October 2021 - Journey With Healthy Me

Cleanse to Heal

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October is National Book Month. On my other blog, I share what I’m currently reading this month and why. Among the five books gracing the table next to my chair is this one by Anthony William…Cleanse to Heal.

Anthony, also known as the medical medium, offers a series of books that have changed my health and my life. In Cleanse to Heal, book six in the series, Anthony provides cleanses for all that’s going wrong in our bodies. He doesn’t offer fads or gimmicks. Rather he recommends foods and cleansing programs for a host of ailments including pain, fatigue, brain fog, digestive disorders and many other conditions.

I’ve tried several of the cleanses in the book, with healing results. This month I’m focusing on the Anti-Bug Cleanse.

I’m happy to share a review of this life altering book.

Cleanse to Heal title meme

My Healing Journey

In case you are new to this blog, a bit about my healing journey. I experienced a serious car accident in 1995, resulting in injuries to my spine, sternum, collar bones, neck, low back and legs. After five years of physical therapy, treatments, pain specialists and spinal adjustments, I continued to experience pain 24/7. I developed chronic nerve pain in both legs although the left leg suffered the most.

Doctors eventually gave up on me, running out of healing options to try. They predicted that my condition would continue to deteriorate and I’d end up in a wheelchair in 20 years. Exactly 20 years later, that prediction seemed on the verge of coming true. I found it necessary to walk with the aid of a cane. It often took me hours to be able to get out of bed and stand. My work suffered as did many other areas in my life.

A Cry for Help

Lying in bed one morning, summer of 2016, unable to straighten out my pain wracked left leg, I felt like I’d reached a dire place in my health. I intended to take my grandson on a trip to Italy the next year, for his high school graduation gift. For the first time, I questioned whether I’d be able to go or if I’d require a wheelchair if I did manage it.

I asked God for a way to heal.

The very next day, I came across a post on Facebook written by Anthony William. He explained that often, after an accident, we don’t heal. And that we don’t understand why. I read every word in that post and felt it was written for me. Anthony described my pain and lack of healing and then he offered hope.

I purchased his book, Medical Medium, experienced my first 28 day healing cleanse, and completely changed my health. Not one doctor or specialist that I saw during those 20 years of suffering ever suggested that a change in my diet might result in a change in my health. Anthony suggested it. I embraced the idea, adopting a 100% plant based lifestyle. The cane went into a corner of my bedroom after one week of eating differently. I’ve not used it since. My health improved drastically…not just the intense pain in my legs but in all areas. And I took my grandson to Italy the next year, in the best health of my life.

Trip to Italy 2017 — Trip to Italy, 2017, with my grandson and daughter. No cane in sight.

Cleanse to Heal

“Chronic illness is growing at an alarming rate. Even with the massive amounts of organic food being cultivated now, even with the awareness about removing processed foods from our lives, even with the newest healing modalities, sickness is present like never before. No one is escaping illness, not unless they have the right information to stop the ticking clock. This is not a lifestyle book. It’s a lifetime book. In a sea of false truths, this is about saving lives.” Anthony William

Poisons, toxins and pathogens lie behind many chronic illnesses that threaten our wellbeing. Cleansing is a powerful way to start the healing process and to protect health in an ongoing way.

In Cleanse to Heal, Anthony offers a variety of cleanses. Plus he includes:

how to choose the right cleanse for you
the causes of 200 symptoms and conditions with a guide to helpful supplements
75 recipes with colorful photos and sample menus
helpful dos and don’ts
truths about trendy diets
what you need to know about eggs, diary, gluten, fish oil and other foods that cause inflammation
toxins, heavy metals, troublemaker foods and viral cleansing
the connection between physical cleansing and emotional health
spiritual and soul support for healing

Cleanse to Heal recipes — Cleanse to Heal – one of the 75 recipes, Potato Stuffed Peppers. I made this delicious recipe last week.

A Breakdown of the Sections in the Book

The book is divided into six sections.

Part 1: We Need to Cleanse

This opening section discusses what’s going on inside our bodies and why we need to cleanse. It includes chapters on trendy diets and why those are not helpful plus a list of troublemaker foods. This section concludes with a guide to choosing the right cleanse for you.

Part 2: 3:6:9 Cleanse – Life Protector

This whole section covers the original 3:6:9 cleanse, which I’ve done several times, and variations of this process.

The nine day cleanse allows the liver and other internal organs to release old toxins as well as fats and viral waste. It’s a gradual yet deep cleanse that can truly jumpstart health.

Part 3: Other Life Saving Cleanses

Part three introduces the other cleanses in the book: anti-bug cleanse, morning cleanse, heavy metal detox cleanse and mono eating cleanse.

