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? Â 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. Â It’s putting me at about 55% fat, 21% protein, and 25% carbs. Â My typical fat consumption is about the same, protein slightly higher and carbs much less. Â Hmmm, maybe that is the extra energy?
Am drinking about the right amount of milk now as my weight has stabilized. Â Digestion/elimination are normal. Â Have wanted to do my Dead Sea Salts baths but have not had a chance yet since the days have been incredibly busy. Â Will hopefully get to do this over the weekend. Â No real signs of toxins leaving the body — yet. Â Maybe that will draw some out. Weighed in at 117.2 but only consumed 12 cups today. Â 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. Â 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. Â Did not feel tired afterward and went to bed at a normal time.
Sarah:Â Â Felt fantastic all day long. Â 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. Â 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. Â I am feeling so good now I am starting to really understand why some cultures practiced seasonal cleansing. Â Even when you eat a very clean, whole, and traditional diet, toxins still build up and need to be released for maximum health. Â 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. Â I noticed that my sweat smelled different – more sweet is the only way I can describe it.
Elimination is normal. Â Took a baking soda bath in the evening to further assist detoxification. Â Am really pumped that I’m almost halfway through now.
evie
The amount of calcium in raw milk is too much for the amount of magnesium, which leads to constipation. Why not add a product like Natural Calm to the cleanse to keep things moving? It’s weird that an enema would be suggested rather than something much simpler. Also, people with anxiety or stressful lives are depleted in magnesium more quickly and can have issues like restless legs, irregular heartbeat, hormone problems, etc. I will read up more on this, but for me, I’d need my magnesium. (And I don’t think the epsom salt bath would be enough.)
sara r.
I’m excited to hopefully do his next year! By that time the baby should be about a year, and it gives me time to store up milk. Thanks for everyone sharing their experiences; it makes me look forward to it even more. I love milk so much I know that I’d have no problem doing it 🙂
Britney
Day 11 was good… nothing too out of the ordinary. I did have a couple small pickles last night as I really felt I needed some salt. Seemed to do the trick as I felt much better this morning. Drank a little less today since I took a longer nap then I intended (had to get up early this morning to teach a workshop and had a break before work). I do still think I’ll move to gaps when this is over… whenever that is.
Sherri
I’ve been following all this with much interest b/c I almost joined up too! We have a farm with our own dairy cow, who is giving us the most yellowest butter ever…so I know the milk is very nutritious, and I would have enough milk to do it. However, I’ve also been researching GAPS b/c I suspect a leaky gut (did GAPS many years ago, but not intro) and wasn’t sure if I should do this fast with a leaky gut. I love drinking milk, raw butter, yogurt & kefir and am really having a hard time coming to terms of doing without for GAPS intro. What do you think, Sarah, of doing the milk fast with possible leaky gut?
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
I think it would be fine. Do what you feel most comfortable with though, Sherri. Maybe take it a day at a time and see how it goes.
Terrie Schultz
Sherri, are you aware of kinesiology? Muscle testing? I do this on my clients all the time in my energy healing practice. Your spirit knows what is good for you. Muscle test the milk and your body will tell you whether or not it is a good thing.
Cindy
On day 4, I did not have any bm,was planning to have a coffee enema but could not find all the parts to the enema kit. Day 5. I passed a bm with great difficulty.I ran numerous errands and forgot my milk,so I had to drink water while out.I got home and drank 4 cups of raw milk.I am having a difficult time cooking my families dinner while smelling the food.But I don’t feel hungry.No sweets for 5 days is a record for me also.I feel tempted but so far am fighting the urge.Praise God I have lost 3 lbs total so far.Over all I am feeling pretty good.My left knee swelled up this morning,for no cause.It is really hurting.I’m glad for all the encouragement through this web-site.I never would of done this alone.My health conscious daughter is really excited for me that I am doing this. She is our milk source.
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist
Just do a warm water enema. You can get an enema bag at the pharmacy for about $10. It is worth it to learn how to do it as they are an indispensible tool if your child ever gets a really high fever … a quick enema will bring that fever right down no meds or trip to the ER required.
Rick
I am on day 6. Yesterday i felt GREAT, but was very constipated… I know TMI. Did crossfit today and felt strong. Was a bit constipated today too… drank some organic ginger tea and that helped a bit. I think I need to drink more water. What are your thoughts?
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist
One word: ENEMA. I know you are probably saying, “she’s nuts” right about now, but enemas are the traditional way to gently deal with constipation without going the roto-rooter approach with fiber which can damage the colon. They are so very simple and easy to do.
