Hello all! Welcome to the first juice cleanse challenge with Malira Dai. During this time, we will focus on providing our bodies with an abundance of vitamins and minerals, building and repairing our cells and strengthening our organs.
Benefits of Green Juice Cleanse
Gives digestive system a break which promotes healing and repair
Lessens stress on the heart
Provides nutrition that our bodies can absorb quickly
Aids liver and kidney in detoxification of the body
Energy & Immune boosting
What you'll need:
1. High powered juicer or blender
2. Two 16 ounce
or one 32 ounce mason jar or juice bottles
3. Herbs for a daily cleansing herbal infusion: (click the name of the herb below if you'd like to purchase):
I recommend a daily infusion of burdock root, sarsaparilla root and elderberry. Infusions allow the herbs to work together for optimal results. Ultimately, you have the personal choice to choose either or. If you click on the link, you’ll find more information on the herb on its individual page. One teaspoon of each will be used per cup of tea and you’ll use the standard tea making process. Adding herbs to hot water, steeping for 10-15 minutes, strain and enjoy.
4. Strainer or cheesecloth
5. Measuring utensils
Juice ingredients:
Give or take, you’ll need 3-4 cucumbers, 2-3 green peppers, 2-3 Grammy Smith apples and 1 thumb of ginger for a 32 ounce jar of green juice. The amount of juice you get will ultimately depends on the size of your produce. Adjust as needed.
Start with:
A. 30-40 organic cucumbers
(promote hydration and weight/waste loss)
B. 4-5 bags of organic Granny Smith apples
(excellent source of fiber & Vitamin C. Also adds a nice, sweet flavor)
C. 30-40 organic green bell peppers
(vitamin & antioxidant rich)
D. 1 palm sized chunk of organic ginger. Fresh or powder (optional)
(antibacterial, reduces inflammation, soothes the stomach and helps build a strong gut)
That should get you through the week.
Tips:
If you're short on time and plan to prep your juice in advance, don't refrigerate. Freeze your juice in order to maintain the full benefits of enzymes and good bacteria. Juice stays good while frozen for up to 6 months. Defrost your serving of juice the day before you plan to consume. When mostly thawed but still cold, place in fridge to start the next morning. I don't recommend defrosting overnight or thawing and re-freezing. Only complete the steps above when planning to drink your juice. Your juice will take about 4-6 hours to defrost.
If you don’t have access to organic produce and would still like to participate, I recommend peeling the skin off of your produce before juicing.
You also have the option to soak your ingredients in apple cider vinegar for about 10 minutes prior to juicing. The peeling method doesn’t work for the green peppers; just soak those in vinegar.
For those of you using a blender, blend your ingredients in spring or distilled water and strain.
You can steep your tea in advance as well. It can be even be refrigerated and consumed cold if you're unable to make it on the spot. The herbal infusion does not need to be frozen.
Meal Plan:
Meal #1 (Rise)
Upon waking up, drink 32 ounces of green juice and one cup of cleansing herbal infusion.
Meal #2 (9:00-11:00 am)
Drink 32 ounces of green juice
Meal #3 (11:00-1:00 pm)
Drink 32 ounces of water and snack on nuts or seeds
Meal #4 (1:00-3:00 pm)
Drink 32 ounces of water and one cup of cleansing herbal infusion.
Enjoy a nice raw salad. Ex: greens, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, hummus, guacamole, etc. Keep it colorful and creative.
Meal #5 (6:00 pm no later than 7:00 pm dinner)
One cup of cooked grains paired with veggies. They can be steamed, grilled, sautéed, roasted or stir-fried.
Pair with a salad or some nuts and seeds if desired.
Sautéed- cooked quickly over high heat and a small amount of oil.
Steamed- boiled over a pot of water until slightly tender.
Roasted- baked in oil until tender.
Grilled- coated with oil and grilled until tender and lightly charred.
If you're on the go and don't have time to prepare your meals during the week, I suggest using the weekend before the cleanse to prep. Prepping can include preparing and freezing your meals, making big pots of grains in advance, washing and chopping your veggies ahead of time, etc.
Foods To Eat:
Customize your grocery list with some of the options below. I couldn't include every fruit and vegetable known to man. This is a guide. Feel free to shop based off of personal preference.
Fruit/Vegetables:
Avocado
Seeded grapes
Watermelon
Honeydew Melon
Cantaloupe
Figs
Cherries
Pears
Apples
Burro Banana
Strawberries
Blueberries
Blackberries
Raspberries
Mango
Pineapple
Bell peppers
Broccoli
Chayote Squash
Dandelion Greens
Kale
Spinach
Chards
Collard greens
Lettuce (no iceberg)
String beans
Snap/snow peas
Onion
Zucchini
Celery
Butternut Squash
Tomato
Tomatillo
Mushrooms
Cucumber
Olives
Eggplant
Jackfruit
Brussels Sprouts
Beans/Legumes:
Garbanzo beans
Lentils
Black beans
Kidney beans
Grains:
Quinoa
Amaranth
Cous Cous
Oils:
Olive
Coconut
Grapeseed
Avocado
Hemp
Sesame
No: vegetable oil or canola oil
Nuts/Seeds:
Walnuts
Brazil Nuts
Almonds
Sunflower seeds
Cashew nuts
Pistachios
Foods To Avoid:
Animal Products (Meat, dairy, seafood, poultry, eggs)
Alcohol
Artificial sugar
Processed foods
Fried foods
Caffeine
Breads & Starches (Potatoes, yuca, rice, flour, tortillas)
What to expect:
Detox symptoms may include headaches, bloating, mood swings, flu-like symptoms and break-outs. Avoid by drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated between juices. You may also experience a runny or stuffy nose as your body eliminates mucus.
Extras:
Click here for Sea Moss gel. It's beneficial while cleansing and/or fasting because it eliminates cravings.
Below are some meals I've whipped up and enjoyed that can serve as a guide when picking your meals for the week.
1. Roasted and stuffed butternut squash with quinoa.
2. Sautéed kale, garbanzo beans and avocado.
3.Colorful, raw salad. Topped with tomato, cucumber, nuts, berries & sprouts.
4.Stir-fry broccoli and red onion with quinoa.
Happy Cleansing!!
If you'd like to order juice, click here: