Day One

Breakfast was the Roots and Fruits Juice. 

I headed to the doctor and was diagnosed with Bronchitis. I was resistant to being prescribed antibiotics but knew that if I didn't take care of it now, that I would end up with Pneumonia which has happened to me in the past. I realized that with the juice that I was off to a healthy start so was a good patient and have agreed to take the medication for 10 days. 

My doctor was impressed and congratulated me. I had chosen to go the juicing route. She is a firm believer of the Hunter and Gatherer diet.  Processed foods contribute nothing to the general well or health of the individual. I have committed to full blood work in three months time to see the results and to review it with her. 

Lunch was Green Carrot and Ginger Juice.  I decided to experiment and made one serving of the Beet-ini. which was fun, i drank half of the serving but within less then an hour I had a reaction that lasted throughout the day. it was definitely cleansing my body! I didn't have fresh mint which would give it a more cleaner taste and it was quite thick in consistency. 

The Beet-tini

Benefits of the Beet

• It contains sodium, phosphorus, calcium, sulphur, chlorine, iodine, iron, copper, vitamins B1, B2, C. 
• The juice is rich in easily digestible carbohydrates, but low in calories. 
• The protien factors or amino acids are good in both quality and qauntity. Rich in alkaline elecments, potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron. 
• Beet juice is rich in sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulphur, chlorine, iodine, iron, copper, vitamins B1, B2, C 

• Beet juice in combination with carrot or cucumber is on the finest cleansers for the kidneys and gall bladder.  

Green Carrot Ginger Juice

Joe Cross's documentary has inspired me. When you are inspired, you share your excitement with others and you never know who you might convert.. Such was this case.. 

I had casually mentioned to my room mate about juicing and four days ago a new Big Boss juicer sat on the kitchen counter. The receipt for $60.00 waiting to be reimbursed. I had to laugh at the silly name and was curious to see if it could do the job that a Breville Juicer could. The Breville, priced at over $200 was something that I would aspire to at this point. 

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Boss-700-Watt-Juicer-Black/dp/B004FLK0IW

The machine sat in its box and I wasn't well enough to get the fresh produce I needed so the next night I went onto www.rebootwithjoe.com that I found the perfect recipe for the flu virus I was battling. I made a shopping list and once again, with encouragement.. the room mate went off to pick up the ingredients. Kale, Cucumber, Carrots, Fresh Ginger, Apples as well as Oranges, Spinach, Beets and Celery. 

My juice of choice, Green Carrot Ginger Juice promised to pack a punch by building my immunity. Essential minerals; Magnesium, Calcium, and Manganese. Vitamin B6. Beneficial in balancing blood sugars, soothing an upset stomach, and preventing muscle soreness. 

I was ready to begin! 

Juicing Tips

• Thoroughly wash all vegetables to remove any dirt or pesticides. Buying Organic will prevent issues such as pesticides and encourage maximum micro nutrients. 
• Remove any blemishes or dark spots. Fresh is always best and will provide you with the most nutritious juice! 
• Cut fruit in halves. Break other vegetables in sizes large enough to fit into juicer feed tube.   
•  Turn on juicer for 10 seconds before feeding vegetables into the chute. This will prevent the juicer from stalling. 
• Make sure to have container under spout to collect juice and monitor levels of juice to prevent spillage. 
• Roll leafy vegetables such as Kale into a ball and alternate with other vegetables to ease juice extraction and blend juice. 
• Serve and enjoy immediately. If you must, juice can be stored in a sealed glass Mason type jar in the fridge and be kept up to 2 days. 

Served with Ice. 

Cleanup Tips

•  Remove pulp from machine. Can be used for the compost or baked goods. I haven't gone that far, I toss mine into the garbage. 
• Disassemble all parts, rinse and clean immediately. Trust me, its much easier to do as soon as you are finished. Once produce fibers start to harden, you're not going to enjoy cleanup! 
• Tiny parts in the mesh can grow bacteria so for healthy juicing and for the life of your machine, take the time to clean and maintain your juicer with all its parts.  

Fresh fruits and vegetables taste nothing like the over processed, frozen or canned ones. I could taste each flavor and a bit more ginger was to my liking. I drank my juice, rested and tomorrow, I had a scheduled doctor's appointment because I saw no improvement with my worsening cough, sinuses and fatigue. I was curious to hear her thoughts on what was happening and I wanted to hear her opinion on juicing....

The 9 Day Cleanse.

Today I am doing the nine day cleanse and today is day one of two full back to back full cleanse days.

Until now I have been doing one cleanse day per week which is your 30 day cleanse.

You also have the option if you are starting out for the 9 day cleanse which for for someone completely new to the program is two full cleanse days, five shake days and ending with two full cleanse days again.

