As our detox process progresses, thinking about the hows and whys of what is going on in our bodies certainly can support our minds over the next few days. Detox success is definitely in large part mind over matter as well as achieving thyroid optimal function, hormone balance, optimal liver function and as a result of our individual genetic make-up, But the reality is that now we get to ingest the medical foods, the “drinks,” that have been individually prescribed for each of our own, personal needs.

Let’s talk about the “drinks.” Perhaps because I have not drunk “protein” or “diet” drinks in the past, and I prefer a sundae to a milkshake, I have found swallowing the medical drinks one of the most challenging parts of the detox program. With experimentation, the chalkiness and consistency of the medical drink can improve and combined with a huge surge in my mind’s perspective, I can begin to look forward to my “drinks” and eventually enjoy them.

How can I get my mind to look forward to the medical “drinks” of the detox program? Easy! I need to focus on how I feel after I had a “drink.” I need to concentrate on my feeling satisfied, energized, up beat, and calm. In the past when I did liquid diets such as soups, fruit and veggie juices, I would feel shaky and weak. I have the opposite reaction from the medical “drinks.” I feel quiet and strong. Yes, there is that small part of me that misses the chewing and feeling of food in my mouth but I feel so terrific. I can ignore what I miss and concentrate on what feelings I experience.

Then, there are the recipe possibilities. Freezing a banana and adding a half-cup of some kind of fresh or frozen berry makes the medical drink less chalky in texture and taste delicious. Pouring the drink into an appealing glass and adding a straw, a wide straw, with a berry on top makes the medical drink visually appealing and attractive. Why is this important? Food not only appeals to our sense of taste but to our senses of sight and smell. By playing with the visuals, I can forget that my helpful, health supporting medical drink does not smell like many of my previous food choices that were nowhere near as supportive of my optimal health that my medical drinks are. So, raise your glasses and say, “salut”, “to life”, “skol” or make up your own toast and remember that there is science at work here but taste and texture do dominate!

For the past two weeks, we have eliminated caffeine, sugar, wheat products, cheese, goodies, processed foods, beef and other animals’ protein offerings except for chicken, turkey, and fish, dairy, carbs like pasta, potatoes, and rice and we have drunk huge quantities of water. We have said, repeatedly, “No, thank you.” That was certainly challenging when cheese cake with strawberry sauce, freshly baked rolls with butter, and yummy smelling café latte were offered. Do we feel proud? I do! As much as the process of detox is about the actual physical detoxification and improvement of our bodies’ health, conquered and successful self-control is also a huge benefit of the detox program with Dr. Resa and my group of participants.

So, today is the day. The drink is made. I want to be positive and think about my body’s cells doing a dance of joy and thanking me for my good decision and choice. I envision my gut stretching and smiling while I twist in my yoga poses and stretch out my limbs and muscles. I know it will get better. I have the veggie soup that I made lovingly and that my husband and I will consume tonight with the table set with cloth napkins, candles, and water in wine glasses. Yes, I have summoned all my years of dieting tricks to make our soon-to-be consumed dinner the highlight of the day of the “drink”, the detox drink. I try to tell myself it is delicious and yummy and satisfying. But, I haven’t conjured up those words as I swallow the “drink.” That’s ok… I take the plunge!

I can do this!

As much as buffered vitamin C was introduced and presented as part of the Detox program, I couldn’t decide if I was going to purchase the buffered vitamin C to support me. Then, I began to read about the magic our livers work for the health and balance of our bodies. Did you know that the detoxification mechanism of our livers works with a two-step process? In the first step, hydrolysis, free radicals are formed and in excess they will destroy liver cells. The availability of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and other oxidants at this stage neutralizes the free radicals and protects the liver cells from the oxidative damages of detoxification. Then in the second stage of detoxification, vitamin C helps the fragmented molecules to bind to sulphate, glycine and glutathione to create new nontoxic substances that are excreted in our bile or urine. We don’t have to think about this miraculous detoxification process other than to remember to take our vitamin C. Yes, I now take my vitamin C daily and with gratitude for its support in keeping my liver and me healthy and functioning optimally. Dr. Resa’s many years of guiding and participating with her patients empower us via the Detox program and supplements to achieve the best for our bodies’ health. No “chopped liver” for me!

