We have all now completed Day 4 of a 10-day raw milk fast known as The Milk Cure.
Almost halfway home now!
Are you over the hump or have you been feeling great the whole time?
Any congestion or digestion issues? What other signs of detoxification are you having?
Please share with us all the status of your raw milk fast in the comments section.
Paula: Slept well again even after a very hectic day with computer issues. Worked out yesterday with good energy, today was a no workout day but another long one as we had a team involved in a local competition which lasted all day and it was HOT and HUMID. Very hot – even got a little sunburned from improper planning. I did however pack 2 quarts of milk in an iced cooler which kept me sustained for the 8 hours I was there along with lots of water. BTW, our team got first place 🙂
I am finding I have more energy during this fast. Since I am a fan of numbers, I am logging my consumption in FitDay to see where it puts me as far as calories and macronutrient ratios go. It’s putting me at about 55% fat, 21% protein, and 25% carbs. My typical fat consumption is about the same, protein slightly higher and carbs much less. Hmmm, maybe that is the extra energy?
Am drinking about the right amount of milk now as my weight has stabilized. Digestion/elimination are normal. Have wanted to do my Dead Sea Salts baths but have not had a chance yet since the days have been incredibly busy. Will hopefully get to do this over the weekend. No real signs of toxins leaving the body — yet. Maybe that will draw some out. Weighed in at 117.2 but only consumed 12 cups today. I wasn’t hungry when I got home; I think the heat had something to do with it.
Richard: Spent much of the day outside and got a bit pink from the sun like Paula just due to improper planning. Spring sun can sometimes catch you by surprise in Florida. Drank 5 cups of milk and that was plenty sufficient to keep me from being hungry. Having no energy or other issues whatsoever other than some mild congestion.
Sleeping very well and getting up early at 5 am as usual with no problem.
Did about an hour of strenuous yard work in the late afternoon which was probably helpful due to the sweating involved. Did not feel tired afterward and went to bed at a normal time.
Sarah: Felt fantastic all day long. Drank 12 cups of milk throughout the day which was plenty satisfying and didn’t feel at all hungry most of the time.
Am really wanting this fast to be rejuvenating as well as cleansing so made the time for 2 short power naps today. Felt absolutely wonderful for doing so.
I don’t nap much as a normal practice but during this fast, I am making it more of a priority since I am no doubt detoxing.
Mild congestion is now gone, so I do think it was a cleansing reaction in the first couple of days. I am feeling so good now I am starting to really understand why some cultures practiced seasonal cleansing. Even when you eat a very clean, whole, and traditional diet, toxins still build up and need to be released for maximum health. Hmmm, maybe I’ll start doing this more often like Paula?
Did some yard work for about 45 minutes and it felt good to work the muscles and sweat a bit. I noticed that my sweat smelled different – more sweet is the only way I can describe it.
Elimination is normal. Took a baking soda bath in the evening to further assist detoxification. Am really pumped that I’m almost halfway through now.
joelie hicks
When I went to that wedding on Sat. I did eat a little meat, green beans and potatoes. I So I broke the fast that day, but I have not before or since. On the whole I am really not too tempted even though i make good, wholesome meals for my husband. Been doing a lot of snow shoveling because we have had storms and absolutely no aches and pains. Elimination ? I am used to 2 x a day and Thursday-Saturday nothing, but I was not uncomfortable. Back to normal on Sunday (might have been the food) 1x and today i noticed the pale color, I felt as though I won a prize! I have no idea how much I am consuming, I just go get two gallons whenever I need it. My husband is a big milk drinker too. Clearing my system seems to be a good thing, I take baking soda and oatmeal baths. My guess is no meat consumption does make a difference in our scent. My son is a vegetarian and claims he can tell a meat eater. Energy pretty good. In the future i can see doing this maybe one day a week just to give my body a rest from the heavier food.
