thinking of spring: this week I’ve been cleaning my guts
A while back I did a juice detox…and this week I was invited to take part in another one. Disclaimer: I didn’t pay for this detox, but my comments are freely my own. So, the Lucky You Cleanse, is a five-day deal where you consume nothing but freshly pressed organic juices and coconut water, and a whole stack of water.
The deal: 6 x juices, plus a shot of aloe vera, are delivered to your door each morning for 5 days. It begins with an aloe vera elixir followed by a green smoothie (banana and chia and kale…not so good on the page, but amazing in the gob). Then comes a range of fruit/veg juices that use high-nutrient ingredients only, plus a “spicy lemonade” made of lemons, cayenne pepper, apple, stevia and celtic sea salt. At 2pm you have a coconut water, one of the most alkaline beverages you can consume and things wrap up with a nut mylk (made from cashew nuts) which keeps you “full” till the morning.
Info sheets come each day giving a very comprehensive rundown of what the ingredients are doing. They’re either flushing or replenishing.
So, the bottom line: well, I’m starting day 5 just now and I feel pretty damn light and clear. But it was a tough haul. My body went through all kinds of detox stuff – sweats, nausea, needing to sleep at 8.30pm, furry tongue etc. It felt like there was stuff coming out that needed to come out.
Day 1: I’m hungry but determined. That night I was soooo tired and cold. And went to bed at 9pm. Which, you must understand, is unheard of for me. I slept 9.5 hours. I woke up sooo damn proud of myself. If there’s anything I get out of this, it’s the reminder that sleep cures all.
Day 2: I’m great in the morning and go to the gym. But by afternoon I’m headachy and achy. Again, cold and dopey at night and head to bed. 9 hours sleep!!! I tell everyone I know THAT I SLEPT 9 HOURS.
Day 3: No poo action. But plenty of wee. Granted, I’m drinking a lot of liquids, but seriously, this is non-stop. It’s also an odd colour. I won’t go further. I scrape my tongue and it ain’t pretty either. But by the afternoon, I’m feeling pretty damn good. I wound up taking a great herbal bowel stimulant (called Lower Bowel Stimulant, I know About Life sells it)…to get things flowing.
Day 4: I’m tasting every single cell in the juices. I’m not craving anything, really, except soup. I’d love some root vegetable soup. One thing I will say, at this juncture: I’m someone who gets very cold during winter. I’m what Ayervedic practitioners call a Vatta type (I get frenzied and too “airy” and need warm, heavy, grounding foods to function at my best, especially when it’s cold) . So I would recommend doing a detox like this in Spring.
Last night I MC’d a cocktail function with Nicole Richie. It had THE BEST FOOD I’VE EVER SEEN. I remained strong. It’s all cool. Someone in the crowd at the function asked me after I got off-stage if I put something in my eyes. He said they sparkled. This is good?!
Day 5: Here I am. Not hungry. But bloody looking forward to a red curry with brown rice. For some reason. But it will have to wait a few days.
And this is how a detox works. When your body isn’t consuming a constant influx of food that requires heavy digesting it turns to other sources of energy in your body, namely stored, releasing fat-stored “toxins” into the blood, which can then be eliminated through the blood, skin, pee, poo, and – oh dear – breath.When we are stirring up and loosening the old matter, if not enough leaves the body, we will feel detox symptoms.
I did this cleanse with my friends Sal, Soph and Angela Hywood. We spent the week discussing bowel movements and furry tongues. Which I secretly enjoyed.
Why do we need it? In the past we probably didn’t. Our bodies detox daily. But the environmental toxins of modern life -the pollutants, chemicals, other synthetic substances -are more than the average body can handle.The body doesn’t know what to do with foreign substances, so it will store them outside of the regular elimination system, so we don’t get poisoned. Those poisons start building up in our body fat….When fat is mobilized, anything that is fat-soluble should be mobilised, too.
For me, I find this kind of thing useful for creating a new baseline. I eat a lot. I eat good food, but occasionally I veer into sugar territory and get in a rut. It’s very hard to avoid living in a big city doing work that requires being out eating with others. So I can start to feel very toxic and stuck. I’ll also get cravings and become obsessed by food and need to break the cycle. So a juice detox kind of clears the decks and gets me back to good, honest eating again. One of the biggest things you learn doing this kind of detox is how often you do get up to eat something. I observed myself getting up, obstensibly to go check out the fridge, every time I encountered an obstacle with work. It was laughable. I lose my mojo for a moment and I immediately seek the comfort of food.
