Three years ago, my blood test did not show the usual results that medical standards consider normal. My cholesterol, uric acid, and liver enzymes were high. Although my doctor said the numbers were nothing to be alarmed about, I took immediate action and called Cathy Turville, a holistic practitioner and owner of Nurture Spa in Tagaytay. She reminded me that I just came from Paris where I indulged in rich, high caloric meals that French cuisine is noted for and assured me that after I normalize my diet and wine intake, my next blood test would show good results.
But the alarmist in me was insistent on taking some action so she put me on a six-day detox program that her spa prescribes to sick clients.
Going through a detox program requires a definitive mindset wherein you allow your mind to control your appetite and taste buds. You have to tell yourself firmly that for a few days you are a vegan and should not crave meat, protein, and dairy products. It was difficult for the first two days, but after that, I cruised along and challenged myself to finish the program. The feeling of wellness after my detox week showed in my new blood test results instantly. I felt like a new person, rejuvenated and bursting with renewed energy.
Three years had passed since then and once again, I felt the need for another detoxification process. A friend talked me into trying the detox program at Neo Day Spa which she claims got rid of her constant feeling of bloatedness.
Here is the detox program that I just finished and which I highly recommend. It was conceptualized by US certified fitness nutritionist Nadine Tengco aided by the Neo Day Spa team.
Formula: the Ultimate Detox program combines phyto-enzyme detox juices, vegan detox meals, and signature detoxifying spa therapies and treatments to cleanse, banish belly bloat, reduce weight, and deliver fast results in just three days.
My experience began (pre-spa day) and ended (post-spa day) with deliveries of vegan detox meals. On the second day, I spent the whole day at the Spa. Spa day is when you escape for a whole day (approximately six hours) at Neo Day Spa, where you are lavished with detoxifying body treatments while being served phytonutrient-dense detox juices. The phytonutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory herbs and spices in the detox juices, live food, and cleansing soup aid in flushing and reducing inflammation and bloating.
Some of the ingredients used are: lemongrass, ginger, cilantro, basil, parsley, tarragon, spinach, wheatgrass, banana, pineapple, papaya, lemon, cinnamon, turmeric, cloves, cayenne, stevia, pumpkin, bell pepper.
The detox food, soups, and salads are prepared fresh daily. The juices are also freshly pressed and blended. No preservatives are added. The system guarantees the preservation of phyto enzymes for up to 36 hours after delivery, provided you keep the food and juices chilled. It provides you with the nutrition you need to make it through your day and to promote your body’s detoxification function and therefore it is necessary to consume the full menu.
However, not everyone responds to a cleanse in the same way. Some experiences include heightened energy levels, a feeling of lightness, and clarity of mind and emotions. Others experience fatigue, aches and pains, emotional duress, headaches, or cold and flu-like symptoms. These reactions are sometimes called healing crises, which are caused by temporary increased levels of toxins in the body due to elimination and cleansing.
I was encouraged though to exercise if I could manage it since exercise aids in the flushing and detoxification process. The point of the cleanse is to create movement, to help your body pass things along. Although weight lifting or strength training routines during the program are discouraged, dancing, brisk walking, yoga or maybe even a swim are recommended. Take it easy, you are cleansing!
This was the menu given me. It was tasty and I did not feel hungry at all.
DAY 1
Breakfast: warm lemon water, banana flaxseed pancakes with muscovado syrup
Snack 1: spicy lemonade (cleanse formula)
Lunch: miso soup, vegan sushi
Snack 2: vegetable crudite with vegan boursin cheese
Dinner: vegetarian phad thai
DAY 2: SPA DAY
Pre-spa menu:
Breakfast: Banana Blast (weight loss formula)
Lunch: raw food phad thai salad and Detox Solution
While I was in the spa for six hours, I was given these: chili lemongrass (weight loss formula), toxi-flush drink, grasshopper drink (weight loss formula), electrolyte drink, sesame rice crackers, and lemongrass tea.
Post-spa dinner:
Raw food tom yam cleansing soup and Ginger Limeade (weight loss formula)
DAY 3: POST DETOX
Breakfast: warm lemon water, malunggay Asian rice
Snack 1: detox in a bottle (cleanse formula)
Lunch: Vietnamese fresh spring rolls with tangy lime dipping sauce, pomelo salad with Oriental dressing
Snack 2: rawlicious Mango Trifle
Dinner: japchae Korean stir-fry noodles
My treatments were: sauna, seaweed bath, scrub/exfoliation, brown algae wrap, lymphatic massage, coffee colonic to stimulate liver to produce bile (I also had this during my detox program at Nurture Spa).
Explanation: The coffee solution stimulates both the liver and the gallbladder to release toxins, which are then flushed out of the body.
Take note: Isotonic fluids are given post treatment to maintain the electrolyte balance .
To keep the momentum up for weight loss and health, there is a follow-up with Nadine’s gentle system detox eating plan and guidelines to break the detox program.
I am one satisfied client and I am so happy with my results that I am now sharing them with everyone I know.
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Interested parties can call the Neo Day Spa front desk at 815-8233/815-6948/0921-4779999. Neo Day Spa is located at the ground floor, Net One Center bulding, 26th corner 3rd Ave., Bonifacio, Global City.
Call Nurture Spa in Tagaytay at 632-7109786; e-mail info@nurture.com.ph.