A Non-Eating Food Post
by Matt O'Grady
This is a bit different kind of ‘food’ post because it actually has to do with not eating food. At this point hopefully I didnt lose you already! I just wanted to share a pretty amazing personal experience I have had with NOT eating…and before I go any farther I just want to say that I think it is very important that before anyone experiments with not eating for any length of time more than a few waking hours it is very important that you seek the guidance of a health professional.
Just a quick note on my history of eating, I LOVE food. I love the the look, the taste, the aromas, the textures, I love food shopping, cooking and eating out. I love thinking about the energy and health of the food as I am chewing it and visualizing the vitamins and all around good things it is bringing to my body.
So, please know that not eating, and doing a cleanse of any kind feels like a tremendous sacrifice before I start it, which I think it would be to most people. However, I have done it not to punish myself or try to hinder one of life’s greatest pleasures but just the opposite. I have found that this type of conscious effort actually increases my enjoyment, appreciation and love of food. A quick note on my cleansing history: I have done several cleanses, from herbal teas, juice and just overall not eating anything but I have always had WATER and lots of it, and think that is a very integral piece to having a successful cleanse experience.
After the holidays I had felt very ‘over-full’ of rich, heavy, sweet, spicy meaty foods. I decided I was going to do a cleanse and as I started my research I kept coming across the ‘Master Cleanse’, which in all honesty I first heard about over 10 years ago while going to holistic college in San Diego. I thought it was pretty ridiculous back then even though people I knew and respected thought well of it. I’d like to think I have matured quite a bit and I have a much more open mind since those days! As I took a closer look at it, and I read the testimonials that are all over the web (btw, just google ‘master cleanse’) I was impressed with how many people talked about the amazing results that they had experienced, such as increased energy, feeling lighter, more alive, healthier and not hungry believe or not!
Well I must admit after following it for 4 days, I have had a very similar experience. However I had some other experiences that I am going to share, but before I get ahead of myself I want to share what I drank each day. I started the day off with 25 oz of salt water, and then throughout the day I drank the concoction of maple syrup, lemon and cayenne pepper (if you try this go light on the cayenne until you get used to it, its HOT!) I had about 60-80 oz of this per day along with my weight in oz’s of water and without going details was about 200 ounces per day! 
At night I also had some smooth move tea and that was what I consumed everyday for over 80+ hours. On the 4th day I had some vegetable broth and an orange at night and then came back the 5th day with some organic multi grain bread to warm my belly up and lots more fruit and broth.
I had not gone on any sort of real cleanse or fast in about 6 years, the experience for me is always one of trepidation and at times actual fear. The food addictions in me are so strong to meat, eggs, cheese and of course my cookies and milk at night! (No wonder I am 200+ lbs on a 5′ 10″ frame!) However, that is just the experience leading up to the cleanse, not the actual doing of it. During the actual doing of this cleanse I was happy as a clam(pun intended)! I was shocked by how much TIME I had, not thinking, planning meals, shopping, making lists of food, spending time at restaurants, eating at a family member or friends house……There was an absolute abundance of TIME, and that is a very precious commodity as I think we can probably all agree on. With that time I also was able to add in things that I love to do such as being grateful, writing, meditating, yoga, chi kung, reading Rumi, Hafiz, Eckhart Tolle, Emmet Fox, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, and watching great movies such as Ben Hur. It was as if all of sudden I added about 6-8 hours in my day, oh yeah thats because I had!
As some of my friends would be happy to attest to (shut up, Lenn), I do eat abnormally slow, but that taken account I really did have much more time than usual on the wknd and during the morning and evening after work. I was thinking I need to do this more often just for the time it creates alone! I also saved a bunch of money, my wife joined me on this adventure and we marveled at how little $ it took to ‘feed’ us on this cleanse. $6 on organic maple syrup, $11 on a case of spring water, $8 on organic lemons, cayenne we already had, but even so its like $4, uniodized salt we already had too but its really just a few cents worth really and smooth move tea another $4, so you can live on this cleanse for 4 days for only $33 for 2 people! Hey its a great way to do some quick saving in a crunch, haha.
Another piece of this adventure I found so interesting was the absolute lack of refuse we had. I looked in the garbage can after 2 days and I couldn’t believe how little trash we had accumulated. So even beyond the health benefits there were some other great lessons in this cleanse for me, not to mention I noticed I could see more clearly and hear more acutely, not sure what that is connected to but it was quite evident to me. Would love to hear any thoughts, ideas or responses you may have as well as any cleansing/fasting experiences you would be interested to share. Happy Cleansing!
11 comments
HOW DID YOU GO ON BASICALLY JUST WATER FOR ALL THAT TIME?!?! I am an eater like you are. (especially a chocoholic) I am interested in your cleansing process and would love to have more time with clear thoughts and serenity, but I just don’t have the will power to do that. There is not an hour that goes by without thinking of food.
Matt~ Very interesting! I might have to give this a shot one day. Or should I say 4 days?
The longest I’ve gone without eating was most likely when I had a bad flu (Irish or regular flu)
What does this cleanse in your body? Does it remove toxins? What are the physical results from this?
