You: Fantastic. Best I've felt in years.
Me: How did you know the time was right to do a cleanse?
You: I wasn't feeling healthy enough. We have a lot of friends who do cleanses. It always seemed like such a fad before, but I heard another amazing account from someone who was visiting (shout out to Cheyenne!) and I decided to do it. Fasting and cleansing isn't really a fad- it's more of a chain letter.
Me: What's so great about it (with a touch of sarcasm because I broke my fast after only 2 days)
You: I feel clear headed, new appreciation for food. I lost 10 pounds. I had a vacation from the kitchen. I feel good about myself for having the will power to not eat for 10 days.
Me: You didn't mention a 'liberated' feeling from this mortal coil or from being a cog in the machine. Did you just forget that part?
You: Oh yeah. That too.
Me: What was your hardest day and why?
You: Probably day 3. I didn't have a fasting companion anymore because you jumped ship. (editor's note: no guilt implied Babba says)
Me: Part of doing the cleanse is to remove built up toxins in your body that accumulate from our modern lifestyles. Do you feel less toxic after your cleanse?
You: It's hard to say. I hope so.
Me: You said you were more sensitive to caffeine now. And you haven't had any alcohol. Do you feel more sensitive in general?
You: Yeah. And I can't eat big meals.
Me: What was the worst part of your cleanse?
You: I guess the acid reflux I had on day 5. That was the worst part. But that was really cured by a teaspoon of molasses and cucumber juice.
Me: Speaking of juice- you seemed to really connect with our juicer which had been stored away all by itself in the dark and damp basement?
You: Yeah. After day 5 I did start to cheat on the "strict Master Cleanse" a little bit. Our apples and grapes are coming in . We're having a bumper crop- so for the last 5 days I added in a little fresh apple and grape and cucumber juice. And basil juice! I still used the lemon and cayenne a lot. I cut way back on the maple syrup part of the original lemonade recipe of the Master Cleanse the last days.
Me: It was weird not to have you in the kitchen.
You: It was weird not to be in the kitchen. It was the first time since I got obsessed with cooking as a kid that I let it go- except, of course, when we travel and have no control over kitchens in restaurants. Not cooking and being in the kitchen has always been my worst part of traveling.
Me: Do you think you'll fast again?
You:Yeah. I want to make it a yearly or twice yearly thing.
Me: Knowing you, there's usually a spiritual component to everything that you do. What's your spiritual take on the whole fasting thing?
You: Um...it's just about mental discipline. It helps my Buddhist practice because it all goes along with mindfulness that I'm trying to learn how to maintain. It also makes you slow down a lot which is good.
Me: you didn't worry much while you were fasting.
You: Yeah- It did seem to clear my head quite a bit.
Me: Thank you for this interview.
You: My pleasure and thank you for your support.
Dew Drop: My presents! (in response to Babba saying "my pleasure")
6 comments:
This post took a while to actually 'post.' I really wanted to hear what Babba had to say. I admire his dedication and I completely see how this kind of diet can compliment one's spirtual pursuits. You have to think and also not think. Why do I love these distractions, haircuts and cleanses? First thought, they are both a tad radical, distracting indeed.
this interview totally rocks...you guys are so awesome. I not only do I love the info, his insight, I love hearing how a truly connected couple is interacting. It is inspiring on many levels....and I may be curious enough to do some research and consider taking the plunge. (pretty sure I need to as I drink my amaretto sour tonight)
What Christine says about complimenting spiritual pursuits, definitely. Love.
Excellent interview, gracias.
The ultimate clencher is the mental discipline and what that does for a person, and I say this with similar, yet different, experience in that running a marathon is the same kind of thing; the sense of disciplined accomplishment is enough to elevate someone to a mental utopian plateau.
I decided to wait on my cleanse until things get more routine around here. I'm starting to eat healthier, but embarking on a radical diet right now I don't think is the best decision for me. Baby steps right now. (Like you mentioned the jump-ship freak-out, I don't think I can handle that right now.)
But I am planning a cleanse or regimen in the future.
This was super informative!
Congratulations Baldwin! It's kind of cool when friends go through a similiar experience (travel, parenting, cleanse). Our conversations will take on a different level of understanding after this. Whoo Hoo!
Hi I am a student in the Creative and Aesthetic Experiences class and I noticed that a lot of your art is influenced by Buddhism and from looking at your blog it looks like you also practice it. I am an officer in the Living Buddhism Club at VT and would like to know if you might be interested in coming and speaking to our club at a meeting. It would be very interesting to hear about your experiences, travels, and how Buddhism has influenced your art. If your interested let me know we would love to have you. My email is asierra2@vt.edu.
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