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My One-Day Cleanse
I'm using this blog post to organize my one-day cleanse the I will be doing later this week. Feel free to steal from it. No, I'm not a nutritionist and no, I'm not making any guarantees about any effects. It's just what I'm doing and I've been happy with the results. Many of my cleanses that I use also avoid caffeine, this one does not. Mainly this is because I have just been on a green tea kick lately and felt like including it for it's antioxidant and other health benefits.
It is important that you remember to have at least a snack every two hours at the very least. This will maintain your metabolism so that your body continues to work at peak efficiency while cleaning itself out. I eat more than that because of my regular activity. You should eat pretty much whenever you're hungry (but not just whenever you're bored). This isn't a weight-loss diet. It's about helping your body to remain clean and work its best. If your body is telling you that it's hungry, then eat more (essential fats, proteins and natural sugars) so that it has the energy to keep working. I also like to make sure that I consume at least 64 oz of fluids (that's about 2 liters) throughout the course of the day.
I would also like to note that I do not discontinue my regular supplement regime on cleanse days. I will still take all of my normal vitamins and other supplements so that my body has everything it needs. I've read some that some studies suggest that many cleanses also lead to quick, small weight loss, but I would like to repeat that this is not the point of a cleanse. So don't starve yourself.
Beverages
Sea Salt Water
Sea salt contains more minerals than regular table salt. Lemon juice also contains added cleansing value.
Ingredients:
1-2 pinches sea salt (to taste)
Lemon wedge
2 cups warm water
Red chili powder (cayenne, optional)
Warm the water. Squeeze in the juice from the lemon wedge. Add the salt and stir. I have read that some people like to add a small sprinkling of cayenne pepper to taste. I don't really care too much for it.
Green Tea
Just buy bagged green tea bags from the store and brew it fresh. Bottled or canned green tea is likely to contain extra crap in it that you are trying to clean out of your body right now.
Pomegranate Juice
Either buy fresh pomegranates and juice them yourself or make sure that you buy pure pomegranate juice with no preservatives, sweeteners or additives. Honestly, this is too pricy for me right now, so I'll be sticking with the tea and salt water.
Breakfast/Snack Options
Fruit Salad - Makes 2-3 Servings
Ingredients:
2 apples (cored, chopped)
2 peaches or nectarines (pitted, chopped)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 bananas
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (shelled)
Toss all the ingredients in a bowl and eat.
Fruit and Nut Mix - Makes 6 servings
1 cup raisins
1 cup craisins
1/2 cup raw almonds
1/2 cup pecans
Lunch
Dark Green Salad
1 cup red leaf lettuce (chopped)
1 cup fresh spinach (chopped)
1/2 cup raw almonds
1/2 avocado (chopped)
sea salt (to taste)
Toss first 4 ingredients, then salt to taste. Serve.
Dinner
Asparagus and Walnuts
1 bundle asparagus spears
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic (chopped)
1/4 cup walnuts (chopped)
sea salt
On medium-high heat, brown chopped garlic in the olive oil in a sauce pan large enough to fit the asparagus. If the oil begins to smoke, lower the heat slightly. As soon as the garlic begins to soften and turn brown, reduce heat to medium and add chopped walnuts then asparagus. Cook on medium heat until the point when the asparagus just begins to soften. Remove from pan and serve. Salt to taste.
Tomato Salad
I totally take tomatoes for granted. I always forget that they are one of the best superfoods out there. They are full of iron and antioxidants and are freaking delicious.
2 chopped tomatoes (of your choosing, about 2" in diameter)
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
salt and black pepper (to taste)
