Green Lemonade

Update as of July 23rd: Congratulations to “Rsprys”, you are the winner of the 21 day at home detox kit from Dr. Alejandro Junger and The Clean Program team. The winner was selected in a random drawing. “Rsprys” please contact me with your address so I can have your Clean-Kit sent out to you! Congratulations! And for everyone else, remember there is a fantastic home version of The Clean Program that several people, including my sister and few Green Lemonade readers have already agreed to join me in! The home version will be just as awesome, so lets stick together and get it done! We just need to prepare and be organized each week with our foods. Next week (the week of July 26th) is a prep week, and then we’ll begin together on August 1st, for our 21 day whole foods detox.

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After reading last week’s post entitled “Whole Body Cleansing: 10 Things You Should Know”, you have decided you’re ready to do a cleanse. Many of you emailed me excited to hear that whole body cleansing operates along a broad spectrum. And as a result, there is something for everyone. On the more progressive end of this detox spectrum are all liquid days filled with fresh pressed, nutrient packed juices and smoothies. However, a gentle whole body cleanse can also include some raw foods as well as lightly steamed or roasted foods to balance out the detoxification work inspired by raw foods and fresh juices. It’s about finding the balance that is right for you.

In this all-inclusive spirit when it comes to cleansing, I wanted to introduce you to Dr. Alejandro Junger’s Clean Program. For those of you who have been on the fence about cleansing, and still aren’t quite sure if you’re ready to indulge in liquid only days filled with glorious green juices and green smoothies (just remember all those benefits) or days of juicing until dinner (a personal favorite of mine that works beautifully as part of a cleanse or a maintenance program) here is a program I think may appeal to many of you as you look for a bit more structure and guidance. Baby steps my friends!

More About The Clean Program

The Clean Program was developed by New York cardiologist and detoxification specialist Dr. Alejandro Junger. In his book, Clean: The Revolutionary Program to Restore the Body’s Natural Ability to Heal Itself, Dr. Junger introduces The Clean Program as a structured way to achieve vibrant health and restore the body’s own natural ability to heal itself. The thinking of the Clean Program goes like this: Remove, Restore and Rejuvenate. “When you “Remove” the obstacles to health and you “Restore” the nutrients that are lacking, your body will repair and heal itself of many of the frustrating symptoms that we deal with on a daily basis. However, the results of safely and skillfully detoxing go even further. The body “Rejuvenates” itself and you finally discover what it feels like to be healthy.” – Dr. Alejandro Junger

Basically, Clean is a detox program that you can do at home, with freshly made smoothies, juices and foods. There is also a meal replacement shake-supplement version available in a kit from The Clean Program. Personally, I think the at home, whole-food version of this program is phenomenal and affordable. However, I realize many of you would prefer the structure of a pre-packaged kit which includes a meal replacement shake for breakfast and dinner along with a variety of nutritional supplements. Community support from Dr. Junger, his wellness team and fellow cleansers, is available for everyone, of course, whether you purchase the Clean-kit or simply follow the cleanse from home.

Additional resources

Learn more about The Clean Program. These resources may be helpful to you.

• The Clean Program and The Clean Program Community
• Gwyneth Paltrow recently completed The Clean Program and did a write up in her weekly newsletter called GOOP. Check out her thoughts here.
• In January, Martha Stewart began her 2010 with a cleanse under the guidance of Dr. Junger. Watch a clip here.

5 reasons why I want to introduce you to The Clean Program

I have 5 reasons why I want to introduce you to The Clean Program. (And just in case you are wondering, no I don’t take endorsements).

1. Encourage you to start to incorporate a few more whole fresh foods into your diet. You will be amazed at how awesome you start to feel. And the benefits of eating more natural foods (glowing skin, more energy and a sleek physique) are pretty awesome too.
2. Help you to reset old eating habits that may be affecting your emotional outlook. Perhaps you have been trying to kick some old eating habits and have been struggling. A little structure and the support of Dr. Junger’s Clean Program in conjunction with The Clean Community site may inspire you.
3. Remind you of the practice of mindful eating. So often today, we eat in front of the television, our computers and on the road. Taking time out with 3 meals a day may help you to re-focus on your body’s true hunger vs emotional hunger. The health benefits of resting your digestive system will be felt in many ways including more energy and possibly even a happier mood.
4. Help you with stubborn pounds. If you are sad or frustrated and feel like you have tried everything to loose some weight and you can’t seem to – the structure and support of The Clean Program may be just the help and support you need.
5. Help you to create a solid foundation upon which to build a healthy, diet-free lifestyle grounded in eating more whole foods. The Clean Program may help set the stage for many of you to go further into the world of natural, fresh, feel-good eating.

Stay tuned; Vegetarian meal ideas for the clean program also coming

Stay tuned this July as we learn more about whole body cleansing through real foods with the wellness team at The Clean Program. Then in August I invite you to join me on a 21 day journey toward feeling better and getting “Clean” as a community here at Green Lemonade. I will share my goals, my day to day journey and also any struggles or difficulties I have. I hope you will join me along this adventure and share your day to day journey too! I will also be sharing vegetarian, gluten-free and in some cases high raw meal ideas for those of you that would like to participate but do not eat meat.

Also tomorrow, Jenny Nelson Wellness Specialist & Coach for Dr. Alejandro Junger’s Clean Program will join to give us all a sense of what a sample day on the clean program is like. She’ll give us some additional insight into what you eat and more generally how your day to day may evolve on “Clean”.

Win A Clean-Kit from The Clean Program

Dr. Alejandro Junger’s Clean team has kindly offered to give away a Clean-Kit to encourage more people to introduce themselves to cleansing. Just leave a comment below and let me know why you’re psyched to give The Clean Program a try. Re-tweet this post for an extra chance to win. The winner will be selected in a random drawing and announced Friday July 23rd! Just in time for the winner to receive his or her Clean kit and start with me on August 1st for my 21-days on The Clean Program! I hope we can all get together and do this together. Remember there is a fantastic home version of The Clean Program that several people, including my sister and few Green Lemonade readers have already agreed to join me in!