~Ed
One of the things that I’ve most enjoyed about fasting is the simplicity it’s afforded me and the clarity it provided as a result. I’ve often found the practice helpful during intense decision-making periods as it’s made it much easier to see the difference between the important and the not-so-much. I think the improved sight you mentioned really parallels the spiritual and emotional insights that are possible. Thanks for posting… you’ve reminded me that it’s just about time for me to do another cleanse.
Matt - you are superhuman! I’m sure that 25 oz of salt water will never work for me (among other nondesirables in that daily hit list). In the end, I certainly do not have the willpower or dedication to perform any sort of cleanse. Also, I can’t imagine going to work and dealing with 75 poorly parented 5th graders on an empty stomach. There would be ‘issues’! God bless bro!
Thanks for all your comments. Michelle on this cleanse, you certainly drink quite a bit of water but its the sugars in the maple syrup that really keeps you going, trust me I really started to look forward to the lemon/maple/cayenne concoction for energy. After just a few sips I could feel the body relax and feel more contented. In all seriousness I didn’t feel hungry after the first day and in my opinion that had more to do with my emotional addictions to food than anything else. Ed, I am not a medical doctor, but from what I have studied one of the main benefits, physically from this type of cleanse is that it gives the body a much needed rest. For example the liver is dealing with the toxins that we take through our skin from the air, the unhealthy creams, soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, etc that we ingest not even to mention all the unhealthy processed foods we eat and drink. So basically when going on a fast or cleanse one of the many benefits for the body is basically giving it a chance to catch up! Kiki, i couldn’t agree more. Jay of course you could! I am many things and superhuman is def not one of them! Bit thanks for the compliment and good luck with those 5th graders!
I am the worst when it comes to trying something new or purposely causing discomfort. Matt needs to talk me into new experiences all the time. With that said (Jay) I did it. Started Saturday, went through Sunday and on to work (teaching 4th graders) on an ‘empty stomach’. It wasn’t horrible. there were some real benefits to the clease. I would do it again. Not in two weeks but maybe in two months. Its amazing how strong you find you are when you give up something as “important” as food has become in our society. Give it a whirl the worst that could happen is you can’t get past the salt water!
PS I did not get past the salt water I drank a smooth move tea in the morning instead and it all worked out fine.
One step at a time for me . . . I have begun eliminating certain things from my diet (soda, stretches avoiding alocohol, working on trimming the sugars) and I do feel the benefits.
One thing that would be helpful to discuss about the cleanse is the steps. Not all cleanses start w/ 4 days off of food, baby steps are key for me.
The other thought, people burning 3000+ calories a day need to be more cautious w/ the type of cleanse. If I skippied out on food for 4 days I would be looking forward to the hallucinations! I can hear it now “for only 34 cents a day you can support starving Kevin in colorado. . .”
a clense has been on my “radar” for quite some time now, but, i have always been “scared” of such an undertaking…not so much for the actual lack of food or change in diet (afterall i have been known to eat the same exact meals for b’fast and lunch for days on end) but moreso for the affect it will have on my body during the clense. without getting too graphic, when i can take the time to get up from my desk to use the restroom is not always chioce, but, rather when i have the time. having said all that, it sounds like you have much more info to share about this most recent clense that you did, and i look forward to talking with you more about it to see if it may be in my future!
E
It is awesome that you were able to go 4 days without eating. As you know, I am in the food industry, so unless I didn’t go to work for 4 days, I don’t know how I would survive. Other than pure determination, what do you think I would be able to do while working?
Should I become your pledge for 4 days
-Adam
Matt,
Sounds like the fast was a really liberating experience for you- thanks for sharing your insights. Having just completed an involuntary 3 sips of water a day for 4 days Flu Fast- your experience sounds way better than mine!! While I have hesitations about long fasts, I do think the master cleanse has benefits. For me, 2 days is the max - and not due to hunger issues….it is more due to health issues (and not those mild like flu symptoms that are said to be possible when you fast). I do think every body is different – we have different nutritional needs and different reactions etc. So, in addition to getting a doctor’s ok, I also think it is very important to listen to your own body and how you feel. Glad you found so many benefits from it.
WOW!!!!!!! I never knew you were so passionate about food. My husband always teases me. When I’m having breakfast, I am discussing lunch.lunch dinner and so on. I too love eating. Especially Greek and Italian.In fact, when I plan a trip to Ny or anywhere I make plans based on where my favorite restaurants are . By the way, if you have never tried COlbeh. You must!!!!!!!! It is a persian restaurant in Great Neck. By far, my favorite restaurant!!!
Aha !! I see you are happily married as well . Mazel Tov. And a teacher yet!!!! Good for you Matt.
I am impressed with your discipline in fasting . Sounds like you are doing really well and I am happy for you.
p.s I enjoyed reading your blogs.
p/ps I noticed in one of your blogs, you stated you were a reluctant father. My husband is 15 years older than me and really was not interested in becoming a dad.
Believe me he is the most amazing father. His life is so enriched and fulfilled by having her. Being a parent is the greatest gift in the world.
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