The bits about this detox to love: And there are several that make it stand out from competitors:
* Heidy Jameel, the fanatical and devoted owner is trained by the Ann Wigmore Institute. Ann Wigmore was the pioneer of wheatgrass across the US and a leading voice in pushing the mandate of eating food that is “alive” to maintain health and longevity.
* They hydraulically press the juices, rather than blend. This special extraction method means that the juices are extracted at low levels of heat, protecting the integrity of the juice and its vital enzyme content. A fresh-pressed juice is considered superior to one that is juiced using centrifugal force (which heats up the juice, therefore killing more enzymes). The gist with enzymes: we have a limited number of them in our body for digesting food etc, so we rely on food sources to provide as many as possible (and the more we run out of enzymes, the more we age). Heating food over about 50degrees (which is what normal juices can do) kills the enzymes, say raw food proponents.
*The cleanse is geared at nourishing our cells, not losing weight. Which is good. You don’t really do a juice detox to lose weight. I was impressed that Heidy uses superfoods like chia and kale, and anti-inflammatory aids like cayenne and aloe vera. Very good.
* You’re reminded constantly to CHEW the juices to get digestion going. This is really sound advice and I found myself doing it, if only to extend the experience of the “meal”.Cos, Christ, you want it to last by about day 3. I found the flavours much more intense and could feel my digestion kicking in as masticated away.
I think this is the real beauty of a juice detox – it takes things small-scale so that you can get more mindful of how you’re eating and what your body does/needs when it’s digesting. It instills appreciation and awareness.
* They reuse every bottle. Everything is recycled, which is GRAND.
* They use organic produce and deliver fresh every morning/night.
The cost for the 5-day cleanse is $350. Sadly, the service is only available in Sydney. Sorry. But feel free to contact Heidy and ask her for more info.
PS, Heidy also now runs juicing lessons from her Sydney kitchen.
My children and I LOVE LOVE LOVE Lucky You jucies , how great to be able to get organic juices and smoothies and everything else straight to your door . And they are so delicious too ! Keep up the good work Heidy we are loving are daily fix!
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Great article Sarah, I recently did a 5 day cleanse with Lucky You Cleanse as well. My ‘experience curve’, (down in day 1-2 – up in day 4-5) was even more dramatic.
In the end it was a huge realization about the power of nutritional juice, the power of my own body, and a re-focus of my mind toward my approaching half century.
Heidy was great throughout my cleanse, doing it with a group of friends to discuss the effects would have been perfect. I see the site offers a group cleanse option, very clever.
Warm wishes,
Joe
Darlinghurst, NSW
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Treat yourself to a juice cleanse from Lucky You today! I have completed 4 and believe the experience gets better each time. The cleanse from Lucky You is not just about the detox, but rather the whole educational process of understanding your digestive system and how it helps/hinders your well being. Well done Heidy and Lucky You team!
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Anyone know of something like this available in Adelaide?
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June 18th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Urban Remedy do ship their stuff…
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I have done a couple of Heidy’s Lucky You nutritional juice cleanses and they are fabulous. I never knew juices could taste so good. A ‘live’ pressed juice is so much better than a juice from a centrifugal forced one and the coconut water is to die for. Sarah, I agree with your comment that “it gets you more mindful of what you are eating”. For me, it got me back on track to a healthier eating habit, cutting back the caffeine, the alcohol and the processed sugary stuff. Losing a few kilos in the process was an added bonus. What a great service, well done Heidy!
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I would really like to try a juice detox but I cannot find one that is available in Perth! Sounds like just what I need.
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June 18th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Hey all,
Heidy just sent me this, as part of the “last day” wrap-up. If you’re googling juice detoxes, might be a good checklist. I do tend to agree with all her points.
• Ensure the company uses organic produce as often as possible.
• Ensure the company uses proper produce and not that designated for “juicing”. Those that buy the “juicing” variety do so to save some $. It’s cutting corners that should NOT be cut. This type of produce is often well past its use by date meaning it has turned acidic. Don’t touch it.
• Ensure the company doesn’t dilute their offerings. Dilution is up to the user. It is the “juice” that is doing the work in a cleanse. If it’s diluted you are getting a half strength cleanse. Why would you pay full price for a half priced option?
