Now that Christmastide is winding down and we’ve eaten our annual allotment of inappropriate treats, we’re going to reduce our acid levels and increase our alkalinity. Hey, it works for the Energizer Bunny, doesn’t it?

High acid levels in our bodies contribute to irritability, inflammation, and provide a favourable environment for intestinal parasites. Yes, you have them. Everyone does. In fact the average adult has between 7 and 10 lbs. of them in their guts. Awful, isn’t it? My daughter Cate did some research recently that said that we also carry up to 18lb. of waste in our intestines. We will be working on fasting and cleansing in the next two weeks, but this week, we are going to concentrate on getting our bodies into alkaline balance. I feel that it will make the fasting and cleansing process a little easier if we are not already feeling cranky and swollen.

We talked last week about how refined sugars and white flour can turn rapidly into sugars, increasing the level of acidity in our bodies. If you have a health food store nearby, ask the customer service desk to help you find PH strips. They often carry them. This will allow you to check your progress. You want to maintain a healthy balance, not too alkaline either. The test strips will have indicators on the package to compare your strip to. I recommend strips that test a wide range up to 9.0 in .25 increments. These are better for salivary testing. You can get them here at a reasonable price. Your strip should indicate between 7.25 and 7.50 optimally.

Test your saliva the first day you get your strips and keep a journal for the next few weeks. This will help you to mark your progress. You can also order a pack of 30 food journal sheets from the shop for $6.00, including shipping. These are included as reproducibles in the Home Management Book as well.

Below is a link to lists of acid producing foods (to reduce), and alkaline foods (to increase). Remember to track what you are eating and how you are feeling. If you choose to use PH strips, then record your results daily as well.

One of my favourite ways to alkalise is with ginger tea. I grate 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger root into a teapot or Pyrex ™ pitcher. Pour 1 qt. of boiling water over the top and let steep for 5-15 minutes, depending upon strength desired. I like mine very strong. You may find that you need to re-heat the tea before drinking. Strain out the ginger and sweeten with honey. I take this tea for whatever ails me and it always makes me feel better. Do not be surprised to find little parasites in your stool. These can look like very tiny white grains. They will be dead, so fear not. This is a good thing - they’re better out than in. They don’t like the more alkaline environment.

You can find an excellent table of alkaline/acid foods on this site. I recommend that you print it off and keep it handy - perhaps on the fridge. Remember, you are only going to reduce the acid-producing foods, not eliminate them. We are aiming at a proper balance.

Why don’t we do a progress report mid-week to see how you’re feeling? I do hope that this program is helping you to make significant changes in your life. Remember to pray for perseverence and wisdom as your progress. Your practice of Lectio Divina will certainly lead you to make some changes, whether they are health related or not. The ability to confidently make decisions and changes in your life, knowing that they are God’s will, will improve your health as well.

I keep you all in my prayers. I want for you to be truly healthy and to experience the wonder of God’s creation in YOU! You really are fearfully and wonderfully made, capable of healing yourself through proper care of your body. Our souls are made in His image, and have a very important job to do. Each of us was given only ONE vehicle to transport that soul around. We need to maintain it as best we can.

Not only is our body a vehicle for our soul, it is its home, and everytime we receive Him in the Holy Eucharist, our bodies become a tabernacle. Let us strive to make the tabernacle its best and most beautiful, inside and out.

Have a blessed week!

Posted: 01|12|08 at 1:59 pm. Filed under: from our hearth and home, Fit in 40.
Comment | Trackback