So Many Choices

Often, I daydream about what I want to commit to, want to do, want to be. After the initial Detox meeting I felt enthused, capable, and committed. I read the binder. I stopped coffee, wheat, carbs and all sugar. I lasted less than 24 hours. I am so human!

No problem. Detox came upon my reality at an inopportune time, the little voice of excuses in my head assured me. But, that is just an excuse. Yes, I was “on vacation” and then there were multiple social gatherings with food and drink and desserts. That is life. What I realize is that having the Detox plan in my head and in my emotions, I definitely avoided a major binge.  Instead of the normal entire piece of bread to taste, I only had a bite. Instead of the entire glass of wine, I had a sip. Instead of the entire piece of dessert cake, entire cookie, entire chocolate candy, I ignored most selections and chose one offering to sample, with one bite.

Yes! I am proud of myself. Did I adhere to the Detox in its pure state and format? No? But I made a huge step in showing myself that good intentions do result in good actions. Will I be able to socialize and gather with others with food and drink present? Yes, I am in the state of the merge where I am in control. WOW! This feels so good!

I have begun to explore different forms of exercise in order to choose one or a few that I enjoy and can commit to doing. Simultaneously, I have browsed the book shops for a few cookbooks that will inspire me in the kitchen to prepare and eat the foods that Dr. Resa and I have

Still Waters of Mutually Respectful Interactions

determined are beneficial to my personal optimal health. I also have begun using products made from natural ingredients such as vinegar and peroxide. I discovered a floor steamer that utilizes water resulting in sanitizing steam. So many discoveries…Trying to minimize and eliminate toxins in my home has given me multiple opportunities to talk with interesting shoppers at the stores I have begun to frequent for food and healthful products for my family and myself.

But sometimes, in any journey of change, one just stops and gets sidetracked. Upon exploring Mountain Air Wellness Centers’ website I discovered the area about “A State of Grace Document.” Click on it and read it. Yes, healing and optimal health also touches our interactions with others and “A State of Grace Document” serves as a mutually respectful and supportive model for patient and doctor interaction. But, for me, it serves as a model for all the interactions in my life. In every circumstance I would like to strive for “sincerity and honesty”, “clarity”, a feeling that I and the people I interact with “got the results I / we anticipated”, and the “promise that Dr. Resa and Dr. Jim and I will work diligently so I can start feeling better.” “A State of Grace Document” spells out a partnership relationship of mutual responsibility that I have with Mountain Air Wellness Centers. At this moment, I am so grateful and feeling great!

Small Steps Lead to the Pinnacle

As I await my extensive blood test results, I received a packet of materials that I will complete so that Dr. Resa can evaluate my blood test results in conjunction with a thorough lifestyle evaluation about me. The personally designed program I will embark on in partnership with Dr. Resa is as much about my physical blood work-up results as it is about my lifestyle and choices I have made to-date. Besides the very welcoming and empowering letter of explanation about how to fill out the various forms I have received, I find a copy of an article that appeared in the April 2004 Western North Carolina Woman Magazine. Just from my interview appointment with Dr. Resa, I could have written similar observations to the ones Brenda Murphree, the author, wrote. I totally understand Dr. Resa’s commitment to her “strong belief in the body’s ability to heal.” Now, I too am on the collaborative path to healing.

I also find in the packet questionnaires that will reveal to Dr. Resa and to myself (because I have to think about my answers and the thought process makes the answers apparent and conscious), details such as family health history, personal history, elimination assessment, exercise, occupation and household, detoxification, sleep habits and patterns, a vitality survey, a health “opinionnaire,” dysbiosis questionnaire, lifestyle index, medical symptoms questionnaire, a health appraisal questionnaire, a neurotransmitter assessment form, and finally a seven day diet activity report. I look forward to answering the questions and filling in the details about me. I don’t view all this paperwork as overwhelming and unmanageable. I organize each form as a small task and before I know it, I have everything completed except for the ongoing diet activity report. My active participation in honestly and completely answering and recording what is asked of me is the next step in the revealing and challenging path to my optimal health.

