So, Day One, as I said before, was filled with organic orange juice and organic vegetable broth. Not too bad, but seriously anxious for real food.

The next day I drank Orange Juice in the morning, but by lunch time I was ready for some substance! We ventured to Whole Foods to see what they had to offer. Their wraps looked amazing, so I couldn’t pass it up. I ordered the Athenian wrap, which had hummus, lettuce, tomato, roasted red peppers, red onion, cucumbers, and feta cheese (LIGHT on the feta cheese – we weren’t supposed to have dairy yet) in a spinach tortilla wrap. It was absolutely delicious – and I didn’t die! Or get a tummy ache. I only ate half (I was STUFFED just after that!). For dinner that night I worked at the Cabaret dinner theater, so I had a small side salad that was leftover with a little bit of raspberry vinaigarette and some toasted french bread. Still no problems.

On Day Three for lunch I had the second half of my wrap (still just as good), and I was again very full after such a small amount of food. That night I had carrots dipped in pine-nut hummus for dinner. And a little of leftover french bread from the Cabaret. No problems, and the digesting seemed to be going well! Jordan and I bought fiber gummies to help the ‘process’.

Day Four consisted of an AMAZING Spicy Vegetarian Chili courtesy of Emeril Lagasse. I call it Spicy (even though that’s not in the name of the recipe) because it turned out that way for me! Still amazing. The recipe created so many servings that I’ll probably be eating it until next weekend. I made it through a half a bowl before I started to feel full. This shrunken stomach of mine is great! For dinner, I worked a double at the Cabaret and we are allowed to order dinner during a double, so I ate the Mediterranean Platter (pita bread, hummus, olive tapenade, and feta). I am not a fan of olives, so double hummus and feta for me! I could only finish the one little ramekin of hummus, because again I was full. It didn’t stop me, though, from having a bite of a sugar cookie during the second show… oops!

Day Five (today!) I ate a bowl of the chili for lunch, and I went out to eat for dinner! Finally! I got Chicken Pad Thai at a local thai place downtown, and though I ate about half of it, I ate more than I thought I was going to eat. I wasn’t expecting to eat meat so soon, but I tried not to eat too much of it. I should of just ordered it without, but ah well. I think in my leftovers I’ll take out the remaining chicken pieces. But, still! Glad to be back to normal-ish again.

The normal ease-out process tends to be a little slower. Oh, and the ‘gaining water weight back’ hasn’t happened to me yet. I weighed myself on Thursday, and I was the same weight I was on Monday right after I finished the cleanse! We’ll see what happens with that. But, I feel great. I’ve gotten more comments on the white of my eyes being ‘whiter’ than normal, and my skin being really clear, and my face has been ‘glowing’. So, all very good things! And, I definitely feel great! Positivity and confidence go a long way, and I’m glad to have inspired other people to follow in my footsteps. I know a few other people who are going to try it, and it makes me very happy to have had a part in their journey to a healthier lifestyle.

Today, on the second day of my Ease-Out, I drank Orange Juice throughout the morning until lunchtime. Jordan and I decided to walk to Whole Foods and check out what was going on. We were supposed to stick to fruits and veggies today, but I had read someone else’s blog where they moved on a little quicker with no problems… so we went bold, and got some yummy food! I got an amazing Greek wrap with hummus, onions, cucumbers, red peppers, tomatoes, and a little of feta (not supposed to have dairy yet…) all in a delicious Spinach wrap. I ate half of the wrap and had a very full and satisfied feeling. Now my stomach is gurgling, but I haven’t exploded yet. Jordan got a simple salad with just lettuce and carrots and some Ranch dressing. So, we both basically broke the rules, but all seems good to go. I’ll have the other half of my wrap for dinner – and I’ll keep drinking lots and lots of water. That’s the most important part of the Ease-Out, so that it assists in your body’s ability to digest and move things through your system.

If something serious happens to my stomach, I’ll be sure to report. I’m being careful and I was sure to eat slow, but things seem okay!

I will say that I’m abnormally hungry today. The orange juice does not seem to satisfy any sort of hunger, and although I’m drinking a lot of water, my stomach never feels very full. I did my Salt Water Flush this morning (got too tired last night), and that may affect how my stomach is ‘digesting’ things!

