9 min read

FASTING FOR DUMMIES

Throughout history ever since they have been keeping records civilizations experimented with fasting. Many religions incorporated fasting doctrines because It allowed a platform in which to guide their people. The earliest monks practiced fasting because they believed it not only cleansed and purified their bodies, but it helped them get closer in their spiritual pursuits.

FASTING THE FIRST PRINCIPLE OF MEDICINE

There are many forms of fasting. People who have never fasted think my God do I have to give up eating. There is almost any kind of a fast you can think of plus you could design your own fast. There’s the monk fast with wine, bread and cheese. There’s the jail-house fast with bread and water. The meat only fast, the meat and cheese fast, the chicken fast, the fish fast, the dry bread fast, the vegetarian fast, and while we are on the subject of fasting; We can fast against our televisions sets, fast against throwing rocks, fast against swearing, fast against road-rage, fast against our bosses- with a degree of difficulty thrown in.

The always popular mother-in-law fast. The no-fast— popular with folks who have never fasted and never will. The government sponsored New Orleans fast, the African big fast, the Irish potato famine fast, and the totally inexcusable fast forced on children by their irresponsible governments and leaders around the world, another good reason to fast one day a week and give the food you would have eaten, to a world food bank or just send them a check. It’s good to be good!

If you think fasting may be your cup of tea this is one sport you may not want to include the words: “I’m into extreme fasting!” Jesus and that crew wandered around in the desert for about forty days and didn’t eat much, but they scored some pure water, a bit of cacti and could always turn water into a delicious red wine if really hungry or thirsty. If you quit eating during a fast long enough you will die. Our biology teacher Mr. Adams said if you were stranded in the desert or the wilderness and could only have two items that would sustain life the longest what would they be? Answer: PEANUTS AND WATER.

FASTING FOR DUMMIES

Aside from all of the religious fasts which I happen to think are very important– a fast can become a very private matter. Our body is designed to use a very complicated chemical enzyme code to break down all of the food that we put into our bodies.

Einstein taught his disciples his strict water-only fast in the belief that it boosted mental perception and creativity. Modern studies have shown that fasting increases your Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which aids in memory functioning and can stimulate the growth of new brain cells.

The squeezers, ringers and emulsifiers actually yell out to each other and hangout in the breakdown room. ” Here comes a scoop of mash potatoes and gravy.” You would think by now the breakdown crew would learn to multi-task the answer is. No. Each food category you eat requires a special team of breakdown technicians, who have to rush out and start working like mad to get your food thinned down in the digestive tract, so it can eventually end in the waste-can. Like anyone else, digestive tract breakdown specialists need a vacation from time to time. Has anyone ever heard the religious term— and he rested on the Sabbath? Your body needs to rest— also it gives it time to rebuild.

They have the Monday fast, fat Tuesday, the Wednesday fast, the Thursday fast, the Friday fast, the Saturday fast and the Sunday fast– along with The Lenten Fast, The Ramadan fast, The 7 days of the Year Jewish fasts, tribal fasts and the list goes on and on. In fact if you look at the history of civilization you will probably discover that many wars were fought over someone or government either trying to impose the fasting doctrines or take them away. You could have your bloody head cut off if you made a fasting mistake.

While visiting a friend over the Thanksgiving holiday I learned that all of the brothers in this particular family adopted the one day a week fast. They each looked extremely healthy and I inquired how they began fasting. Friend Pete stated: “I started feeling sluggish, was always snacking and decided it was time to take action. Each Monday I only drink mostly water and sometimes bullion or natural juices. The amazing thing is when Tuesday comes I reward myself with a huge salad and some vegetable soup and I am full. I’m not hungry anymore. By Wednesday a few smaller salads, more fruit, more vegetables, more water and pretty soon FASTING MONDAY rolls around like clock-work.”

FASTING FOR DUMMIES

IF YOU REALLY WANT A LASTING LIFE CHANGE! THE ONE DAY FAST IS SO EASY TO DO EVEN A CAVEPERSON CAN DO IT.

I have personally adopted the Monday fast program for life and I feel quite a bit better about everything— for me it just works.

Wandering around one day in a health food store I ran across a small 50 page pamphlet entitled: THE MASTER CLEANSER by STANLEY BURROUGHS It sells for $6.50 After reading the pamphlet I couldn’t wait to do the fast cleanse: Here it is reprinted from The Master Cleanser Stanley Burroughs.

THE MASTER CLEANSER OR THE LEMONADE DIET

THE LEMONADE DIET

PURPOSE

To dissolve and eliminate toxins and congestion that have formed in any part of the body. To cleanse the kidneys and the digestive system. To purify the glands and cells throughout the entire body. To eliminate all unusable waste and hardened material in the joints and muscles. To relieve pressure and irritation in the nerves, arteries and blood vessels. To build a healthy bloodstream. To keep youth and elasticity regardless of our years.

WHEN TO USE IT

When sickness has developed–for all acute and chronic conditions. When the digestive system needs a rest and a cleansing. When overweight has become a problem. When better assimilation and building of body tissue is needed. Or if you just want to choose a healthy lifestyle.

AND HOW OFTEN?

