How to Prepare for a Cleanse or Detox
BEFORE
Whether you’re a master juicer, or a total newbie, we want to help make this cleanse your best yet. We understand that every body is different, so use the tips and time frame that work for you, leave the rest, and make it happen!
Prepare, prepare, PREPARE! In order for a juice cleanse to be truly effective, you must adequately prepare the body to be cleansed. We firmly believe in “cleaning house” before your cleanse by weaning yourself off those yummy indulgences and unhealthy toxins. This makes the body much more amenable to the healing power of the juices and will make your cleansing experience much more enjoyable. 2-3 days is the minimum recommended preparation period. Don’t stress it, do your best, and remember- you’re not just prepping the body, but allowing for a smoother transition and more enjoyable experience.
Now, depending on your current diet and lifestyle, you might need a week or so, call it an adjustment period if you will, before you are ready to start your fast or detox. If you have a lot of changes to make, we get that making them all of a sudden can be hard. Maybe making the changes to your diet doesn’t worry you, but you are seeking more dramatic results and a deeper clean, or possibly you’re looking to make these types of changes stick on a permanent basis. Whatever your reasoning may be, extending your preparation period from 3 days to 10 will help you meet your goal. You will almost certainly lose a few extra pounds, learn how to transition into a more plant-based diet, help fight disease, and allow your body to cleanse on a much deeper level.
DURING
Upon rising, immediately drink a tall 16 oz. glass of water. Follow that with a hot water with lemon. Hot water with lemon is cleansing, hydrating, and alkalizing. When you are ready, you will enjoy the first juice of the day, but it should be within an hour of waking up. Continue in the order we suggest. Wait approximately 1.5 hours before drinking the next juice, but if you are feeling hungry, just go for it. Drink one cup of hot or cold water between each juice. Enjoy a herbal tea each day if you like. Try to finish your last juice 2 hours before bed.
AFTER
The goal is to ease back into solid foods and be gentle with your digestive system. Your digestive system has just enjoyed a lovely holiday, and we all know you need a few days to ease back into your regular routine after some time away.
Day 1 – Start your day with a juice or smoothie. Drink lots of water and consume mostly fresh juices, smoothies and soups. Consider ordering a 6 pack to follow your cleanse and enjoy a few each day.
Day 2 & 3 – Keep up lots of liquid, juices and smoothies. Incorporate raw fruits & veggies, a salad, and some lightly steamed veggies. Add brown rice or baked sweet potato if you need something more substantial. Drink lots of water.
Day 4 & 5 – Now is the time to incorporate some of the harder to digest foods back into your diet if you like. If you eat meat, be sure to have a small portion and accompany it with a leafy salad. Don’t forget! Alkaline first – so eat your salad before your main meal. Drinks lots of water and continue to stay away from processed foods for as long as you can!
DETOX SYMPTOMS
Detoxification means your body is breaking down the toxins in your body and getting rid of them – they are getting stirred up and flushed out. The more toxins and waste you’ve got hanging around (and weighing you down), the more symptoms you are likely to experience. Different toxins exit your body different ways. Your body is stirring everything up and can’t always get everything out via the regular means of elimination. A heavy build up of caffeine, for example, may result in headaches; a build up of animal products and processed foods may show up as skin pimples or eruptions. Due to years of eating the certain foods you may have some toxic sludge lining your colon, possibly a couple pounds worth! Nausea can result as your body takes this amazing opportunity to clean it all out.
Most of the time symptoms are fairly minor, and usually subside by the end of day 2– feeling a little cranky, spacey, hungry or tired is all most people report. Either way, it’s worth it because you are going to feel so amazing, so totally energized, so clean and bright that it will be totally worth it!
Symptoms may include; fatigue, headaches, constipation or diarrhea, increased libido, tons of energy, dry or flaky skin, skin pimples or rash, dry or pasty mouth, nausea, happiness, sense of clarity, overwhelming urge to get everyone you know eating & drinking their vegetables.
No Matter what, don’t be so hard on yourself, if you get off track jump right back into and most important, Listen to your body. You can also check out our detox bath bombs to help your body move past the detox phase a little faster and easier
