Spring is such a wonderful time of the year, don’t you think? A new season, budding trees, and a warm, comforting breeze carrying with it an accompanying feeling of new beginnings. While we get the itch to clean our houses and organize our yards, we may also find ourselves feeling that same way about our lifestyles. A need to switch things up and clear out any junk that may have accumulated through those Wintery months.
And I intend to do just that! Thanks to Glow Juicery Leduc, I’ve decided to partake in my very first cleanse. I’ll be documenting my experience in a blog series outlining every success and any challenge in hopes to shed some light on the process.
But first, what exactly is a cleanse?
A juice cleanse is a great way to rest the stomach, ease the intestines and take some stress off of your liver as this is our main detoxing organ. It filters every molecule of food, which passes through the intestinal wall before being sent to the rest of the body. By drinking water and fruit/vegetable juices for a few days at a time, it allows your digestive tract to relax and take a break from working around the clock while still consuming an ample amount of nutrients.
After all, recent research indicates that our gut may actually be our second brain. Our Enteric Nervous System consists of millions of nerve cells, which line our gastrointestinal tract from esophagus to rectum and may actually be able to alter its response to nutrient composition. Jay Pasricha, M.D., director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Neurogastroenterology, has recently suggested that irritation in the gastrointestinal system may send signals to the central nervous system (CNS) that trigger mood changes. What a neat concept!
So what will I be doing?
With the 3-Day Beginner Cleanse, I’ll be drinking 6 yummy, nutritious juices, spaced out through each day and the inclusion of 1 cruciferous, alkalizing salad consisting of broccoli and radishes to name a few veggies & hemp hearts or avocado or almonds for a daily dose of heart healthy fats and plant protein.
How do I Prepare?
A few great tips provided by Glow Juicery Leduc:
- Eliminate processed foods such as alcohol, dairy, sugar, and wheat 2 days before
- Eliminate caffeine 1-3 days prior to starting
- Incorporate fresh Glow juices and hearty salads 2-3 days prior
- Drink at least 10 cups of water a day prior (add lemon for an extra punch!)
- Consume last meal before 8PM a few days before starting
I’m super excited to see what Day 1 has in store for me! I’m anticipating a few hangry moments but I know it will all be worth it!