I find it hard to believe that people make their way in the beginning with the nine day program! Its the rapid program in the Isagenix world.

I knew it would be hard starting out to jump right in for me with two initial cleanse days so I eased into the program. Now that I have done about.. 6-8 cleanse days I find them MUCH easier. My opinion, if you are starting out, start with the 30 days cleanse! Not to mention, you get more product and more value for your money. Yes, it does cost more but it totally worth the investment in.. YOU!

• It's 5:30 AM and I have today off from work but I have had to get up early to go the the Passport Office so I have drank some water with two accelerators and when I first woke up I took 1 ounce of my Ionix Supreme. I'm currently sipping on 4 ounces of my Cleanse for Life mixed with 8 ounces of water. I have no idea when I will be back from the Passport Office so in the fridge I have a premixed Cleanse for Life with water in the bottle ready to go for when I return. Remember, four of these today on your cleanse days! I will take along my 1 Liter of water, Isasnacks, Isadelights and a book to get me through my waiting at the office. I will update later.

• Second cleanse done at 12;oo PM from my premixed that was in the fridge. Snacks every two hours. Drinking more water.

• It's now 240 PM and firstly, I pickup the passport on Sept. 9th! Four friggen days before we leave. The woman there was awesome and I was in and out in 20 mins.~! There is someone looking after me. |Thank you!!!!

• I spent most of the morning walking and looking around downtown. I got my Vision Board laminated and it will be put on my fridge of on my mirror to inspire me. I waked through the drug store to pick up something and a strong smell of popcorn passed my nostrils. My stomach almost immediately began to growl. Its smelt soooooooooooooo good! I got out of there and picked up a day timer to record my measurements, cleanse days and plan my days. I browsed the stores and didn't buy anything. Saving my money for Vegas!

• Then, as I walked down the street, I smelt fresh baked bread from Subway. Ugh, that was killer so I sucked on an Isadelight. When you haven't had those for awhile they are so tasty. Right now I'm beginning to get hungry so I'm drinking water and eating an Isasnack to curb the feeling. I have now drank 2 liters of water as well as done two cleanse drinks with water.

• This afternoon, I tore apart the living room and have moved all the furniture! Organized, dusted and cleaned the entire room! Hubby came home and said, "What the heck?!" and I pipe up, "Surprize!" I should mention that the furniture includes two coffee tables, end tables, a leather love seat and a leather couch! I listened to some of my favourite cds and felt inspired.

• Evenings are tough on cleanse days for me so tonight I have a tub soak planned with lavender and orange..Maybe even a Isadelight!

• Third cleanse done at 5:30 and final cleanse at 8:00 PM. Total amount of water drank: 4 liters not to mention water mixed with cleanse drinks. I've now done starting measurements and also committed to going to the gym on my shake days.

• I've just had a hot soak in tub and am now going to flip through the Fall Vogue Magazine. It's massive! I know, I'm such a princess! Getting tired. I suppose, I have been up since 5:30 AM.

How much do you want this? Working your way through cleansing.

What I write is of my own personal experience..

One of the questions you have to ask yourself when beginning any program and throughout a program is:

How much do I want this?

Also, any program is only as good as the effort you put into it.

Today is a challenging day for me. I have chosen today as my cleanse day and to save anyone from reading this, too much information, lets just say... I have a few side effects and my body is in full cleanse mode today. My day now looks differently then I originally had planned it but.. isn't that life in a nutshell?

If you read about cleansing, the body cleanses and various things happen.

If for example, you drink cofee then obviously caffiene withdrawl which might include headaches. Me, I don't drink coffee enough to go through withdrawls. Some of the side effects can include tiredness, irritability and hunger.

I remember the first day I had my cleanse, I went though it all: irritability, hunger, headaches, fatigue, stomach growling, and mood swings but I made it though. Then, I talk to some people who are on the program and they have no problems with the cleanse. In fact, they have little or no symptoms. I had to remind myself that I shouldn't compare my body or experiences to anyone. I am unique. We are all different and our bodies deal with cleansing differently.


Another time I went through, minor hunger pangs which I pushed away with a boiled egg or celery sticks. When I did a two day cleanse, back to back, it was effortless and the majority of the next day was! The majority of it was. I even cooked and prepped meals on days where I was on full cleanse and wasn't hungry! One day I even went out with a friend and little did I know she was doing her grocery shopping! Instead, I bought some cleaning supplies and when I got home I cleaned!

If you are cleansing and need relief:

Read a book
Watch a movie
Go for a walk
Get some extra sleep or rest
Drink more water
Drink More Energy
Eat one Isasnack
Eat an Isadelight
Get a massage
Have a hot soak
Get a pedicure
Stretch
Yoga
Eat a hard boiled egg, five almonds, celery, or small green salad.

Some key elements in a successful cleanse day are rest and water.

