(Conclusion)
The Wellness Workshop I attended recently at the Discovery Suites, organized by G&G Consultants, really centered on “the flush!”
Imagine a toilet flushing — that’s the idea behind the flush, which seeks to rid your system of impurities caused by an improper diet, pollutants and an unhealthy lifestyle.
If it is water that flushes down the waste in a toilet bowl, what flushes down the toxins from your system in this overnight detox flush are five natural organic drinks.
Day 1 began with breakfast and lunch mostly of fresh fruits and vegetable soup, and a carrot shake (without the sugar). A meal of fruits and vegetables can be appetizing because of its wide array of colors — oranges, yellows, reds and greens. With the fruits and veggies cut into interesting shapes, you have a veritable feast. The carrot shake also looks so yummy, you will salivate.
We were then given a package that really looked hilarious. It consisted of a plastic strainer, a tabo (dipper), plastic gloves and a plastic container for “souvenirs.”
We also had lectures from Dr. Ricky Soler, Dr. Madeleine Valera, nutritionist Dale Flores (who was the lead resource person in the detox flush) and yoga teachers Corey Wills and Raya Mananquil. This was followed by a Mass celebrated by Fr. Guido Arguelles.
All these activities also flushed out impurities from one’s mind and spirit, where a toxic buildup from negative emotions can also take place. For Catholics, the sacrament of confession was also offered by Fr. Guido. In addition, he gave us general absolution.
The witty Jesuit priest, who says a seminary is a home for “unwed” fathers, urged us to forgive ourselves, love ourselves and stop blaming ourselves for past sins of omission and commission.
It was in this light and easy state of mind that we took our first drink — which looks like Sangria but tastes like saltwater. We were allowed to have an apple slice as chaser. The drink “broke” our fast, for we were not allowed to have anything, not even water, starting at 2 p.m.
We had our second detox drink at 8 p.m. By this time, be prepared to make frequent trips to the toilet. Unlike in a bout of diarrhea, I did not feel any pain, spasms or contractions — just the urge to go.
Just when you think you have to have a glass of water or you’ll wither, the next drink comes. It looks like a mango shake, but it has some edible oil in it. You are requested to lie on your back for 30 minutes after you’ve taken this drink. Dale says it will allow for more cleansing.
* * *
According to a primer distributed to our group, 90 percent of people have gallstones and 80 percent of people do not know they have gallstones, which are crystal-like deposits that develop in the gallbladder. They may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. Ewww!
In addition, 80 percent of all gallstones are “silent stones,” meaning there may be no symptoms for years. More than 800,000 hospitalizations each year are caused by gallstones and over 500,000 people undergo surgery for gallstones annually.
And for mid-lifing women, take note: gallbladder disease is three times more likely to occur in middle-aged obese women! But among those in our group was a 16-year-old girl due for surgery.
What are the symptoms of gallstones? According to the primer, they include pain beneath the sternum, in the shoulder blades and lower back, belching, gas, indigestion, migraines, gout, UTI, diabetes and hypertension.
According to fashion designer Jean Goulbourn, an advocate of the flush, 17 people who were scheduled for gall stone surgery did not have to go through with it anymore after a detox flush.
* * *
The main event took place the next morning.
It was “harvest” time.
We were instructed to place the strainer under the toilet seat to better behold our “harvests.” After our first drink at 6 a.m., it was a bountiful harvest for most of us. We were told to expect “green, yellowish and orange colors that resemble green peas or corn. Expect to see different colors that may range from deep emerald green to jade. A few rare stones are the hard, black ones. Sizes vary from grain-like sand to pea sized.”
Dale says these are cholesterol fats that could not be digested by the body. Ultrasound detects only a few stones, ranging from .5cm. to 7 cm. In a flush, usually about a dozen stones come out of the bowels.
Let me just say that I did not have a dirty dozen, just a couple of pea-sized emeralds. A lot of “grains,” too.
My husband harvested a stone as big as his thumb!
You will keep on going to the toilet during the morning. I felt no pain, no weakness, just thirst and hunger. For me, the thirst and the hunger were the most difficult aspects of the flush.
We had a light breakfast of fruits at 10 a.m., then a sharing session at 11 a.m. where talk revolved around our harvests. Our blood pressure and weight were taken again. Blood pressure remained normal for my husband and I. He lost five pounds while I only lost two pounds! Life isn’t fair!
We capped our detox weekend with a healthy gourmet lunch at Florabel’s at The Podium across the street. Finally, panna cotta for dessert!
For my husband and I, both of whom had no symptoms of gallstones before the flush, the best part about a flush is the light and healthy feeling you have after. He says he felt more flexible, looser around the joints and in the neck and back area. For me, the good effects went beyond the harvest. The detox workshop made me look differently at the food my family and I consume. We now take organic brown rice, muscovado sugar and lots of fruits. We haven’t given up on tonkatsu, but we’re frying less and using the grill more.
The real returns may be felt years from now — the absence of pain from a gallstone problem. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, right?
(The next wellness flush is on Nov. 24 at Discovery Suites. For inquiries, please call 843-2550 or 897-2217;
0917-8236738;0915-6739435)
(You may e-mail me at joanneraeramirez@yahoo.com)