I won't go into depth of the importance of why we need to detox. You can check out my post called "The Importance of Detoxing Part 1" and the second one that follows "The Importance of Detoxing Part 2"
This post will just be the explanation of the 21 day detox challenge.
This gentle, sensible program is appropriate for most people, including those who are gluten-free, diabetic, or vegetarian/vegan. Not recommended during pregnancy. If you are nursing, let me know and I will give you specific instructions. I am not a doctor, nutritionist, or dietitian, but I do love studying and have done so for the past 12+ years on health, nutrition and how food, fitness and chemicals effect us. I desire to help others better their own health and their loved ones around them by passing my knowledge on.
What you can expect from this detox:
We are going to gently cleanse our bodies from the inside out using whole foods and natural products. Within the first few days you may have some headaches and nausea due to the body releasing toxins but if you hang in there they will subside. (Try to tapering off the items we are going to avoid during the 21 days the week leading up to the detox, this will help with lessoning of the headaches.) Within the first week or two, you will notice positive changes in your body, energy levels will rise, along with moods and mental clarity. Emphasis will be placed on nourishing, detoxifying with whole foods. We’ll transition away from foods that are difficult to digest, allergenic or addictive (peanuts, animal products and dairy products). "Amazingly you CAN get protein from plants". You may follow the meal plans exactly I put up on my blog, or just use the detox guidelines to create your own creative meals. By the end of these 21 days, you will have generated momentum to continue living in your new clean body!
What kind of foods will be allowed:You’ll have a wide range of plant based foods. (I will also blog fun raw recipes to try).
Some examples of food we get to have: hummus, fruit, vegetables,beans, lentils, and brown rice, (lentils have a higher protein content and less carbohydrates than rice. For ideal weight and blood glucose management, choose lentils more often). Olive, coconut, sesame, flaxseed, avocado, grape seed, sweet almond oils. Real, wholesome food. Green tea, detox tea and lots, and lots of spring, non-chlorinated water. (We should be consuming 1 ounce of water for every 2 pounds we weigh) ~ just divide your weight in half to get how many ounces of water you should consume. For example: I'm 135lbs, I should consume 68ounces of water a day.
Make sure you are eating for success:
- Eat a variety of foods. Choose from the rainbow of colors
- Lots of fruits and vegetables (think fruits clean, veggies feed)
- Eat frequently throughout the day to maintain a level blood sugar range (this will help with the headaches and nausea also)
Servings: 1 (it’s a lot of tea, but you can sip on this all morning)
Time: 10 minutes
What you need: a medium pot, a fine mesh strainer, and a heat safe bowl, pot or large glass pot
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 10 basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 inch ginger, sliced into thin coins
- 1/2 a lemon, juiced
- 4 cups cold, filtered water
Bring 4 cups of filtered water up to a boil with the cinnamon, basil, cumin and ginger. Allow it to boil for 5 minutes.
Remove the pot from heat, add the lemon juice and allow the tea to steep for 3-5 minutes.
Strain the tea through a fine mesh sieve into another container.
Sip on the warm tea all day.
We can do this!
It's only 21 days of our lives, that can change our health for the rest of our lives.
What kind of foods will not be allowed:
I touched base on this above but to go more in depth. Caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, or other stimulants, sugar, grains (except brown rice), nuts and seeds (seeds and nuts are just to be avoided the first 10 days), dairy, processed, refined foods, unnatural products, animal products and by products. Chemical free personal care products (you will have to read the labels on the products you may have in your bathroom or makeup kits).
WE can do this!
(If I can go 21 days without my coffee then anyone can..."I LOVE MY COFFEE")
It's only 21 days of our lives, that can change our health for the rest of our lives.
To sum up our 21-day purification program it includes eating whole, organic, and unprocessed foods; taking whole food supplements; and drinking plenty spring, un-chlorinated water. We will eat vegetables and fruits for the first 10 days, with select proteins added on day 11 thru 21.
Below are the items I'm going to be adding to my detox to help eliminate excess toxins in my body plus to make sure I get all the extra nutrients my body may need while expelling those toxins.
Colon Cleansing Formula Fiber Drink Mix: provides a well-rounded approach to intestinal health. It features a balanced blend of three dietary fibers fortified with a full- day's supply of vitamin C and the beneficial gut bacteria lactobacillus acidophilus--all in a delicious naturally orange flavored powder that mixes readily with water or juice for easy use.
