One of my most loyal and dedicated clients always stresses the importance of maintaining a gratitude journal. I don’t like to waste paper, but rest assured, I keep a mental log (pun? yes.)

I am forever grateful to my parents and the opportunity they have afforded me in this country. Both of my parents come from humble beginnings. My father barely escaped communist Cuba and my mother was raised with her three other siblings in a one bedroom apartment sans toilet in Chinatown NYC. Fortunately, my parents met in high school and I (perhaps unfortunately) am the result of that union.

My father’s parents lived with us for the rest of their lives. But before my ass ever entered this world, my grandparents first worked their asses off in different factories right here in New Jersey. My dad somberly recalls my grandfather returning from the handbag factory every night curled over in pain due to strenuous work and his underlying Crohn’s disease. He ultimately had to have sections of his intestines removed in two separate surgeries and was unable to enjoy the simple pleasures of life like a beer with chicarrones (you Cubans know what I’m talking about!).

I have clients who have Chrohn’s disease, an inflammation of the digestive tract. While many doctors advise against colonics for those who suffer from Chrohn’s, I can only speak from my experience with said clients that despite the inability to cure the disease, colonics have helped alleviate their symptoms.

That said, I wish so badly that my grandfather never suffered. I don’t think he would have let me give him a colonic, but I hope those suffering from Chrohn’s disease today keep an open mind to a simple anal water flush. I’ve always dedicated my blog to my clients, specifically my females. But in my rededication, I wish to include my grandfather and all people suffering from inflammatory bowel disease.

xoxo jen