Starting at the Beginning...

When Dr. Resa told me I would be scheduled to have a complete blood work-up and then be called back for further consultation, I decided to explore exactly what a “complete” blood work-up entails. I would be fasting since 8 pm of the night before my early morning blood drawing. Dr. Resa explained that even though there would be many vials to fill, I actually was not giving that much blood. As a regular blood donor, I had no concerns.

My blood test would evaluate my lipid profile that consists of a total cholesterol measurement as well as LDL (low-density lipoprotein), HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and triglycerides calculated. In addition, Cardiac markers including C-Reactive Protein (high sensitivity) and Homocysteine would be measured for evaluation. Hormones including Progesterone, DHEA-S, Free and Total Testosterone, Estradiol (an estrogen), TSH (thyroid function) and Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) are also evaluated. Then, blood would be used to determine levels, part of a Metabolic Profile including glucose, Kidney function tests: creatinine, BUN, uric acid, BUN/creatinine ratio, and liver function tests of AST, ALT, LDH, GGT, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase. The Blood minerals of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, chloride, and iron levels would be evaluated. In addition, blood proteins including albumin, globulin, total protein, albumin/globulin ratio would be measured and evaluated. Finally, a Complete Blood Count, the CBC including Red Blood Cell count with hemoglobin, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW would be measured and evaluated. As part of the CBC, the White Blood Cell count including lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils, and basophils would be measured and evaluated too. The Platelet count would also be measured and evaluated. Because I had presented myself as a person who is not sick but just doesn’t feel well, ferritin to evaluate my body’s iron stores and determine iron deficiency anemia, Vitamin D, cortisol, vitamin B 12/folate, and coenzyme Q10 levels would be measured and evaluated, as well.

I do know that in addition to my emotional, social, and spiritual health, my physical health is multi-dimensional and evaluating my blood gives great insight into my hormonal and mineral levels, major systems’ functions, blood’s task in optimal health balance, and stress levels. I can’t wait to meet with Drs. Resa and Jim to discuss my results. What do the results of all these measurements mean? Keep on sharing in my blog and my journey on my path to optimal health!

August 1, 2011: my target date to good health. Fifty years old is young and I should feel great. I have a good, productive life as a student and a freelance editor and writer, a great partner – my husband, two independent and happy adult children, many blessings… but I feel physically awful and I don’t look so good anymore. My first step – on August 1st I am trying another approach to good health and feeling great. I already tried the conventional M.D. tests, heard their suggestions for medications, and even a referral to a psychiatrist so I can begin an anti-depression treatment. But I am not depressed. I am not unwell; I am just not well! I began to speak to friends and colleagues and a few people mentioned Mountain Air Wellness Centers with Drs. Jim and Resa Johnson. When I called for my first consultation, Dr. Resa saw me.  She sat down with me and we chatted while she took notes. I was surprised that our initial consultation was unlike any other “quickie-history-of-me” exchange from my visits to medical doctors. Dr. Resa and I spoke about my life, my relationships, my children, my goals for myself, my reasons for wanting to change my path to feeling healthy. Then, she introduced me to Dr. Jim. We decided what I would begin to learn about and do in preparation for my August 1st office visit for a complete blood work up. After speaking with me about my career, they asked me if I would blog about my experiences at Mountain Air Wellness Center. I walked out of my consultation with information to read about nutrition, detox, supplements, acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic adjustments and therapies. I am so excited! So, here I am sharing with you. Please follow my journey and know that you too can take a first step towards ultimate wellness and health. I invite you to join me and follow my blog about my adventures in partnership with Drs. Jim and Resa Johnson and the staff at Mountain Air Wellness Centers!