Naturopathic MED, your natural medical solution

a year without groceries

2011-10-13T14:32:00.000-07:00

I love this!

http://ayearwithoutgroceries.blogspot.com/

Would you like your receipt?

2011-08-03T00:24:00.001-07:00

I came across an article from EWG.org that reminded me of the ever pervasive chemicals around us. Specifically, it's Bisphenol A or BPA, the stuff found to leach out of Nalgene water bottles and canned food containers. Bisphenol A or BPA can act like estrogen if absorbed into the body and can cause a host of issues from infertility to cancer. Now it's shown up in receipts of all places.

Evidently thermal receipt paper is often manufactured with BPA. It does transfer to your skin from handling a receipt and may be quickly absorbed so that it can't be washed off. Most at risk individuals are those who work in retail and handle receipts hundreds of times per day.

An EWG study of receipts from US retail companies found 40% of them had high BPA levels. Some of these companies included McDonald's, CVS, KFC, Whole Foods, Walmart, Safeway, and the US Postal Service. Even the US House of Representatives cafeteria had high levels. Efforts are already underway to further assess this issue and the impact on individuals, as well as pressures to encourage companies to use BPA free paper. Like many issues of toxicity and the environment, it may take years or decades for policy to catch up with good science and common sense. In the mean time, stay aware and maybe just skip getting your receipt.

See EWG article here:

http://www.ewg.org/bpa-in-store-receipts/release

Slow Down

2011-07-14T22:48:00.000-07:00

I found this article interesting and a good reminder that it's not about doing more to be healthy. Maybe we need to do less and reconnect with ourselves.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/body-sense/201007/slow-movement-awareness-better-exercise

Just Say "No"

2011-06-21T22:21:00.000-07:00

I've long thought it odd that our society vilifies "illegal" drug use while at the same time prescription drug use is growing rapidly. What's more, when you look at the most popular prescription medications, you realize that they are not curing anything and often doing more harm than good.

Statistics indicate that at least half of American adults are taking a prescription drug regularly. That number jumps to 90% for older adults. Even more disturbing is that almost 40% of adults over 60 are taking five or more prescription drugs, many who also are taking over-the-counter medications as well. There is a term for that; "Polypharmacy."

What are some of the most popular legal drugs? More than ten percent of younger adults are taking antidepressants. In teenagers, more than 6% are taking central nervous system stimulants (to treat ADD). 45% of adults 60 and above are taking a statin to lower cholesterol. Blood pressure medications and pain relievers round out the top for adults. Younger kids are getting asthma medications and antibiotics.

If these drug treatments were working, increasing their use should mean increasing the "wellness" of the population. No surprise this is not the case. We are getting sicker. Adverse events from prescribed medications are now a leading cause of hospital and doctor visits. Prescribed medications are now one of the top ten leading causes of death! In 2007 drug induced deaths ranked fourth. In 2009 there were 63,846 deaths from prescription medications.

When a drug is prescribed by a doctor, there is a false sense of safety. Many pain drugs are as addictive and harmful as heroin or cocaine, yet because it's a pill from the pharmacist, it seems so acceptable. The risks to the cardiovascular system, liver and GI tract from just acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or other NSAID are real. There is no free lunch.

The use of psychiatric medications for mood disorders and sleep are highly disruptive to the delicate natural balance of neurotransmitters and mental function. The adverse effects can be experienced throughout the body and take decades to resolve. Sadly, there is little done to actually assess the real causes of these health issues.

The wide spread overuse of antibiotics has resulted in super infections and is largely to blame for the rise in allergy and autoimmune diseases. Another false sense of security has been placed upon the sacred "vaccines," which are linked with immune and neurological disorders.

The abuse is found across all age groups. Doctors are prescribing for newborns and those near the end of life with abandon. No longer can we come into the world untouched by chemicals, nor die without polypharmacy. Could our healthcare crisis be related to all this expensive unnecessary interventions into the natural order of our lives?

Thankfully there is another way. You don't have to rely on pharmaceutical drugs as your first and last resort. It's all about where you place your faith. Is there a place for drugs? Yes, of course. You should give any prescription some critical thought as to its necessity.

Nearly all of the examples I've given above have a natural alternative. You (and hopefully your doctor) must first seek the true causes of your health problem and address that. Manage your symptoms using the least toxic means first. Unshackle your body to heal as it was designed. That is the heart of naturopathic medicine.

Corn-O-Rama

2011-06-16T10:41:00.000-07:00

I recently watched the documentary, "King Corn." This is a film profiling an unfortunate turn in America, "we are being super-sized by corn." Bad government farm policy, coupled with the growth of big agri-business has led to a food situation that is so out of balance from the created natural order of things, it's no wonder our population is becoming so ill.

Thankfully there are some who are realizing what's going on. You can now find a "local movement" in many communities where individuals are seeking and finding local farmers and foods. Inevitably there is a mental and economic hurdle to overcome: nutritious and ethical (not ethnic) food may cost more. This is not always the case; especially if you factor in the lifetime cost of medical bills and how productive and fulfilling your life will or won't be.

The elephant in the room has been "what you eat." Lots of prepared foods are carefully crafted and marketed to make you eat more. Lots of these foods really aren't food at all. Sugar or chemically sweetened beverages are the worst offenders. But we all know that, right? We just choose to ignore it. The sad part here is that our tax dollars are going to subsidize the most unhealthy junk food, namely high fructose corn syrup and the legion of foods with it in it, as well as all the cheap meat and poultry; yes it's all "corn fed."

So we are simply following the evolution of the mono-cropped monocot that is corn today. And I haven't even brought up all the non-ecofriendly, toxic farming practices.

Take the "just so 'NO' challenge." Return to the American virtue of self-sufficiency and start learning to cook with real foods. Kick your grain and sugar addiction. The best way I know how is to educate yourself, plan ahead, build your-esteem and confidence, complete the 21 Day Purification. Do what ever works for you, but please stop feeding your children so much sugar! And Gummy vitamins!

Contact your government representatives and demand they stop subsidizing death and disease!

http://www.kingcorn.net/

Day 15 support

2011-06-16T10:34:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Day 15 of the Purification Program.

Unless you are living in a biosphere (which we are pretty confident you aren't!), you are not isolated from those around you. Friends, family and co-workers all play an important role in making any lifestyle change.

Our third suggestion for you before you come off the program is to let those around you know that the changes you have made over the last few weeks are not temporary. Let them know that this isn't just a diet that as soon as you complete it you are going to resume your old eating habits.

One purification program graduate noted that before the program he was drinking several Cokes a day. Coke was his vice. After he completed the program, naturally, his wife brought a Coke up to him at work one day, as she always had. He was strong and resisted, but this highlights the need to make sure that you identify the bad habits that you are not going to resume and share that with those around you, especially those who care about you. This will help them to avoid introducing unnecessary temptations as well as avoid the embarrassment of having to turn down some food or drink they have given you or picked up at the local fast food joint.

Remember, "He who fails to plan, plans to fail."

How Should I Feel Today?

You should continue to feel wonderful today. As always, if you have questions about something that is concerning you, please contact Dr. Graves or contact our resident purification specialist Allison at support@purificationsupport.com.

Weight Loss

Remember, don't wait to get hungry. Waiting increases cravings, lowers your blood sugar level and can lead to fatigue. Make sure you are eating small meals throughout the day. If you find you are getting hungry between meals, consider doing a shake halfway between those meals and also make sure you are getting at least 8 glasses of water each day.

Reminders

Make sure you are having 1-3 bowel movements each day during the program. If not, make sure that you are drinking enough water. Remember, you should be drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day.

Recipe of the Day

Stir Fried Chicken

Ingredients:

-	2 full boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced into strips
-	1 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
-	2 garlic cloves, minced
-	3 teaspoons sesame oil to coat the pan
-	1 medium onion, sliced or diced
-	2-3 cups any combination of chopped veggies – bok choy, celery, slightly defrosted pkg. organic broccoli florets or fresh, Napa cabbage, etc.
-	1 cup sliced mushrooms – preferably shiitake
-	1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
-	2 cups cooked short grain brown rice (optional)

Directions:

1.	Heat oil in wok over high heat.
2.	Once heated, add garlic, ginger and chicken (if using).
3.	Stir constantly until lightly brown or chicken cooked through.
4.	Add all vegetables and cook for 3-4 minutes – maintain crispness.

What if I have Questions?

If you have questions about how you are feeling please remember that Dr. Graves is available throughout this program and can be contacted by phone at (509) 413-1530.

Supplement Regimen for Day 15

Core Products (Required)

SP Complete

2 scoops (tablespoons) twice per day minimum up to 5 shakes per day

SP Green Food

5 capsules 2 times per day

Fiber

Whole Food Fiber (powder): 1 scoop (tablespoon) 3 times per day in your shakes

Gastro-Fiber: 3 capsules 3 times per day

Suggested Supplements (Optional)*

Protein:	Whey Pro Complete – 2 scoops (tablespoons) twice daily
Cravings:	Gymnema – 1 tablet 3 times per day or 2 tablets twice per day
Omega-3:	Tuna Omega-3 Oil – 2 perles 2 times per day

* Dr. Graves will work with you to identify which products best meet your needs.

Day 14 support

2011-06-16T10:21:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Day 14 of the Purification Program.

Congratulations! Two weeks down, one to go!

After having a meal, have you ever experienced symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, congestion, pounding heart and so on. These could all be indications of potential food allergies, along with other common symptoms including skin irritations such as rashes, hives, and eczema or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

As your program draws to a conclusion, you are going to be reintroducing foods into your diet that you have not consumed in at least 3 weeks. This reintroduction, if performed properly, is the perfect time to identify food allergies you may have.

This leads us to our second recommendation for you (remember the first was making an appointment with your doctor in the next week). We recommended that you plan to SLOWLY reintroduce items into your diet. This is key, not just for identifying allergies, but also just to allow your body time to figure out how to process these foods properly. After 3 weeks of healthy eating and training your body to release toxins you do not want to shock your system with all kinds of 'bad' food and drink.

