There always seems to be a debate about something. To cleanse with real lemons at sometimes a dollar a lemon, or to use bottled lemon juice that might be slightly compromised during pasteurization, but is quite affordable once-per-ounce. Well, the purists opt for the real lemons, while the practical opt for Santa Cruz Organic Pure Lemon Juice.
Many of our customers in Oklahoma have found great benefits with this easy cleansing elixir: Mix thoroughly
1 C. hot wate
2 Tbsp Santa Cruz Organic Pure Lemon Juice
1 Tsp Ground Flaxseed
Before you go out on a limb and try something you’ve never tried before, talk to a GreenAcres Market team member and see what else is available out there.
The inimitable Dr. Oz takes a more nutritional approach to cleansing. He doesn’t believe in the extreme cleanses promoted by movie stars who want to shed weight quickly for a role (for example the Master Lemon Juice and Maple Syrup Cleanse that singer Beyonce uses.) He actually believes in eating while you cleanse and the following is what he does for a two-day detox. Here’s one of his favorites:
Breakfast: Quinoa with Prunes
Start the day with a bowl of this healthy whole grain. Quinoa contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. (Not many cleanses incorporate protein, which can be problematic; if you’re not consuming enough amino acids, your body will begin mining them from your muscle tissue. Muscle loss is, unfortunately, one way that detox dieters lose weight.) Quinoa also provides fiber to bulk up stool, and phosphorus to help stimulate bowel movements. The prunes deliver even more fiber, plus sorbitol, a sugar alcohol with a laxative effect.
Lunch: Revitalizing Fruit Smoothie
Here’s proof that a cleanse can taste fantastic. Blueberries provide antioxidants to neutralize cell-damaging free radicals and contain quercetin, a pigment that may increase the number of enzymes in the liver. The banana’s vitamin B6 helps recharge detoxifying enzymes throughout the body, and ground flaxseed or chia seeds supply additional fiber for healthy elimination (as well as brain-nourishing omega-3s).
Dinner: Vegetable Broth with a Side of Sauerkraut and Sliced Apples
This soup is full of good stuff: Fennel may help stimulate the secretion of bile (a fluid that carries waste out of the liver); parsley is believed to act as a diuretic; compounds in garlic, shiitake mushrooms, and cabbage have been found to support liver function; and cayenne pepper may aid lung enzymes. Finish your meal with fermented sauerkraut, which has probiotics that can help break down toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, and apple slices for one last dose of fiber.
Snack: Pineapple-Kale Juice
Enjoy this beverage as often as you like. (Dr. Oz typically recommends two glasses between meals.) Pineapple contains digestive enzymes. Kale is rich in compounds that support enzymes in the liver. And artichoke can improve bile flow.
A Few Pointers:
Use these tips to make the most of your two-day cleanse.
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Aim to get eight hours of sleep a night.
3. Don’t eat after 7 P.M.
4. In the evening, take a warm bath with two cups of Epsom salts dissolved in the water. The salts’ key component, magnesium, supports hundreds of enzymes in the body.
5. Before bed, sip a cup of dandelion tea. It’s been shown to have diuretic properties, which will help flush away toxins in your urine before you sleep.
6. Know that you’ll likely have to use the bathroom quite a bit in the next 48 hours, though your stool should be well-formed, not loose. And since the meal plan doesn’t severely limit your caloric intake, you shouldn’t feel tired or weak.
If you decide to try a cleanse, as always, let us know which one worked best for you.