I recently tackled a 3-day juice cleanse [!!!] I am not sure what made me take this on, but I'm glad I did. :) I think "juicing" first peaked my interest when my yoga instructor started gloating that the reason he could get into certain, precarious positions is because he was currently "on a juice cleanse" - which apparently is supposed to be good for you (numerous health benefits - yada yada yada) Anything "cleansing" rids the body of toxins (just ask my lactose intolerant father about his "Starbucks Whip Cream Cleanse" - thats a whole different cleanse and we won't go there!) Let's just say you don't get out of the bathroom much...yuck!
So the idea of starting 2013 on the right foot and this idea of "cleansing" the body - shedding out the toxins of the old self for a fresh start really started gelling with me and I began to research juice cleanses. Turns out there is a whole science to this and plenty of cleanses to try, so you have to pick whats right for you. That starts with alligning the reasons you have for doing the cleanse in the first place. For myself, I came up with these reasons: 1) try something new; see what all the rave it about 2) be healthier; cleanses have numerous health benefits (we'll get to that) 3) set a goal for myself and follow through.
I came across this article on N.Y juice cleanses "Juice Cleanses New Yorkers Are Sippin' On" first - and it gave me some good insight about the kinds of cleanses out there, pricing (they are $$$), delivery rates (keep in mind these juices are fresh, therefore they have a short shelf life and you pay up for them delivered to your door the day you start your cleanse - BIG TIME; think $30 bucks +) and benefits over choosing one versus the other.
Since I am a juice cleanse virgin - I chose what I like to call the Amateur Juice Cleanse, a 3-Day Cleanse by Cooler Cleanse. You can go as high as 5 or 7 days, but those are not recommended for first-time juicers and leave skeptics howling regardless. It came down to Cooler Cleanse vs. Blueprint due to popularly, availability, and cost. I went back and forth on both sites for hours (no, I'm not kidding - hours, I'm a loser and this is what I do on my nights off...agonize over selecting a juice cleanse) and finally decided to go with Cooler Cleanse after this article which compares 1. packages, 2. logistics and cost, 3.taste test, 4. organic ingredients, 5. handholding, and 6. bottom line overall value- all these arguments and settled the debate for me. I was most afraid of the green drinks (kale, dandelion greens, spinach oh my!) and apparently Cooler Cleanse won out in that department:
Drink juice No.1 for breakfast and have another juice approximately every two hours:
You do this for 3 days in a row and you're supposed to substantially detoxify your body and rid it of toxins. Among the benefits listed are:
During a juice cleanse**, you ease the digestive process by replacing regular meals with delicious, cold-pressed vegetable and fruit juices, raw coconut water elixirs and silky smooth nut milk blends. Consuming only liquids for a few days frees energy in the body, which can then return to the essential jobs of deep inner cleansing and healing.
When you feel better on the inside, you look better on the outside. Glowing skin, bright eyes, the disappearance of hard-to-lose pounds, as well as a newfound sense of optimism and enjoyment of life, are all common results of juice cleansing.
So what are they saying about juice cleanses?
So let's recap: Cooler Cleanse $58/day for 3 days (you do the math - yikes! this is why I will only do cleanses twice a year, once at the start of the year, once in the middle) 6 juices a day, for 18 drinks delivered to your door (the day you start your cleanse) TOTAL.
Honestly - it wasn't the easiest thing I've ever done. I wouldn't recommend it for the faint of heart (I have the strong resolve of a thick-headed Italian) or for people that easily give in to cravings because HECK- that's just a waste of your money!
Overall thoughts - mostly beneficial with some hype involved. Let's call this for what it is - a FAD. These go in and out - ehh hem, South Beach Diet. People are always doing diets to take shortcuts when in reality there are none. You get healthy by hard work - regular exercise, eating "clean", and being good to your body (hello spiritual wellness!). I recommend trying it at least once and seeing what you think because everyone's experiences will be different.
Hope this was helpful - feel free to leave your thoughts below to share with other readers or inbox me privately.
So the idea of starting 2013 on the right foot and this idea of "cleansing" the body - shedding out the toxins of the old self for a fresh start really started gelling with me and I began to research juice cleanses. Turns out there is a whole science to this and plenty of cleanses to try, so you have to pick whats right for you. That starts with alligning the reasons you have for doing the cleanse in the first place. For myself, I came up with these reasons: 1) try something new; see what all the rave it about 2) be healthier; cleanses have numerous health benefits (we'll get to that) 3) set a goal for myself and follow through.
