October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month globally.
Breast cancer is the most prominent type of cancer affecting Jamaican women, accounting for 1 in 3 cases. The Breast Cancer Foundation of Jamaica says that fewer than 20% of women who should be screened annually are actually doing so and emphasises that detecting cancer early saves lives and reduces the financial burden on families and the healthcare system.
While women are encouraged to get screened, of equal relevance is the fact that many cancers and other illnesses are lifestyle diseases that can be avoided. So, while we set aside time to mark the month with 5K runs, walkathons, and wheelchair events; pink sip and paints; symposiums and concerts by the sea; etcetera, let’s also focus on cancer prevention. One way to do this is by building a robust immune system, actually creating an internal environment that is antithetical to cancer cells. Where to start? A spiritual and physical detox will reset your body, and then you can build from there.
That’s what Vivienne Irving said she decided to do. A member of Freedom Come Ministry’s Fit For Praise exercise group, Vivienne cited Jeremiah 30:17 as one of the main Scriptures that kept her through a 10-day detox challenge she undertook in August.
Having attended a symposium entitled “Healthy Eating in the End Times” by naturopathic doctor Debra Williams at the Tarrant Baptist Church (TBC) on July 27, Vivienne was one of the 30-odd students who signed up for the challenge.
See her account below.
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I’m smiling now because I survived the 10-day detox challenge. It was a jaw-dropping experience, and I want to share it with you.
Detoxification (detox for short) is the physiological or medicinal removal of toxic substances from a living organism, including the human body. It is mainly carried out by the liver.
When I heard that there was going to be a class to teach us the main elements of detox, paired with a practical exercise, I knew I had to be on board.
I’d been feeling a bit “off” for a few weeks, although I was following a partial vegetarian diet, being a stickler for healthy living. I wasn’t having much sugar, processed foods, or additives with tongue-twisting names. After all, I had been a practising vegan in the past (and had stopped because everyone was questioning my obvious weight loss). But still, it was like I was running on empty, exhausted, and feeling “meh”.
It was clear that my system was crying for help and needed an overall. Improvement in my health, energy, and digestion were some of the areas I prayed this detox would re-set and boost my wellness journey.
SHOPPING
We got a few days to procure the items on our shopping list, and I was having much fun until the moment I took a panoramic view of everything I had purchased, especially the herbs. Reality started to set in: what had I gotten myself into?!
But I was up for the challenge.
Firstly, aside from having the greatest treasure in my life, Jesus Christ, my health was my next premium possession, and only I could defend it. As the scriptures remind us in Revelation 22:2 that the herbs were given for the healing of the nations, I was convinced that God wanted me to be in good health.
Secondly, it had cost me something to pay for the detox items, and I wasn’t going to let my money go to waste.
THE MEAL PLAN
We were told that for the first 24 hours of the challenge, we would be in prayer and fasting to get us in high gear for what was to be a momentous journey. I opted to abstain for the entire day without eating or consuming water. Throughout the period, Bible reading and prayer were our top priority, whilst we meal-prepped for day two and the other eight to follow.
This detox comprised mainly herbs, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
• Our morning detox tea was at 5:30, after we had had devotion.
• Then two hours later, there was the aloe vera and tuna combo link-up.
• My body was grateful for the thickness of the green vegetable smoothie that we consumed for lunch. Comprising three leafy greens, almond milk or coconut water, plus some specific nuts, seeds, and condiments, it became my liquid meal for the day.
• What would you do if you were offered as dessert something called a Vitamin A Shot? Knowing it is loaded with carrot, beetroot, celery, cabbage (purple or green), turmeric root, and ginger, would you grab it and savour it like you would a decadent slice of potato pudding? (I’m keeping my example real sober!)
I absolutely looked forward to this drink with tremendous anticipation each day!
• For the remainder of the afternoon into night, we had herbal tea, herbal tea, and then a colon cleanse brew just before bed. Night after night, I held my nose and swallowed very quickly, expecting each time that surely I would get used to the intense flavour of cascara sagrada, but each time I would be proven shamefully wrong.
• On day 10, I called on all of heaven to celebrate with me as our group completed the arduous challenge with a lymphatic system flush. It was my best day because I recognised that I had grown stronger at abstaining from things I initially thought impossible to give up, and I was beginning to contemplate how I seriously could change my relationship once and for all with food.
LESSONS LEARNED
Due to work exigencies, I ensured I did my meal prep from the night before. I didn’t get to measure my weight to know where I started. However, it wasn’t long before I was feeling the effects in my body and mind. The first few days took more effort, but by day four it was easier to navigate.
For me, this whole process was about making short-term changes for long-term benefits. I have learnt that to be our best and truest selves, we really have to be healthy spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically, and then that will ultimately make us more impactful in this world.
So, I want to encourage you: if you’re thinking about going on this 10-day journey to reset your immune system, my first advice is for you to find a naturopathic doctor with whom you are very comfortable. Don’t try doing this without that spiritual and intellectual support.
It will be well worth the effort.