I’m currently doing the anti-bug cleanse. I share my experience below.

Part 4: Cleanse Guide

Discover crucial dos and don’ts while cleansing, in this section. Anthony also writes about the body’s amazing power to heal and includes sample menus and those delicious recipes here.

Part 5: Spiritual and Soul Healing Support

In this beautifully written section, Anthony offers living words for the underdogs, fighting for their health, and a note to the critics. He discuses the emotional connection to cleansing and how to empower the soul.

Part 6: Knowing the Cause and the Protocol

This helpful last section of the book provides guides to taking supplements and discusses the true causes of symptoms and conditions. Anthony includes supplement dosage recommendations for each symptom and condition.

Cleanse to Heal berries — Cleanse to Heal – a bowl of fresh berries makes a healthy treat

My Experience Using This Book

So far, I’ve completed the 3:6:9 cleanse several times, as a way to deeply detox my liver and internal organs. Due to our environment and typical western diet, we accumulate excess fats, pathogens, toxins and viral loads that burrow into our organs. There they create problems. This cleanse is a wonderful way to allow the organs to release the build up and function properly again. I like to do this cleanse a couple of times a year.

I’ve also done the Heavy Metal Detox. This powerful cleanse helps to remove the accumulation of mercury, aluminum, copper, lead, nickel, cadmium, barium and arsenic that settles in different areas of different organs. The brain and liver are the two primary organs that are affected by these heavy metals.

For all cleanses in the book, Anthony details the duration of the cleanse, the foods and drinks to consume and the foods to avoid.

The Anti-Bug Cleanse

This is my first experience with this cleanse. The anti-bug cleanse starves viruses and bacteria in the body, by avoiding certain foods, and then flushes them out along with toxins and poisons in the blood.

Duration of this cleanse is two weeks or longer.

And here’s the protocol:

Drink 16 ounces of celery juice every morning.

Avoid the list of troublemaker foods. Anthony suggests different levels of foods to avoid. I’m avoiding all of them.

eggs
dairy
gluten
soft drinks
pork
tuna
corn
oils
soy
lamb
vinegar
fermented foods
caffeine
grains, except for gluten free oatmeal and millet

And limit or remove

salt
alcohol
artificial flavors
nutritional yeast
citric acid
aspartame
other artificial sweeteners
MSG
preservatives

Drink at least 32 ounces of water daily, in addition to the celery juice.

Why avoid those foods? Some are blood thickeners due to fat content. Thicker blood keeps toxins suspended and unable to be flushed out of the body. Some dehydrate the body, others introduce new toxins to the the body and some feed viruses and bugs.

Removing these foods allows the body to heal while flushing out all the gunk we don’t need. I included sugar as a food to avoid as well, as I know it causes inflammation in my body and creates acid reflux.

Cleanse to Heal oatmeal — Cleanse to Heal – gluten free oatmeal with berries and a few walnut pieces

How I’m Doing on the Anti-Bug Cleanse

I’m almost two weeks into this cleanse. And immediately I noticed a difference in the way my body feels and functions. I’m plant based already, so I don’t eat meat, eggs or dairy products. And I’m gluten intolerant, so I routinely avoid grains. However, it’s easier than I’d like for it to be, for things such as sugar and too much salt to creep into my diet.

My body responds favorably to limiting the foods on the avoid list. And although after the cleanse I’ll add back in olive oils, healthy fats such as avocados and nuts and foods such as olives, for now I’m appreciating how I feel during the cleanse.

I start the day with celery juice and then have a fruit smoothie for breakfast. Lunch and supper meals provide an assortment of veggies prepared in a variety of ways. Snacks include fresh fruit such as apples, pears, bananas and berries.

I intend to continue the anti-bug cleanse for at least two more weeks. That will bring me to mid November, with a cleaner body, and a stronger desire to eat as healthy as possible during the holidays.

I have big plans for 2022 and a strong, healthy, energetic body is vital to all that I intend to accomplish. Cleanse to Heal will help me live in optimal wellness.

What questions do you have about this book, or any of Anthony’s other books? Ask me your questions in the comments below.

Order Cleanse to Heal and other Medical Medium books below:

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I am not a medical practitioner. I study health and wellness related topics and share experiences from my own personal healing journey.

Chickpea Salad

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I love the versatility of chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. They are the foundation for hummus, make a delicious curry and pair well with many other veggies, such as sweet potatoes.

Over the next two weeks, I’m experiencing a cleanse. That means although I am already plant based, I’m focusing on consuming fruits and vegetables only. During the cleanse I’m avoiding grains, except for gluten free oats, fermented foods, sugar, salt and oils and eating very little fat. This allows my digestive system to reset and toxins, bacteria and viruses to flush out of my body.