One purification program graduate went to a gathering the day after she completed the detox. Over the course of a few hours, she had several glasses of wine. At the end of the night she wondered exactly how much she had consumed, so after doing the math (3 people, 3 bottles) she realized that she had the equivalent of a whole bottle to herself. Although she is not allergic to red wine, within hours of drinking she developed a rash on both arms and her upper torso that lasted 2 days. Her body was not able to cope with that much alcohol after 3 weeks of healthy eating and zero alcohol.

We will detail a reintroduction plan in more detail over the coming week.

How Should I Feel Today?

You should be feeling excellent, as detailed yesterday. At this point (with 7 days to go) you should be starting to feel like your body can handle just about anything you throw at it. Well, as detailed in the introduction above, you want to be careful. Don't get ahead of yourself. Stay focused and no cheating!

Weight Loss

Are you still avoiding those cravings? Getting your cravings under control while on the program will help you to carry on limiting those carb-heavy foods after Day 21. If you are not using Gymnema, seriously consider adding it to your protocol (as always, after discussing with your health care professional). If you don't get your cravings under control now, you are likely to slip back into your old eating habits on Day 22.

Reminders

Don't forget, ideally 50% or more of the vegetables you are consuming each day should be raw or lightly steamed.

Recipe of the Day

Stir-Fried Tomatoes and Eggplant

Ingredients:

-	Stir-Fried Tomatoes and Eggplant
-	1 tablespoon Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
-	1 medium sized eggplant, peeled and diced
-	1 medium onion, diced
-	1 celery stalk thinly sliced
-	1 28 oz. can of Organic diced tomatoes with juice
-	2 tablespoons Organic Red wine or Balsamic vinegar
-	2 finely sliced basil leaves or ¼ tsp. dried basil
-	2 teaspoons dried oregano
-	Salt and pepper to taste.

Directions:

1.	In a wok, heat the olive oil and stir fry the eggplant, celery and onion for 8-10 minutes.
2.	Add remaining ingredients, cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes while stirring occasionally.
3.	Serve immediately.

What if I have Questions?

If you have questions about how you are feeling please remember that Dr. Graves is available throughout this program and can be contacted by phone at (509) 413-1530.

Supplement Regimen for Day 14

Core Products (Required)

SP Complete

2 scoops (tablespoons) twice per day minimum up to 5 shakes per day

SP Green Food

5 capsules 2 times per day

Fiber

Whole Food Fiber (powder): 1 scoop (tablespoon) 3 times per day in your shakes

Gastro-Fiber: 3 capsules 3 times per day

Suggested Supplements (Optional)*

Protein:	Whey Pro Complete – 2 scoops (tablespoons) twice daily
Cravings:	Gymnema – 1 tablet 3 times per day or 2 tablets twice per day
Omega-3:	Tuna Omega-3 Oil – 2 perles 2 times per day

* Dr. Graves will work with you to identify which products best meet your needs.

Day 13 support

2011-06-16T10:20:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Day 13 of the Purification Program.

You are 9 days away from meeting your goal. From here on out, unless you are feeling bad (in which case you need to discuss your situation with your health care provider), we want to begin preparing you for completion of the purification program.

Some people just cross the finish line, are happy they have completed the program and go back to their normal lifestyle. If this is what you are aiming for, no problem. However, most want to capitalize on this as the first step in a new direction. They want to maintain the results and begin their journey towards maximizing their genetic potential.

So, how do you maintain the results you have achieved thus far? Do you want to continue losing weight? Do you want to come off hypertension medications, antacids or anti-depressants? Well, we are going to provide guidance to help you over the coming week.

First, and most important, you need to schedule testing with the doctor who has put you on the medications you are wanting to work towards getting off of. At the conclusion of this program you will be in the optimal position to be tested. Make sure you have your appointments set before you come off the purification program (ideally on the last day or two of the program.)

How Should I Feel Today?

Not to sound like a broken record, but today should be more of the same. You are one day closer to completing the program and, to be blunt, here's how you should be feeling…

You should feel more in control, more at ease, more at peace with your own body, more charismatic, more sensual and overall just more alive! In other words, you should be feeling GREAT! The good news is that this great feeling should continue on through the rest of the 21 days and beyond the conclusion of the program, assuming of course that you incorporate some of the changes you have made into your everyday life.

Weight Loss

Are you using your newfound energy for working out? I know we have mentioned this multiple times, but sweating is KEY to losing weight. Drink lots of water and sweat, sweat, sweat.

Reminders

If you are experiencing constipation, remember to drink at least 64 ounces of water per day. In addition, be sure to eat plenty of vegetables and fruits with high fiber content. Eating a beet a day will also encourage regular bowel movements. Talk with your health care professional for other recommendations.

Recipe of the Day

Chicken Piccata

Ingredients:

-	4 Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
-	½ teaspoon dried thyme
-	¼ teaspoon salt
-	¼ teaspoon pepper
-	2 garlic cloves, pressed
-	1 cup cherry tomatoes
-	½ cup Pacific free range chicken broth
-	½ teaspoon lemon peel
-	1 tablespoon lemon juice
-	1 tablespoon butter
-	1 tablespoon arrowroot

Directions:

1.	Light oil broiler pan with small amount of olive oil.
2.	Preheat broiler.
3.	Season both sides of chicken with thyme, pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt.
4.	Place chicken on broiler pan about 2"-3" from the heat for 5 minutes per side or until 160 degrees at thickest part.
5.	Remove from broiler and keep warm.
6.	Heat a large skillet lightly oiled over medium heat.
7.	Add garlic and stir constantly for 30 seconds.
8.	Add tomatoes and remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt and cook for 3 minutes.
9.	Place tomatoes on platter with chicken.
10.	Combine arrowroot and broth in a cup.
11.	Stir until dissolved.
12.	In the same skillet, whisk together the arrowroot mixture, lemon peel and lemon juice and bring to a boil over high heat while stirring constantly.
13.	Cook for one minute or until sauce is slightly thickened.
14.	Add butter and any juice collected on platter and boil while stirring constantly.
15.	Cook until butter is just melted and sauce thickens.
16.	Pour over the chicken and serve.

What if I have Questions?

If you have questions about how you are feeling please remember that Dr. Graves is available throughout this program and can be contacted by phone at (509) 413-1530.

Supplement Regimen for Day 13

Core Products (Required)

SP Complete

2 scoops (tablespoons) twice per day minimum up to 5 shakes per day

SP Green Food

5 capsules 2 times per day

Fiber

Whole Food Fiber (powder): 1 scoop (tablespoon) 3 times per day in your shakes

Gastro-Fiber: 3 capsules 3 times per day

Suggested Supplements (Optional)*

Protein:	Whey Pro Complete – 2 scoops (tablespoons) twice daily
Cravings:	Gymnema – 1 tablet 3 times per day or 2 tablets twice per day
Omega-3:	Tuna Omega-3 Oil – 2 perles 2 times per day

* Dr. Graves will work with you to identify which products best meet your needs.

Day 12 support

2011-06-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Day 12 of the Purification Program.

Most likely you have enjoyed a day of reintroducing meat back into your diet. Hopefully you stuck to the amounts recommended and didn't overdo it. Remember to pace yourself, as you do not want to spoil 11 days of hard work!

How Should I Feel Today?

You should feel good after the reintroduction of meat into your diet. Many people find that they have more energy, especially at the gym, after reintroducing protein from food (as opposed to simply adding the whey protein into their shakes).

If you do not feel good, you should ensure you are tracking how you feel and what you are eating in your Daily Intake Journal. This is a key component of identifying what foods 'agree' with you and which ones don't. If you find that something you have reintroduced makes you feel less than 100%, experiment with not having that again for a day or so, then reintroduce it and see if the same negative reactions return. If they do, flag that food as a potential allergen and discuss this with your health care provider.

Weight Loss

Have you not lost weight on the program so far? Well, don't give up. Are your clothes fitting better? Do you notice that your face is looking healthier? It is entirely possible that you are losing fat even if you are not losing pounds. This is actually quite common and you will find that as you continue to eat healthy and exercise the pounds will then begin to come off.

As you are reintroducing meat into your diet, remember that you should not 'fill up' on meat. It is VERY important that you are eating lots of healthy vegetables and limiting your fruit intake. It is these vegetables (especially cruciferous vegetables) that will help you to become healthier and lose weight.

Reminders

Points to Ponder: Cruciferous vegetables have been shown in numerous studies to dramatically reduce your chance of getting cancer, especially hormonal cancers like breast, prostate and ovarian. Some studies have even shown a reduction in bladder and lung cancer.

References: (Take a quick look!)

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/09/050915003652.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17317210

http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/17/4/938

http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/138/3/526

http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSARM78181220080317

Eating these powerful foods daily can make dramatic changes in the outcome of your life, so make them part of your diet from now on. Don't let the good habits you develop during the purification program go to waste.

One patient said, "I had to learn to eat to live and not just live to eat." Great advice! In reality, good foods taste good and after the 21 days you will surprised to find that almost any meal you like can be made in a healthier manner. The key is learning to use the right oils, right flour and right sugar (i.e. natural, unrefined sugar cane). Once you start cooking healthier you will feel better and love the way it tastes.

Recipe of the Day

Fish Creole

Ingredients:

-	1 tablespoon organic extra virgin olive oil
-	1/3 cup celery, thinly sliced
-	1 medium onion, chopped
-	¼ cup green pepper, chopped
-	1 garlic clove, minced
-	1 bay leaf
-	2 ½ tablespoon fresh parsley or 2 ½ teaspoon dried parsley
-	¼ teaspoon chopped rosemary
-	1 28 oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes with liquid (or regular)
-	1 ½ pounds fish fillet (tilapia, sole, etc. try to find wild versus farm raised)
-	2 cups cooked short grain brown rice (once reintroducing whole grains)

Directions:

1.	In a large saucepan, heat oil and lightly sauté the onion, celery, pepper and garlic until soft.
2.	Add parsley, bay leaf, rosemary and tomatoes.
3.	Leave uncovered and simmer for about 25 minutes.
4.	Add the fish fillets, which have been cut into small pieces.
5.	Simmer till cooked through – approximately 10-12 minutes.
6.	Remove the bay leaf and serve alone or with brown rice if directed by physician.

What if I have Questions?

If you have questions about how you are feeling please remember that Dr. Graves is available throughout this program and can be contacted by phone at (509) 413-1530.

Supplement Regimen for Day 12

Core Products (Required)

SP Complete

2 scoops (tablespoons) twice per day minimum up to 5 shakes per day

SP Green Food

5 capsules 2 times per day

Fiber

Whole Food Fiber (powder): 1 scoop (tablespoon) 3 times per day in your shakes

Gastro-Fiber: 3 capsules 3 times per day

Suggested Supplements (Optional)*

Protein:	Whey Pro Complete – 2 scoops (tablespoons) twice daily
Cravings:	Gymnema – 1 tablet 3 times per day or 2 tablets twice per day
Omega-3:	Tuna Omega-3 Oil – 2 perles 2 times per day

* Dr. Graves will work with you to identify which products best meet your needs.

Day 11 support

2011-06-09T08:41:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Day 11 of the Purification Program.

Congratulations! You are on the downhill side of your 21 days. As mentioned yesterday, if you are going to introduce lean protein into your program, today is the day!

Remember, the portions should be the size and depth of your palm. You can have up to two portions per day, if desired. Once you start eating meat again, you can reduce or eliminate the whey protein. As always, consult with your practitioner before changing your protocol. Also, remember to still eat plenty of vegetables (twice as many as fruits).

How Should I Feel Today?

You should be sleeping really well and for the most part feeling energetic. Many of your previous symptoms should now be gone. If you have any lingering symptoms that concern you, please contact Dr. Graves to discuss your concerns.

Weight Loss

Have you been exercising? If not, remember that exercise is a key component of losing weight on the purification program. Unless you are older and/or have not been exercising, then it is recommended that you get a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes of exercise every day, up to 6 days per week.

Reminders

If you are introducing fish into your diet, remember, it should be deep-sea fish such as salmon, cod or sea bass. Also, you should avoid farm-raised fish. For more information on wild vs. farm-raised fish, check out this article.

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=96

Recipe of the Day

Chicken Cacciatore

Ingredients:

-	½ cup plus 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
-	2 garlic cloves, pressed
-	2 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
-	1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
-	3 teaspoon fresh rosemary, 5 sprigs stripped and leaves chopped
-	4 large portabella mushroom caps, wiped clean
-	1 ½ pounds – 4 boneless, skinless breasts
-	Coarse black pepper
-	Kosher salt
-	2 thinly sliced and seeded Italian light green peppers - cubanelle
-	1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
-	1 28-oz. can fire roasted diced or crushed tomatoes – (lightly drained)
-	Handful flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, chopped
-	Worcestershire

Directions:

1.	Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill to high heat. You can also use a heavy bottom pan on the stove for both the chicken and mushrooms.
2.	In a large bowl, combine balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire, crushed red pepper flakes and rosemary. Then whisk in about ½ cup extra virgin olive oil.
3.	Run the mushrooms through the marinade and transfer to a plate to reserve.
4.	Add chicken to the remaining marinade and coat evenly. Let sit for 2-3 minutes.
5.	Season one side of the chicken with salt and pepper.
6.	Season the cap of mushroom with pepper only until done grilling, then add salt.
7.	Place both mushrooms and chicken season side down.
8.	Place a heavy skillet on the mushroom caps to cook quickly, approximately 3-4 minutes per side until dark, tender and well marked.
9.	While chicken and mushrooms cook, add 1 tablespoon olive oil into a hot skillet.
10.	Add garlic, pepper and onions to skillet and season with salt and pepper.
11.	Cook and toss frequently for approximately 7-8 minutes.
12.	Add tomatoes and parsley and heat through, approximately 1 minute.
13.	Remove from heat.
14.	Thinly slice mushrooms and chicken and arrange on platter.
15.	Cover with the sauce mixture and serve.

Enjoy your fish and chicken!

What if I have Questions?

If you have questions about how you are feeling please remember that Dr. Graves is available throughout this program and can be contacted by phone at (509) 413-1530.

Supplement Regimen for Day 11

Core Products (Required)

SP Complete

2 scoops (tablespoons) twice per day minimum up to 5 shakes per day

SP Green Food

5 capsules 2 times per day

Fiber

Whole Food Fiber (powder): 1 scoop (tablespoon) 3 times per day in your shakes

Gastro-Fiber: 3 capsules 3 times per day

Suggested Supplements (Optional)*

Protein:	Whey Pro Complete – 2 scoops (tablespoons) twice daily
Cravings:	Gymnema – 1 tablet 3 times per day or 2 tablets twice per day
Omega-3:	Tuna Omega-3 Oil – 2 perles 2 times per day

* Dr. Graves will work with you to identify which products best meet your needs.

Day 10 support

2011-06-09T08:40:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Day 10 of the Purification Program.

If you are planning on introducing lean protein such as chicken or fish into your purification program, you are only one day away. At this point most people can't wait! So that you can plan your shopping, remember, you should choose organic, free-range, antibiotic-free and hormone-free protein sources if possible. Things to be avoided are cured, smoked or luncheon meats.

How Should I Feel Today?

The main thing you are probably feeling today is a craving for meat. Other than that, you should be feeling strong and energetic. This is an important day, as you should be feeling good before you begin to reintroduce meat into your diet. If you do not feel like your energy has returned, speak with your health care professional before reintroducing meat tomorrow.

Weight Loss

As you progress through this program, you may desire to add additional weight loss support products. You can do this during the purification program or afterwards. These products are available from Dr. Graves. Finally, today we are discussing the third body type.

If your weight is primarily in your hips and butt, this is a problem with ovaries in women and testicles in men and is an indication of estrogen dominance.

Women, discuss the following protocol with Dr. Graves.

Chaste Tree	2 tablets in the morning (only do this if you still have your ovaries)
Ovex P	2 tablets twice per day
Flax Seed Oil	1 tablespoon per day
	Reminder: Eat lots of cruciferous vegetables!

Men, discuss the following protocol with Dr. Graves. Please also note that in addition to the weight in your hips and butt, you will most likely also exhibit weight in your belly.

Cruciferous Complete	4 capsules per day
LivaPlex	4 capsules per day
Symplex M	4 tablets per day
Whole Food Fiber	2 level tablespoons per day
Tribulus	1 tablet per 50 pounds of body weight (i.e. 4 tablets for a 200lb man)
Linum B₆	4 perles per day (if you prefer to add it to your shake, use Flax Seed Oil)
Flax Seed Oil	1 tablespoon per day (if you prefer pills, use Linum B₆)

Reminders

If you are going to be introducing lean protein during this purification, remember that you do this tomorrow (on day 11), not today (a common misunderstanding).

Recipe of the Day

Bachelor Portobello Mushroom

Ingredients:

-	Portobello Mushroom
-	Garlic/Olive Oil Crushed
-	Butter, organic
-	Marinara Sauce (you can use the recipe from Day 2)
	Tip: If you want to buy sauce instead of making it, look for a brand that has no sugar, high fructose corn syrup, "Natural Flavors", etc… (It must be just tomatoes, garlic, onions, salt, water, etc…) Copollo Brand is an example of a 'clean' sauce.

Directions:

1.	Medium Heat- Portobello Mushroom in pan for 5 minutes per side.
2.	Add Marinara Sauce over Mushroom in pan and put over low heat for a couple of minutes.

What if I have Questions?

If you have questions about how you are feeling please remember that Dr. Graves is available throughout this program and can be contacted by phone at (509) 413-1530.

Supplement Regimen for Day 10

Core Products (Required)

SP Complete

2 scoops (tablespoons) twice per day minimum up to 5 shakes per day

SP Green Food

5 capsules 2 times per day

Fiber

Whole Food Fiber (powder): 1 scoop (tablespoon) 3 times per day in your shakes

Gastro-Fiber: 3 capsules 3 times per day

Suggested Supplements (Optional)*

Protein:	Whey Pro Complete – 2 scoops (tablespoons) twice daily
Cravings:	Gymnema – 1 tablet 3 times per day or 2 tablets twice per day
Omega-3:	Tuna Omega-3 Oil – 2 perles 2 times per day

* Dr. Graves will work with you to identify which products best meet your needs.

One more day until the reintroduction of meat!

Tips & Tricks

2011-06-07T00:08:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to mention a few suggestions for those of you on the 21 day detox (or cleanse, or purification).

I've found it's better to add your supplements and powders to your smoothie after you've blended it smooth. So start with all your raw ingredients and blend well until smooth then add SP Complete and Whey protein or vegan protein, blending just enough to mix in. Otherwise, the protein powders tend to thicken up. A high speed blender will literally denature the protein.

If you find the smoothies aren't as sweet as you prefer, add stevia and/or inositol powder. The trick with stevia is not to add too much. 1/8 tsp is the max you would ever add to an 8 oz smoothie. I like to add a little inositol powder with a little stevia. Also, adding "sweet" spices such as cinnamon can enhance an otherwise bland or "veggie-ish" smoothie. By the way, cinnamon can help your blood sugar stability.

Watch the rice intake. I probably don't need to say this again, but too much grains can slow down weight loss. For those struggling on the other end of the spectrum, a little more brown or wild rice and especially lentils can help prevent too much weight loss if you're already at an appropriate weight, or under weight. Of course there's yams to. Remember adequate protein is essential for everyone. Most people will need to use a protein powder, especially after day 10.

Get some physical activity, even if it's just brisk walking. And don't forget the stretching.

