There is so much of our body we oftentimes overlook. It’s not until we are faced with a problem that we being to wake up and see what hasn’t been for our highest good. We get so caught up with the mundane that we can find ourselves neglecting our bodies. This lack of awareness can be detremental to our health and well-being if we don’t find ourselves responsible and accountable for our actions.

Earlier this year, I rushed myself to the hospital. It was after a night of fun where I went and saw Explosions in the Sky with my two best friends. I woke up in the morning with the most excruciating pain. This pain started from my back and wrapped around my waist on the right side of my body. What felt like a huge gas bubble was anything but that. For months, I was feeling lethargic, exhausted, unmotivated, and overall not feeling well. I was in a grieving phase of my life, working through the recent transition of my Grandmother. My stress levels were high. My candida came back and my body felt like she was shutting down. While I was the smallest I’ve ever been after releasing 55 lbs, my body was not feeling the greatest. I felt like I was at another bottom and I was not going to allow myself to fall deeper into my dark hole. I had a much better relationship with myself, with my soul, and knew that all of this was coming up to be released. Luckily I had the tools to get through the emotional and mental challenges I was facing, but this time, I didn’t know what there was for me to do.

I did my morning Sadhana and was on my way to go to yoga, hoping that stretching and Kundalini would help. It got to the point that I couldn’t even move. I made it downstairs and somehow got in the car, but it was a struggle. I didn’t know if I needed something to eat , so I ended up picking up an acai bowl, but it wasn’t that either. I found myself in front of my yoga studio but I couldn’t get out of the car. I called my mom and asked her what I should do and she suggested I rush over to the hospital because I may be having appendicitis.

GREAT. That was all that was going through my mind along with the excruciating pain. I rolled up to the ER and I literally had to pull myself up with the steering wheel just to sit up and get out of the car. Usually, you walk into the ER and there is a grip of people waiting to be seen. Luckily, I was in Encinitas where people are a little more health conscious so there aren’t as many people who are sick hanging out in the ER. All that was in the room was a good looking guy who broke his leg and was getting a check up.

I was able to walk in, have my pulse and vitals checked and was directed straight into a room. Blood work, urine samples, and an ultrasound later, the doctor concluded that I had gallstones. While I was in my hospital room waiting for results, my mentor who works with Deepak Chopra had a good idea what was going on with me even before the doctor came in. By pressing on the web between my thumb and Jupiter Index finger, it was severely swollen. This was a pressure point for my gallbladder. I asked the doctor how many were in there and her only response… “Lots.” She gave me a prescription for pain medicine and then one to help with the side effects of that prescription, she gave me one for constipation. YEAH RIGHT. I politely declined and told her that it was against my moral code. She asked if I wanted to have it removed and again, I politely declined.

I found myself on my way out of the hospital knowing that I have these green guys inside me. This was my doing. My behaviors, thoughts, and actions from the past created these little buggers inside of me.

WHY we need our GALLBLADDER

If you aren’t aware of what the gallbladder does, it’s a rather important organ. There are no accidents as to why we have these body parts. Our gallbladder stores our excess bile created from our liver. We need this bile for digestive purposes. This tiny organ is about 3.1 inches in length and 1.6 inches in diameter when it is fully swollen.

Because the liver produces at least 1.5 liters of bile a day in order to maintain a healthy digestive system, we need this bile in order to efficiently send the nutrients we need to all of our cells in our body. When we are faced with gallstones, we risk the bile from reaching our intestines which prevent us from detoxification, adds stress to the liver and your entire body. Everything is connected in the world, let alone in our bodies. You are only as strong as your weakest player. All health problems are directly or indirectly rooted to the health of our gallbladder and liver. If we aren’t getting the essential nutrients, dis-ease is bound to happen in our bodies.

Gallstones develop when there is a high amount of cholesterol in the bile secreted from your liver. Bile is the medicine that helps us break down and dissolve our cholesterol.

While I never had cholesterol problems, there were many other factors as to why these bad boys came about.

Getting to the ROOT

A few days before I was in the hospital, I was released from a toxic situation my paranoia brought upon for 4 years. This was my body protecting me and telling me that it was time to really let go of that story that no longer served. As I was going through this process, I had a lot of time to think and reflect. I love being a dot connector. Taking inventory of my own life, I unleashed my inner Carmen San Diego and did some investigating within my own journey. I allowed fear and doubt to run the show for over 20 years of my life. I was holding on to toxic relationships, beliefs, fears, and stories even though none of them were real. I grew up overweight because I was depressed. I had extremely low self-esteem and a low sense of self-worth. I binged on drugs for awhile. I had poor eating habits for a long time. I went years without exercise. Didn’t drink enough water. When you look at this, you see how my life was toxic at one point. It was inevitable for me to get blessed with these gallstones. THIS was what it took for me to wake up and see what needed to change. Three years before, I was in the hospital having an ultrasound on my thyroid to see if I had thyroid cancer. As the thyroid and the gallbladder are closely related, my body was telling me years before to become aware of what was happening inside my body.

