The breakneck pace of summer in a tourist economy, or anywhere where speed of life means slipping unconsciously into ways of eating that don’t serve us, requires a balancing time of reckoning for Body. Breaking old consuming habits is a wonderful way to cool down the pace, enhancing our lives and helping us feel good about ourselves.

Fasting gives Body a much needed break from the constant work of digestion, and helps initiate a cleanse of the entire digestive tract. There’s nothing like a fast to break up embedded daily routine (what will you do with all that extra time normally spent shopping, cooking and eating?), dissolve cravings, and court epiphany. Fasting brings periods of detoxification for Body (including mental fuzziness) as well as periods of euphoria and great clarity and energy.

There is no “right way” to fast. Simply going without food for a number of days will help to give Body a break from all the digestion energy she normally expends. Some people fast using supplements and lower bowel tonics, others drink copious water and diluted fruit juice. If significant constipation arises, try taking a spoonful of psyllium twice a day in a large glass of water - or a teaspoon or two of Aloe Vera juice. Master Cleanser, aka “hippie whiskey” is a popular fasting aid, composed of a blend of water, lemon juice, cayenne and a dollop of maple syrup. Whether you choose a fasting/cleansing routine or simply listen closely to what your body wants to do in each moment, heavy liquid intake is a key component in helping cleanse the digestive tract.

Ritually entering a fast helps build and strengthen intention. The new moon , particularly a fire or earth moon (especially Virgo) is a wonderful time to begin, constituting an energetic clearing of the decks and the beginning of a new cycle. It can help to bring other types of intentions to such a ritual, such as intentions for change, healing, or new gifts and desires to manifest in your life. I prefer to fast sometime in the fall and/or in the spring; the extremes of temperature and energy output don’t seem to call for Body to fast in summer or winter.

It is every Body’s choice, moment by moment, as to how long to fast…even a day of fasting can help, though I like a three day minimum. I know of folks who’ve done month-long fasts and felt great. However long you choose, when refeeding time is nigh, introduce foods minimally and gradually build up in volume over the first few days. Notice how your mouth has been resensitized (and how desensitized it had gotten just previous to the fast!). It’s a great time to learn to eat slowly and mindfully, paying close attention to when we’ve had enough, including Body in our food choices, and becoming more aware of how we take in nourishment.