Diversify your food selections, especially as you arrive at week 3. Prepare yourself for an appropriate ending to your three weeks of unencumbered eating. Prepare to slowly challenge foods back into your diet and develop the habit of rotating your diet.

Day 9 support

2011-06-05T09:25:00.000-07:00

Did you know the first recorded case of Myocardial infarction (Heart Attack due to clogging of the arteries) was in 1928 in the US? What do you suppose people ate back before the 1920's? Well, they ate butter, lard, eggs, meat and so on. What they didn't eat was margarine, corn oil, processed sugar, bleached wheat and pasteurized dairy. To top it off, they got quite a bit of exercise just going about their normal routine.

Heart Disease, cancer, diabetes and other diseases are all skyrocketing today. Of course stress is a major contributor to this, but we would do well to eat more like our ancestors and avoid the "bankrupt" foods being marketed to us today as 'healthy'. It is less expensive to eat well and certainly lends to greater health.

As always, be skeptical and do your own research. This is the only way to truly feel comfortable about ignoring 'trends' and sticking to the basics.

How Should I Feel Today?

There are usually no major developments around day 9. You should basically be feeling the same way you have for the past few days and probably will for the next few days.

Weight Loss

As you progress through this program, you may desire to add additional weight loss support products. You can do this during the purification program or afterwards. These products are available from your health care provider. Continuing on from our discussion yesterday, today we discuss the second body type.

If your weight is primarily in your belly (i.e. it sags over your waist), is on your shoulders, or you have a 'buffalo hump' you are most likely experiencing adrenal weakness.

Discuss the following protocol with your health care provider.

For Men:

Rhodiola & Ginseng Complex

2 tablets twice per day (two in the morning, two between 2pm and 4pm)

For Women:

Withania Complex

1 tablet three times per day

Reminders

Although it is best to make your shakes up fresh, you can also make a large enough batch to last you through the day. Just make sure to keep it refrigerated, and remix it as needed before pouring.

Recipe of the Day

Saturday Vegetable Soup (Makes about 6 servings)

Ingredients:

-	2 boxes Pacific Natural Foods brand Organic Vegetable Broth (8 cups)
-	1 – 16 oz. bag 365 Organic brand frozen organic vegetable blend (includes broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, green bean, & bell pepper)
-	1 – 10 oz. bag Cascadian Farm Organic brand frozen Chinese-style stir-fry blend (includes green beans, broccoli, carrots, red peppers, onions, mushrooms, & bamboo shoots)
-	4 cloves of organic garlic, minced (optional)
-	1/2 large organic onion, diced
-	1/2 organic green pepper, diced
-	1 bunch organic celery, diced
-	4 tbsp. organic, unsalted butter
-	Sea salt or Herbamare

Directions:

1.	Chop up the onion, green pepper and celery. Set aside in a bowl.
2.	In a large skillet, place butter over medium/high stove and heat until completely melted.
3.	Add the chopped onion, green pepper, and celery and sauté until soft.
4.	Sprinkle sea salt over the contents to taste.
5.	Stir in a splash of vegetable broth and lower heat to simmer.
6.	In a large slow cooker, add both bags of frozen vegetables.
7.	Pour 1 box of vegetable broth over the frozen vegetables (don't worry that the broth doesn't completely cover the vegetables).
8.	Add the contents of the skillet to the slow cooker.
9.	Pour in the remaining box of vegetable broth.
10.	Set the slow cooker to high stirring occasionally.
11.	Cook for about 2 hours or until vegetables are softened. DO NOT OVERCOOK

What if I have Questions?

If you have questions about how you are feeling please remember that Dr. Graves is available throughout this program and can be contacted by phone at (509) 413-1530.

Supplement Regimen for Day 9

Core Products (Required)

SP Complete

2 scoops (tablespoons) twice per day minimum up to 5 shakes per day

SP Green Food

5 capsules 2 times per day

Fiber

Whole Food Fiber (powder): 1 scoop (tablespoon) 3 times per day in your shakes

Gastro-Fiber: 3 capsules 3 times per day

Suggested Supplements (Optional)*

Protein:	Whey Pro Complete – 2 scoops (tablespoons) twice daily
Cravings:	Gymnema – 1 tablet 3 times per day or 2 tablets twice per day
Omega-3:	Tuna Omega-3 Oil – 2 perles 2 times per day

* Dr. Graves will work with you to identify which products best meet your needs.

Day 8 support

2011-06-01T23:04:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Day 8 of the Purification Program.

Congratulations! You are done with the SP Cleanse capsules. Well, technically you should have 3 capsules leftover (go ahead and take those this morning). If you have more than that leftover, you probably just missed taking them at some point. Not to worry. Keep taking the SP Cleanse (7 capsules 3 times per day) until you have finished the bottle. However, you should also introduce the SP Green Food starting today as indicated in the Supplement Regimen section below.

How Should I Feel Today?

After 1 week on the program, you should be feeling good. You should not be hungry or feel like you don't have any energy. If you do, you are most likely not eating enough vegetables during the day. Also remember that you can do up to 5 shakes a day. A key point to remember is that as long as you are eating healthy vegetables, you can eat as much as you want, so you should not feel hungry.

Weight Loss

As you progress through this program, you may desire to add additional weight loss support products. You can do this during the purification program or afterwards. These products are available from Dr. Graves. Today we start a series of tips on what products to take for your body shape.

If your weight is generalized and you are heavy all over (typical hypothyroidism), the thyroid is most likely your weak endocrine gland. Discuss the following protocol with Dr. Graves.

Coleus Forte	1 tablet three times daily
Prolamine Iodine	3 tablets per day
Thyroid Complex	1 tablet three times daily

Reminders

If you have trouble taking all of the capsules each day you can try mixing them in with your shakes. The first 7 days this makes for a bit of an intense shake (mainly due to the cayenne in the SP Cleanse), however now that you have completed those, you might consider this if taking the pills is difficult for you.

Recipe of the Day

Ginger Lemonade

This is a perfect pick-me-up beverage if you feel hungry or tired.

Ingredients:

-	2 inches fresh ginger root
-	3 lemons
-	2 quarts of water
-	Stevia to taste

Directions:

1.	Wash and peel the ginger root.
2.	Grate it finely over a bowl.
3.	Squeeze the grated ginger mash with your fingers to extract the juice. Discard the dry mash.
4.	Bring water to a boil.
5.	Remove from heat and add ginger and juice of 3 lemons.
6.	Add Stevia and stir well.
7.	Drink hot or chill for iced ginger lemonade by adding ice cubes and a fresh slice of lemon.

Don't forget the new protocol today!

What if I have Questions?

If you have questions about how you are feeling please remember that Dr. Graves is available throughout this program and can be contacted by phone at (509) 413-1530.

Supplement Regimen for Day 8

Core Products (Required)

SP Complete

2 scoops (tablespoons) twice per day minimum up to 5 shakes per day

SP Green Food - NEW

5 capsules 2 times per day

Fiber

Whole Food Fiber (powder): 1 scoop (tablespoon) 3 times per day in your shakes

Gastro-Fiber: 3 capsules 3 times per day

Suggested Supplements (Optional)*

Protein:	Whey Pro Complete – 2 scoops (tablespoons) twice daily
Cravings:	Gymnema – 1 tablet 3 times per day or 2 tablets twice per day
Omega-3:	Omega-3 Oil – 2 perles 2 times per day

* Dr. Graves will work with you to identify which products best meet your needs.

Day 7 support

2011-06-01T23:00:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Day 7 of the Purification Program.

Congratulations on reaching the 1-week mark! You are 1/3 of the way through your purification program.

How Should I Feel Today?

Today should be a continuation of yesterday. Your energy levels should remain high and as long as you are getting plenty of rest, you should be feeling quite good. During the purification program, you should get as much rest as possible. This allows your body to heal itself and facilitates the detoxification process.

Weight Loss

Make sure to eat frequently and don't eat too many sweet potatoes or too much rice. Although sweet potatoes and rice (wild or brown rice only) are approved for the program, if you are using these to fill up on you are probably not eating as many vegetables as you should. To get the most out of the 21 days, eat lots of cruciferous vegetables and remember to eat only one fruit to every two vegetables.

Reminders

Make sure that you are taking your supplements throughout the day and drinking a minimum of 2 SP Complete shakes. If you are having trouble remembering what to take when, don't forget to use the checklist at the bottom of this post.

Recipe of the Day

Tomato Cups (Recipe makes 12 cups)

Great for a side dish or for an excellent finger food use cherry or small tomatoes.

Ingredients:

-	6 medium tomatoes
-	½ small cucumber
-	2 sticks celery
-	½ medium red onion or 2 scallions chopped
-	½ cup fresh parsley
-	1 tablespoon fresh mint (optional)
-	1 clove garlic
-	2 teaspoons kelp
-	1 tablespoon lemon juice
-	1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
-	Celtic salt to taste (optional)

Directions:

1.	Cut tomatoes in half and scoop out the center
2.	Add tomato pulp to the other ingredients
3.	Finely chop all ingredients, mix well and fill tomato halves

1 week down! Keep up the excellent work!

What if I have Questions?

If you have questions about how you are feeling please remember that Dr. Graves is available throughout this program and can be contacted by phone at (509) 413-1530.

Supplement Regimen for Day 7

Core Products (Required)

SP Complete

2 scoops (tablespoons) twice per day minimum up to 5 shakes per day

SP Cleanse

7 capsules 3 times per day

Fiber

Whole Food Fiber (powder): 1 scoop (tablespoon) 3 times per day in your shakes

Gastro-Fiber: 3 capsules 3 times per day

Suggested Supplements (Optional)*

Protein:	Whey Pro Complete – 2 scoops (tablespoons) twice daily
Cravings:	Gymnema – 1 tablet 3 times per day or 2 tablets twice per day
Omega-3:	Fish or Krill Omega-3 Oil – 2 perles per day

* Dr. Graves will work with you to identify which products best meet your needs.