Even with the limitations, it’s not difficult to enjoy hearty, highly nutritious meals. This chickpea salad, loaded with fresh veggies, is an excellent example.

Chickpea Salad title meme

Hearty Chickpeas

Chickpeas are a legume, cultivated originally in the Middle East. They’ve been around for more than 9,500 years. Chickpeas are used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. They are also a key ingredient in Indian foods such as curry. Today India produces 70% of the chickpea crop.

These legumes are a rich source of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Additionally, chickpeas offer a variety of health benefits including improving digestion, aiding in weight management and reducing the risk for diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

Quick and Easy Chickpea Salad

I enjoy chopped salads, heavy on veggies and light on lettuce. And I appreciate chickpeas. This tasty recipe combines the two for a perfect light meal or as the main dish in a bigger one.

Craving some chickpeas today, I made this salad in a few minutes, with what I had on hand. And because I’m avoiding oils right now, I adapted a simple recipe for an oil free dressing that uses the liquid in the can of chickpeas.

You may use canned chickpeas for this recipe…which is what I did…or start with dry beans and cook your own. Save at least 1/4 cup of liquid, either way.

Chickpea Salad

This quick and easy salad combines hearty chickpeas with freshly chopped veggies.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Course Salad

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4

Ingredients

2 cans chickpeas, drained and saving 1/4 cup liquid or 3 cups cooked chickpeas
1 medium red, yellow or orange pepper, chopped
1/2 large green bell pepper, chopped
1/4 red onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
12 grape tomatoes, quartered

Dressing

1/4 cup liquid from canned or cooked chickpeas
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 tsp tahini
1 tsp dried parsley
pinch black pepper

Instructions

Salad

Drain chickpeas, reserving 1/4 cup liquid for dressing
In a large bowl, combine chickpeas and remaining veggies. Stir gently to combine.

Dressing

In a small mason jar, combine liquid from chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, parsley and black pepper. Cap and shake jar well. Pour over chickpea salad and stir to coat veggies. Serve immediately or store covered in the refrigerator. Makes approximately 4 servings.

Keyword Chickpeas, Salad

Tips for Making Chickpea Salad

This is a great recipe for using canned goods or, if cooking chickpeas for another recipe, cook extra for this salad.

I used the vegetables I had on hand, chopping them as I would for a typical chopped veggie salad. The peppers add color and powerful nutrients. I had a bag of mini orange, red and yellow peppers and used four of those in this recipe.

Feel free to include any other veggies of choice, including cabbage, red cabbage, zucchini, cucumber, carrots, olives or pepperoncini.

Chickpea or bean liquid is called aquafaba and useful for many other recipes. I saved ALL the liquid from my two cans of chickpeas so I could experiment with the aquafaba. Watch for recipes!

Fresh parsley may be substituted for dried, in the dressing.

Tahini is sunflower seed paste. It is rich in omega-6 fatty acids and makes a healthy salad dressing. Purchase online or in health conscious food stores. I used a small amount in the dressing, rather than oils.

Taste Test

The fun part of creating a new recipe is tasting it!

I made the recipe with the intent of enjoying it for lunch. And enjoy it I did. The taste is fresh, with all the veggies, while the chickpeas add a mild, nutty flavor and some density to the meal. This is one of those dishes that is sure to taste even better the next day, as the flavors all mingle.

I really liked the simple chickpea liquid, lemon juice, parsley and tahini dressing. It added just the right amount of flavor without overpowering the chickpeas and vegetables. When I’m back to consuming small amounts of sea salt, I’ll add a bit to the dressing. Otherwise, I won’t change a thing! Add sea salt and black pepper to taste to the salad and/or the dressing.

Eat this chickpea salad alone or add roasted sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli for a larger meal.

Let me know if you try this satisfying meal!

Chickpea Salad fresh

More Chickpea Recipes

Looking for more chickpea recipes? Try these:

Curried Chickpeas

Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Chickpeas and Kale Bowl

Hummus

Keys to Emotional Wellness

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.

October is Emotional Wellness Month. Emotional wellness refers to the ability to process our feelings in healthy, positive ways and manage everyday stresses. Because how we handle our emotional well being affects overall health.

Mental and emotional stress creates negative responses in the body such as high blood pressure, headaches, chronic illness and a weakened immune system.

Emotional Wellness Month, celebrated annually in October, serves as a reminder to take care of our emotions. Discover the following keys to emotional wellness, for a healthier state of being.

Keys to Emotional Wellness title meme

Be Who You Are

For emotional well being, it’s crucial to know who you are and live authentically as that person.