Rick
WELL THAT IS NOT WHAT I WANTED TO READ!! LOL
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Hahahahahahaha. You know I’ll never sugarcoat it for you, Rick 🙂
If your constipation is mild, maybe try an epsom salts bath to get things moving along.
Rick
I know and I appreciate it.
Jennifer
I have a question, probably already know the answer, lol…I’m about 5 months pregnant and am terrible about putting on weight and feeling run down during pregnancy (advanced age isn’t helping either). I’m wondering how safe it would be to just drink raw milk for a week out of the month and try and control both of those issues. I’m concerned the toxins would affect my baby. Any thoughts?
Jennifer
Just a bit extra…I’m pretty healthy, all tests have come back normal so far, just a higher risk because of age.
Tennille
Here is a video from a trusted herbalist. She also has a great Making Babies DVD set. Very well done, very knowledgeable and great personality.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtkWX3jED3M&utm_source=Bulk+Herb+Store+Newsletter&utm_campaign=c57c723e06-Bulk_Herb_Store_Newsletter_Issue_117&utm_medium=email
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist
Do not do a raw milk fast if pregnant for any reason.
Emily
In that same vein, what about trying a fast a few months before conception? Sally Fallon says absolutely no fasting for the 6 months before, but I’m wondering if this applies? Paula’s protein/fat/carbs stats makes it seem like the non-pregnant body’s getting everything it needs from the milk.
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist
I would not consider The Milk Cure to be anything remotely similar to a fast like with veggie juice or the Master CLeanse or whatnot. Raw milk is a complete food and consuming only raw milk for days on end rests and rejuvenates the body rather than stresses it.
Mary Kate
Day 4 went Very Well!! I woke up not feeling tired. I even made breakfast for everyone while I sipped on my glass of milk. I had been having BM issues and just wanted to see how my body would “fix” the problem by itself. Being on so many meds as it is I was not about to do anything else to this body. So, I finally had gotten to relieve myself. Sorry if this was TMI. We went to church and I felt pretty good considering they have the BEST coffee, but it didn’t bother me. Came home and started dinner for tonight and set up the crock pots for tomorrows dinner and desert. Not eating isn’t bothering me today. I am sipping on milk as I am doing all of this.
We did some errands and I still have some energy. I had some water, came home and did the usual chores. Started getting a headache, but made myself a cup of herb tea. The tea seems to be helping with the headaches.
Went to bed around 11pm. Feeling very tired. But know I will have a good night sleep.
I think I only had about 2 qts. I seem to be drinking between 2 and 3 qts. I don’t know if I have lost anything, but know I have stopped taking one of my meds and am doing fine. I still have the mucus thing going, but think that is because I have been pumped with all those medicines and now I am getting rid of it.
I may be doing this longer than 10 days. I will see. But am feeling pretty good!!
Thank you Paula and Sarah! This has been an amazing journey so far. I don’t think I would ever have done this if it weren’t for the 2 of you!!
Sarah, I am glad you didn’t give in to that popcorn! LOL
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist
Mary Kate, I can’t wait to see you at pickup tomorrow and give you a hug 🙂
Ranjani
This is my day 3. Am on the raw yoghurt fast though since the milk was giving me stomach aches. Yesterday (day 2) was excruciatingly painful – hunger for solid foods, mood swings, achy joints and muscles but today seems to be better day. In fact, I am consuming less today and doing just fine (perhaps as a result of consuming less?). I do well on 8 cups of yoghurt a day. Another plus, I am really perfecting my yoghurt making skills (from Sally Fallon’s book).
Would it be okay to add a pinch of salt to my yoghurt? Really craving salt. Thanks.
Sarah, TheHealthyHomeEconomist
Sure, salt that yogurt if you need to. Using a good quality sea salt would be best.
Joy
Yesterday, my fourth day, was great. Elimination was fine though looser and yellow. I had lots of energy. My biggest challenge was dealing with my emotional reaction to food. When my husband was eating dinner, I wanted to just pick up his plate and throw it! And the house smelled so good! I wasn’t hungry, but it was so hard to sit there and smell wonderful flavors and watch him eat and not participate. So I left and went for a brisk three mile walk and felt better at the end. A good day as long as I wasn’t having to deal with people eating right in front of me.
Paula
Lol, yesterday was hard when my husband made bacon and eggs. The house smelled so good. I think think the brisk walk was an excellent alternative to throwing the plate, but maybe not as much fun:) Good luck with the rest of the fast.