I'm on Day Two of the process, and tomorrow I will begin the Master Cleanse after two days of preparation through raw fruits and veggies only. I've cut out sugar, caffenine, alcohol, and all processed foods. Today I'm experiencing a slight headache (due to lack of coffee I believe) and I'm hungry, but I'm not starving and while I am a bit spacey, I know from past experience that this will pass.
I guide my Spring Cleanses with Elson Haas' wonderful book, STAYING HEALTHY WITH THE SEASONS. This is the best book I've found for explaining the benefits of cleansing and helping provide solid instructions and guidelines for a positive cleanse experience.
REASONS TO CLEANSE:
- We eat heavier foods in the winter, and moving into spring/summer, our bodies are craving sprouts, salads, and lighter (fresh) fare. A cleanse helps prepare our bodies for receiving lighter, seasonal fruits and veggies and helps us hear these cravings.
- Cleansing helps our bodies fight disease by giving our organs a rest from digestion so they can work on filtering out toxins.
- A cleanse provides increased mental clarity and energy (after 1-2 days of sluggishness) and can really help jumpstart new beginnings in Spring.
- And finally, cleansing helps us break food addictions and patterns, recognizing the important role food plays in our life while helping show us our psychological issues with food, beyond eating for nourishment and good health.
REASONS NOT TO CLEANSE:
- While it is a nice side effect, do not cleanse to lose weight -- you will gain it almost all back within the first month of re-introducing food to your diet.
- If you have any health problems, are pregnant, etc. you should either not cleanse, or cleanse only under medical supervision. When seeking a doctor that would be helpful for cleansing, look for a holistic or integrative MD, not a standard doctor who may not be as aware of nutrition.
Happy Cleansing!
