Really Random

By request, I bring you my tips for my annual colonoscopy

It has been a busy week, and we are just about to sit down at 7 pm my time and 1 pm Natasha’s time to record our weekly podcast. Don’t know about our podcast? You are missing out! I personally love it :) Linked here. Heavily Edited Podcast-ready photo here:

I love working with Natasha and learning from her on the podcast and at Dr. Organic Mommy. She has been asked many times for her tips for prepping for a colonoscopy. Given that I am the one who has had one annually for the last 8 years and many more before that, I asked her if I could share my tips with her audience and mine. Heavily Medicated unedited photo here:

It’s so sad to me that so many people put off this important procedure out of fear. At this point, they have made the prep so simple and the procedure painless.

Here’s how I prepare every year. I go into it thinking this is my annual cleanse, and I’m grateful to be able to clean out everything once again! Mind over matter! I take two days off from work. Well, let’s be honest, that never fully happens, but I tell everyone that I will be taking off the day before and the day of the procedure. I think of it as a total mom break. I can’t drive and pick up my son, so I am completely homebound and resting for two days. This is a great and rare treat, so try to enjoy that aspect of it! Mind over matter.

One week leading up to the procedure, I start my prep and my shopping. (Your doctor will likely just say start the day before, but this is what has worked best for me). Here are my musts:

1. **Cutting back:** Try to cut back on heavy meals and heavy eating leading up to the prep day. I do Elissa Goodman’s soup cleanse for the week before, as it’s easier than planning and committing to making light meals all week for myself. If you are not in LA, you can always do Owl Venice or any other local program that works for you. You can also simply try eliminating inflamatory foods like gluten and dairy. I do all this to get my gut in shape.

2. **Go Shopping for prep day:** You are too weak to go anywhere on prep day because, per the doctor, you will be having clear beverages mostly. You will want to make sure to stock up on everything leading up to that day so you are ready and not stressing.

I make my own Jello to avoid any unnecessary ingredients in store-bought stuff. My homemade Jello requires just two ingredients:

   - beef gelatin (this is the “Dr Organic Mommy” approved brand)

   - Some juice that you like. I prefer no-sugar lemonade, but I get that’s not for everyone.

Homemade Jello Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of 100% fruit juice ((avoid pineapple, kiwi, papaya as they prevent gelling and anything red cause colonoscopy rules)

• 2 tablespoons unflavored beef gelatin above

Instructions:

1. Bloom the Gelatin:

• Pour ½ cup of the juice into a small bowl or measuring cup.

• Sprinkle the gelatin evenly over the juice.

• Let it sit for 5 minutes to bloom. It will get thick and lumpy.

2. Heat the Remaining Juice:

• In a saucepan, heat the other 3½ cups of juice over medium heat until steaming (not boiling).

3. Dissolve the Gelatin:

• Add the bloomed gelatin to the hot juice.

• Stir until completely dissolved—this is important for smooth texture.

4. Set the Jello:

• Pour the mixture into a glass or ceramic dish (8x8 works well) or into silicone molds.

• Let it cool slightly before transferring to the fridge.

• Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until firm.

**Electrolyte powder:** Natasha is working on a post on this. For the purposes of this colonoscopy, truly the ones you like the taste of are the ones you will need! It is CRITICAL to hydrate! My favorites are this one by Needed (Use code DRORGANICMOMMY) and this one by Ultima. When it comes to colonoscopies, plain water is actually not recommended by doctors as it’s just not enough. The electrolytes have to be lemon or a light color.

**Bone broth:** Make your own if you can, or buy it if you are like me. I splurged on the one from Erewhon because what else am I eating this week? It’s worth it to have the good stuff because you need it. And you are hungry on prep day, so having some good bone broth helps.

**Coconut water:** I found this to be a nice treat on prep day that you are actually allowed to have. You can’t have the ones with pulp, FYI, and don’t buy the pink one because it needs to be clear (although once I did this, and it ended up okay). I did this one this time, and it hit the spot. I drank 3 big bottles for reference, and I wish I had bought 4 bottles. Stock up on as many as you can, so you have them on hand.

**Something with crunch:** I find it helpful to have something to chew on the prep day. You can make ice pops with the coconut water or the juice of choice for the day. I sometimes just make ice cubes out of those things just to be able to pop them throughout the day for an added crunch and extra hydration.

3. **Prep the clothes and bag before the prep day:** What you need: no valuables, license and insurance card only, headphones, and you’ll need your phone.

   **Clothes:** I wrote this up before, but here is my list of what I like to wear:

Tank: Mate the Label. Built in bra - easy on and off.

Sweats: Monrow super soft joggers. Again easy on and off

Bring a hoodie or Jacket: Mate the Label Chore jacket or the DOEN X GAP Jean Jacket.

Easy slide on Birks and cozy socks (although they give you grippy socks too) IYKYK.

Don’t make fun of the colonoscopy chic. Stay healthy, but make it fashion:)

4. **Prep the snacks:** They have snacks at the hospital or center, but you are SO much better off bringing your own. BTW, the nurses loved that I brought my own. Everyone wants you healthy, and if that is the goal, don’t put junk in your system after clearing it out!

I brought a planet box small snack box with one soft-boiled egg and Pacha bread with Philosopher's Stone almond butter. (use code DRORGANICMOMMY) I was so hungry and ate it all after the procedure was over in the recovery room.

Afterwards, go for a sauna!! Sweat out all the anesthesia. My doctor said this was okay as long as I continued to hydrate. (Natasha told me to add that in the afternoon you should try to add in some liposomal vitamin c and glutathione but check with your doctor). Good Luck! YOU GOT THIS!!