Day 6 support

2011-06-01T22:59:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Day 6 of the Purification Program.

Myth: To avoid heart disease, we should use margarine instead of butter.

Truth: Margarine eaters have twice the rate of heart disease as butter eaters.

- Source: (Nutrition Week 3/22/91 21:12)

For further reading, check out Myths and Truths About Nutrition

(Weston A. Price Foundation www.westonaprice.org)

Remember, butter is approved during the purification, however margarine is not. You should consider staying away from margarine even after you have completed the program. However, don't take our word for it. When it comes to nutrition, always feel free to be skeptical and investigate for yourself. Watch out for studies or marketing commissioned by the companies whose products are involved, as they often tend to be skewed.

How Should I Feel Today?

Your energy levels should continue to increase. Symptoms of detoxification such as headaches and backaches should continue to diminish.

Often patients begin to forget how they have been feeling and fail to realize that they are improving each day. This is known as 'symptom amnesia'. Take this opportunity to review your Daily Intake Journal (found in the Purification Program Handbook) to see how you have progressed so far with regards to your energy levels and any physical effects you may have experienced.

The key point to remember is that the purification program is a unique experience for each person, as your starting point is different from the next person's. As long as you are progressing, you are on the right track!

Weight Loss

In order to optimize weight loss, ensure you are getting a minimum of 2 shakes a day as well as including Whey Pro Complete for added protein.

Also, make sure you are controlling your cravings for carbohydrates: bread, candy, pasta, soft drinks, ice cream, desserts, etc. If you crave any of these, like most people do, Gymnema is the product for you! It will knock out your cravings and assist you in staying on track to lose weight during this program.

If you are not currently using Whey Pro Complete or Gymnema, contact Dr. Graves today at (509) 413-1530 and discuss adding these to your purification program.

Reminders

Keep in mind that SP Complete and Whey Pro Complete are food products. Therefore, unopened containers should be stored in a cool, dark place (such as a pantry) and once open, should be refrigerated.

Recipe of the Day

At this point salads should have become your friend. These 3 dressings should help add some flavor to those salads.

Basic Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

-	½ cup Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
-	3 tablespoons Organic Apple Cider or Vinegar without sulfites
-	1 teaspoon Oregano leaves
-	½ teaspoon Salt - preferably Celtic salt
-	1/8 Tsp. pepper

Directions:

1.	Mix ingredients together in a container.
2.	Refrigerate until you are ready to use.
3.	When you are ready to use the dressing, take it out of the refrigerator a few minutes ahead of time.
4.	Shake before serving.

Dijon Olive Oil Dressing

Ingredients:

-	½ cup Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
-	6 tablespoons Organic Balsamic Vinegar or Lemon Juice
-	6 tablespoons Water
-	1 tsp. Organic Dijon Mustard
-	1/8 tsp. Oregano
-	Salt and Pepper to taste
-	1 minced garlic clove

Directions:

1.	Combine all ingredients into an airtight jar or carafe.
	Tip: If you do not have an airtight container you can also use a whisk.
2.	Shake (or whisk) vigorously to blend.

Tahini Dressing

Ingredients:

-	2 tablespoons sesame tahini
-	Lemon juice

Directions:

1.	Mix 2 tablespoons of sesame tahini with desired amount of lemon juice to your own taste.
2.	Mix in a little water to achieve dressing consistency.

Enjoy those salads!

Day 5

2011-05-29T22:02:00.000-07:00

This is the first time I've taken the detox diet on the road. I took the family for a short get-away to visit some friends. We are accustomed to taking our own food when we travel, so it wasn't too difficult. This time we just had to bring the blender. I packed each days supplements for the shakes into a couple of zip lock bags. I made our usual smoothies with apple or pear, frozen berries, a little banana, carrot, and even kale, the supplements and blended well. We brought some left overs and made one new meal of vegetable soup. An after dinner snack has been some cut up fruit with protein powder and coconut.

Then after getting back tonight, we were craving sushi so we had to make it. Cut veggies, avocado, homemade mayo, sweet brown rice, nori sheets, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and of course wasabi. I even put cooked yam in a roll.

Below is the email I received for day 5 support.

Welcome to Day 5 of the Purification Program.

Just a friendly reminder: corn is not a vegetable, it is a grain and there are no grains allowed on this program (with the exception of brown rice if allowed by Dr. Graves).

Also, remember that although something may be healthy (such as beans and nuts), it may not be allowed during the purification program due to other factors (such as potential food allergens). So, with this in mind, remember: no beans or nuts of any kind.

How Should I Feel Today?

You should be feeling more energetic today and the cravings should continue decreasing. Many have expressed that they have not only learned to 'tolerate' the shakes, but have even come to enjoy them. Yes, yes, it's true!

We mentioned yesterday that your sleep should be improving. You should find that you are able to fall asleep easier, enjoy more restful sleep, and are able to sleep through the night more often. The good news is that this should continue throughout the purification program and beyond (as long as you maintain some of your newly forming good habits).

Weight Loss

If you haven't started exercising yet during this program, now is an excellent time to use some of your returning energy and start. Remember, exercise is an essential part of losing weight during this program.

Reminders

Don't wait to get hungry. Waiting increases cravings, lowers your blood sugar level and can lead to fatigue. Try to have your SP Complete Shake with your Whey Protein first thing in the morning and keep some approved snack foods around to munch on to keep your blood sugar and energy levels up.

Recipe of the Day

Guacamole

Ingredients:

-	2 Organic Avocados- peeled and mashed
-	1 clove minced garlic
-	1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
-	½ chopped tomato (use less if diabetic)
-	Salt
-	1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions:

1.	Mix all together thoroughly and put avocado seed back into bowl to prevent turning brown.
	Tip: although you can't have tortilla chips (always a favorite with this dip) you can enjoy a nice crudité with your guacamole by slicing up some raw vegetables (or using them whole if you prefer). Whole cherry tomatoes, sliced carrots and celery are always favorites.

21 Day Detox & Purification Day 1

2011-05-25T21:35:00.000-07:00

After talking with my wife this evening about the devastation in her home state of Missouri, it almost seems trivial to blog about my little 21 day detox. That and learning about a 23 year old girl here in South Hill who had a bicycle accident last Friday and whose life now hangs in the balance. Her name is Bethany. Please pray for her and her family. Also pray for those not only in this country but those elsewhere who've lost everything and loved ones.

I should do a better job with mentioning the need for prayer and support with the 21 day program. This is not easy. Meaningful health change often requires divine intervention and that we not shoulder all the burden. Willpower is a muscle that we can exercise, but it helps to know:

¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13, New International Version)

Today's meals went well considering the lack of prep that I recommend so highly. Breakfast was rushed having slept in because for some reason my alarm clocks (my girls) decided to play downstairs rather than wake me up as is their usual forte. Thankfully, just knowing I had to throw a smoothie together required less time than our usual breakfasts. My girls had to have some of course, along with their leftover oatmeal. The smoothie was a tad of frozen banana, pineapple, berries, apple, carrot, celery, parsley, a little fish oil, stevia, and supplements. I had a few bites of pineapple and was out the door. I brought an apple to work with me and thankfully my good wife dropped off some cut up bell pepper. I had a moment of temptation for the Standard Bars at the front counter but managed to make it home without passing out. Dinner was lentils, sweet brown rice, salsa, with red leaf lettuce, EV olive oil and balsamic vinegar, guacamole, and yam fries. Quite satisfactory. My sweet craving was fixed with an after dinner cup of shredded coconut, ground flax, inositol powder, cinnamon, a half of banana mashed with Vanilla Vegan Protein powder and a little water to blend it all with.

I wanted to make some suggestions. Those who seem to do best with this diet, pick a few key recipes to alternate with. Trying to follow a gourmet menu plan with new dishes every night will lead to burn out. Maybe spaghetti squash with butter and marinara one night, lentils and rice with salad or steamed veggies another, yam chips with guacamole and salsa and asparagus with mayo on yet another. Make enough for leftovers. "Rinse and repeat."

I should also mention that in addition to regular lentils, try the orange type, pea soup, and maybe even black-eyed peas. There are many varieties of brown rice so don't limit it to just plain old long grain. Try sweet brown, basmati, etc. Protein powder is a must. I am using Whey protein in my smoothies and then supplementing with a rice, pea, hemp protein blend that is sweetened with stevia and Lo Han and flavored.

If you don't have it yet, pick up some coconut oil. That is such good stuff. Cook with it, melt it into your curries, blend it in your smoothies. If in doubt, feeling like you are going to die or fall off the wagon... make a fruit smoothie with extra protein powder. Blessings.

Dr. G

The calm before the storm

2011-05-25T00:12:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is day 1 for me and the wife. Last weekend we managed to stock up with some produce for phase one of the 21 Day Detox and Purification. Produce options in Spokane this time of year are limited, at least if trying to keep a budget. I have a theory that you can eat cheaper with whole foods than with junk and fast food, especially if we are comparing micronutrients.

You just have to learn to cook. It's really about taking the time to follow some recipes and learn to season. After a while you can cook intuitively. Maybe that will take a year or two, but it is so much faster to pull out what's in the fridge and "begin with the end in mind." You chop, you mix, you add, you season. Have a few seasoning blends on hand: curry, mexican, italian, asian, thai, indian, chili powder; use oil to carry the flavor and satisfy the palate; and don't forget lemon and lime juice, apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar and high quality sea salt. Kelp powder is nice. Seaweed salad anyone?

We started with a 15 lb bag of carrots, beets, broccoli, red leaf lettuce, parsley, yams, butternut squash, avocados, apples, bananas, strawberries, a large papaya, pineapple, and an assortment of frozen berries. At home we have onions, garlic, celery, assorted herbs and spices, Redmond salt, coconut oil, EV olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and of course plenty of organic unsalted butter.