I am tempted to start on broth tonight for dinner. I’ve read many different sources, and the Ease-Out process differs. Sometimes its Orange Juice in the beginning, but typically just ‘juices or broth’ for the first two days. I may do Orange Juice/Broth today, and the same tomorrow. I also have some leftover lemonade that I could drink throughout the next two days. It’s odd, but I think I’m going to miss not having to think about what to make and what to eat! And being able to ‘turn down’ going out to eat or having a bite of those delicious nachos from the local Sports Bar because I physically couldn’t eat them! I just have to remember to stay smart and stay healthy – and treat myself occassionally.

I’ve talked to so many people about this cleanse, and I think that it helps to have knowledge and be willing to share with those who want to listen. I read another blog that gave a warning to all those who are trying. It said to get rid of all edible food besides the ingredients for the lemonade in your house. And if you have roommates, to tell them to eat out of the ‘cleansee’s’ sight for the duration of the cleanse. First off, I think that is horribly wrong, and second off, it’s completely doable if you just go about your life like you always do! I even enjoyed watching other people eat (…creepy?) and I liked smelling what my roommates were cooking. It made me remember that this is for a greater purpose and that soon I’d be able to make my own great-smelling meals for my own enjoyment. I also had a changed attitude about holiday treats and that elucid ‘weight gain’ that everyone feels around the holidays. It’s because we don’t think! Treats at the office? Might as well try them! You’re decorating Christmas sugar cookies? A little extra icing won’t hurt! But, every time I saw someone else put a brownie in their mouth, a little satisfied grin occupied my face – just knowing that I have a choice, and I choose to be healthy. Not that I hadn’t chosen that path before, or that it’s necessarily a ‘new’ concept… but, I think a lot of times people eat without thinking because it just sounds so good! It’s nice to indulge, but it’s more satisfying to feel good about yourself and be confident.

Over the ten day Cleanse, I’d like to announce that I lost approximately 11 pounds! Now, you will gain a lot of that back with how your body retains water, though I am very happy with the results. The rest of this week will be easing my body back into normal eating, and I’ll be keeping it fresh with all the details post-cleanse as well. My journey is far from over, and I’m excited for the results to come!

I skipped my Salt Water Flush on Day Eight because I just wasn’t feeling up to it. Not sure how that will affect my overall outcome, but I will say that my general lukewarm attitude toward the end of this cleanse is affecting my enthusiasm toward all the ‘rules’. I haven’t been able to finish all my lemonade mixture the past couple of days, drinking about 3/4 of the 2 liters you’re supposed to finish. This could be because I’m not as hungry, or could be because I’m just getting used to not having actual meals and it’s not a ‘horrible’ thing if I don’t have something to comfort me.

I definitely feel thinner, which although it’s not the intent of the cleanse, is a positive secondary effect of the cleanse. I would never advise this cleanse to someone who strictly wants to lose weight – because I feel without the abnormally large desire to rid your body of unwanted waste and toxins and learning how to be ‘healthy’ again, then you wouldn’t have the stamina to finish the entire cleanse. It’s definitely not a quick fix to weight, because you do in fact gain most of it back through water retension in your body.

What I’m desperate to eat again… deli sandwiches, Chipotle, home-made sweet potato fries, turkey burger, any type of creamy dip with chips, pizza… AHHH this is bad! And, after seriously thinking about it, I’m going to either give up red meat or only eat on occasion. It’s lean meats and fish for me, now!

Now, excuse me while I go do my Salt Water Flush. Ugh.

Today I’m very, very hungry. My tongue is pretty much back to pink – which is the number one sign that you’re done with the cleanse. I’m not going to end early, but dang. I am getting frustrated! Everyone’s food smells amazing. And everyone is eating cookies and holiday treats (even though they’re bad for me, it doesn’t help that I can’t have just ONE!). Like I said, I’m almost there, but it’s still so far away.

Other tips to remember, if you yourself want to try this out:

- Tap water is crap. Please, switch to a filtered drinking source or something. I’ve been buying big jugs of purified water from the grocery store (not so eco-friendly, but it was a quick fix for this week). I want to invest in a Brita filter that attaches to your faucet because the water in Florida is just AWFUL.

