HELLO SUNSHINE, WATERMELON + FUN!
HELLO SUNSHINE, WATERMELON + FUN!
Enjoy the tasty summer recipes crafted by a holistic nutritionist that can be made in 25 minutes or less. What's not to love about that?!
Buy exactly what you need to rawk this cleanse. Grocery list is calculated for one person. Double if you're doing it with a buddy.
The key to a successful cleanse comes down to your weekend prep work. Set aside 4 hours to prep as much as you can for the week.
I know this can feel like a lot right now, yet I promise you'll find your groove. What's most important is that you make this cleanse work for you.We're 100% here to help you rawk this. Enter your email below to get daily coaching emails throughout the live community cleanse.
In just 7 days, you'll break bad eating habits and fall in love with tasty plant-based snacks, meals and smoothies. This program was crafted by a holistic nutritionist to help you lose weight, gain energy, boost your immune system.
All meals are nutrient-rich and therefore give back to the body, and will balance your blood sugar, keeping your energy at a steady flow. Rather than focus on calories or points, we focus on having good quality protein, healthy fats and loads of vegetables and fruit to get all the goodness that you need.
Plant-Based Whole Foods 101
First, you will literally eat your way through a cleanse. Think if it like a plant-based whole food cooking class that you're doing for a week. There's always a learning curve when it comes to doing something new, yet trust the process. By the end you'll have so much confidence in the kitchen and learn a whole new way of eating that makes you feel amazing!
Listen to Your Body
Throughout the cleanse, I want you to really listen to your body. When you're tired, rest or sleep. When you're hungry, drink water. If you're still hungry, then eat. Often times "hunger" is actually dehydration in disguise. If the meals are too large, eat less. If they're too little, eat more! Adjust this to work for YOU. Yet for most people, the program works great as is. So start there and adjust as you go.
Embrace Progress over Perfection
This is something I tell myself every day to stay positive and not fall off the bandwagon completely. There are days when you're gonna feel stretched thin and sticking with the cleanse plan might be too much. Do the best you can and let it go. You are still doing great and should be proud of yourself for making progress when it comes to eating better.
For the next week, we'll focus on fighting fatigue, stubborn weight gain, acne, bloating and brain fog through the foods we eat (and avoid).
The key to success and sanity on the cleanse is prepping on your days off. We've provided prep tips within the guidebook and strongly encourage you do as much as you can. Here's my top things to prep the weekend before you cleanse:
If you're doing the cleanse with a partner, double the recipes and shopping list so they have enough food.
The hardest part of any cleanse is the withdrawals that can happen when you remove processed sugars and caffeine for your diet. For some, it can be just a mild headache, for others you might be struggling just to get out of bed. That was me when I went from a pot of coffee a day to none. It was rough... until it wasn't. Addictions (including food) can have a vicious hold on us— until we break free. This is your chance to break free.
CAFFEINE ADDICTION
If caffeine is your thing, make sure to drink plenty of water the first few days without it. You can also swap to a wonderful coffee alternative called Dandy Blend that myself and many cleansers love. I also rely on our Spiced Almond Milk to get me through a rough day— it's a magical drink on the cleanse.
SUGAR ADDICTION
If sugar is your thing, feel free to add a little extra honey or maple syrup to the recipes to help you adjust the first week. Yet you'll want to work your way down and eventually wean off of adding anything additional so we can retrain your tastebuds.
When the cravings come (and they will), force yourself to chug some water and take a walk (or nap). It's time to create new healthy habits and staying hydrated and listening to your body are gonna be a big part of that.
Now, the goals isn't to give up coffee or sweet forever, it's to reset your body and tastebuds to not rely on them to get through the day. After the cleanse, one cup of my healthy creamy coffee keeps me energized until dinner. It's amazing! And a favorite kind of candy might become sickly sweet.
After the cleanse, you'll be back at a place of true moderation and your body will function much better.
TOP QUESTIONS + ANSWERS
Q: Is the shopping list for one person?
A: The meal plan and shopping list are designed for one person. You can easily double it if cleansing with a loved one.
Q: I do not like cilantro!!! Can I swap it for something else?