Joy
I am considering continuing to do it once a week also. 🙂
Melissa
I accidentally went without deodorant on Saturday (it was a busy morning), and I did not stink at all- ALL day. If I haden’t done the fast, I am sure I would have offended very badly half way through the day! I was pleasantly surprised 🙂
Lisa
Day 4 — March 4
Woke up with good energy, not very hungry. I weighed myself — lost 2 pounds. I’m not trying to lose weight on this but it does feel good to be a little lighter. My stomach is very flat. Had a BM but pretty loose and small — seems reasonable considering what I’m digesting. No discomfort at all.
Drank a cup before heading out for day. And then every couple of hours when I had a break from classes.
A lot of people at school asking me about my fast, and about raw milk. Some even wanted to try the raw milk, and we exchanged nutrition information.
I drank less than a half gallon total today. And water in between.
Did not have any major cravings or issues today.
Tonight, I feel like eating but again, not because I’m hungry. More because I see food that looks and smells good. If I don’t see or smell food, I’m barely even thinking about it. Haven’t had sweets in 4 days — a record for me!
Megan
I am still going strong. I, too, love the idea of a regular seasonal cleansing for maximum health! I’ve done a few fasts before (Blessed Herb Colon Cleanse & Master Cleanse Lemonade Diet) but the Milk Cure is much different, probably because raw milk is a whole food!
Elimination has become more difficult. Yesterday morning I eliminated “pellets” and this morning it was very hard in texture, and I had to strain. The color has turned beige. This morning I did nauli to massage the digestion organs, and I think I will continue this practice. I may also start doing enemas. I also started taking my probiotics again. During detox, elimination is very important, so I will help that along as much as necessary.
My skin has cleared up very nicely! I have struggled with acne since my teens.
My energy is good. I, too, took naps over the weekend, to assist in the detox process. It felt wonderful to take it easy.
I, too, have been experiencing milk congestion. I still hack up a “loogie” or two after each cup of milk, but I no longer wake up with tons of mucous in the mornings. That’s new for me!
Yesterday, I realized that I would like to do some reading about the Milk Cure. I’m in the process of reading “The Miracle of Milk: How to Use the Milk Diet Scientifically at Home” by Bernarr Macfadden. There is a free online version here http://www.milk-diet.com/classics/classics.html. I would also like to get my hands on a copy of “Milk Diet as a Remedy for Chronic Disease” by Charles Sanford Porter, M.D., but my library system doesn’t have it. I’ll look into that further.
Keep at it, everyone! We can do this! 🙂
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
I am not hungry, but really wanting to eat though. I’m going to weigh in today and see if I’ve lost more. My clothes are fitting ok, so I think I’m still in the safe zone.
Britney
Porter’s book is a $2 download from Amazon if you have the (free) kindle software.
Stephanie Daniel
I must say Sarah…your arms are FABULOUS!!!
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Stephanie, you know, I lift NO WEIGHTS AT ALL. I just lug lots of gallons of raw milk and do yardwork and yoga. That does it for me 🙂 I know my arms look nothing like Paula’s though!!! She would beat me in about 5 seconds if we arm wrestled.
Michele
Sarah,
Do you mind if I ask how many times a week and how long for yoga? I love my yoga, twice a week, and would like to do more but always assumed one needed to lift weights to be toned (I’m lifting weights twice a week too). I’m curious because I always assumed you did crossfit as your main workout and that’s why you’re so toned! 🙂
Tennille
How can your husband go with only 5 cups of milk a day? That just seems crazy to me. he must have a slower metabolism? You ladies are consuming 12+ cups and he only around 5. What do you think is the reason?
BTW, I am totally being inspired. What is your opinion on me using my raw goats milk even though they do not pasture, but eat high quality hay (we raise them and chickens on our 1/2 acre lot – but they only have access to part of the land)?
Paula
I was wondering the same thing Tennille. I would be absolutely starving to death with only the 5 cups and he is bigger than both Sarah and I.
I think Sarah is going to do some raw goats milk during the fast. I’m staying with my cow.
Paula
Richard is a lot more laid back than Sarah (and I), maybe he just needs less fuel?