Follow the diet fast for a minimum of 10 days or more—up to 40 days and beyond may be safely followed by extremely serious cases. The diet has all the nutrition needed during this time. Three to four times a year will do wonders for keeping the body in a normal healthy condition. The diet may be undertaken more frequently for serious conditions.

WANT TO BE LIKE EINSTEIN & PLATO SIMPLE ANSWER FAST

HERE IT IS— IT’S SO SIMPLE A CAVEPERSON COULD DO IT

HOW TO MAKE IT

2 Tbsp of lemon juice (approx. one-half lemon) (real lemons)

2 Tbsb of genuine maple syrup (darker grades most desirable)

one-tenth teaspoon of cayenne pepper

Water, medium hot (spring or purified)

Combine the lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper in a 10 oz. glass and fill with medium hot water. or (cold if preferred)

HOW MUCH DOES ONE DRINK?

Drink from 6 to 12 glasses of the lemonade daily during the waking period.

As you get hungry just have another glass of lemonade.

NO OTHER FOOD SHOULD BE TAKEN DURING THE FULL PERIOD OF THE DIET FAST

As this is a complete balance of minerals and vitamins, one does not suffer the pangs of hunger. Do not use vitamin pills. You can use extra water anytime you want to aid in the flushing process.

FASTING IS AS OLD AS THE MOUNTAINS AND THE SECRET TO LIFE

NOTE! WRITTEN BY STANLEY BURROUGHS

” THE FOLLOWING DIET IS GIVEN SOLELY AS A SUGGESTION; ANYONE WHO FOLLOWS IT DOES SO VOLUNTARILY. SINCE EACH PERSON NATURALLY, REACTS DIFFERENTLY, EACH INDIVIDUAL MUST USE HIS OWN JUDGMENT AS TO ITS USE.”

I have personally used the 10 day Lemonade fast-diet and followed it to a tee. After day two you are not even hungry. You will develop a new repore with the commode throne. You will make many trips. If you could choose, you would probably live by yourself in the woods like Henry David Thoreau or carry a port-a-potti with you in the workforce. Trust me on this one- you will be making many visits to the throne during the ten day period.

When the fast is over on the first day you can have one very small salad and one glass of juice. On the second day you can add vegetable soup and a couple of salads and on the third day you can pig out all you want (just kidding). By the time you reach the third day you are so damn glad to choose your foods carefully that you swear to yourself I will never pig out again. This is where we get into trouble NEVER SAY NEVER.

FASTING IN BIBLICAL TIMES

I personally thought this single small sacrifice was the greatest thing I had ever done to try and cleanse my body of toxins and get back to a healthy lifestyle. I felt like a million pesos and am very glad I added fasting for the rest of my life. (I receive no benefits including payola for this testimonial. In fact it is my first testimonial on anything. It works and more importantly it helps you create a life change. What’s not to like? Many trips to the john!

You might want to wait until after the Super Bowl if you are an American or whoever you are. I’m sorry I can’t have any Nachos, Buffalo Wings, Cheese Balls, Guacamole or Chip Dip. I am on my new fast.” Pig out now My Fellow Americans.” Almost sounds Presidential! I got news for you— if you go on THE LEMONADE FAST you won’t be eating very much for a while and you will learn to stay close to a toilet.

THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW: ELEPHANTS  ARE DESTINED TO BE EXINCT unless we support conservation efforts by volunteering or making a monetary contribution. Why would anyone kill an elephant in the first place… because one large ivory tusk is worth one hundred fifty thousand dollars. In the non-stop world of elephant conservation, it is too easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day nitty gritty details. How many carcasses did we discover today? How many young bull tuskers emerged this year? How many snares and encampments did we clear? How many poachers did we catch and put them in jail?

All this information is vitally important, and it helps keep us on track, but we need to keep one eye open to the global situation and whether our efforts are making a difference. If you want to help us with this momentous task, you can go to our donation page at TSAVO TRUST. Donating is really easy, and we appreciate any and all amounts because the money goes directly toward preserving the next generation of elephants.

THINGS YOU MAY WANT TO SAVE: ELEPHANTS
 This is an enormous challenge us against the poachers.  IF THE POACHERS WIN  YOU CAN SAY GOODBYE TO THE ELEPHANT.

In 1930, as many as 10 million wild elephants roamed huge swaths of the African continent. But decades of poaching and conflict have since decimated African elephant populations.   According to our calculations, less than 500,000 elephants exist today – and that is of both African and Asian species. In Africa, there are approximately 415,000 elephants left whilst in Asia, a mere 40,000. The numbers today are upsettingly low. While elephant poaching is trending downward, with significant declines in East Africa, poaching continues to steer the elephant species dangerously nearer to extinction.

ZENTRAVELER SAYS: Fast one day a week for the rest of your life .. think how much energy you will save plus all of the health benefits you get as a bonus.

From here to Infinity is a relatively short ride! The next leg takes eons and eons as you fly through the Barycentric Dynamical Time Zone! …and on and on and on.  Follow the Zentraveler Newsletter often for Travel, Health and Zen-like stories and such. Where else can you get a three in one Newsletter For The Price of FREE?

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zentraveler · a weblog designed to give travel, health, writing and humor helpful hints with a zen like quality.