first two days are building up to the Equinox.
I may try just Bone Broth for dinner on the day of the Equinox.
The last two days are coming down from the Equinox.
Would you like to join me?