(fyi, these posts are slightly off by a day or 2 )

cleanse day #2 – taking it to work

i over-packed my lunch bag today; worried that i might go hungry. it just didn’t seem like a lot of food to me: leftover quinoa with beets, roasted delicata squash & ghee, sweet potato hummus with cucumbers, autumn royal grapes & raw trail mix. well, typing it all out makes it look like a lot, but trust me - i didn’t look like it would be enough to hold me over for the day when i put it into my lunch bag.

autumn royal grapes (my fall favorite) & organic cucumber stalks (photo courtesy of kb)

i was concerned about some of my weekdays and staying on top of the cleanse. since i run around throughout the day, especially mondays & tuesdays – i don’t have time to really cook. before the cleanse started, my to-go was something “fast” – like a sandwich from ike’s lair, some spicy tuna sushi or a salad… even the occasional #2 with no onions-protein style and fries at in-and-out. ohhhh, so good! but, i HAVE to resist! …at least for the next 7 days.

surprisingly, my lunch was very satisfying, and i didn’t even eat all the food that i packed! what a HUGE learning today: eating more nutrient-rich foods equals smaller portions! the idea of quality over quantity also includes the food that we put into our systems. with eating less but more nutrient rich foods, i’ve realized that i eat more frequently, but it takes less for me to feel full.

it’s only day #2, and my body is feeling the wonderful effects: less bloating after eating & less of that “heavy” feeling after eating. i drink more liquids: water, coconut water, aloe juices & kombucha. my sleep the past 2 days have been deep & 8 hours in length; rashes on my skin have gone away and my skin feels softer; breakouts are less inflamed and few. also, i got an answer about the itchiness. apparently, it means i have extra heat in my body – which i have no doubt in my mind about. i am vata in and out.

i’m so happy and grateful that this cleanse came around when it did. i felt more ready to do this now, than in the past… and it has to do with the people that are on this journey with me and also our positive cleanse facilitator: talyla! if you’re considering a cleanse of any type, i strongly suggest finding a cleanse facilitator / leader that you connect to and feel supported by. this will totally enhance your experience, thus making it more fun & possibly something that you’ll integrate into your life in one way or another…

cleansing is a way to wash the body from the inside out. not only do we remove toxins that build up in our bodies over time, we also “reset” our sensitivity to hunger and understand our cravings better. we allow our digestive system to rest; gaining more energy, improving body awareness and creating a natural inclination towards making better food choices – all while letting go all that which we no longer need. – talya lutker

i’m curled up writing this post tonight with a hot cup of vitamineral earth tea, which helps to “nutritionally support blood sugar, colon, detoxification, the immune system, and longevity.” feeling healthier from the inside out!

stay tuned for more! working on day #3…

photo courtesy of healthforcesuperfoods.com