Gearing up for the Big Cleanse

Maybe you've noticed that we've not been terribly active here on the blog this week. But, there's a good reason for that. In great part it's because we're busily planning our annual "cleanse". We've set aside the upcoming weekend for our Big Detox, and we've been spending a good deal of our time planning and shopping for supplies.

After a long winter, a cleanse (or detox) is a great opportunity to rid the body of toxins, boost the immune system and get back on track with a healthy diet and exercise program. So, we make a good faith effort each spring to make it part of our spring cleaning routine. Last year, we only managed a couple of weeks of "cleaner eating." But, this year we're actually setting aside the time for a 3-day non-fasting cleanse. And I'm getting excited.

I'm not a fan of the fasting cleanse, which unnecessarily taxes the body. So, we'll be doing a less restrictive (and, I'd argue, more effective) cleanse. We'll follow a very light fruit-and-vegetable-only diet (minimal protein/no grains), with an emphasis on foods high in glutathione (an amino acid which aids in the body's detoxification process at the cellular level). There will be yoga, naps and overall relaxation, and the consumption of plenty of water. We'll also follow the following supplement regimen.

Morning:
Master Cleanser (lemon, cayenne, maple syrup)
Unsweetened cranberry juice
Green foods
Flaxseed oil
Cod liver oil
Schisandra

Afternoon:
Whey protein
Milk thistle (supports liver function)
Dandelion tea

Evening:
Unsweetened cranberry juice
Green foods
Flaxseed oil
Schisandra

And what happens after three days?
Well, if our last cleansing experience was any indication, we'll feel completely re-energized. Our diet will be back on track, and we'll be motivated to continue with a healthier regiment for quite some time before falling back into our old patterns.

Tonight we'll sit down and come up with some menu options for the weekend, as well as the following week. I know from experience that I'll be having all sorts of killer food cravings, so I want to make sure that we have a healthy plan to follow so that we're not tempted to ransack the pantry. Thursday night we'll venture out to pick up all the supplies and get ourselves settled in for the weekend. I'm hoping we'll be able to take the time to get a few cleaning/organizing tasks done over the weekend. I'd also like to finish a book or two that I've been working on.

How are you spending your weekend?