Sounds simple, right? However, many of us learn as children to please the adults in our lives…parents, grandparents, teachers…forgetting who we are as we grow older. We can lose that strong sense of self by the time we are adults, becoming habitual people pleasers.

However, we can’t please others at the expense of being who we are, otherwise we live a lie. It’s essential to spend the time doing the inner work required to reconnect with who we really are.

Remember the things you loved as a child. Try different things to see what you enjoy and what feels in alignment with your heart and soul. Journal and free write. See this post from my other blog, Creating a Strong Sense of Self, for more help. And this one, Finding Your Big Why, to learn more about your purpose in life.

Keys to Emotional Wellness be you — Keys to Emotional Wellness – be who you are

Be Aware of Emotions

It’s helpful to check in with how you are feeling, emotionally, every day. How do you relate to your emotions? Do you tend to “stuff” them away? Do they overwhelm you and erupt inappropriately?

Learning to feel and express emotions in healthy ways keeps them from escalating to an out of control level. Some experts recommend a technique called scaling emotions.

How strong are your emotions? Rate them on a scale of 1 – 10, with 1 being low and 10 high. The idea is that by practicing awareness with emotions, you can keep them in the 2 – 5 range. Checking in allows us to intentionally bring emotions back into balance.

For example, if anger suddenly escalates to an 8, your awareness allows you to take deep breaths, pause or question feelings to bring the level down.

And it helps to keep an emotional journal to track…and name…feelings. Knowing what you are feeling helps you to talk about them more openly.

Keys to Emotional Wellness emotions — Keys to Emotional Wellness – be aware of emotions

Pay Attention to Physical Health

The two are connected, emotional and physical health. And the state of one affects the other. Increasing your physical health level positively improves emotional health.

Eat highly nutritious foods, including an abundance of fruits and veggies. Drink water. Get enough sleep. Stay active doing things you enjoy such as gardening, dancing, biking, walking or playing with grandkids. Exercise reduces stress hormones while boosting endorphins, the feel good ones.

Limit alcohol and do not smoke.

Learn to manage stress. Slow down and take a break. Practice deep breathing, yoga or meditation. Learn to relax tense muscles.

Keys to Emotional Wellness physical health — Keys to Emotional Wellness – physical health…eat highly nutritious food

Connect With Others

We need positive connections with others. In the last two years, we’ve had to learn different ways to stay connected to others, as we navigate a pandemic. Many experienced…and continue to experience…a sense of isolation and disconnect from others.

schedule regular calls, zoom meetings or facetime calls with family and friends
text or message friends with recommendations such as podcasts to listen to, videos to watch or books to read
stay in touch with friends and family through social media
play online games with others
watch tv shows with others, while connected via the internet or on the phone
walk together outdoors
if you feel comfortable, meet with family and friends for lunch dates, museum visits, zoo trips and other fun excursions
say hi to people while out and smile
consider adopting a pet for companionship

Keys to Emotional Wellness connect — Keys to Emotional Wellness – stay connected to others

Stay Positive

Focus on the good in your life, expressing gratitude for small and large blessings. Collect affirmations to read each day or write your own. Accept the past and let it go, without blaming yourself. Forgive yourself.

Pay attention to what you think about. Actions follow thoughts. Dwelling on negative thoughts leads to negative actions. Shifting thoughts results in a change in actions as well.

Emotional Health

Creating emotional health doesn’t mean you feel happy all the time. It means you are more aware of your emotions and the impact they have on your overall health. When you feel anger, stress or anxiety, you manage those feelings.

Emotional health allows you to cope well with life’s challenges without getting out of balance. You gain fresh perspectives and recover more quickly from setbacks. Emotional wellness helps you feel good about who you are and fosters healthy relationships.

I hope these keys to emotional wellness help you create a state of well being that supports the amazing life you desire to live.

Keys to Emotional Wellness positive thoughts

Helpful books from Amazon:

I am not a medical practitioner. I study health and wellness related topics and share experiences from my own personal healing journey.

Foods to Eat and Avoid to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The purpose of this health campaign is to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into the cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.

In the US, one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Although rare, men can get breast cancer too. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women, behind skin cancers.

In the prevention of breast cancer, as with many other kinds of cancer, lifestyle habits and diet have a positive impact. This post offers foods to eat and avoid to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Foods to Eat and Avoid to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer title meme

Leta Moore

Although I don’t have personal experience with breast cancer, my mother in law, Leta Moore, survived breast cancer twice. I observed the impact the disease had on her. And I am grateful that she triumphed, joining the millions of other breast cancer survivors in the US. This dear woman ultimately passed away from Alzheimer’s in 1999.

