Day 11
Cleanse Day 2
Today we take a look at the importance of consuming raw vegetables and fruits as part of our healthy diet.
Today’s Topic: Raw Fruits & Veggies
RAW fruits and vegetables are the heart and soul of a healthy diet and are aggressive cleansing foods. They stir up toxins present in the body tissues, forcing them into the blood and lymph.
A diet rich in vegetables and fruits can lower blood pressure, reduce risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, lower risk of eye and digestive problems, and have a positive effect upon blood sugar which can help keep appetite in check.
Raw fruit is the most cleansing food there is. Its high water content and natural sugars act as a detergent, washing away stored excesses and waste matter that are clogging the system.
However, when fruit is cooked (which includes applesauce & bottled juice), its alkalizing benefits are lost and, instead of having a beneficial effect, it becomes highly acid forming in the body (which is the basis for all disease).
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of consuming LOTS of RAW fruits and vegetables regularly in a healthy diet and especially when on a cleanse. It is recommended that at least 50% of our diet comes from raw foods not only for their nutrients and cleansing action, but also for the enzymes that they contain that help us to digest and metabolize the cooked foods that we eat.
Parsley and cilantro (coriander) are especially powerful green plant foods for cleansing and detoxing heavy metals out of your body so add these amazing herbs to juices, salads, soups and meals.
"The healthiest diet comes from eating S.O.U.L. foods (Seasonal, Organic, Unprocessed, & Local)"
~ DR. ED BAUMAN
The closer we eat to nature, the better for our body, mind, and spirit. I'm not just talking about eating whole, real foods, but ones that are in season as well. Eating as close as possible to the seasonal harvest offers natural protection from nature's seasonal shifts and provides seasonal microbes that help connect us to nature.
HERE’S A LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Juicing
Fresh juice is another great way to add more raw vegetables and fruits to your diet. Of course, being a strong advocate for WHOLE foods, this is in addition to eating lots of “whole” raw vegetables and fruits — not instead of... and definitely not as a meal replacement.
While “juicing” isn’t a required part of our program, I want to provide a “next step” for anyone who might be interested in taking their cleansing and alkalizing process to a higher level. Juicing is really helpful in making sure to get enough vegetables and fruits in your diet each day. It’s also a great way to reduce cravings and to eliminate fatigue. I find that the more I add fresh juices to my diet, the better I feel!
And, across the globe, millions of people are experiencing the health-changing benefits of drinking sixteen ounces of straight celery juice on an empty stomach every morning, a healing practice that was originated by Anthony William, the Medical Medium, decades ago.
LEARN ALL ABOUT CELERY JUICE AND IT’S BENEFITS HERE:
HERE IS A LINK IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION:
Remember to keep the focus on getting as many vegetables and greens as possible. Having sweeter fruit juice is okay, but just not in excessive amounts.
Tip: Always remember to clean your juicer BEFORE drinking your juice. They are easy peasy to clean then (instead of later).
Recipes
(Click on the photos below to view recipes.)
Check-in: How are you doing?
It always feels so good to be back on the cleanse! Don’t feel discouraged if you aren't there yet — I eat this way about 90% of the time! Many people will feel a little funky for these first few days.
In the meantime, be sure to drink plenty of water and herbal teas, eat three balanced meals (plus snacks if you need them), take your supplements, get some gentle exercise, dry skin brush when you bathe, and get plenty of sleep. And don't forget to make a plan for tomorrow - it's key to staying successful on the cleanse!
Here's a sample of a daily food "plan":
Breakfast: Veggie & Egg Scramble topped with avocado, Roasted Potatoes, and Grapefruit
Lunch: Vegetable Pea Soup and a pear
Snack: Mean Green Juice
Dinner: leftovers - Baked Wild Salmon (protein), Garlic Roasted Butternut Squash (starch), Roasted Asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and fresh mango.
YUM! Easy, delicious, and nutritious!
TODAY’S AFFIRMATION: I AM OPEN TO BEING HEALTHY!
Tomorrow we’ll look at the importance of consuming adequate protein as part of our healthy diet along with some GREAT recipes.
Feel free to email me or post a comment below to ask questions or share your thoughts and experiences ~ I’d love to hear from you!
Blessings, JoAnn