from Daily Candy


June 30, 2006

It’s Just a Little Flush

It doesn’t take much to get you seeing green.

Mom won’t stop flaunting her fuel-efficient (and celeb-friendly) hybrid car. And every time your sister changes a biodegradable diaper, it’s like she’s rubbing it in your eco-unfriendly face.

Take a baby step toward redemption with the Toilet Lid Sink. Just switch your regular toilet lid for this easy-to-install, space-saving, water-conservation device. And consider it an easier way to save water than your current brick-in-tank method.

When you flush as usual, clean water (yes, it’s really clean) automatically spouts through the spigot. So you can, um, wash your hands, er, on the toilet. (Hey! It’s efficient water use!) Everything then drains at the same time.

Okay. It’s a little ridiculous. But now you can be green and spark a conversation.

True, some guests might not appreciate such an ecosensitive john.

But nobody ever said it was easy being green.

Available online at realgoods.com.

5th day

Today was my first time experiencing real anger while on the cleanse.(I work with an egotistical team of dismissive men and people who generally lack some major awareness - i.e. they tell jokes about paraplegics, Chinese third world babies, the elderly, Hispanics, etc.) It was amazing how different it felt, and where it generated from in my body. I've been doing yoga work around this issue as well, and rather than the sensation generating from my head (where I locate attachment and desire and anger), it came from my stomach and just emanated out and didn't steal my energy or leave me exhausted. But by the same token, it's still cycling out of my system.

Q: Is it ok to use sunscreen? If so, what kind?

A: Regarding sunscreen ..... you can use it just read the label and buy the best one you can at Wholefoods.... of course keeping covered with clothes / hats etc. is important too unless your at the beach.

Q: Is it ok to have vinegar on a salad? I didn't see it on the NO list.

A: Yes, vinegar is on the Cleanse ...unfiltered apple cider is full of benefical probiotics and enzymes. It's great for making your own salad dressings just mix it with flax oil and spices and it's ummm.

Day 4

I've been experiencing light-headness, left frontal headaches, and mild irritation, but more detachment from my emotions. My appetite has been fairly manageable, and for the most part, I have been sticking to the diet, with the exception of tomatoes at lunch. I feel more grounded and like life is not quite so fast, but yesterday PM experienced a strong feeling of being stuck in the big picture.

The toxic waste dump of my head

I had my first perm when I was 13 years old. Since that time, I have probably had about 10 perms or less - spread out over 2 to 3 years, with the most recent in Taipei in March. I use a ridiculous amount of hair-care product to make my hair manageable - leave-in conditioner, mousse, gel, hairspray, and a product that adds "shine" and tames the frizzies and fly-aways. Add to that that I don't wash my hair everyday to let natural hair oil accumulate, and that I don't use shampoo formulated to remove the build-up. When I contemplate all the chemical sludge that has been seeping into my scalp and brain over the last 17 years, I consider whether or not I could be a future candidate for brain cancer. Today, I made do with the glossing product.

Related to that, the make-up thing is going to be tough. I have been wearing make-up since my early teens as well - minimal, natural make-up, but make-up nevertheless. Cosmetics are ridiculously expensive for the amount of face paint you get - so what I have usually done is get the makeover at Sephora or a department store make-up counter, and purchase the palette range of the product for cheaper prices at discount stores. I go thru cycles where my complexion looks dull, and I remember a time when I hated the coated feel of make-up on skin, but like most negative impressions, I learned to ignore them.

With the recent discoveries in class regarding plastics, I must also reconsider contact lenses. I have worn them for 17 years. There are plenty of mornings where the eye rejects the lens, burning and watering and red. If I am feeling particularly impatient, I'll give it a rest and wear the glasses. But usually, I wait for the inflammation to subside before popping those suckers in. Often, there is nothing visible on the lens, no irritant that would have provoked that puzzling reaction. Were it not for plastic, I would not be able to see. But I wonder about what impact the chemicals from plastic may have had on my eye/eye-sight.

bitters...

SWEETISH not "Swedish"

Homework

Part of this week's homework is to make a list of 7 things that you want to let go of or say no to and 7 things that you want to invite into your life. These are my lists of 7:

No to...
1. negativity
2. neuroses
3. fear
4. family dysfunction
5. toxic people
6. low self-esteem
7. self-loathing & hate

Yes to...
1. creativity
2. wisdom
3. joy
4. community
5. PhD program/a brighter future in connection with my creative work
6. confidence
7. love & compassion

Welcome

Welcome to the Total Life Cleanse blog. Please use this space to write about your current and past experiences of the cleanse.