Every few weeks I try to do fasting cleanse. Fasting is when you choose to refrain from eating for some time. There are a few reasons why people fast it could be for a medical procedure, dieting, or for a religious purpose. It is not recommended for those who suffer from eating disorders, because it could act as a trigger. There are different types of fasting. Strict fasting is when a person does not consume any food or water from the sunset until after the following day's sunrise. Fasting can also be simply eating just one meal during the day for days. If you have had surgery you may have been told not to eat or drink for eight to 12 hours before your procedure. Why is this? This is because when you are expected to go under general anesthesia you are at a higher risk of choking. It is also important to have your digestive system clean before surgery so they may even want you to take a colon cleanse first. Fasting has a rich history. Fasting has been used as a tool to make a political statement, to protest, or to bring awareness to a cause. People can fast as an act of political protest to bring feelings of guilt, or to bring policy change. Mahatma Gandhi went on several long fasts as political and social protests while he was incarcerated. Gandhi's fasts had a huge impact on the British Raj and the entire Indian population. Fasting is practiced in various religions. Muslims refrain from eating during the hours of daytime for one month, Ramadan, every year. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fast for 24 hours on the first Sunday of each month. Like Muslims, they refrain from all drinking and eating unless they are children. Buddhist monks do not eat each day after the noon meal this is not considered fast. This is more of a form of preparation for mediation than a fast. Some Hindus fast on certain days of the week depending on personal belief and favorite deity. Those who worship Shiva fast on Mondays, while those who worship Ayyappa fast on Saturdays. Many Pagans will fast eating only one meal the three days during either the full or new moon. For those Pagans who don't choose to fast twice a month for the lunar gatherings, they will choose to fast before the 8 sabbat festivals. Fasting is a way we get closer to the Divine by spiritually cleansing the body to prepare for a ritual. While fasting we deny the body physical pleasures of eating so that with that clarity we can attain a deeper connection to the Deities. During this time we will often use it as a time of reflection. While we fast our senses sharpen, our minds become more alert, and we can easily enter a meditative state. Fasting for periods shorter than 24 hours has shown to be effective for weight loss. Intermittent fasting may slightly boost metabolism burning the stubborn belly fat. When you give a kick-start to your metabolism, you feel more energy. It is not recommended as a long-term weight loss solution. Although there is no proof that fasting cleanses your body. I can say whenever I return from vacation when I have eaten a lot I will feel blah so I fast. Usually, I will fast for 24-48 hours and will feel both as though I have been cleansed of any nasty toxins. This may be psychosomatic, but it has been proven fasting can improve mental clarity. While fasting can be healthy for many people, you should not fast if you have issues with blood pressure, any form of eating disorders, or diabetes. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive fasting is not recommended. If you are on medications or other health conditions, it’s best to consult your doctor about fasting first. You need to be cautious when you are fasting and pay attention to how your body reacts. Many people get dehydrated when fast to prevent this, listen to your body, and drink when thirsty. It is very important to remember while you are fasting to stay hydrated. When you're done fasting and go back to your usual diet. Don't allow the hunger from the fast to trick you into overeating your normal amount. It is important when you are fasting to try to keep the duration of how long you are fasting a short time i.e. 24 hrs to start. Later on, you can extend it if you like to 48 or 72 hours, but shorter is always better at first so your body can get used to it. Eating small amounts of food that are high in protein leading up to fasting can help your body to adjust to transition so you don't feel faint, or hungry. Periodic fasting can help clear up the mind and strengthen the body and the spirit.
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As a mom of three boys who go to public school I started to notice that some things were not being taught in detail so I decided to create lessons for them. Many of these lessons cover science, history and of information about Paganism. I share crafts for the all different holidays and cultures as ways that they can learn and have fun at the same time.
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