A: Cilantro is the perfect herb for binding to toxins within the body and carrying them out the body! We use cilantro for it’s heavy metal chelating and aiding cleansing and detox. If you absolutely can't stand it, parsley is the best substitute. Maybe try half and half even? You can also remove the stems, which can be a little bitter for the non-cilantro lover. :)
In general, feel free to tweak or omit ingredients in recipes based on your personal dietary needs or unique situation. For example, if you can't find pepitas (pumpkin seeds), feel free to use sunflower seeds.
Q: Can I use protein powder while on the cleanse?
A: Depending on your activity levels and how you feel, you may need more protein. We recommend boosting your morning smoothie with protein if this is the case. When choosing one to use, make sure there's no added sugar/sweeteners or gums. Just 100% organic plant-based protein... without any "natural or artifical flavors, sweeteners or stevia.
Q: I’m still hungry... can I eat more than the meal plan says?
A: Of course! Listening to your body is a HUGE part of the cleanse. Just remember: if you’re craving certain foods, you’re often actually craving nutrients. For example, if you're craving chips, you're prob needing more sodium in your diet.
Depending on the amount of activity you do, you may need more food than our meal plan provides. If so, fill the gap with one of the snacks in the cleanse recipe book, and choose one with a lovely amount of protein and good fat.
You may also need to eat a little more than one serving size, and that’s okay. Feel free to eat other fruits and veggies not mentioned in our meal plan. Make sure you hydrate yourself with water, herbal tea, or our fruit-infused coolers. It'll soon be time for the next meal!
Q: Can I work out during the cleanse?
A: For sure! One of the best ways to detox is through your sweat. The first week, you’re gonna need to slow down and listen to your body as you may go through some serious withdrawals. Yet I also get how important a daily workout can be— so do your best and don't push yourself too hard. You're doing internal work while on the cleanse.
We don’t advise working out too intense, like CrossFit, marathon training, Insanity, etc would need to be toned back dramatically. Slow it down until your body adjusts to the cleanse. You can continue your workout routine as long as it feels good and you have the energy — yet still be cautious of your level of intensity while on the cleanse. Also, feel free to boost your smoothies with extra protein and healthy fats to replenish your reserves.
Q: I want to go out to eat with friends. How can I do that without ruining the cleanse?
A: We totally get this dilemma—and it’s fine to eat out. Just be prepared to exercise some serious willpower. Most places will have sides of vegetables or salads. And if not, talk to the restaurant and ask them what options they can offer you. Asian is always a good choice, as you can usually get some sort of vegetable and rice combo. Broth-based soups are generally another good choice (steer away from cream-based soups).
Q: Is it ok to make my smoothies the night before?
A: Yes, you can definitely blend your green smoothies the night before. Just make sure to use an airtight lid to limit oxidation. When you wake up, just give your smoothie a shake before you drink it. We do this all the time! Here's a helpful smoothie prep article to walk you through this.
Q: I see there's a whole lotta lemons and turmeric on this cleanse, any tips on protecting my teeth?
A: The warm water, lemon and turmeric will get your system moving in the morning. But when you're consuming a lot of lemons, you'll want to follow a few helpful tips for teeth sensitivity: drink your morning tonic warm instead of hot and with a straw to help avoid contact with teeth; rinse your mouth with water after drinking your Turmeric tonic.
Q: Should I still take my daily multivitamin, calcium, and/or fish oil supplements while on the cleanse?
A: You shouldn't need the multivitamin with the amount of fruits, veggies and whole grains you'll be getting while on the cleanse, yet it's totally up to you! Talk with your doctor if you're concerned— they'll know best. You can still take calcium and fish oil supplements if you'd like.
What about prescriptions? If you're taking medication for a health condition — keep taking it and consult your doctor about doing a whole foods cleanse to make sure this is right for you.
Q: What happens if I break the guidelines of the cleanse?
A: Don’t beat yourself up about it, but jump right back in. Think about what you struggled with and try to work on that area of weakness. But don't give up— we all have moment of weakness and fall off. The quicker you get back on track, the more likely you are to succeed. You got this!