CLEAN: Another Perspective (Melinda)

   So I got a lot of questions and feel-back from the 3 week cleanse I did in the month of February. My friend Melinda is in the middle of doing Clean herself and anyone who would like another perspective should check out her blog. She is doing more of the recipes from the book than I did and even posts pictures of several of the meals she makes. Go MELINDA! YOU CAN DO IT :) Plus, she has a really cute blog and is crafy and creative. :)

www.rufflesandstring.blogspot.com

CLEAN: An update!!!!! Day 13

Ok! Day 13 of the 21 day cleanse and going strong! Many of you have sent me messages asking for more information. I would love to talk to anyone about it, but a few posts down I write more about the program... Scroll down and take a look, but: Here is a quick update:

-Day 3: Dad drops off (it’s ok, we forced you to begin the cleanse against your own will anyways).

-Day 5: Mom caves and has a cupcake while baking for dad’s birthday (to be fair, she did jump back on the bandwagon the next day)

-Day 7: Paul quits (he has lost 7 lbs in one week and doesn’t want to loose more. He also confesses he was only doing the cleanse for moral support… If that isn’t love I don’t know what is ;) ). Paul still eats breakfast and lunch with me but eats dinner instead of a smoothie.

   As for myself, I am going to be honest. At about a week into the cleanse I would feel emotional around dinner-time. I literally felt like crying as I watched my family enjoy my favorite meal of the day. I also was more emotional (poor Paul- I have had to apologize a lot!). It has been kind of liberating in a sense that I realize how food motivated I am and want to purpose to not be so controlled by my love for food.

   The first few days I felt a definite dip in my energy levels. I didn’t work out and went to bed really early (partly to keep myself from eating after my dinner smoothie). I am happy to report that I now have increased energy levels and do not struggle feeling hungry like I did at the beginning. I have also learned many healthy ways of cooking veggies that I will carry over into after the cleanse. Luckily, my fantasies about brownies and pasta seem to be less frequent. I am also learning to love green tea instead of lattes when we go to Starbucks. I frequently skim the first few chapters of “Clean” to keep myself motivated and remind myself why I am suffering through.

CLEAN: The Detox!

   Around Thanksgiving, I read a book that inspired a very big goal for 2011: to complete a 21 day detox. "Clean" is by Dr. Alejandro Junger and gives insight into how the digestive system can rid the body of ailments that plague it when given the proper nutrients and time to kick into hyper-drive. The program consists of having 2 meals a day as liquid meals- either a smoothie or soup. The liquid meals must be consumed for breakfast and dinner with the solid meal being eaten at lunch. This way the detox has the whole evening to kick in and rid itself of harmful toxins instead of digesting so much food. The liquid meals are blended organic fruits and veggies with no diary. Instead we use coconut or almond milk. You also are supposed to drink large quantities of water (a good indicator is having to pee every hour). The reason Clean is so effective is that it is gives the body a break from digesting tons of food in order that it can eliminate toxins and mucus, thus allowing itself to restore and heal naturally.

   So YES! I am doing it. I am on day 3 and going strong! Luckily both my parents and Paul are showing me moral support by doing the cleanse as well- so we are all in this together! Below is a picture of Paul and I after our Whole Foods/Trader Joe's trip to get all the ingredients for the cleanse. Look how happy we look... We'll see how we feel at about day 12. Hopefully, I still have friends and am speaking with my family members...

 

   Also this brings me to my next point. The blessed blessing that is making this whole cleanse possible is my Vitamix blender that I got from Christmas from my parents... This gift ranks up there with the day I brought home my Dyson vacuum cleaner- SHEER ECSTACY. You may think I am being dramatic, but I am not. This bad boy can crush a HALF GALLON of ice in 3 seconds, make hot soup in minutes, and blend smoothies, juices, and mixed drinks. It's that powerful. I'm convinced it's God's gift to man. Though the price is steep, the investment in your health is worth it. I don't regret having one for one minute.

   Isn't it beautiful? Anyways, the cleanse is going well. I'm not as hungry as I was yesterday, and I will be reporting back on the changes I see. I Emily Lanphier, will do this cleanse for all of you readers out there to let you know if it is worth the hunger, discomfort, and expense (it's not cheap to live off organic folks). Until then, buy the book if you are interested and let me know what you think.