I know you (Donna), you want to eat all the sweets and potato chips in the house before you “start” the 
cleanse. Humans have this funny thing called a ‘mind’ that tries to manipulate us with fear of loosing something – don’t fall for it! You are not going to starve, you are not going to be banned from sugar the rest of your life, you are not going to waste food in your pantry (give it away if you have to) and you are not going to fail this cleanse!! You can do it! One of the great things about this cleanse is that by the end of the 30 days, your body and mind will break the food addiction pattern. Cravings will cease and before long, you’ll have an organic lifestyle that is free of mental anguish, instead choosing to healthier options that will keep your body amazingly strong.
Here are some tips to consider before and during the cleanse – some are reminders.
1 – If you have sensitive teeth or weak enamel, drink the lemonade with a straw.
2 – While taking fiber supplements or teas, drink 2 glasses of pure water in addition to the water you drank with the fiber concoction. Herbal teas and our drink mixes on the cleanse do not count as pure water.
3 – If you are taking other supplements that are not necessary, discontinue for at least a week during the cleanse (week 2 or 3). Do not discontinue if you need supplements or other medication for health purposes.
4 – Addicted to coffee? Read the last post.
5 – Alcohol – a general no-no during a cleanse. A cheat of a wine spritzer (half glass wine, half seltzer) or similar is not going to ruin it, but will not help either. I suggest no alcohol.
6 – No store-bought fruit juices allowed except the pure cranberry. If you juice, green apple or berry juice in a mixed green juice is allowed.
7 – If you own a juicer, you can ramp up this cleanse by adding one afternoon juice cocktail of choice: kale, carrot, cucumber, green apple, ginger, celery, green bell pepper, etc.
8 – If you make smoothies and want to include fiber or acai in smoothies, no soy milk, bananas or vanilla/chocolate flavorings. Rice almond or hemp milk preferred.
9 – Try to get 7 1/2 – 8 1/2 hours of sleep every night.
10 – Light to moderate exercise ONLY.
The most important thing: DON’T give up! The first week is the hardest, week two you will start to see results and be encouraged, week three we’ll need to get creative and the fourth week – you’ll be feeling so great you won’t want it end!!
Great information! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while now. Thanks!
Hi Leah,
I’m excited to get started! A couple of questions:
1- no chickpeas? I just bought a big thing of hummus thinking it would be a good “fast food” during the cleanse.
2- can I put cocoa powder into a smoothie? Unsweetened?
3- can I include green pea protein in a smoothie?
4 – There are a couple of really special events that I’m going to over the next month where I won’t be able to follow the detox perfectly. For example, I’m going to the NY Emmy Awards on Sunday. What would you suggest for getting through that meal? I don’t want to abstain from eating and imbibing as I’m going for networking and would rather have the people I meet focus on my business ideas rather than picky eating habits.
Lastly, thanks so much for this post. It’s so TRUE that we get totally freaked out by the idea of a cleanse. I was wondering why I was eating everything refined in sight! It’s like we get scared that we’ll be going without that certain something forever! It’s silly.
Thanks, Leah!
Hey Paige -
Yes, Chickpeas are allowed and hummus is one of my favs! As for the cocoa, I would use it sparingly, if at all. It’s typically not a part of cleansing programs.
For your events, it’s typical for people to have special diets (we are in NY!) There is generally some food items that are appropriate, and just use your judgement – veggies, no bread, a little meat, etc. I don’t think people you’ll be talking with will be concerned about what you are or aren’t eating if you don’t make a big deal about it!