Starting tomorrow morning I will embark on my annual cleansing journey. Last year I nailed it. I created the perfect cleanse that fit safely into my training/ working/ being awesome lifestyle. Over the years I've tried some pretty tough stuff but this one is very simple. Plus, I don't need anything that intense, I'm not that dirty on the inside to begin with ;)
HolisticGuru's Personalized 9-Day Spring Cleanse
Days 1-3: It's about what you CAN have, not what you CAN'T have.
hemp protein shakes - 1-3 per day
any veggies I want, lots of root veggies for carbs - going sweet potato crazy
fruits - limited
olive oil - as seasoning
sea salt - very little
herbs and spices - I get creative here
herbal tea
I'll take it pretty easy with training, keeping volume but nothing too intense.
Days 4-6: Master Cleanser
lemonade with maple syrup and cayenne - getting at least 2000 cals per day
veggie juices
herbal tea
If anyone has ever tried the Master Cleanse you might be aware of the mental clarity and focus you can experience. I'll be studying for a final so it should be perfect for making me feel wicked smart. By this point I will also start to feel like cleansing my space/life. I'll probably clean my apartment and throw things away.
Days 7-9: Same as days 1-3, although if I feel the need I will add:
eggs
fish
*I will also practice yoga every day.
*I will try "zazen" sitting because Texafornia will think its cool.
*I will take naps.
*I will take hot baths and maybe even get a massage or platza treatment.
*I will not be cleansing myself from the internets... don't worry.
*I will post something about the experience on my blog every day.
Anyone want to join me? We can even create a personalized detox for you to follow if you want something more or less intense. Email me at: christine@liveandeatbetter.com for more info.
Why 9 Days?
During my yoga teacher training at Atmananda, John T said, "in yoga, the number 9 represents completion". This was why we were holding our Chakrasana or "wheel pose" for 9 breaths. Ever since then I have used the number 9 to represent completion in many areas of my life. I'm not even sure why. I just like it. So my cleanse is complete after 9 days.
Why Cleanse?
Throughout the year our bodies accumulate toxins from our diet, environment, stress, etc. In the Spring we detox, whether we choose to or not, the body naturally begins a cleansing process. Usually we experience cold symptoms as this begins to take place. We can choose to support this process by eating healthy foods, or to avoid it by medicating when we start to feel 'under the weather'. The problem with taking over the counter meds in this case is that the cleanse doesn't have a chance to work its natural magic and you can end up with a secondary infection (i.e. a runny nose becomes a sinus infection).
With each season Mother Earth produces a different variety of fruits and vegetables to nourish us. When we eat with the seasons, we are eating the way that nature has intended; the same way that our ancestors ate since the beginning of the human race. Each seasonal harvest grows the perfect combination of vitamins and nutrients to protect us from our environment, prepare our bodies to defend against illness, and remove toxic build up. By doing this, and by allowing ourselves to slow down for a few days, we are supporting a very valuable process.
Can I do a Cleanse and Continue With My Training?
Yes, you can. You just gotta be smart about it. Your cleanse can focus on whatever works for you and your lifestyle.
- it can last for 3 days, or even 21 days
- you can commit to avoiding all "bad" foods or you can choose 1 or 2 to avoid
- you can focus on adding in healthy foods rather than taking away foods
- you can get adequate amounts of calories, protein, carbs, fat, etc
- you can make it whatever you want it to be
- YOU CAN DO IT
So, who's in?
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