Early this week, I visited an alternative medicine doctor to have myself checked because I haven’t been feeling well these last few months. I’ve been switching to more organic and cleaner methods of fixing my body, influenced by the fiance, so I now prefer avoiding manufactured meds.

I found out that my liver is quite fatty and dirty, and she only looked at my tongue and my blood test results from October of last year. She mentioned that my tongue has ridges now, teeth marks, because my tongue is swollen. That is apparently caused by a bad liver. I also found out that my kidneys are indolent.

She recommended that I go on a 3-day Fruit Diet of warm fruits such as papaya, guyabano, pineapples, apples, bananas and mangoes. The first two I don’t like, so I stuck to bananas, apples, mangoes, and pineapples (not canned). And lots of water.

It’s my second day on this Fruit Diet and it’s been really hard. I’ve been craving a lot of rich and savory dishes. But just dinner for today and one more day to go until I’m on my way to a healthier liver.

Aside from that though, she also told me that I need to balance my “life force” and gave me a mental exercise of recalling the day’s events in backward chronological order.

I know it sounds kind of out there and might not necessarily work for everyone, but hopefully this works for me because I really need to help my body be the age it is or even younger. I can’t be 26 years old and have a 50-year old’s body.

Do you believe in alternative medicine?

I haven’t been blogging here as much lately, and mostly it’s because life happened. Yes, finally, I got one. I also got engaged August of last year and we’ve been slowly canvassing for suppliers and planning the details since, but only went full force on it a few weeks ago. New work, new life, new responsibilities are taking so much of my time.

But I’m taking this moment to reconnect with all of you because I did something that I really want to share.

Middle of last year, I heard about Juju Cleanse. It’s the brainchild of Kat Azanza, along with her husband David. Having come from parents who are into alternative health and had put up The Farm at San Benito, Kat was fully aware of what goes into human bodies and how best to keep our bodies in tiptop shape.

I have to tell you that since last year, I’ve been feeling sluggish and would have a really hard time sleeping. I felt that it was because of my lifestyle - I ate whatever I wanted, slept at odd hours (and very little too), and did not exercise at all. I knew that I wanted to cleanse my body of its toxins because I believed that the symptoms I was experiencing was connected to how dirty my insides were, but there was no easy way of doing it at the time.

So when I heard of Juju Cleanse, I immediately looked it up and wanted to try it out but I chose not to afford it. Fast forward to last Wednesday when I read from their Twitter account that they had a 10% discount promo that was about to end so I impulsively called up and ordered. No way was I going to pass up a 10% discount.

Days later and with my first day of cleansing successfully done, there are NO REGRETS.

First-timers have the option to choose the 1-day Level 1 cleanse but I was feeling brave enough and I tried out the 3-day Level 1 cleanse (consists of 2x Green Bomb, 1x Spicy Limonada, 1x Red Giant, 1x Alkazest, and 1x Salaba’t Lemon). Level 1 is the lowest in “intensity”, still with more fruits than veggies, while Level 3 is for those who want to go all veggie. You also have the option to cleanse for 5 days.

I started my day with mint tea, leaves provided by them as well. I started a bit later than the schedule written on the info sheet that comes with every order, so I just adjusted throughout the day.

I was bracing myself for the strangeness that my body was about to undertake but I did not feel hungry at all during the entire day. I felt like I was hollow though, but no hunger pains or cravings. And the juices were yummy. Believe me, I don’t really like vegetables in juice form but even the normally dreaded Green Bomb and Red Giant were yummy for me.

I was burping the whole day, and peeing a lot too, but I’m glad that happened because that means my body is flushing out the bad stuff.

And this has to be said, Kat is such a nice person to talk to. She is accommodating. I changed my delivery option to pick-up and then back to delivery and she didn’t complain at all. Her pick-up point in Valle Verde 4 is so easy to get to. And she answers queries and even asked me how I was doing with my cleanse. Whether that was just really good service or she’s just a really nice person, it doesn’t matter. I feel happy about it either way.

I’m still not sure which juice is my favorite but I’m sure that by the end of my 3rd day, I’ll have one. Hoping my second day is as smooth-sailing as my first. This will definitely not be my last time doing this.

And who doesn’t like great packaging? The bottles are beautifully crafted, and as the fiance pointed out, are designed to keep the temperature (low as needed). The bag the bottles come in is also wonderful and I’m sure that I can use it for other purposes since it’s lined to keep things cool as well.

Excited for what today’s cleansing experience will be like! And even more excited to achieve NOT EATING SOLIDS for 3 days haha.

If you’re interested, and some of your probably are, go ahead and email Kat at info@juju.com.ph. You can also click the links below to learn more about this new alternative health option.

Juju Who? Juju Why? Juju What? Juju Which?

I’ll be with the rest of the Ripple100 team at The Bull Runner Dream Marathon Bull Circle event in R.O.X. Bonifacio High Street later tonight to chronicle stories for MoveforMove100. Registration starts at 6:30pm and the talk starts at 7pm.

Hear stories from Miriam Valero (TBR Dream Alumna) and Coach Jim Saret (prep for a marathon).

You can give us your stories of running, biking, and swimming as well. Just look for anyone who has this pin. We’ll be more than happy to listen to you and capture your story!

This event is free and open to the public so come and join us!

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And if you’re curious, Ripple100 believes in the power of stories. Our first advocacy campaign is called MoveforMove100 (new format by January 2012) and here, we capture characters, stories and events that get you to run, bike, and swim. Basically, a move for move.

If you’re interested to watch the videos that we already have up and get to know more about us, please check out our website.

Running isn’t just a fad. More and more people are finding personal reasons to start starting and stop stopping.

Want to see the numbers? Click on the photo to view a larger version. Just find the INTROGRAPHIC tab on top of the MoveforMove.org website and click it.

We’d love to read what you think so don’t forget to leave a comment. You can also LIKE our Facebook page for updates and to read the ongoing conversations and storylines from other Filipino runners and running enthusiasts.

Reblogs are most welcome too. :)

And so this is dinner, after a run on the treadmill. I know, oatmeal is neither vegetable nor fruit but it’s a healthy grain that completes the balanced diet. I think.

Plus lots of fiber and no cholesterol too!

I mixed in 1 1/2 cups of soy milk, 1 1/2 tbsp of brown sugar, half an apple (cubed) and a pinch of cinnamon in this one and it tastes so good.

I’m used to eating oatmeal with condensed milk and whole milk but I just might change my ways completely after this successful batch of healthier oatmeal.

Say hello to my lunch! During the start of the week, I decided to go on an all-veggie-and-fruit diet and I’m determined to stay on it for at least 2 weeks.

A few months ago, I had started feeling sluggish almost everyday and no amount of sleep or pampering made me feel better. I had also gained some weight so my mind figured that it must be all the junk I’ve been eating.

Since moving back to Manila 3 years ago, eating out has been a frequent activity especially because a lot of yummy food places opened up. Yes, they serve delicious food but they’re also probably serving a lot of calories and cholesterol. My recent blood test results say that I’m still good with cholesterol and sugar levels but I’d really rather get back the energy I once had.

I know it’s going to be hard to stay on this cleansing habit but I think I owe this to myself.

Is anyone else cleansing their system too? Let’s encourage each other!