Since people don't like to talk about poop... how about read about it?! The following are a few things to pay attention to next time you sit on the toilet. Use your stool as a tool... to better your health! Lets start by checking out the 'Bristol Stool Chart' that illustrates just about every stool under the sun...

The following are a few common questions people have about their stool but may be too embarrassed to ask (so we'll ask and answer for you!):

• How often is normal? Normal bowel habits vary. When we talk about regularity, what we’re really talking about is what’s regular for you. Three bowel movements per day to three per week is considered the normal range.
• Is it normal for my stool to smell, a lot? If your stool has an extraordinarily bad odor, it should not be ignored. I am referring to an odor above and beyond the normally objectionable stool odor. Stinky stool can be associated with a number of health problems that should be looked into.
  
• How long does it take for food to be processed, start to finish? The average body takes between 18 and 72 hours to convert food into poop and pass it on out.
• What exactly is constipation? Constipation is defined as passing hard, dry stools that you have to strain to move, and it’s typically uncomfortable. 

Now that we've covered all of the basics, lets review some ways to improve your digestive regularity:

• Remove gluten from your diet (see previous blog posts and journals!)
• Eat a diet that includes whole foods, rich in fresh, organic vegetables and fruits that provide good nutrients and fiber
• Avoid artificial sweeteners, excess sugar, chemical additives, MSG, excessive amounts of caffeine, and processed foods
• Boost your intestinal flora by adding naturally fermented foods  into your diet, such as sauerkraut and pickles
  
• Make sure you stay well hydrated with pure water
• Get plenty of exercise on a daily basis
• Consider squatting  instead of sitting to move your bowels- squatting straightens your rectum, relaxes your puborectalis muscle and encourages the complete emptying of your bowel without straining, and has been scientifically shown to relieve constipation and hemorrhoids
• Get a colonic!
  

Today is my last diary-day! I hope this journal has clearly illustrated what a life-changer going gluten-free has been for me. I feel more clear-headed and energetic than I have in years, I have lost weight (not only on the scale but there has been a noticeable difference to the people around me as well!), and my bowel movements have been more regular than they ever have been. Best of all, I feel healthy- I feel lighter and more agile from the inside out, and that, is a great feeling. Though today I will stop writing, I am going to continue my gluten-free diet and hope you give it a go to see if it makes you feel as good as it makes me feel!

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!!

Happy Monday (well, my time as I wrote this about a month ago!)! I started out my day with a 3-mile jog and an apple and am ready to get this week started! I love starting out a work-week on a good note- it keeps me motivated and feeling healthy throughout the week! I had a salad topped with quinoa for lunch as that is ALL I had in my fridge after being out of town for so long! I'm heading to the fruit stand on the corner to stock up on produce for the week to keep up this great feeling!

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!!

It was a great weekend and I’m feeling good… though a little bloated from all of the salty chips! I did get a bit of exercise in with our hikes and a jog so I don’t feel like I’m starting off this week three steps behind. I realized that a cheeseburger without the bun really can be enjoyable…  Now I’m looking forward to have an active and veggie based week! Did you try to get through the weekend gluten-free? If so, was it challenging or easy and how do you feel?

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!!

Heading on a camping trip today! Should be easy to be gluten free as I am bringing my own chips and salsa and we are doing meals that basically all consist of veggies. Shish kabobs and vegetarian chili! I’ll stick to snacking on apples and peanut butter, chips and salsa and a few other things when everyone eats sandwiches for lunch- no biggie. Making sure to bring wine to sip on when everyone else is having beer! I challenge YOU now... try to go this one weekend gluten-free and see how you feel!

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!!

Last night I tripped up… slipped up… oops. I ate black bean enchiladas that were wheat free but not completely gluten free… that’s not all… I had fro yo with brownies on it also. Conscious decision and I not only feel guilty about it… but I feel it in my belly and in my mind (bogged down, a little cloudy and less energetic) this morning. I immediately felt weighed down and won’t be making that mistake again!

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!!

Feeling good today! Getting back to running and a veggie based diet. Now I need to get back on track with my water- every time that I come across a gluten craving, I chug a bottle of water!

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!!

I don’t know why I’ve had these intense carb cravings for the past couple of days but I’m sick of them!! I am sure it’s just a wave due to nearing the end of summer and my constant travels and it will pass. This week, I am focusing on cutting out all junk and sticking to fruits and veggies because I think it will help me get back to the light / clean eating mindset. So, in efforts to get back to how I felt when I began my gluten free diet I brought quinoa and salad to work for lunch and am going on a run when I get home!

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!!

I’m feeling like I need to start eating lighter again- as I did in the beginning of going gluten free- rather than substituting gluten free crackers and bread as I am now. I never have been a big cookie and chips kind of person but lately I’ve been craving them and have bought gluten free versions. I think this is more psychological than anything- I know I can’t have it so it’s on my mind and I want them now. I’m going to use this week as a way to get me back on track, building all of my meals around fresh fruits and veggies and trying to stay away from snacking!

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!!

Again, I was surrounded in pizza this weekend. I didn’t actually mind though- I just got a salad and ate the cheese off of the top of one slice. I was completely satisfied and if you can believe this- didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything! I ate sushi on Sunday night and realized that I think the panko (tempura) has gluten in it…. This was an incredibly sad realization, as I love spicy tuna. Guess I’ll learn to live with it… like they say- no pain, no gain.

WIN A 3 PACK OF COLONICS!!!
PURE Colonics wants you to try a mini-version of what I did! Try a gluten-free diet for just one week, keep a journal of how your feeling, changes you noticed, and so forth and submit it to the PURE Colonics' Facebook page. At the end of October there will be a drawing from all of the names of people who submitted their journal entries. If your name is picked, you win 3 colonics ($405 value)!!