Arbonne Protein Shake: delivers 20 grams of vegan protein, plus coenzyme Q10, alfalfa, ginseng, flax seed and 20 essential vitamins and minerals per serving. (these protein shakes will help keep you full while on the detox and are easy and efficient while being on the go, an easy quick fix meal. Plus these are by far the best tasting protein shakes out there, that are pure, safe, and beneficial. And believe me, I have tasted quite a few in these past 12 years). 
Arbonne Fiber: Boost your daily dietary fiber intake with 12 grams of fiber that account for nearly half of the recommended daily amount. (Fiber helps elimination of toxins in the body, and helps you fill fuller longer).
Green Max Powder: Maximize your energy levels with the antioxidant nutrition in Green Max Powder! This highly nutritious blend of 25 greens and herbs promotes energy all day long. Also features five species of beneficial bacteria, powerful antioxidants. Includes beta-carotene, lecithin, spirulina, chlorella, echinacea, alfalfa, and much more.
(This supplement product will help make sure you are getting enough nutrients through a variety of whole foods).
Herbal Detox Tea: A delicious, mild, decaffeinated herbal tea with 9 botanicals that support the liver and kidneys for overall health. (Supports elimination toxins).
These items below are not a necessity on the detox but I will put the benefits below them to explain why I will be adding them to my 21 day detox.
Sweet Carrot Juice Powder with Probiotics: For free-radical protection, healthy eyes and intestinal balance. Carrots are naturally rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A as needed to help maintain vision. Additionally, the beta-carotene found in carrots acts as a powerful antioxidant, defending cells throughout the body against free-radical damage. It gives you a highly concentrated source of natural carrot nutrition, fortified with probiotics to enhance the immune system and GI tract function. Each serving supplies the phytonutrient equivalent of five ounces of fresh carrots with over 5 billion probiotic organisms. (You will get extra nutrients, it's an easy quick fix to add to fresh squeezed juice or just water. Plus you want to build up good gut flora that helps break down our foods and makes sure that we get all the nutrients out of those foods. "our good gut flora has been destroyed in over use of antibiotics and conventional meats that are pumped full of antibiotics").
Digestive Enzymes: Each single-serving stick packet contains a mild-flavored powder that can be added to any cold or room temperature liquid. Provides prebiotics, probiotics and enzymes to help support optimal digestive health. (Enzymes help support digestion. It also supports extensive digestion of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, fiber and lactose. Also helps build a healthy digestion to help minimize gas and bloating. Promotes balance in the intestinal tract. And Supports nutrient uptake from the foods we eat).
Alive Vitamin C: Alive 100% Whole Food Complex derives its entire vitamin C content from four of Mother Nature's most potent organic fruit sources: acerola, goji, amla and kiwi. (not a necessity during a detox but will help you stay healthy while your body is expelling toxins.) 
JuiceFestiv: Boost energy and well-being. It's the ultimate fruit and vegetable super food! JuiceFestiv provides a full-spectrum of food colors and an excellent source of antioxidant nutrients Vitamin A (beta Carotene) and vitamin C. It features 46 fruits, vegetables, spirulina, wheatgrass, barley grass, plus antioxidants, probiotics and digestive enzymes. 
Organic Organo Gold Green Tea: The exceptionally soothing and flavorful character of Green Tea combined with
the healthy benefits of Organic Ganoderma* provides a drink rich with
anti-oxidants. (Because I love coffee so much and mainly think it's just having that cup of something hot in my hands to warm me up, green tea is a great alternative and it has wonderful benefits. Its high content of flavonoids — plant-derived compounds that are antioxidants. Catechins are more powerful than vitamins C and E in halting oxidative damage to
cells and appear to have other disease-fighting properties. Studies have found
an association between consuming green tea and a reduced risk for several
cancers, including, skin, breast, lung, colon, esophageal, and bladder. Additional benefits for regular consumers of green and black teas include a
reduced risk for heart disease. The antioxidants in green, black, and oolong
teas can help block the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol, increase HDL (good)
cholesterol and improve artery function.)I do sell the Arbonne producst and would be more then happy to order those for you and have them shipped directly to you. On your first order I will be giving a 35% discount on your products. The other items except the Organo Gold Green Tea come from www.swansonvitamins.com They carry a wide variety of products. I would love to help you in figuring out what will work with in your budget for the 21 day detox challenge. Feel free to place a comment below or find me on facebook @Lauriena Staley Cruz and private message me. I will contact you back as soon as possible. My desire is to just help others become healthier and live a long and healthy life.
Good luck on your 21 days and if you need anything feel free to contact me.