Leta’s birthday is in October. So the month brings her to mind along with the brave battles she fought against breast cancer and dementia.

This post is in her honor. She would love knowing the benefits lifestyle can bring in reducing the risk for this disease.

Foods to Eat to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer

The following foods and drinks can help reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Foods Rich in Fiber

Foods such as whole grains and legumes provide fiber. Studies suggest that fiber helps to protect against breast cancer.

Excess estrogen can be a factor in the development of breast cancer. Eating enough fiber helps eliminate estrogen, along with other toxins, from the body. Fiber binds to estrogen in the digestive tract, preventing the absorption of too much of the hormone.

Foods Rich in Antioxidants

Fresh fruits, vegetables and legumes provide antioxidants in the form of beta carotene and vitamins C and E.

Antioxidants help prevent many diseases, including breast cancer, by reducing free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable atoms that cause damage to cells and can contribute to the development of cancer. Antioxidants track down and neutralize free radicals. Brightly colored fruits and veggies, such as tomatoes, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, broccoli, berries and citrus fruits are high in antioxidants. Nuts, seeds and beans deliver disease fighting antioxidants as well.

Fruits and Vegetables

A plant based diet can reduce the risk of breast cancer by up to 28%. Fruits and veggies contain flavonoids and carotenoids that interfere with the growth of cancer cells and vitamins and minerals that help protect against the disease as well.

Include the following in your diet as often as possible:

onions and garlic
dark leafy greens such as spinach, arugula and kale
cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower
asparagus
celery
potatoes
sweet potatoes
radishes
beans and lentils
citrus fruits such as oranges, limes and lemons
berries such as strawberries and blueberries
grapes
peaches
apples
pears

Foods to Eat and Avoid to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer pear — Foods to Eat and Avoid to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer – eat pears

Healthy Fats

Obesity contributes to the development of cancers, including breast cancer. However consuming healthy fats in moderation is beneficial.

The polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats found in olive oil, seeds, nuts and avocados lower the risk for breast cancer. These omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation in the body, which is a contributing factor for breast cancer.

Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices contain plant compounds that help to protect against breast cancer. These compounds include antioxidants, fatty acids and vitamins. Add the following herbs and spices to your daily diet:

oregano
turmeric with curcumin
ginger
rosemary
thyme
parsley
burdock root
chaga mushroom
nettle leaf
curry

Green Tea

Green tea contains polyphenols, a powerful antioxidant. The body easily absorbs this compound that helps keep inflammation down in the body and fights free radicals. This drink, which may be served hot or cold, strengthens the immune system as well.

Foods to Avoid to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer

Avoid the following foods and drinks, as they increase the risk of cancer, including breast cancer.

Alcohol

Studies identified a link between drinking alcohol and an increased risk for breast cancer. Alcohol can increase estrogen levels in the body and cause damage to cell DNA. Three alcoholic drinks a week increase the risk of breast cancer by 15%. The risk continues to rise by 10%, with each additional drink a day.

Trans Fats

Trans fats are common in processed foods and studies link it with a higher risk of breast cancer. These unhealthy fats are found in fried foods, some crackers, donuts and packaged cookies, pastries and snacks.

Refined Sugar

A diet rich in added refined sugar contributes to the formation of cancerous tumors in the breasts. These tumors are more likely to metastasize as well. Sugar also increases inflammation in the body, another leading cause of cancer, and boosts enzymes connected to the growth and spread of cancer.

Also avoid sugary drinks such as sodas and energy drinks.

Foods to Eat and Avoid to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer sugar — Foods to Eat and Avoid to Reduce the Risk of Breast Cancer – avoid refined sugar

Red Meat

Studies also found a link between red meat and breast cancer. Red meats include beef, pork, veal and lamb. Plus, cooking meats at a high temperature releases toxins that contribute to cancer.

Processed Foods

Processed foods such as lunch meats, bacon and ham are high in fat, sodium and preservatives. These substances all increase the risk of breast cancer.

Fast Foods

Fast foods, which are often fried and high in fat and sodium, bring an increased risk for breast cancer along with heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

Keeping Those Breasts Healthy

Eating healthy foods and avoiding those that contribute to disease go a long way toward lowering the risk for breast cancer. Other lifestyle factors that help include drinking plenty of water, getting enough exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, not sitting for long periods of time and avoiding smoking.

Visit the National Breast Cancer Organization HERE for more information and tips to keep you…and your breasts…healthy.

Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon

Breast Cancer Awareness Items from Amazon:

I am not a medical practitioner. I study health and wellness related topics and share experiences from my own personal healing journey.