Back to Basics

That's what this is all about. I tried not to pack anything unnecessary, and the majority of my (small) suitcase was books and bikinis. Other essentials included shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush and floss. Noticeably absent were anything containing chemicals or that I use to try and look good: make-up, perfume, jewelry, hair dryer and other various accoutrements.

It's not easy to go au naturel for 9 days. I feel bad for women who *must* wear make-up to leave the house, especially if they put it on just to go sweat it off at the gym, or to get coffee in the morning. I don't think they're really trying to impress their barista (well, some might be) but guess they're so used to wearing it that they think they look bad without it. I'm not different from them -- I do look better with with makeup, so yes it is hard to feel like you look ok without it -- but fight the urge to try and look good all the time. It's important to be at least comfortable with yourself as you are, which for me is slightly pale and under-age looking. ;>

Fasting helps you reconnect with your body... in ways you don't even want to hear about. For me it's less about self-image and body than an exercise in reconnecting with your mind. My life revolves around food, as does most everyone else's (to varying degrees). Eating is one of our most basic, fundamental and enjoyable habits. When and what I eat dictates my schedule, my social life and how I feel. Remove eating and the complete structure and framework for the day is gone -- and for me, the elimination of that structure liberates my mind. Without getting too metahysical on this, it basically means I am free to do, think and feel without the barriers of regular life. Not eating does the same for the body -- without all that food to digest three times a day (or in my case, every two to three hours) it is free to focus on all sorts of neglected things that it just doesn't usually have time to deal with. It's hard to believe, but coming out of this you feel like a whole new person.

So, let the fast begin.