Here are a few things to remember. No eggs until day 11 and then watch for for any reactions. Try to stick to no more than the 1/2 cup serving of brown rice (or quinoa) per day and up to a cup of lentils per day. You will need to eat more frequently so prepare and plan accordingly. Consider carrying a small cooler with you if you are going to be out and about. Bring baby carrots, cut up fruit, celery and your Tupperware with leftovers. Make your own mayo and add dried onion and coriander and lemon juice for a creamy dip; or make a lentil "bean" dip.

Tomorrow the plan is fruit veggie smoothies, the Master veg and fruit salad, and Mexican for dinner with green salad, lentils, salsa, guacamole, and yam chips.

Days 1 -3 are the hardest, so don't despair and don't give up. Stay hydrated, don't overdo the fruit and take full advantage of your food processor. Protein powder is key to getting through the days before meat. Savor the flavor of the earth's bounty.

Mayo and menu alert

2011-05-22T16:03:00.000-07:00

Hi Gang,

In preparing this weekend to start the 21 Day Detox I noticed that the menu and recipes I've made available are missing some recipes, mainly the vegetable entrées. Stay tuned for more info and recipe guidance. To that point I've found a great blog and source of information for doing the 21 Day detox. See this link for a video of Mommypotomus making mayo.

homemade mayo

Mommypotomas site

Here is a menu guide for days 1 through 20.

She has an recipe E-book available that I will be reviewing soon.

Don't forget to see Standard Process web site for additional recipes and information regarding the 21 day program.

Stay tuned for a summary of my review of the pre-detox prep over the weekend.

Dr. G

21 Day Detox & Purification, after Class 1

2011-05-19T21:35:00.000-07:00

Here are some questions that came up recently that you may find helpful as you embark on the program. My wife and I are gearing up this weekend to officially start on Monday. Stay tuned for more:

1. Where do I find the recipes with the asterisk that are not written out on the recipe List?

The recipes are at the end of the handout. They may not be in the order they appear in the menu. I noticed the Carrot Curry recipe was not there. I've added it here:

Carrot Curry with Brown Rice
Carrots – 3 or 4
Onion – 1 small (chopped)
Green chilli – 3 or 4
Ginger – 1 inch piece (finely chopped)
Small Green lentils – 2 tsp
Mustards seeds – ½ tsp
Cumin seeds – ½ tsp
Coriander seed, ground- ¼ tsp
Sea Salt – to taste
Clarified butter (ghee) or Coconut Oil – 1 tbsp

Wash, peel and grate carrots. Place in a sauce pan and add enough water to just cover the carrot, add a dash of sea salt, cover and cook till it is 80% done, drain the water and set side.
Heat a separate frying pan on med, add oil or ghee, when heated, add lentil and fry for 30 sec., then add mustard seeds, cumin seeds and let them crackle, then add chopped ginger, coriander, green chili and fry for 1 min.
Now add chopped onion and cook till they are soft.
Now add grated carrot, mix well, and adjust salt, add and cook for 5 min on medium heat.
Serve hot with ½ cup cooked brown rice.

2. Do I continue using the supplements I was taking or stop until the 21 days are over?

You can stop all supplements. You can continue to use those recommended by your ND guiding you through the program.

3. Do I stop my prescriptions?

Again check with your doctor. In many if not most cases you will be able to come off of most of your medications.

4. One recipe calls for canned tomatoes? The detox program says no canned items. Do I not use that recipe?

Good question. Not all of the recipes are perfect for the program. You can substitute fresh cooked tomato or use an organic canned version (Eden Foods or Muir Glen). Just keep the canned foods to a minimum and without any additives like sugar and preservatives.

5. Do I have to make my own broth or can I use the vegetable broth or chicken broth in the carton?

You can use some carton broths, but what I wrote above applies; no prohibited additives. Look in Fred Meyers natural and organic section or Huckleberries.

6. Can I use ground flax instead of flaxseed oil?

Yes, but in moderation. No more that 1 tablespoon per day at first. Remember you're getting lots of fiber in the program. Use a variety of acceptable oils if possible, to get the healing fats you need. If you are not using flax oil, definitely take fish or krill oil.

7. We eat a lot of bell peppers and tomatoes. Since I haven't noticed a reaction, I assume I can eat these. I do find I belch when I have green peppers. Should I avoid them?

Given your symptoms with green peppers, I'd avoid them. If you tolerate other nightshades (tomato, pepper, eggplant) they should be fine.

I realize you have probably answered these questions before but my memory is one of my problems at present.

That is OK. Many of these details don't get addressed until you ask. If you stick to the key principles of the program and are able to tolerate the shakes, you should do well. It's OK to vary from the menu plan and substitute as you are able. The BIG things to avoid are the dairy, wheat, sugar, and packaged/processed foods, while getting lots of fresh produce.

Dr. G

2011-05-10T14:50:00.001-07:00

I am very excited to announce my upcoming presentation on May 18th at 6:30pm.

Over the last few years I've been amazed to see the results in my patients doing the "21 Day Detox." It is by far the best detox program I've seen. One doctor recently called it "the Grand Daddy" of detox programs. And I couldn't agree more. Far from just a detox, for many it's a life changing experience. With one fell swoop we are eliminating food allergies, removing toxic build up, and engaging the natural healing mechanisms of the body. Translated, that means weight loss, better digestion, more energy, a healthier appearance, and other benefits.

If you've been to one of my detox classes before, you should know that this time around I have created a "new and improved" program that now provides you with more support along the way. Your meals have all been planned out for you including recipes and an easy to follow schedule. In addition, you will be the recipient of an optimized program that is even more effective and customized to fit your unique health concerns. If you can't make the presentation, you can still be a part of this Spring's detox. Call our office for more details and to RSVP for the presentation. Seating is limited!

Please pass this along to someone you care about who you think would benefit from this information. ...Oh, by the way, this class is free!

Thank you,
Dr. Graves
--
David Graves, ND
Naturopathic Med
509-413-1530
http://www.natpathmed.com

http://gravesnd.blogspot.com/

2011-04-17T23:40:00.000-07:00

The fight continues against SB5005, the terrible bill that requires parents to get “educated” and a signature from those who profit from giving vaccines in order to validate your conscientious or religious exemption! ESB5005 passed the House floor on Friday, March 25^th with a final vote of 66 to 29. It had already passed through the Senate in February.

The House and Senate do not yet have a Conference Committee meeting scheduled to come to final concurrence about the wording of the bill they will present to the Governor. Both versions are posted here:http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5005.

Once the House and the Senate do reach concurrence on the wording of the bill, it will be passed to the Governor for her signature or veto. If she receives the final version of the bill on or before April 18^th, she will have five days to sign or veto the bill so we need to act quickly.

Please do 3 things:

1) Contact Governor Gregoire and ask her to VETO ESB5005

2) Contact your own state Representative and Senator letting them know you have asked the governor to veto ESB5005 and ask them to request the governor veto the bill also.

3) Pass this on to people you know who care about preserving parental rights and keeping vaccine exemptions accessible!

1) Contact Governor Gregoire and ask her to VETO ESB5005

Phone: 360-902-4111
Fax: 360-753-4110
Send an email: http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/default.asp
Mailing Address: Governor Christine Gregoire, Office of the Governor, PO Box 40002, Olympia, WA 98504-0002

If you previously wrote a letter to any legislators opposing the bill, just pull that up and readdress it with the request that the governor veto the bill.

Your phone call or voice mail message or could go as easy as this:

Hello. My name is [your name] and I am calling from [your town/city], Washington. I am calling to ask Governor Gregoire to veto ESB5005. I am a parent who believes in informed consent for medical procedures and in parental rights for the citizens of the State of Washington. Please veto ESB 5005.

If you don’t have a previous letter written and you have time, you can further educate the Governor by picking some of these points to share:

· NO OTHER STATE in the entire country burdens a parent financially and emotionally by requiring them to have to visit a doctor and obtain a signature for verification of their religious or philosophical exemption form. This bill is unconstitutional.

· Instead, other states (like Texas) add the requirement of a notarization on an exemption form with a statement that the parent has educated themselves on the risks and benefits of vaccines.

· The proponents who gave testimony in the Senate and House Committee hearings on this bill, misquoted facts and statistics to better justify their position. If the Governor were to look at the actual figures and statistics from the Washington DOH website regarding the percent of exemptions on the vaccines THAT ARE MANDATED IN WASHINGTON, instead of the figures for all vaccines on the CDC recommended list, she would see the difference between the actual numbers of exemptions in our state and those numbers testified to by proponents of this bill.

· You are already well educated on the subject of vaccine risks and benefits.

· You use medical practitioners not on the list of those eligible to sign forms.

· Many doctors are openly hostile to families making educated vaccine choices and aren’t likely to sign the form or flat out throw families out of their practice if they don’t fully vaccinate. Many pediatricians refuse to see patients if they refuse vaccines or ask for a modified vaccine schedule.

· Parents should not have to be reliant on the pharmaceutical/vaccine paradigm of healthcare in order to direct the upbringing of their children.

· Share any other personal reasons why this is important to your family.

If you have some extra time, contact the Governor’s advisors too.

NAME, TITLE	PHONE	EMAIL
Jonathan E. Seib, Executive Policy Advisor	360-902-0557	Jonathon.seib@gov.wa.gov
Jay Manning, Chief of Staff	360-902-4111	Jay.manning@gov.wa.gov
Jill Satran, Deputy Chief of Staff	360-902-0486	Jill.satran@gov.wa.gov
Kari Burrell, Policy Office Director	360-902-0608	Kari.burrell@gov.wa.gov
Jim Justin, Legislative Director	360-902-0486	Jim.Justin@gov.wa.gov
Cory Curtis, Communications Director	360-902-0386	Cory.curtis@gov.wa.gov

2) Inform your own Washington State Representative and Senator that you have asked the Governor to Veto ESB5005 and request that they do the same. You can log on to your Washington state page onhttp://NVICAdvocacy.org to view this alert and can be directly view to your personal state legislators and their contact information.

