Something New and Definitely Different

If you've been reading my blog you know that I have been trying to eat healthy, lose weight, etc. I was doing great for a while and then I don't know something changed and I went back to my old eating habits and I saw every choice show up on my body.

Before we went on vacation I vowed that when we got back I would start over for the last time. I started with the 10 day Green Smoothie Detox Cleanse. I'm actually on Day 7 as I write this. I've done so much reading on the purposes of detox and what to do while detoxing. Almost every article and book mentions cleansing the colon. One of the ways mentioned in the book, by JJ Smith, suggests taking Mag 07 pills. I'm not much for taking pills so that didn't appeal to me. It also mentions a salt water flush. Well, I tried that before and nothing happened. So, for this cleanse I wanted to do an effective colon cleanse. I looked up benefits of colon cleansing and in addition to aiding in the detox process, it is said to help with clear skin (I've been struggling with that for a little while now), help with regular bowel movements, flatten the stomach (Yes, PLEASE!) and to get rid of all toxins.

I researched colon hydrotherapy and found a few places that offered them. All of them are in Dubai. The one place that I was sold on, their therapist is on vacation and will go on maternity leave shortly after she returns. So, the research had to continue.

I found another place, read the reviews and decided to reach out and check their availability. I'm going to Dubai Herbal & Treatment Center.

They emailed me back the very next day and told me that they had availability for today! TODAY! I'm going to get a Colon Hydrotherapy in just a few short hours. I've read up on what I could experience afterwards and what to expect during. I'm nervous but I'm ready!

We get to Dubai Herbal & Treatment Center and my stomach falls. The nervousness sets in. We go inside, I fill out a few forms, and I wait. After just a few minutes (enough time for me to go the restroom) a nurse comes and takes me to a little office. They take my blood pressure, weight, and height. I notice that I've lost a little weight. Insert smiley face! 😀

More waiting. The therapist comes and takes me to the procedure room. We get to the room and it looks calming. She gives me a nice gown to put on and as I'm putting it on I'm talking myself into calmness. I come out of the restroom and she asks me to lay on the table and turn on my side. As I'm laying there she asks me a few questions and without warning I feel it. She inserts a tube into my butt (for lack of a better word)!

Now I begin to breathe so deep. Thank goodness I've been doing yoga these last few days. LOL!

I'm laying there and questioning myself.

Why did I choose to do this?

Why am I here?

She tells me what is about to happen. Water is going to be slowly sent into my colon. When I feel cramps I need to let her know but I need to try and hold as much water as I can.

I tried to be a trooper and hold in as much as I could. I kept feeling like I had to ____________ fill in whatever word you use for making a bowel movement. After a little while I let her know I couldn't hold any more and then relief came along with her pushing on my abs.

I'm not going to go into detail about what she said next but she pretty much narrated what she saw.

After about 5 or so times of the filling with water and the release and her narration, it was over. She took the tube out and I went to the bathroom...again! As I walked out I did feel lighter. Now I'm ready to see the benefits if any! Here's to hoping!

Dubai Herbal and Treatment Center

What's Been Going on?

Well it has been a little while since my last post! I'm going to try to summarize what we've been up to.

• To commemorate the end of the school year, the school provided lunch for all of the teachers. There was no silverware, plates, etc so we had to eat the traditional way - with our hands. The below picture is the after for our table. Each table had this exact platter. #Experience #StayOpenMinded #NewForMe 

Mutton and rice

• The school year ended with exams. They tried a different way to give exams. They put all Grade 6 and 8 in the gym and each teacher was responsible for 1 row. At first glance it looks overwhelming but it was such a smooth process. 

• I have been trying my hand at cooking more. I've realized that I love to cook! So below are a few things that I've made.

Swedish chicken meatballs over tri color fusilli pasta

Garlic Scallops

Zucchini CheesyBread

Chicken Rollatini (Before)

Chicken Rollatini (After)

Chicken Rollatini (Before the Final Bite)

• Mike loves to swim. I think I've said that before. So, we have spent a lot of time at the pool!

• Our school will have more students next year so they are renovating our school. It's supposed to be done before school starts back. The cleaners and workers emptied every class and all of the classroom furniture is in the middle meeting area. They moved so fast!

• On July 4 our tower flew a US flag.

• There is so much to do here. In Charlotte we have a theater called Studio Movie Grill where you can order food at your seat. It's really nice. Here, there is a theater called Vox. Vox has many options for watching movies. One of them is called Theater by Rhodes. This theater is similar to Studio Movie Grill. The difference is the seats recline and they provide pillows and blankets. We bought the packages that includes an appetizer, main course, dessert, a cold beverage, and a hot beverage! I was only able to get pictures of our appetizers because the lights were off by the time our main course and desserts came. It doesn't even matter what movie is playing as long as we do Theatre by Rhodes again! 
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Mike's appetizer (Smoked Salmon)

My appetizer (Nachos)

The last day of the official school year we went to Bahrain for a quick vacation. We enjoyed the Airport Lounge before take off. Bahrain was a nice and relaxing trip. 

Wine before takeoff

Lunch in the Lounge (So good!)

Dessert in the lounge

 Bahrain pictures

Dessert at Hard Rock Cafe (So good!)

The Souq

City Center (Largest Mall)

• Mike brought his golf clubs with him to Abu Dhabi. He and some of his friends have been going to the range and the course weekly. Most of his friends have gone home or on trips for most of the summer. So, the day for the Golf Range came around and guess who was his fill in for company at the range? Yep, ME! I enjoyed the sunset more than anything else! 

• The dance team I used to work with before coming here had a teacher to replace me but due to some circumstances she's no longer their teacher. So, guess who is their teacher? Yep, ME! I send tutorial dance videos, they learn them, and then they dance every 4th Sunday at their church. Click here to see a video of them! Below is a culminating video I sent them for one of their dances.

I believe you're all caught up now. We have been talking about starting a Youtube Channel so stay tuned for that. And like always Be Uniquely You and Be Kind To One Another!

Until next time...