CLEANSING WITH INTENTION

With this week-long program, I started my cleanse on a Monday so that I could become BFFs with my toilet on Sunday. While I’ve done this flush 3 times already, I always continue to pass stones on day 8. I made sure my mental health was solid where I wouldn’t be stressed with home and work. Essentially, my body is experiencing a holistic surgery. Rest is key, so I made sure it wasn’t before a festival, any gathering, or trip. I noticed my best results when I engulfed myself in the cleanse between the full and new moon, starting the preparation 5-6 days before the full moon. I love doing this flush during solstice and equinox season. The energy is already supporting to release what no longer serves and to calibrate the energy of the planet, so why not release the pent up toxic energy and matter that’s been calling my body home.

THE GALLBLADDER FLUSH JOURNEY

While I was in the hospital, I started doing my research as to how I could heal myself. The shaman in me knows that I am my own medicine and that the body has the power to heal herself. What I found was this awesome book from Andreas Moritz called “The Liver and Gallbladder Miracle Cleanse.” I sat down and literally read that book within a day. This was a man who was a medical intuitive, and Ayurvedic practitioner, someone who understood the body in a holistic manner. I trusted his work and his dedication over the greed of what our healthcare system has been about up until now. I care about my body and I believe there are reasons why we have the body parts and organs we have. I knew that I needed to take the matter in my hands and reclaim power over my health and well-being.

As part of the book’s protocol, I juiced 5-7 Granny Smith Apples. The malic acid from the apples helps break down the stone which leads to a smoother passing. Alongside apples, I added lemon, two beets, and turmeric. All of these were added to help me flush and take care of my liver while going through this week-long journey. This yielded me about a liter of fresh pressed juice, a concoction I made for 6 days. While I was on this diet, I was also aware of what I was eating. I limited my fats, fried food, overeating, red meat, dairy and focused more on greens and organic produce with LOTS of water.

Once day 6 came along, I ate light meals. For breakfast, I recommend oatmeal. It’s suggested to avoid sugar or other sweeteners and to stay away from spices, milk, butter, oils, yogurt, cheese, meat, eggs, and nuts. Fruit is acceptable. For lunch, aim for something light, rice and steamed veggies with a little bit of sea salt is perfect. Stay away from protein foods. I stopped eating at 2 pm and prepared myself for a journey. What was about to occur next was the most challenging part of the experience, but the results are always worth it.

I concocted 4 tablespoons of food grade Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) to a total of 24 oz (three 8oz glasses) of filtered water, making four servings, each. Epsom Salt is used to help dilate and widen the bile ducts, making it easy for the stones to pass. At 6pm and 8pm I drank this bitter concoction and it sucks. Years of beer chugging and shotgunning in college finally brought forth its purpose. I used a plastic straw to help me chug it down so that it wouldn’t touch my taste buds. I added some fresh squeezed lemon juice to help with the taste. Coconut water was my saving grace and helped me get through the rounds of bitterness.

At 9:45pm I began to prepare my final concoction. Squeezing 3/4 glass of grapefruit juice, combined it with 1/2 cup of olive oil into a pint jar and shook it like a Polaroid picture.

10pm… go time. Drinking it before I got into bed, I was about to really embark on this journey. I was able to connect with my liver as I was preparing to release the toxins that have been trapped in my body. We were all being free.

6am + 8am called for me to drink Epsom salt two more times. I had to mentally prepare myself for it, but I was able to get through it. By 7am, I already passed 50 gallstones. I was amazed to see how many were in there! Sizes ranged from a quarter to little pellets and everything in between.

After 3 flushes, I’ve passed well over 200 gallstones! What really helped me get through this journey over the past 4 months was acupuncture and healthy eating as well as releasing my own toxic thoughts, emotions, and stories that no longer served. I knew I had the strength and the power to be my own medicine. These gallstones were the consequence of my past actions, behaviors, and beliefs. I allowed my emotions and my thoughts to take away my power up until now.

Having met people over the months and for them to tell me, “Oh, I had my gallbladder removed. It’s not that big of a deal. You’ll go home right after…” that was NEVER an option for me. Since doing this flush, I’ve recognized where in my life things needed to change. I stopped craving the foods I know aren’t the best choice for me as my intention on releasing these gallstones was to also release the cravings of what no longer served. This flush has allowed me to regain my power as I work on healing my Solar Plexus chakra. I am here to have a better relationship with my gut and my intuition and the foods I ingest contribute to my choices and actions. Eating healthy, living healthy and being healthy is a lifestyle shift I choose to live. I know I can never go back. This is where my life is at this moment and I honor everything that has happened in my life up until now. All of this has been divinely guided and it has taught me so much.

As I continue to release what no longer serves within my body, I am witnessing things in my life that no longer serve beginning to release. Through action, I continue to show the Universe I am ready to welcome in the Miracles. I am working diligently to be proactive as I find myself in alignment with my highest calling. Me releasing these gallstones has allowed me to elevate my own vibration as I take care and honor my temple.

Surgery isn’t your last resort. With hard work and dedication, you have the power to take back your health and to regenerate a healthy and functioning gallbladder. If I could do it, I can promise you, you’ve got this. I believe in you, but you must be willing to believe in yourself.

Have you been experiencing any of these symptoms? What is it you are willing to release and let go of? What are you doing in your life to live your best life forward? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

If you’re interested in working with me and working through the habits that no longer serve you and you’re ready to reclaim your power, let’s work together. Together, we can THRIVE. I believe in you and I want you to know that your power is in your hands.

 

*before beginning any diet, consult with your doctor or physician.