I came across this article on N.Y juice cleanses "Juice Cleanses New Yorkers Are Sippin' On" first - and it gave me some good insight about the kinds of cleanses out there, pricing (they are $$$), delivery rates (keep in mind these juices are fresh, therefore they have a short shelf life and you pay up for them delivered to your door the day you start your cleanse - BIG TIME; think $30 bucks +) and benefits over choosing one versus the other.
See some of the juice cleanse varieties from that article below:
 |
| Urban Remedy Juice Cleanse |
 |
| Love Grace Juice Cleanse |
Since I am a juice cleanse virgin - I chose what I like to call the Amateur Juice Cleanse, a 3-Day Cleanse by Cooler Cleanse. You can go as high as 5 or 7 days, but those are not recommended for first-time juicers and leave skeptics howling regardless. It came down to Cooler Cleanse vs. Blueprint due to popularly, availability, and cost. I went back and forth on both sites for hours (no, I'm not kidding - hours, I'm a loser and this is what I do on my nights off...agonize over selecting a juice cleanse) and finally decided to go with Cooler Cleanse after this article which compares 1. packages, 2. logistics and cost, 3.taste test, 4. organic ingredients, 5. handholding, and 6. bottom line overall value- all these arguments and settled the debate for me. I was most afraid of the green drinks (kale, dandelion greens, spinach oh my!) and apparently Cooler Cleanse won out in that department:
Quote from article regarding CC green drinks vs. Blueprint...
"The green juice, which creator Eric Helms says went through 50 iterations and a dozen focus groups, is hands-down the most delicious green juice I’ve ever tasted. A mélange of typical greens like parsley, spinach, and kale, Helms tells me that pear is the secret ingredient that removes any lawn mower taste from this green juice."
SETTLED! =)
After going with Cooler Cleanse, basically:
You receive six drinks per day with a combined caloric intake of approximately 1,200 daily calories. The menu changes daily to keep it interesting. The juices are numbered and you should drink them in order 1 to 6.
You receive six drinks per day with a combined caloric intake of approximately 1,200 daily calories. The menu changes daily to keep it interesting. The juices are numbered and you should drink them in order 1 to 6.
Drink juice No.1 for breakfast and have another juice approximately every two hours:
You do this for 3 days in a row and you're supposed to substantially detoxify your body and rid it of toxins. Among the benefits listed are:
During a juice cleanse**, you ease the digestive process by replacing regular meals with delicious, cold-pressed vegetable and fruit juices, raw coconut water elixirs and silky smooth nut milk blends. Consuming only liquids for a few days frees energy in the body, which can then return to the essential jobs of deep inner cleansing and healing.
When you feel better on the inside, you look better on the outside. Glowing skin, bright eyes, the disappearance of hard-to-lose pounds, as well as a newfound sense of optimism and enjoyment of life, are all common results of juice cleansing.
They say do a cleanse:
So what are they saying about juice cleanses?
"Hollywood’s hottest love to juice up with a cleanse – it’s their red-carpet-ready remedy when they need to lose weight and look their best. While detoxes and extreme diets like the Master Cleanse can becontroversial, advocates say juice cleanses made from raw fruits and veggies are safe as long as you check in with your doctor first and keep it to three days at a time.New Year’s is an obvious time to try a juice cleanse. Detoxes shift you away from bad habits (like excessive intake of coffee, alcohol, and fatty or sugary foods) and can help foster healthier habits even once we’re off them, according to Cathy Wong, ND, naturopathic doctor and an American College of Nutrition–certified nutrition specialist."
So let's recap: Cooler Cleanse $58/day for 3 days (you do the math - yikes! this is why I will only do cleanses twice a year, once at the start of the year, once in the middle) 6 juices a day, for 18 drinks delivered to your door (the day you start your cleanse) TOTAL.
Honestly - it wasn't the easiest thing I've ever done. I wouldn't recommend it for the faint of heart (I have the strong resolve of a thick-headed Italian) or for people that easily give in to cravings because HECK- that's just a waste of your money!
Overall thoughts - mostly beneficial with some hype involved. Let's call this for what it is - a FAD. These go in and out - ehh hem, South Beach Diet. People are always doing diets to take shortcuts when in reality there are none. You get healthy by hard work - regular exercise, eating "clean", and being good to your body (hello spiritual wellness!). I recommend trying it at least once and seeing what you think because everyone's experiences will be different.
Hope this was helpful - feel free to leave your thoughts below to share with other readers or inbox me privately.
Thanks for reading - talk to you soon.
xo
Rach
I have read your article, it is very informative and helpful for me.I admire the valuable information you offer in your articles. Thanks for posting it..
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