3) Please forward this email note to everyone you know who cares about this issue and if you are getting this email forwarded to you from a friend, please sign up for the NVIC Advocacy Portal at http://NVICAdvocacy.orgso you can receive further updates. You can also post this link to your facebook directly for a copy of this alert to share:http://nvicadvocacy.org/members/Resources/WAStopSB5005.aspx

Fixing Things

2011-03-06T23:27:00.000-08:00

I like to fix things. I recently prevailed in restoring my once dead laptop into a working machine once more. Last November, after putting my computer to sleep one evening, I was unable to rouse it. It sat for three months until I could finally restore it this weekend. In that process I was reminded how satisfying it is to fix something.

I've enjoyed this since I was a kid, at least the taking apart and seeing what was inside. Sometimes I destroyed stuff by my curiosity. One fond memory is when I took my Mickey Mouse transistor radio and attached an AC cord to the 9 volt battery wires. My rationale was that I was tired of changing the battery. I plugged it into the wall and all was grand until I turned the little rotary volume on/off dial to the on position. There was moment of sound through the small speaker and an immediate blue flash and puff of smoke and my radio was toast.

Years later I realized I needed to apply myself to the study of things electronic if I was going to be able to fix them. After a career of building and fixing electronic devices I decided to learn to fix the greatest machine, the human body. But living things are vastly different from anything man has invented. Mechanical and electronic devices wear out and break down. When there is a failure you troubleshoot the problem and replace or fix bad parts. In living things, replacing bad parts never results in a fully restored "machine." At best it's a pale shadow of it's original form. Modern medical advances can do wonderful things, but true health requires recognition of the innate healing capacity of the body.

Step one is to place yourself within an environment that promotes restoration and healing. There is a place for heroic measures to save lives, fixing bodies after traumas, doing our best to help those with genetic abnormalities, but the majority of disease today requires attention to environment. And I'm not talking about global warming and the green revolution. It's your local environment within which you place your body each day: the stresses, vices, inactivities, excesses, and toxicities.

There is a pervasive attitude of personal denial, ignoring the things that really matter, while enlisting the assistance of doctors who prescribe anti-depressants instead of finding the cause of your woes. Many care-givers are just unaware or lack the time and skill to address such things. They are trained to save lives not maximize health.

Vaccines are a good case in point. Here you have a medical intervention from the dark ages of modern medicine, mid-1700's, still in use today and ever increasing its dominance of public health policy. It's based on fear and ignorance of "the Terrain is everything, the Germ is nothing" as Louis Pasteur is purported to have said on his deathbed. In other words, it's a losing battle to put your faith in eradicating all the germs, while ignoring the terrain. You can start improving your environment with a nourishing diet, clean water, physical activity, spiritual truth, and love.

Denial is the river of declining health. Seek good information, gain wisdom and pursue truth, but be careful who you relinquish your body and soul to. More prescription drugs and surgical procedures rarely lead to a better state of health.

If your computer breaks down, don't call me, but then you're probably not reading this. If you'd like help improving your health, I can help you with that.

Hours and 2nd office location

2011-03-04T20:29:00.000-08:00

I have recently been asked to serve as Chief Medical Officer at The Natural Health Center in Medical Lake, WA. I will be seeing patients there every Friday, 9:00am to 12:30pm. The center will soon have a new facility next door to the current location. In addition to chiropractic, acupuncture and massage, I will be providing naturopathic primary care and will feature an in-office lab. Learn more from the clinic blog here:

http://inlandnaturalhealth.com/

My office hours at the South Hill office are:

Monday through Wednesday 9:15am to 5:00pm, Thursday 9:15am to noon.

In addition, I now have a medical assistant who will be able to take your calls during most of those business hours.

Washington vaccine exemption

2011-02-28T00:02:00.000-08:00

Your Washington vaccine exemption is threatened. Please contact your reps in Olympia now!

Check out these links for more info.

http://www.nvic.org/NVIC-Vaccine-News/February-2011/WA-State-Vaccine-Law-Threatens-Exemptions---Violat.aspx

http://www.hapihealth.com/

Here are my reps; look up who yours are if you don't know and contact them!

look up here:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/default.aspx

6^th District Legislators

Senator Michael Baumgartner

Republican

Representative Kevin Parker

Position 1, Republican

Representative John Ahern

Position 2, Republican

3^rd District Legislators

Senator Lisa Brown

Democrat

Representative Andy Billig

Position 1, Democrat

Representative Timm Ormsby

Position 2, Democrat

Here is a copy of my email:

Dear Senator (or Representative):

As one of your constituents I wanted to take a moment and urge you to oppose HB1015 and SB5005. As a family care physician and father of three small children here in Washington, I am very concerned that my rights as a parent and good sense as a physician will be impacted by this proposed law. Vaccination is not something I take lightly or have opinions about based on fear or emotion. I have spent years investigating and treating children who are dealing with the direct implications of such laws. Though perhaps good intentioned, this legislation is bad for parents and kids. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

David Graves, ND

Thankful Food

2010-11-25T22:09:00.000-08:00

This was my first white Thanksgiving. Here in Spokane I've had to adjust my climate expectations from the balmy bay area. The snow has been falling since last week more or less, with more to fall over the next three days. It's quite lovely and makes a warm holiday meal that much more satisfying, especially after shovelling a bunch of snow. My biggest worry over the long weekend is that we don't lose power.

Every year about this time I remember a 20/20 I watched many years ago where John Stossel investigated what became of the turkeys that receive a Presidential pardon each year. He was amazed (and so was I) that the ranch they are sent to had very few turkeys enjoying their retirement. These mass bred birds usually die shortly after arriving, most not even able to walk. Why? They have been so hybridized and inbred that they can't survive beyond a year or so. Watching one bird, so oversized, and barely able to walk, I vowed to never eat a typical $.29/lb overgrown bird from the grocery store.

I recently read how most turkeys in the store are injected with saline and flavorings just to cover the usual dry texture and bland taste of these "unnatural" birds. When I've cooked a turkey myself I would usually get a Diestel free range bird or this year it was a Fred Meyer Private Selection Organic. There is now a growing trend to raise the wild varieties of turkey whose numbers are now in some cases close to extinction. The nutritional difference between the wild varieties (what are called heritage birds) and those that are mass raised in feed lots is stark. Not to mention the load of hormones and drugs you get from your "free turkey with a purchase of $50 or more."

Of course our organic bird cost more. But I only do this once a year. So I paid $39 for a 13.5 lb bird compared to $20 for an overgrown behemoth with wings. Would you eat one of these if you had to shoot and clean it and then inject it with flavor enhancers?

Family goes primetime

2010-11-19T20:55:00.000-08:00

21 Day Detox...... Postscript

2010-11-14T20:51:00.000-08:00

There is a reason the 21 Day Detox is 21 days long. It takes about that long to develop new habits. How long they stick depends on how committed you are to setting a new course for your life. How well they stick also depends on how well you followed the diet during the preceding 21 days. If you cut corners, took detours, and didn't fully remove unhealthy foods from your diet, then in the days that follow you will most likely return to those entrenched habits.

I think some people view supplements as "magic." The supplements used in this detox program are food and botanical extracts that support the process, but it's the diet that detoxifies. What is most important and why I've used this program is that it transitions you into a healthy diet for life. That is how you will truly detox and heal.

Unfortunately our society is obsessed with the pursuit of the quick-fix. We want to look good and feel good, but don't want to work too hard or change our habits. It's a personal responsibility thing. If you are trusting someone else to make you well you never will be. It's just like sitting around and playing the lottery with your welfare money, hoping for that big break. It won't ever come. At least not that way.

I'm going to let you in on a deep secret. You don't need to send your money or do another "Race for a cure." We have the cure; we've had it all along. You have the healing power within you and all around you. I'm speaking of the top causes of death here: heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and don't forget nosocomial and iatrogenic causes (death from hospital interventions and acquired infections, prescriptions, and doctor induced).

Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease are curable. It simply takes the fortitude and personal responsibility to make the changes necessary... at least before it's too late. Same goes for cancer. The jury is out on how successful you'll be with only alternative treatments once you have cancer. Cancer is apripos to "an ounce of prevention equals a pound of cure." Or in this case a milligram of prevention equals a ton of cure..., or no cure at all, just lots of very expensive and toxic chemicals that may or may not prolong your life. But I digress.

I think some people think they are taking responsibility, but fail to think critically. How many times will you seek help from someone that leaves you no better... or worse off? I think others really want to live in denial, afraid to give up what's become what they live for.... lets not mince words, "SUGAR" and "CAFFEINE." Wasn't it Stephen Covey who said, "begin with the end in mind." Do you have a defined purpose for your life? Do you believe your life matters? If not, what is the point of taking personal responsibility for it?

On the other hand you may be sincerely wanting to be healthy. You may be listening to your doctor, getting your flu shot, keeping your little one on schedule and yet you and your kids never seem to be fully well.

My path has led me to conclude that much of our modern culture has a flawed view of health and what constitutes good healthcare. Many of us live off balance from creation or nature. We live addictive lives. To change requires filling your mind with knowledge, translated into action and application (wisdom). Left to our deep-seated habits and biological instincts within our modern milieu of industrialized food conveniences, we will not reach our true potential.

So my day after the 21 day detox was not unlike the day before. I skipped the shakes, but made homemade split pea soup and yogurt whole-grain bread, warm out of the oven with melted organic unsalted butter. I move onward, ready to do battle against sugar, unnatural fats, and toxic food additives. Thankfully, I love real food and I learned to cook. And thanks Mom for making me eat my veggies.

He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers.

Prov 19:8

Veteran's Day every day

2010-11-11T14:14:00.000-08:00

In celebration of Veterans Day, Naturopathic Med is now offering a discount to anyone who has served or is serving in the US Military.

I want to thank all those out there who put their lives on hold and on the line so I can do what I do: have a family, make a living, worship God, and help others.

