In Spite of all the difficulties that the lockdown may be creating, it provides many good opportunities too. 

One such golden chance is to do a Backlog clearance for our body.

It is a very simple, do-it-at-home detox. We can use these 3 weeks (or 2) for systematic fasting and give our body a chance to recover from all the burden we keep on loading on it day after day.

Why must we do it now only?

Eating less food is possible and beneficial only when our activities are limited too.

This is probably the only time in years when we get a full 3 weeks of minimal activity. No rushing to the office, no travelling, no deadlines, no school, no tiffin, not even shopping…nothing.

What are the benefits?

• First and foremost, it will help keep the body environment non conducive for infections. Worms, insects, viruses and bacteria thrive where waste is available. Never in clean spaces.
• It will strengthen the digestive fire.
• It will help clear out stored waste from deeper tissue and organ levels. As soon as the daily food load on the stomach reduces, it gets time to clear out the backlog.
• You will feel a great sense of lightness and flexibility in the body. Energy levels improve.
• Minor aches and pains, gases, indigestion, acidity etc will vanish without medicines. Skin blemishes will reduce.
• Soon the mind feels relaxed and alert too. Can lead to creativity, clarity and insights on topics that we usually don’t have time for. Much better able to handle daily chaos

What is the diet to be followed?

It is very simple. Eat as per the following ONLY after feeling a strong sense of hunger.

• Wake up latest by 7am
• Have warm water throughout the day whenever thirsty.
• Can take your morning tea/coffee. Keep it to half a cup only. Add ginger and cardamom to It.
• Skip breakfast. Wait till you feel really hungry.
• Then have lunch. That will be green gram (moong) soup. (Not to be cooked in a pressure cooker. Soak well and let it cook till soft) Add only cumin, curry leaves, ginger, salt and turmeric.

Alternatively, 

*Can have mixed vegetable soup.

*Salad

*Papaya or Sweet Lime or oranges (Avoid fruits if having a cold or cough)

• Then again wait till good hunger sensation and have dinner. This should not be later than 7pm. Any simple vegetable with chapati (wheat/jowar/bajra/ragi) Chapati quantity should be half of how many you usually have. Or Moong dal khichdi
• Do not have anything post dinner except sips of water.
• Sleep latest by 10 pm.

What else can be added to this regimen?

• Herbal tea like tulsi+ginger+turmeric+coriander seeds with little jaggery or honey
• Honey in boiled and cooled water.
• Triphala churna with warm water at bedtime
• Mild yoga
• Meditation

Note

• Totally stop all fermented, dairy, bakery, stale and fried foods.
• At any point when you start feeling hungry, stay with the feeling. Eat when you feel energy levels dropping. That is real hunger.

You will be surprised to know how much food we really need and how much we eat!

Go ahead..give it a try and make the most of this lock-down.