Food Detox Symptoms

It doesn't seem to take my body long to realize it's time to detox...  I went to bed at the "usual" 8:45 p.m.-ish, looking forward to a nice long sleep in a very comfy bed.  All seemed to be going well until 2 a.m.  That's when the left side of my head started to hurt.  Then I started to realize that I was also feeling quite nauseous.  I hardly slept a wink the rest of the night, experiencing periods of what might have been fever.  I knew it was cold in the room but I was hot, at the same time feeling cold.  I felt horrible for my 3 roommates every time I moved and the crisp sheets crinkled or I got up to use the facilities... my body flushing and the toilet too. 
P.S. If you're afraid of TMI, stop reading this blog now, LOL!
Food detox symptoms can include headache, runny nose, irritability (common for most), brain fog, fever, and upset stomach including vomiting.  I'm experiencing pretty much everything, except the vomiting and I've been pretty good at keeping my irritability in check.  The physician told us today that the worst detox symptom was when someone came to the front desk saying they wanted to change their plane ticket and leave now!  Make no mistake, being here is no piece of cake.

In the morning I groggily went for weight, blood pressure, and blood draw.  I hardly had an ounce of energy or clarity of mind to worry about what my BP reading would be, so... my usual write off of, "I have white coat syndrome" probably not in effect.  And, at the risk of worrying my mother...  my numbers as follows: 147 lbs and BP 148 over 84. 
And so, therefore, hence, wa-la, the reason I'm at HHI is... to lower my BP. 
Today's reading is actually a little better than early November's reading (152 over 84), which is good.

It's been a tough day with nearly constant pressure in my head (forehead, sinuses) and still some uneasiness in stomach.  To get through in as peaceful a way as possible, I'm trying my best to put into practice the meditation techniques and wisdom that I've been learning at the Southeast Vipassana Center. I've remained fairly quiet, working on observing the experiences while being non-reactive and equanimous with whatever the sensation, pleasant or unpleasant; and, I remind myself, Anicca, everything changes, everything is impermanent, this too shall pass...  I welcome all the experiences as a sign of releasing toxins!
I also welcome the wonderful hot mineral pool !!!
I've been in the hot mineral pool twice today.  It's about the only thing I can manage at this point and it is suppose to help remove toxins from the body.  I definitely feel better in the pool and for a while afterwards...

The Journey Begins

After a stop at Whole Foods in West Palm Beach for some yummy "now this really is the last lunch" pizza...  I have arrived at Hippocrates Health Institute (HHI)!  Welcomed with a "green drink" and made to smile for the camera with the words, "wheat grass!" which sends everyone around into smiles and laughter.  I think I will be delving into a lot of wheat grass over the next 3 weeks!  Today we were oriented, introduced, and given the tour.  The staff are all very nice and personable.  The head chef intro was entertaining and we're already learning a LOT!  My first HHI dinner consisted of lots of sprouts!  It is suggested that 50% of each meal be sprouts.  So, a tiny bit of spring lettuce mix, a few slices of romaine, couple small carrots, couple strands of asparagus, a couple slices cucumber, a small sweet pepper, some dried dulce, and then lots of sprouts!  sunflower sprouts, pea sprouts, broccoli sprouts, mung bean sprouts, fenugreek sprouts, radish sprouts, lentil sprouts, clover sprouts... It is also recommended we have a spoonful of sauerkraut to start the meal.  Tonight we were also treated with a warm vegetable soup to help us ease into the new menu...  Per the recommendation of the chef, I finished my meal with the small sweet pepper.  The food is all organic, they don't use any salt, they don't use any vinegar.  It was refreshingly delicious.  I'll be asleep soon, long before the 11 p.m. fast begins...  Blood tests are first thing tomorrow (Monday) morning! 

"Last Meal"

Well... I certainly don't want to show up to the Hippocrates Health Institute tomorrow without having had a "Last Meal!"  So, off to T.G.I. FRiDAY'S for the second night in a row for their new (super delicious) Sedona Black Bean Burger.  Yum!  Today also included "last lunch" at the Olive Garden.  It seems every time I try to do a "last meal" it always ends up being a last three or four meals... and perhaps never really amounting to a last meal, since I may eat healthier for a little while and then slowly revert back to the old bad habits of salt-licked and surgary, empty calorie, foods.  But, I am hoping with positive thoughts that this time is different.  Because my body is really saying, "Enough is enough already!"  It's past time to get serious about being healthier.  So, with multiple gentle and not-so-gentle urgings from the universe, I'm heading to the Hippocrates Health Institute for their Life Transformation Program, for 3 weeks!  Perhaps still slightly in denial since it's after 11 p.m. and I'm still not completely packed...  Part of me is excited at the promise of this refreshing restart! and part is sad and nervous...  can I really do this?  will I follow through after the 3 weeks have passed?  only time and this blog will tell....