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Cleansing from within - a reality? |
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Story : Kirstie Flood |
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Most people readily accept feelings of lethargy, headaches and general aches and pains as a side affect of today’s hectic lifestyle as we race through life in an often cash rich time poor situation. As is often the scenario, health and vitality are somewhere on the bottom of our ‘to-do’ lists, yet ironically they pose the biggest threat to us continuing on our treadmill. A recent study conducted by the BBC claimed detoxification diets were ‘fashionable’ , ‘lacking in scientific evidence’ and proclaimed that “The greatest irony is that the liver, the body’s detoxification organ, can most effectively breakdown and eliminate toxins on a high protein diet such as one rich in meat and fish” An crucial point neglected in the BBC study, was the ability by the human body to breakdown modern day toxins present in foods such as fertilizers, food additives, pesticides, and even growth hormones in meat. The study also omitted to investigate the lifestyle changes that people made following the detox having discovered the benefits for themselves first hand. Thus when I was approached by Thai based company Puriti to enlist on an 8 day purification program, I quickly ran out of reasons why I could not participate after listening to some hard facts: Toxic chemicals are everywhere in today’s world, not only are they created externally but they are also produced internally during normal metabolism. Nutritional imbalances, mineral insufficiencies and food allergies all contribute to a progressive build up of toxins. But what Puriti were offering was a step beyond a regular detox. Their products are built around daily schedules and a program (1, 4 and 8 days) that is essentially a collaboration of many aspects; diet supported by natural herbs and minerals combined with massage and exercise. According to Deborah Williamson, Founder of Puriti, UK Herbalist, Clinical Hypno-therapist and Corporate Life coach, “The essence of purifying is to simply remove the harmful toxins that are being stored in your body, which in turn allows your body the opportunity to achieve optimum health and vitality.” Nadine Oliver Luxury PR Specialist and Marcomms Manager for Puriti added, “Purification is therefore the single most powerful tool people can use to prevent premature aging and reverse ill health and disease.” When I met with Deborah and Nadine they handed me my 8 day Puriti box, which contained a mini-box for every day of the program and a booklet full of facts, recipes, shopping lists and schedules. I quickly grasped how much commitment the program would require with a shopping list that included items such as 32 young green coconuts, 100g of Tamarind and 150g of Prunes; and a daily schedule that despite the pretty packaging sounded very much like boot camp. Puriti have so far guided 150 people through their Purification process, and being a slightly competitive type, I thought it would be a breeze once I had worked out where to buy a juicer from and how to use it. The program consisted largely of a combination of juices and shakes (all raw fruit and vegetables, no meat) and sachets of various natural herbs and cleansing aids such as zeolite clay.
Planning aside, the first day of the purification went smoothly up until I encountered the 11AM taster, which was where the prunes came in. I have to confess that this was possibly the worst part of the entire 8 days and the taster was not tasty in the slightest. I was also ready and waiting for possible side affects ranging from headaches, nausea, flu, irritability and so on. Deborah added, “There is no magic key, no pill we can take to remove the symptoms and consequences of years of lack of consideration for our bodies. One must expect to “pay the price” in some way.” However there was some good news in store - Puriti offer their 4 and 8 day programs at the luxurious Trisara resort who kindly invited me to join them for day 5 of my program. I was advised that by day two or three of the program I would start to feel a little worse for wear, day five is the day when you feel yourself really starting to reap the benefits as you turn that corner. So it was in high spirits that I boarded my Trisara car and was whisked to my chic pool villa before being ushered to a private yoga session in a stunning waterside sala. Other delights awaited me, for as well as having my juices and shakes made and delivered, I also enjoyed some fantastic pampering at the Trisara spa. It was here that I realized the benefit of spending some time away from home to follow the Purification program. Doing the program at home really does require some serious commitment as you will spend most of your time chopping, washing, juicing or blending your next ‘meal’ of the day; unless of course you are lucky enough to have staff. Being at a hotel resort also gives you the added benefit of having facilities such as yoga, gymnasium or a swimming pool and spa close by which are all recommended throughout the program to assist in the cleansing process.
Additionally, Puriti have just teamed up with Stuart Bird of The Watermark, The Bakery and Ocean Catering to offer Phuket residents the luxury purification process in either the comforts of ones own home, as well as offering Puriti menus via their various outlets. Ocean Catering takes all the hard work out of the preparation all you have to do is take part. For more information please contact e-mail: info@puriti.org Purification? The ultimate gift to ourselves. In our next issue, Tropical Living magazine will be starting a series of articles by Marcus Williamson joint Managing Director of Puriti and also a Clinical Hypnotherapist, NLP Practitioner, Life Coach and former UK Leasing & Finance Specialist.
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The Puriti team were also keen to stress that I should not really work during the process so I compromised and started on the weekend! The night before I had planned on a last supper of a rare Fillet steak served with Dijon mustard, but I received aghast looks on that suggestion as the girls outlined that a steak takes more than 100 hours to digest. “Did I have any more questions?” Deborah and Nadine asked, my reply, “Yes, what do Prunes look like?” 
After day 5 it was pretty much plain sailing from then on, yes I did experience some early side affects, and although I was told I would not feel hungry I did a little; largely because I quickly became bored with the evening broth. However I did feel pretty amazing after the program, with an improved sense of general well being and I certainly felt more alert and energized than I had for years. One of the most significant changes I discovered is that I now consciously consider and carefully choose everything I eat.|
Tropical Living: July 2007, Volume 7 Issue 2 |
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