This is your sign to start a juice cleanse!
I am on Day 3 of a 10 day cleanse and instead of doing my usual smoothie cleanse I opted for a juice cleanse. At first I was biased but now I finally get the hype- it’s concentrated nutrients. I feel amazing🌞 In the future I would prefer to do juicing in conjunction with smoothies or intermittent fasting.
***Honorable mention is a Spinach/Kale, Cucumber, Celery, Apple,Parsely, Lemon, Ginger Juice.***
Here are the guidelines I am following:
1. Drink water, herbal teas (dandelion,nettle, and chamomile are my go tos) and 64-120oz of juices only- no added sugars. If you want to control insulin you can opt to only use green apples or no fruit at all-I do a combination since I really want to discover my favorites plus try to pair them with lower glycemic ingredients for balance . Do your own research to match your goals and if needed talk to your PCP.
1a. My bottles hold 18oz so I drink 3-4 each day.
2. Pay attention to your cravings! Do you notice a pattern? (Mine are rice and roti, fish, Ethiopian food, Chickpea Curry)
3. Plan your 1st meal that will break your fast🌱🥳 It should be a light easy to digest raw plant based meal.
***Mine will be pecan walnut stuffed avocados- one Mediterranean with hummus and olives another Mexican inspired with mango salsa and cashew crema. And green tea or kombucha😋***
4. Post-cleanse 5 days are dedicated to smoothies, juices, kombucha, fermented foods, salads, fruits, nuts, and soups. This will rebuild healthy gut bacteria and prevent rebounding. It also gets back the insoluble fiber that helps with BM and further detoxification. I intermittent fast within a 12-15 hr window intuitively.
4a.Reincorporate carbs(rice, pastas, etc.) and meats incrementally after the 5 day post-cleanse period (80% non-processed plant-based foods, 20% meat/carbs) .
I am already looking forward to the slow return of solid foods but to stay motivated I wanted to share my experience and remind myself of the benefits. If you are looking to try this out for yourself here are some other cool facts about what happens to your body during cleansing:
1. Repairs lining of gut to grow good bacteria.
2. Resets dopamine- a.k.a. mental health booster.
3. Growth Hormone increases= anti-aging effects, muscle growth, and burns stored fats.
4. Autophagy= cells eat toxins that cause chronic disease and self heal, anti-aging effects.
5. Weight loss= stored fat is used for energy.
6. *Stem Cells boost for prolonged fast past 72 hours*
Amazing right!? And most of this all happens within 72 hours 😄 And the best part is all my produce were under $60. The bottles came from Amazon but mason jars are just fine. I hope you give it a try!
✌🏿❤️🧚🏾♀️✨,
TJ
#Lemon8Diary #lemon8foodie #juicingtips #guthealthdetox #bodytransformation
Before starting my 10-day juice cleanse, I honestly felt sluggish. My energy levels were inconsistent, I was constantly craving sugary or carb-heavy foods, and I noticed persistent bloating, especially after meals. My skin felt a bit dull, and despite eating relatively healthy, I just didn't feel 'light' or vibrant. I was really hoping this cleanse would kickstart a change, not just for weight, but for overall vitality and gut health. The first couple of days were definitely a detox challenge. I experienced a bit of a headache and felt a dip in energy, which is common as your body adjusts. But by Day 3, as I mentioned in my main post, things really shifted! My energy soared, and I woke up feeling genuinely refreshed. I noticed a significant reduction in bloating – my stomach felt flatter and less distended. My cravings for unhealthy snacks diminished dramatically, replaced by a surprising satisfaction from the nutrient-dense juices. The green juice with spinach, celery, pineapple, ginger, and turmeric became my morning staple, and I really felt its detoxifying power, contributing to healthier skin and improved digestion, just like the image mentions. In the afternoon, a vibrant orange juice with orange, grapefruit, pineapple, ginger, and turmeric gave me a great pick-me-up, and I felt my focus improving. The red juice (carrots, seeded grapes, beets, turmeric) was perfect for an immunity boost and sustained energy, living up to its promises of stamina and anti-inflammatory benefits. By the end of the 10 days, the 'before and after' was truly remarkable for me, even without a camera. Physically, the most noticeable change was my waistline – my clothes felt looser, and that persistent bloat was completely gone. My skin had a noticeable glow, and I felt incredibly hydrated. Beyond the physical, the mental clarity was profound. My mind felt sharper, my mood was uplifted (hello, dopamine reset!), and I had a sustained, steady energy through the day that I hadn't experienced in years. I also dropped a few pounds, which was a nice bonus, but the real win was how light and internally clean I felt. It truly felt like my body had hit a reset button. I wasn't just 'eating' healthy; I was feeling healthy from the inside out. Of course, a cleanse is just the beginning. The post-cleanse phase, as highlighted in my article and the 'Post-Cleanse Healthy Recipe' image, was crucial. Gently reintroducing whole foods like salads, fruits, and fermented foods helped cement those gut health benefits and prevent any rebound. I learned so much about my body's signals and what truly nourishes me. This experience wasn't just about juice; it was about understanding my body's incredible ability to heal and thrive when given the right tools. If you're considering a cleanse, I truly hope my detailed 'before and after' experience inspires you to try it and discover your own amazing transformation!