Thank you, thank you!

21 Day Detox......The last few days

2010-11-09T20:32:00.000-08:00

With just a few more days left in the 21 day detox It almost seems effortless to eat like this. The shakes are a nice convenience. As has been my routine, always preparing my own food takes time. With this program, it takes just a few minutes to make my smoothies for the day, that's breakfast and lunch. One can get used to feeling good.

As I mentioned previously it's important to be intentional about reintroducing foods back into the diet. You don't need to reintroduce foods you don't plan on eating and you'd be better off continuing to avoid processed, sugar-laden, and devitalized foods. I highly recommend controlling your sugar intake like the FDA controls heroin; then again, you should do a better job of it. A few rules of thumb: counter an occasional high-sugar food with fiber and protein; ground flax and chia, rice bran, whey protein powder are great in this respect. When it comes to reading nutritional labels on packaged foods, I never buy or eat anything that has a higher added sugar content than the sum of the fiber and protein content per serving. For example if your favorite cold cereal has 10 grams of sugar and one gram of fiber and two grams of protein, you're getting a very unbalanced food. A better option is something with less than 3 grams of sugar per serving, 3 grams of fiber and protein.

It's also best to reintroduce foods starting with the least allergenic foods first. If you've suspected you are sensitive to milk then start with a high quality plain yogurt, then aged cheese, maybe cottage cheese, and lastly fluid milk. You may find that you are sensitive to the cheap homogenized stuff you were consuming, but can tolerate high quality organic whole milk. You may find that a high quality yogurt (unsweetened) and aged cheeses like Swiss and sharp cheddar are fine but drinking any kind of milk is out. For some raw cow or goat milk is best. Then there are certain people who don't do well with dairy at all. The challenge phase is the time to figure out where you stand.

Next you might start introducing grains and starches. Start with potatoes and other nightshades if you've eliminated them. I'd save wheat until last and consider only eating wheat that has been soaked, sprouted or soured. That goes for spelt, rye, kamut, oat, and barley as well.

The other concept to come away with is the idea of rotating your diet. It's possible that anybody can develop a sensitivity to any food if eaten daily year-round. Diversity is key. I recommend eating a variety of healthy foods as you alternate your meals throughout the week. In addition, eating seasonally and locally produced foods makes health and economic sense. Depending on where you live, locally may need to be within 1,ooo miles. But eating summer fruit right through winter grown in South America, New Zealand and who knows where, isn't necessarily good for you or the environment. And by all means support your local farmers. Better still, grow your own food as you are able, but don't eat bananas everyday, unless you live in Ecuador. Some foods are going to be worse than others from repetition.

Those I treat with food allergies are most often sensitive to a food or foods they love and eat two or three times a day. A rotational diet doesn't have to be difficult. It just takes some planning. For each meal, breakfast, lunch and dinner, have at least four options. Make enough for leftovers, and alternate.

The worst thing you can do is end a detox diet with a binge party. Then again, it may be the lesson you need to stick with healthy eating. Most of those I know who've done this get quite sick.

A post-purification diet is ideal, which continues the main principles but ensures you are covered, given your unique nutritional needs. The shakes or smoothies can be continued, but take a break even from them now and then. Everyone needs some core supplement support. This will be individualized depending on your needs. For example, a common core for an adult is SP Complete or Catalyn and a fiber supplement, along with essential fatty acids. You may need additional bone nutrients, trace minerals, and B vitamins.

Take time to assess and document what changes you've experienced through this journey: weight loss, more energy, better sleep, no more constipation. It's amazing to see the changes that can occur in blood work, cholesterol numbers for example.

I'm looking forward to staying healthy through the winter, how about you?

21 Day Detox......Day 13 - 15

2010-11-06T20:02:00.000-07:00

Aren't the best gifts ones that appear unexpectedly and are just what you wanted... even if you didn't know you wanted it? A couple of days ago a friend and colleague stopped by my office bearing gifts, wild Alaskan salmon. Since moving to Spokane my family hasn't eaten as much fish as when we lived in California or Seattle. Now on day "what-ever" of the detox I've been ravenous for meat. It's really satisfying when you sense your body's need and can satisfy it.

Needless to say I brought the salmon home and ate it straightaway. I've been feeling the need to horde some of my food. My girls are like vultures sometimes. They seem to always want to eat what I'm eating no matter what they've already eaten. Briley kept wanting more of my salmon (after she's had a healthy portion) and I finally had to cut her off. It was good stuff. I baked it for 1o minutes and then broiled it briefly to finish it off. Salmon can not be overcooked. That is, you do not want to overcook it. I didn't.

Tonight we finished it off with some winter squash curry soup and mixed green salad. I was especially hungry after mountain biking this afternoon. It's been awhile so I was feelin' it. But I kept up with my fitter fellow bikers... most of the way. Mountain biking was something I took up in the early nineties. I was avid until moving to Seattle. Then I took up road biking more and running. By the alignment of Jupiter in the third house of Neptune or was it Chicken of Sea? I was able to ride today. It was very therapeutic and I was amazed how quickly my trail skills came back. And tomorrow, by about 4 pm, I'll need a warm Epsom salt bath.

I thought I might have trouble having energy for the ride being on the detox and all. I haven't been able to stay as prepared with my meals. I've been eating a lot of apples because we bought a box of Fuji's. I'll throw some veggies in my smoothies: carrots, celery and beets. My digestive system has been moving steady. I eat three meals; I eliminate three times. I've been losing weight, not my wish. I've tried to up my calories and protein. Hopefully I've levelled off. With a little more consistent exercise I can put some muscle on.

I've challenged a few things back into my diet. Eggs, almonds, oatmeal, and tonight because of guests I ate my wife's delicious salad with a little Gorgonzola. So far no reactions, but I haven't felt like I had any strong food sensitivities. I do notice if I eat certain grains too often I might get a minuscule patch of eczema and just not feel as good. Prior to the detox I'd been hitting some super-dark chocolate and sweetened banana chips fairly regularly. The night before I started I polished off our supply. I've missed something sweet and crunchy in the evening sometimes. I try to eat a hardy dinner and maybe have a piece of fruit and don't have the snack attacks.

Only one week to go. The other day I told my wife maybe I should give up eating anything with added sugar for a year. She thought that was extreme. I thought to myself... "I could do that." I probably won't. But After this detox my desire for sweet has been reset again and eating our low-sugar homemade delights will be just fine. I don't plan on buying any more banana chips.

Next time I'll talk about how it's important to rotate your diet, daily and seasonally. Food allergies are borne from repetition and excess.

21 Day Detox......Day 11 - 12

2010-11-03T23:03:00.000-07:00

Cruising along now, I wish I could say I'm not even tempted by the cheese and rice chips my wife is munching on while we chat in the kitchen. I had to turnaround and converse while I searched the cupboard for some kosher snack that had somehow just magically appeared there to satisfy my desire for salty and crunchy. Alas, I had to resort to my banana coconut pudding with a little cocoa. I topped it off with cracked-cell chlorella, a detoxifying blue-green algae, and feel even more satisfied in my mind and palate. It's really pretty good (I have a greenish-brown ring around my mouth).

Over the last few years when I speak on detoxification and lead patients through the process, I am always asked about other programs, The Master Cleanse, Isagenix, liver flushes, etc. Although there are many I haven't looked closely at, the one's I've examined often come up short. Some of these do work to some degree, weight loss, an improved sense of health, but I've found most of them lacking what I consider basic and important attributes in a healthy cleansing or detoxifying diet.

For example I finally just looked over the Isagenix products, a very popular program. As is often the case I see some real problems with their ingredients. Most glaring is their use of fructose as a sweetener. For all you who read my liver articles recently you'll recall that fructose as an added sugar is very bad news. An effective and safe cleanse needs to support the liver, one of the most important detox organs. Fructose effectively congests the liver and is efficiently converted to fat. Next, I noticed in their fiber product Isagenix uses something called Fibersol-2 (produced by a proprietary method of controlled enzymatic hydrolysis of cornstarch). While this newfangled fiber may provide some of the health benefits of increasing fiber in the diet, it seems completely unnecessary to use a Franken-fiber created in a lab, when all around on God's green Earth is nature's fiber ("so turn Frakenstein into Franken-fine"). Lastly, I noticed some odd herbal additions that could be problematic, especially for those suffering from acid reflux; namely mint.

Not to pick on this one company, but my goal is to really feed the body while detoxing, support the organs of detoxification, and weed-out hidden food sensitivities or allergies. To that end, as we proceed through the last half of the 21 Day Detox, now is the time we can prepare for the "challenge phase."

Right, your asking, "wasn't the challenge phase days 1 through 10 or so?" Yes it was and continues to be challenging at times but one of the great opportunities we have nearing the end of the program is to begin to re-introduce foods back into the diet. One of the biggest mistakes I see by those finishing this program is to start haphazardly eating foods that have been eliminated. At this time, like no other, the body is primed to detect hidden food allergies. Food sensitivities and allergies are quite common, but often undetected. After a few weeks on a diet of this sort, the body will often produce a more obvious symptom after exposure to a food you were unaware was a problem. To know which food is to blame, one must introduce only one food at a time, in a sufficient amount, for a sufficient length of time.

Another important aspect of this program is that it teaches you or reminds you how to eat wholesomely. The diet is not intended to be permanent. It's not an ideal diet for life for most individuals. Dietary needs are individualistic, and I'm not talking caloric needs. Some need more meat, some do OK on vegetarian sources of protein. In both cases I'm talking about eating real food, from real (healthy) animals and plant foods from nutrient-rich and chemical free sources. Keeping your sugar, caffeine, and alcohol intake in check. By the way, have I told you about my nickname for Kettle Korn? "Cancer Corn;" Perhaps I'll explain that later.

Inevitably we are exposed to dietary burdens, intentional and un. That's why I recommend some form of detox diet yearly.

By the way, if you slip up, don't give up! "It's not what you've done it's what you do next."