I cannot promise it you is easy but if you take the time to listen to your body, there is much for you to learn!

Day Two of Second Cleanse.

Today wasn't bad until 9 PM tonight. I've eaten four IsaSnacks and three IsaDelights today. Right now, I feel light headed and hungry. Plain ol hungry. I have drank over three litres of water today with lemon as well as my four cleanses. I am contemplating another chocolate or some almonds. Hit with diarrhea as well tonight. Haven't had that since I first started almost a month ago. I will go to bed soon and see how I feel in the morning. I will start back to my shake for breakfast.

Update: Ended up eating two Isasnacks and some More Energy in my water. That calmed me down somewhat but felt nauseated. Ate five almonds with water and went to sleep.

Cleanse Day Two.

I have released 10 pounds and... drum roll.. 2 inches from my chest, 2 inches from my diaphragm, two inches from my abdomen, 2 inch from thighs, 2 inches from my calves totaling.. 10 inches. That was my measurements 10 days in. We are now 16 days in and I will not weigh or measure until Day 30.


I'm very optimistic today and in a laid back mood which is a far cry from where I was before: anxious, curious and impatient. Now I know what to expect from my body so I will listen to its messages.

I think this is because of last night's workout. I pushed myself and I'm sore today. Not so sore I can't walk the 30 mins. to my appointment at 11 AM.

This morning: Ionix Supreme. Waited 30 mins. Accelerator. 8 Ounces of water. One hour later, 8 ounces of water and four ounces of cleanse. The cleanse is such a weird taste to me. I can't even begin to explain what it tastes like. I chug it back. It's now 10 AM and I have an appointment for 11 AM so I will bring water and snacks to get me through until lunch. Uhm, lunch is more cleanse and water.

I ended up walking the 1.5 KMS t the hair salon, getting the hair cut, walking to the pedicure place and then walking home. Before I knew it, it was 2 PM and I hadn't even wanted to eat anything! I drank 1 litre of water throughout the day.

When I got home, I had a message on my phone but I was starting to get hungry. Without thinking, I checked emails and proceeded to eat a shake! What the heck was I thinking?!? I wasn't supposed to have a shake, it was supposed to be a cleanse day!! Whoops. So, for dinner I had a cleanse and will have another cleanse around 7:30 PM. So, instead of eating my cucumbers and eggs like I did last time, I had a shake.

Its time for my last cleanse now and I have to say, I'm hungry. I have eaten one chocolate today. I will record how that goes for the evening...

Evening was tough but not as tough as the last cleanse. Ended up eating ten almonds, drank more water and went to bed hungry.

C.

My first cleanse.

Today began with eight ounces of water with one accelerator capsule.

One hour later, the moment of truth: the cleanser itself with water. It tasted quite .. different.. I can't even explain. It didn't taste as horrible as everyone makes it out to be when I read other blogs. So, I had it with water and ice to drink. What I've noticed this morning is that I'm incredibly cold. Usually I'm quite warm but today.. I'm cold. So, I took a hot bath to relax which is also good for detoxing.

It's been 90 mins. since taking the cleanse and 60 mins after taking it I was hungry. My stomach was in full grumble mode so I drank water with lemon and that certainly helped. If it returns I will eat one Isagenix snack. Other then that I'm already looking forward to eating a shake tomorrow. Who would have thought I'd look forward to a shake. I took some water from the fridge and would love to munch on some of the veggies. They look so good right now!

I took my one snack and that curbed things. I also drank more water which has helped.I ate two small baby cucumbers. I felt quite tired so I laid down for a quick 20 min. nap.

At 12:00 PM I drank my 2 ounces of Ionix Supreme. I drank more water and waited until 1 PM to take my next cleanse drink with water and ice. I drank more water with lemon throughout the next two hours. Now, getting slight headache so re read instructions.

I have boiled a few organic eggs and steamed some veggies to have on hand for tomorrow's shake day. I'm drinking water with lemon and taking second accelerator capsule.

Hungry before dinner cleanse so I ate two mini cucumbers and water.

Drank water with cleanse. Added ice to convince myself it was a fancy drink. :-)

Update: 7:30 PM. Will take last cleanse drink. Incredibly hungry now. Hungriest yet! I will take drink and drink more water. My goal is to eat one chocolate and then try to relax while watching a movie. Then, go to sleep. Please..inner Goddess, wherever you are! HELP ME! :-)

Had my last cleanse drink and more water with lemon. Ate two chocolates.

Watched movie, Mr and Mrs. Smith. 9:45 tired enough for bed but still hungry. Ate hard boiled egg and drank water. Calmed everything down and slept from 10 PM until 8 AM the next day.

It was tough for me but I did it. I can't see how anyone who has never fasted can make it though a back to back cleanse day... Amazing stuff.