• Ensure you never eat nuts and seeds with your cleanse unless they are pre-digested, they are very difficult to digest in whole form which defeats the purpose of the cleanse.
• Ensure they are able to give you suggestions on what you can grab, if you are in dire straights, especially for you coffee drinkers out there!
• Ensure you understand “what” exactly is being juiced. Some produce should not be juiced – it creates more negative than positive.
• Ensure coconut water is included, if not, crack your own.
• Ensure the method of juicing is “hydraulically pressed”. The nutrient and enzyme content is lost quickly if not. Why pay money and spend time drinking just another liquid?
• Ensure weight loss is not a major selling point. You’ll be disappointed. No one can promise you are going to lose weight – even if you drink only juice for a week ?. What we can promise is that consuming “alive” food and drink will result in the weight nature intended you to be – make sense?
• Ensure they can knowledgably advise you on an “individual” constipation strategy. We talk to LOTS of clients about poo! In fact, if you have not called us this week we hope you have this area under control. Word to the wise…do NOT ever go with something you have not tried before except for an enema or colonic. For example, if you have never used psylium husk before, don’t touch it. When it works it’s great, when it doesn’t it’s a NIGHTMARE.
• Ensure the company can give tried and true recommendations regarding enemas and colonics. Colonics give some the willies…they don’t need to if you get the right place and right person.
• Ensure the company can provide juice “between” cleanses to keep you on track.
Juice cleanses should not be a walk in the park unless you have been practicing eating “alive” food meaning raw and sprouted for more than 12 months. If you don’t and you glide through your cleanse from day dot chances are your cleanse provider may not be following the above mentioned steps. Real raw fruit and veg should pack a POWERFUL punch. This is what we want, this is what we pay for…this is what gets results.
And, the beat goes on.
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June 16th, 2011 at 12:24 am
Hi Laura,
.
I don’t make juices like Lucky You but I teach the principles of detoxification, fasting, cellular cleansing, whole and raw food nutrition and other related topics.
You can get in touch at casey@caseylorraine.com if you’d like to chat more
Casey
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Sounds great. I’ve done a few detoxes in my life and I sure would recommend any other. But for me now, it’s breast feeding our youngest ♥ so all detox activities have to wait!
Regards from the Netherlands, guusje
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I have completed a Lucky You cleanse which I thought was fantastic. I felt great and the information given about the juices was great. I one mistake I made was going to my usual gym class – I found I was hungry on that day & a bit grumpy!!
Like Sarah, I learnt a lot about how food is processed by our body and the impact of various foods on how we function. I have since become better educated about food and how our body responds to different foods. Heidy has been amazing at helping me with this process. So, it’s not just the juice cleanse that is brilliant, it is also the support during and following the cleanse that makes such a difference.
I would strongly recommend anyone interested in a detox, to sign up to Lucky You cleanse. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Enjoy
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Heidy’s amazing juice cleanse (by default) became the catalyst for me to get healthy and shift 12 kilos. I went into the cleansing process feeling incredibly lethargic and without realising it – was totally dehydrated.
Heidy took me through a process of first educating me on the importance of water and how to drink it correctly throughout the day. Following on from this, I moved on to the 5 day juice detox and by the end of the five days – I was totally sparkling with amazing skin and fabulous energy.
I have kept up her hydration advice and look forward to doing another detox during the cooler months to conquer “winter blues” with a well-being detox that assists greatly in mind, body and spirit.
I cannot recommend Heidy highly enough – and when choosing a detox provider – I don’t think there is anyone better. We are sooo lucky to have her in Sydney.
Pipxx
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I completed a Lucky You juice cleanse and loved the whole experience. The delivery, recycled bottled and of course the delicious juices.
Heidi is very supportive and a fab advertisement as she oozes health and vitality.
Oh and of course lost a few kilos but more importantly got many comments on skin vitality at the end of 5 days.
Loved it…
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I have done the 5 day juice cleanse and felt fantastic throughout. I was able to continue my exercise routine without any ill effects. I expected to be low on energy but in fact the reverse was true – I slept incredibly well and woke feeling refreshed. My skin was glowing and I enjoyed the surprise each morning of finding out what wonderful juices I had to look forward to that day.
Heidy was incredibly supportive throughout the whole process – her knowledge and enthusisasm was very inspiring.
Luckyyou juices are still part of my weekly lifestyle – currently loving the green juices to boost my immune system through these chilly months. ♥
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[...] | Tags: detox, diet, health | 0 Comments I really, really want to do a juice fast after reading this article by Sarah Wilson. I’ve done the master cleanse in the past before, but given my lack of desire to make that [...]