- I’ve started to use less cayenne pepper, and boy does it make it easier to drink! It tastes like real lemonade. I say that you should go ahead and feel things out when you start to make your own mixture, to see what works best for you.

- If you’re home for the night, do your Salt Water Flush as early as possible. You may be going to the bathroom off and on for hour(s) and it doesn’t help if you have to stay up till 1am because your stomach is still gurgling!

- As I said above, it’s nice to have a support system. Make sure to be educated about the cleanse so when people say, “So what, you’re starving yourself for ten days?!” you are able to retort back with all the factual information about the cleanse and what exactly it does to your body. Educate yourself about your digestive system, food, and the effects it takes on you!

- Don’t expect an exorbitant amount of weight to be dripping off of you. I’ve read that if you’re more overweight than others, then the excess pounds may come off easier. However, most of the weight you lose is ‘internal’ (with the loss of fecal matter, mucus, and other gunky stuff).

- Most of all, have confidence in yourself. Most people say they ‘admire’ what I’m doing but could never do this because ‘they love food.’ HELLOO? I love food just as much as the next person, but it’s more mental than anything. A lot of people do this cleanse multiple times a year – maybe I’ll become one of those people!

More to come. Thanks for those who have been so supportive! Cheers!

My cravings have gone down. It’s funny – I’ll see food commercials or sit at lunch with friends, and everything will look and smell so good, but I’m not going wild for it! Before, I’d walk by a restaurant and smell hamburgers and just about DIE because I started craving it so badly! But now it’s just like, wow, yummy that looks nice and then POOF! it’s gone. Don’t get me wrong: I love food and can’t wait to have it again, but it’s nice to actually think before eating – even if it’s a splurge out at a restaurant or just cooking at home. I’ve always (well not always) thought about what I eat, but I don’t always follow what I should. Now, I’m hoping I actually will.

As your body is cleansing itself of toxins, you react in different ways. My friend Jordan (who is faithfully doing the Cleanse with me!) has been experiencing major drainage out her nose. We have read that this is just another way that your body is trying to get rid of the nasty stuff that’s been pent up in there for awhile. I also have been somewhat breaking out on my face – as the toxins are reaching the skin to escape, well, that’s what is happening. Nothing too crazy, but I am noticing the differences and noticing that the cleansing is happening. Both Jordan and I are experiencing the ‘white tongue,’ which is a surefire sign of a good cleanse. It’s said that you’ll have this sort of ‘film’ on your tongue (I know, kinda gross) for the duration of the cleanse… and when your tongue has the pink color again, then it’s time for you to end it!

My body has still been somewhat weak and achey, but nothing too unmanageable. I’ve been wide awake all day and have had a general amount of good energy… maybe even a kick in my step, or two!

If what they say is true about getting past the ‘hump,’ then I should be smooth sailing until Day Ten. Cheers!

I still had stomach pains during my Salt Water Flush, and I was getting weary I could make it through the process. Jordan and I were talking about how long this actually will take, including 3 additional days of Ease-Out, we will be on the Cleanse for two whole weeks. We both were talking (I don’t know how seriously) about ending it early so that the Cleanse + Ease-Out would only be ten days total, but I know that I want to complete ten full days of the Cleanse. I want to do this thing right and see what happens!

As each day goes on, I read more and more about the cleanse and I get to thinking about the results post-Cleanse. I know I’ve had my cravings and can’t wait until I can have a full meal again… but, when I actually think realistically about it all, I can foresee myself eating very healthy and minimally for days, even weeks, after the cleanse not wanting to upset my digestive system. All the information I’ve been reading about how hard milk products and red meat are on your body and how you digest these products makes me want to shy away from them altogether. I never imagined myself a healthnut, nor would I say I will ever be one, but research and knowledge help me to make better decisions about what I put in my body and this cleanse was the very start to all of that.

I’m already becoming very inspired to tell more people about this process and hope that others will think more about how our bodies work and how we can be kinder to ourselves, what with all the pollution and toxins and stress we already have present in our lives.