Day 1 of the Cleanse is COMPLETE! Yesterday, I awoke to a very helpful and informative e-mail from Juice To You with instructions on when to take juices, and some helpful tips. Then, like clockwork, Juice To You arrived at my doorstep (literally). The idea is that you drink a pint of juice (6 in total) every 2 hours, with a superfood elixir “shot” (2oz in the morning and 4oz at night) to start and end your day. They recommend you drink water in-between each juice.
Ready… BREAK!
6:47am - While in a deep sleep, I awoke to knocking on the front door. MY JUICE! I didn’t ask questions about how the guy got into my apartment building, I just took my 3 cooler bags from the nice man, and placed them safely in the refrigerator.
7:15am- Downed a pint glass of warm water. (They recommend you squeeze fresh lemon juice in the water but we may or may not have used our last lemon as part of a fish marinade last night.) Note to self: buy lemons.
At this point in my morning, I’ve usually had a cup of black coffee, and this morning I’m seriously craving my caffeinated friend. Try not to think about the fact that we won’t be reunited until Thursday.
9:00am - Elixir #1 – 2oz Blue-Green Algae, followed by a large cup of water. Gag at the name. Tastes surprisingly like almost nothing (and it’s gone in 2 sips). Have no idea what I just chugged so I research.
Blue-green algae is an all-organic, wild-harvested botanical algae. It is considered to be nature’s most beneficial superfood by renowned health authorities.
Benefits include:
- increases endurance and stamina
- fortifies the blood
- lifts and balances mood to reduce stress
- strengthens bones, teeth, skin, hair, and nails
- supports brain and nervous system
- balances blood-sugar levels
- increases mental focus and concentration
- celery
- cucumber
- sunflower sprouts
- lemon
11:30am – Juice #2 – Lemon-Aid. SO FREAKING DELICIOUS. It tastes like lemonade with a gingery, spicy kick. I drink it slowly to savor every sip because I want it to last longer. I love this juice. Cup of water follows. At this point it’s just about lunchtime and I’m definitely starting to get a bit hungry. Mentally and Physically I feel great this morning – I completely forgot about my lack of caffeine, and have a lot of energy. Not something I was expecting!
In my very informative e-mail this morning, one of the tips was: “We recommend to keep your exercise regimen at a moderate level, thus not straining yourself.” Blasphemy I say.I scrapped my planned lunch-hour 6 mile run in favor of a rest day. I figured after 7 days without one, it was probably time. Planning on a light run and Pilates Tuesday, and the same Wednesday.
- Lemon
- Agave
- Ginger
- Cayenne Pepper
- Filtered Water
1:30 pm – Juice #3 – Beta Green. Surprisingly FILLING! I sipped on this for about an hour at my desk and before I knew it, it was almost time for my next juice. You could definitely taste the carrot but I thought it tasted really sweet, delicious, and satisfied any hunger pangs I had going on.
- Cucumber
- Carrot
- Spinach
- Romaine
- Parsley
3:30 pm – Juice #4 – Coconut Water.
OHMYGOD I’ve been missing out. Fresh coconut water tastes nothing like the stuff I convince myself tastes good, but really I choke down for a hangover/post-run benefit. I bet I could even get boyfriend to like this kind. It actually tastes like a coconut!
By this point in the day I’m usually starving and exhausted. I’m totally satisfied with no hunger pangs to speak of. I feel extremely alert, have a lot of energy, and haven’t yawned once this afternoon. I feel fantastic (if not a little cold because my office keeps the temperature in arctic range). I’m also coming off of 7 days of straight running/pilates exercise so typically I’d be really hungry at this point.
5:30 pm – Juice #5 – Deep Green.
Tasted a lot like the other green juice – filling, satisfying, and not at all like a plant.
- Celery
- Cucumber
- Kale
- Spinach
- Romaine
- Parsley
- Lemon
7:30 pm – Juice # 6 – Almond Drink.
- Raw Almonds
- Coconut Water
- Vanilla Bean
- Himalayan Salt
- Filtered Water
This tasted like a vanilla-almond-coconut MILKSHAKE. I savored every sip it was so tasty. Juice To You soaks their almonds in water for a full day before grinding them, to stimulate the nuts into sprouting. When a seed sprouts, it is buzzing with nutrients and enzymes, so sprouting almonds are even healthier than regular almonds.
9pm – Elixir #2 – Aloe (SAY WHAT?)
This shot is designed to hydrate and support digestive function. The combination of aloe vera juice, young coconut water and lime juice hydrates your body while regulating your digestion.
Possible benefits include:
- improves digestion
- anti-inflammatory properties
- hydrates the body
- strengthens immune system
After my initial panic attack that I was drinking what I use to put on my skin after a sunburn, I took my shot of aloe… and it tasted like lemon water. Not bad in the least. (And it only lasted about 5 seconds).
Overall Thoughts On Day 1?
I never felt hungry. Not a once… and I’m a very hungry person by nature. I felt alert, focused and just overall great all day, which really surprised me. I was expecting headaches, dizziness, hunger pangs, etc and I didn’t experience any of that. I also feel really light, which I’m really enjoying. Typically Mondays are my longest days with work, a workout and then Pilates Teacher Training, and I’m a zombie by 10pm. Yesterday I was full of energy until I got into bed – a welcome change!
I didn’t work out yesterday, and the only time I even wanted to eat wasn’t because I was hungry, it was because I missed the sensation of chewing.
Day 1 Success!
