Breaking the Cleanse

Up until today, working in the kitchen and eating meals within the community has been a valuable test of my will and austerity. For example, witnessing and smelling the decadence of a creamy chocolate cake being prepared and decorated was the ultimate in divine temptation. But I have remained true to my cleanse, only consuming kitchari over the past 5 days. This morning, I helped to prepare Sunday morning breakfast and found the time to make my own kitchari with time left to ponder and relax. One thing that the cleanse has offered me is clarity in vision, and the ability to fine tune whatever task I have been handed. That’s been a superior benefit to this daily routine that I’ve been witness to! With Shivaratri festivities starting today, several ceremonial rituals involved a fasting regiment for at least 18 hours. I have wanted to participate in all 3 ceremonies but that would have meant starting my fast last night. And there was no way that I had the physical stamina or willpower to do without food for 36 hours. I needed sustenance beyond a liquid diet, after 5 days of a mono-cleanse that left me wanting for ‘normal foods’ and a routine of nutritional variety and sustenance. So instead, I have decided to eat my kitchari with the addition of steamed vegetables for breakfast. At 10am, I would start my fasting!

The best foods to eat after a colon cleanse are fresh raw / cooked fruits and vegetables, vegetable broths, well-cooked whole grains, nuts & eggs and lots of water. Alcohol, fried foods and processed foods should be avoided at all costs. Alcohol is not an issue as no alcohol is allowed at Mount Madonna. Fried foods I tend to stay away from. Chocolate and processed foods: a bit more of a challenge. However, today I stayed true to a fasting ritual: I incorporated a drink of homemade yogurt and rice milk to my liquid fast today. However, in the evening, my tummy was bloated. At first I thought it might be the dairy, but my co-cleanse partner Annie thinks it might be the rice milk and the processed oils contained in it. Regardless, I am taming the shrew and cutting back on my Lassi drink (my tongue is super coated with a thick white mucus = perhaps a dairy intolerance??).

Here’s a couple of Lassi recipes from the website Ayurvedic Yogi that I didn’t have access to a blender to follow, but will be making in the future!

Lassi

Aids digestion at end of meal as increases Pitta. Blend 2 cups of water with ½ cup plain yogurt, skim off the fat that rises to the surface, add 2 pinches of ginger and cumin powder. For Vata types, add a little rock salt; for Pitta types a little jaggery; for Kapha types a little dried ginger powder and black pepper.  Or try:

• Pachak Lassi: Add 1 inch of fresh ginger, ½ teaspoon cumin seeds / powder, pinch of salt, 1 tablespoon chopped coriander to garnish. Balances all doshas.
• Spicy Lassi: 2 tablespoons sugar, (or less) ½ teaspoon fresh, grated ginger or ¼ tsp. Dry ginger, ½ teaspoon ground cardamom. Good for all doshas.
• Sweet lassi: 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 drop of rosewater.