Ive been doing the Lucky You Juice Cleanse this week also- and I have to say WOW, I LOVED this week. It’s Saturday morning and after 5 days of my juice cleanse, I can honestly say Im missing my juices.
Heidy, the founder of Lucky You, could not have designed an easier or more delicious cleanse program- there are no excuse not to give this a try.
Every juice was heavenly tasting! The special highlight, the Cashew Mylk….divine.
Please do yourself a favour this coming spring and do a cleanse- give you digestive system a rest from heavy winter foods and get some whole food organic nutrition into you.
I will be maintaining Coconut water in my diet every day and drinking Spicy Lemonade on a regular basis.
Thanks Lucky You for bringing something so wonderful to Sydney.
Angela
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I did the three day cleanse and felt amazing afterwards!!!!! The first day I had a bit of a headache but that was coffee withdrawals. Next time I will try the 5 day cleanse. After three days I was just getting the hang of it and felt like I wanted more!
Dawn
Sydney
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Lucky You juices are so pure and alive, and prepared with such care and love!
Good on you Heidy for all your dedicated work; sourcing produce, chopping, juicing, bottling, delivering … amazing!
When my clients undertake a juice fast, I recommend Lucky You juices over all other prepared juice companies.
Emma Sgourakis, Nutritionist
Sydney
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Divorced and needed to feel and look fab at 49, so I was recommended to do a hydrating fast with Lucky Yoy and It changed my mind set, back to how I felt at 30. I was drinking wine and having a great time but felt like I was my age and now after a week of hydrating and not wine I am clear of mind and body and have been given the kick back to health I so needed and just didn’t know how far off my health I was thanks Heidi I can not recommend this enough. Lucky Me!!
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I have done 2 Lucky You cleanses. I throughly recommend it. The first, my husband and I did together. It was an amazing experience to share. We like Sarah, went to sleep early and slept for hours. We exercised all 5 days and felt fantastic. I did feel a bit cold occasionally, but made a green tea and that did the trick. Lucky You and Heidy gave us a wake up call about our drinking and eating habits and we have made a life change because of it.
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I have done the Lucky You cleanse twice and loved it. I am now addicted to coconut water. For me it was a cleanse of the mind, body and spirit. The whole package. Loved the recyclable packaging too.
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Terrific work! This is the type of information that should be shared around the web. Shame on the search engines for not positioning this post higher!
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I have tried pre-made coconut water, out of desperation at an airport, only once. I regret buying that bottle of coconut water. It tasted very …weird and artificial. I believe that a freshly cracked coconut is superior (especially in taste) and probably nutritionally. And you can scrape the young coconut meat from the shell and consume that too. The coconut oil contained within is extremely beneficial. I remove the meat in as complete a piece as possible and cut it into a number of small round circles, layer onto a large basil leaf and top with a garden tomato slice. A few drops olive oil, balsamic vingear, and you would almost believe that it was bocconcini you are eating.
Nut mylks are pretty easy to make.
You can buy a presser/hydraulic juicer for under $300, and you can juice for life!
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Could someone please help me in finding a cleanse I can do in Perth? I have been searching the internet like crazy and cant find anyone that delivers these cleanses to perth! I am a bride to be and need something convenient as my days are filled with organizing and planning at the moment ! Any help will be greatly appreciated. Maybe help in finding a company that does these “cold pressed, live” juices and I could pick them up myself each day ! Thanks
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August 29th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
Hi Courtney,
I run juice fasting programs in Perth (I am a Detox and Wellness Coach – you can check out my site at http://www.caseylorraine.com). I have a program called The Juicy Life which you can find at http://www.lifeisjuicy.com too.
There is no one in Perth at this stage actually offering juice delivery services but I know a few great places you can pick up higher quality juices, dependent on where you live. Get in touch with me at casey AT caseylorraine.com (I write it this way so I’m not spammed) and I can help you out.
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Hi, I’m doing the 3 day cleanse at the moment and after reading your blog first, I was dissapointed that the juices ALL came the night before the start date. Meaning the juices were pressed on a Sunday and I will still be drinking these juices on the Wednesday – 4 days later. The shelf life is up to 3 days from cleanse start but I’m know the nutrients will not be as high as if they were delivered every day as was in your case, Sarah.
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