Chameleons

Are you aware of just how amazing and transformational our bodies, minds and souls are?  I've been embarking on a very personal journey not only to share my successes and failures but my hope is that you, my Pallavian readers, grow to understand just how much of an amazing powerful dynamic life we have.  With the exception of those serious cases it is sad that it has become the norm to have to be tied to synthetic prescriptions or have a disease.  For example, Western doctors are quick to dole out the antidepressant prescriptions without a lengthy examination or exploration of other avenues. I'm not discounting the disease, depression is real.  I know this.  I also know that the only ticket for entry of a prescription needed was to be asked one or two questions, the doctor never once looked me in the eye and slapped a prescription down faster than I could put my shoes back on.  The only thing missed was the doctor proclaiming "NEXT PATIENT!"

We have the power to change things about ourselves that we do not like and not just for vanity's sake but for the sake of our sanity.  Going through life feeling judged, put down, harassed and belittled by those who have yet to be granted the honor and blessings to learn what it truly means to be a human BEING is not a life, it's settling.  We willingly settle to accept these non truths about ourselves and it's not until we find a teacher who shows us that what we initially thought to be a snake was really just a rope.  There is a teacher in all of us.  Some show us our misguided behavior while others teach us patience and unconditional love. We fill ourselves with illusions of grandeur wanting needing having and yet ultimately wanting needing and having more only to never find ourselves satiated when in fact what we really need we had to begin with we just didn't see it.    

Fully acknowledging the challenges and imperfections of others and frankly not really caring if they have one arm or no legs or can't see, speak or hear can lead to a life of fulfillment simply by honoring and appreciating and recognizing that I am that.  Like increases like and when we feel passionate about something or someone we recognize parts of them or it that we have in ourselves. It's when we recognize those parts then all other imperfections become a non issue and vise versa.  When we see something in people that we can't stand it's more likely than not that we too have those same attributes that we don't like about ourselves. 

We set ourselves up for failure doing the same things over and over only to expect a different result.  It's not until we realize that we need to find a different way of doing things will the result be different.  We worry about what other people are thinking or saying about us when in fact who cares!?  As long as you live, eat and breathe YOUR truth no one can make you feel less than what you are and you Pallavian reader are THAT.

As a chameleon changes the color of their skin depending on the environment they are in; we can change our attitudes about ourselves, others and our circumstances.  It doesn't happen like some supernatural snap of the fingers or wiggle of the nose. It takes time, patience and most of all the wanting to change.  For this Whimpy Pallav settling isn't an option. 

Spring Cleaning

Spring has sprung and so has my digestion.  This year I decided to participate in a new type of Spring cleaning health regimen by going on an Amm Patchan diet.  This seven day diet consists of seven different kitcherie recipes all with different levels of intensity.  The purpose of this diet is not to purge and ream your body of waste but to clear any undigested food in your system that if not properly digested can manifest into harmful toxins or precursors to health issues down the road.   The reason why I went on this diet is because I figure if I am going to recommend a client go on it I should try it one time just so I will know what they are experiencing.

This is not a diet for the weak.  It's not painful in the way that it "cleans" you out like some diets but it IS difficult. I have considered nixing the diet several times a day but I know in the end I will have the satisfaction of knowing I've done it and my regular food will taste so much better!  Not to mention after comparing notes with some classmates on their experiences I've decided that some of them have it way worse than me so this Pallav is going to suck it up!

Day One:
Rice gruel...basically you overcook rice and use minimal spices.  This tastes like paste. I had to make it twice because the first batch was virtually in-edible.  Felt o.k. was hungry but not ravishing.

Day Two:
Rice and green dahl gruel.  A teeny tiny bit better still not great tasting but it filled me up and I knew it was nourishing.  Felt o.k. still was a little bit more hungry than the day before and had a dull headache.

Day Three:
Twice cooked rice & yellow dahl with asparagus.  I was excited to make this not only because I could add more spices adding to flavor but i like asparagus.   I like this recipe and thought to myself that I would add it to my repertoire of side dishes in regular meals.  Felt a little bit dazed and hungry still but I like this one so ate quite a bit of it.  Headache still but a bit more intense.

Day Four:
Twice cooked rice, yellow dahl, spinach and dandelion greens.  This was a step down from the previous days recipe.  I could eat a bowl and be o.k. but on this day my body was really reacting to the lack of regular foods.  I did feel a little bit lighter in my body but also dizzy, weak and by 9:00 p.m. i had a massive migraine.  Spent the night being sick from it.

Day Five:
Today is Friday, Friday normally means burrito day.  I'm sacrificing my burrito for better digestion.  I'm not happy about this so today's mantra is "2 more days". Still feeling a slight headache and not very hungry as a result from yesterday's migraine but I will give it the old college try.  Today is just plain kitcherie (rice, yellow dahl, spices and dum da dum....GHEEEEEEE!). Having Ghee almost makes up for not having the burrito....almost.

Day Six:
Consisted of rice gruel, dahl & cauliflower.....oh, and passing out from hunger in public.

As a result I needed to stop my regimen a day early.  Me passing out was not worth the eating regimen (or there lack of).  Do I feel better, a little to yes.  Would I do this again? NO.  Would I recommend it?  NO.  It was a good experiment not only to see if I could do it and how my body responded but as for a seven day cleanse for this Whimpy Pallav three days would suffice.