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Raw goat is fine. About 1/3-1/2 the raw milk I’m drinking is raw goat milk.
I have no idea how my husband is drinking so little. He doesn’t need to lose any weight either so I think he should be drinking more, but he is happy with his approach so we’ll see what he weighs at the end.
mardee
Today is my day 1 of the Milk Cure Fast. I’m super excited about it and looking forward to great results!
I decided to wait until today as I ran in a 1/2 Marathon yesterday and wasn’t sure how wise it would’ve been to start just a few days before the race.
I saw that you (Sarah) posted you had taken a Baking Soda Bath. How much baking soda do you use in the tub. Is Epsom Salt a legitimate mineral bath? I remember being given them when I was younger by my grandmother and to heal twisted ankles.
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
I think that was a very wise decision Mardee. Glad to have you with us 🙂
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
I use 2 cups for a tubful of water.
Melissa
Day 5 was pretty uneventful- I have had lots of energy and feeling great.
Unfortunately, this is my last day of the fast 🙁 My children are actually asking me to stop because I am starting to drink their share of our milk! (Bad planning on my part.) They love their milk 🙂 So, today I am starting solid food again. It has been a fantastic experience for me and I hope to do a longer fast next time! Good luck to all of you who are still fasting. Oh, and I weighed myself yesterday- I only lost 1 pound (I’m now at 127lbs at 5’7″) and I drank 2 1/2 quarts per day for the 5 Days of my fast!
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Melissa thank you for joining us for half the journey. Next year you can join us for the whole adventure 🙂
Melissa
Thank you for getting this fast-a-thon going! Looking forward to next year 🙂
Joy
I followed Paula’s fast last year with great interest, and now watching all of you this year. March 1 is a bad time for us northerners to start a fast. I am waiting until spring when the cows freshen and the green grass starts to grow lush. That will be the best time for me to do a milk fast. It will probably be late April or May. I am seriously thinking of doing this and anxious to see how my body will react to it. Thank you again for all you wonderful information.
I do have a question – do you still take you cod liver and skate oil during your fast?
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
I am still taking mine.
Donna
Hi, am also finding the milk challenge fascinating to follow. I am lactose intolerant also and even raw milk causes me serious digestive problems. I can tolerate yogurt, kefir much better. I suppose I could do a raw milk yogurt/kefir fast? Any thoughts on that? Thanks for all the info!
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Yes, kefir/yogurt made from raw milk is an acceptable variation of The Milk Cure.
Donna
I had such a reaction a couple of weeks ago to the milk, I’m going to do the gaps intro for my “fast”. Thanks for the insight and motivation!
Tawanda
Donna,
I’m also lactose intolerant, what I’ve seen so far is yes I can do raw milk anything else other than plain raw milk to a point. But if I use a probiotic, I have zero issues. So is the problem pasturization, lactose, or other??? That’s the question – still need to do more experimentation and longer on the probiotics.
Donna
Hi Tawanda, Thanks for the tip…I also need to do some experimentation and see what works best for me.
suzanne robin
I’m new here, but the milk challenge has been fascinating to read about. Sadly, I am lactose intolerant. I really want to get the rest of my family off pasteurized organic milk. Where can I get grass fed clean raw cow’s milk , raw butter and possibly raw goat milk and butter and cheese here in Tampa? Anyone help?
Mariah Ward
Contact Sarah, is our chapter head 🙂
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Please email me off blog. Thanks.
Rachel
I thought I was lactose intolerant too, but it turns out I’m pasteurized milk intolerant and can drink raw milk with no issues!! 🙂
Lucia
I’m lactose intolerant too, but the beauty of raw milk is that it contains the enzyme lactase that breaks down lactose (we lactose-intolerant people don’t produce enough of this enzyme). When milk is pasteurised, the heat breaks down the lactase enzyme, so pasteurised milk causes problems for us. I drink raw milk no problems, though I have to say I’ve never tried drinking as much as these guys are! Can’t guarantee it’d work if you drank that much, but my regular intake is about half a litre a day and I have no problems. Give it a try!