Saturday, May 10, 2014

Conscious Cleanse Friendly Beverages

When I did the Conscious Cleanse, a food-based cleanse, for the first time, I changed what I drink quite dramatically. Before the cleanse, I had to start every day with several cups of coffee, and I continued to drink several more cups during the day. I always liked water, but with all the coffee I was drinking I didn’t drink as much plain water as I should have. I also had a glass of wine many nights.

If you had told me before the cleanse that I would give up coffee completely, I would have laughed at you. Coffee had been part of my life for 25 years, and I *knew* I couldn’t give it up. Well, I was wrong. To be honest, giving up coffee during my first cleanse was the hardest thing I had done in a long time. I was so used to my coffee that I had severe withdrawal symptoms and was quite miserable for several days. But once I got over the withdrawal symptoms, I honestly didn’t miss it anymore, and I realized I didn’t need coffee to get me going in the morning.

I had read that warm lemon water would soon take the place of coffee and I would be looking forward to it. When I read it before the cleanse, I didn’t believe it, but that’s exactly what happened.

I know many enjoy a cup or two of coffee a day and it works for them. And there are even some health benefits. But I didn’t like being so dependent on coffee as I wouldn’t leave the house without some “emergency” instant coffee in my purse just in case I needed it…

Also, I realized that I didn’t need to drink a glass of wine so frequently. As I’m getting older, there isn’t that much room for extra calories, and I rather eat them than drink them.

Here is what I’m drinking during a “typical” day:
  • 32 ounces of warm lemon water to start the day
  • Green smoothie with lots of greens, usually made with 2 cups of water
  • Lots and lots of water, sometimes I add lemon or cucumber slices to make it more interesting – Jo and Jules, the founders of the cleanse, recommend you drink at least half your body weight in ounces, more if you exercise a lot or live in high altitude. This is in addition to the 32 ounces of warm lemon water in the morning.
  • Ginger tea – ginger slices steeped in hot water
  • Herbal teas


Once in a while I also bring out my juicer (not as often as I should) and make some green juice.

Since I’m not drinking coffee anymore, I don’t get the “crashing” feeling that I used to experience quite frequently. I also think my skin looks better because I’m drinking more water.

Changing what I drink was only one of the changes I made because of the Conscious Cleanse. The other “big ones” were gluten and eggs (because I can’t digest them) which I was able to determine after eliminating them during the cleanse and then reintroducing them one by one to determine their effects on me.

The next group Conscious Cleanse starts on June 7. There is lots of support via daily emails, a private Facebook group, and six live teleseminars, and support is essential when you are doing a cleanse, especially the first time. Here is more information about the Conscious Cleanse and the registration link. Early bird registration is happening through Sunday May 18. Use code EBCC614 to get $25 off.

Questions: With what beverage do you start the day? Do you drink enough water? Do you keep track of how much you drink? I started to keep track of how much water I drank when I did the Conscious Cleanse for the first time and tracked what I drank on my phone. Now I usually drink automatically enough. But when things get stressful I have noticed I tend to fall short, so I have to be especially mindful.

Be well,
Andrea