Three Day Cleanse: The Beginning of our Health Journey
So, a few days ago Ricky and I posted a picture of us getting ready to start our 3 day jump start cleanse. Once we finished the cleanse, we posted another picture of us enjoying some black coffee (as a reward) , and I shared that I had lost 5 pounds. Many people showed interest in the program that we used and asked for some details about the cleanse. I decided to write a little blurb about our experience and the type of cleanse we used.
Let me first make something clear. If you are interested in learning about cleanses, healthy living, and dieting, I am NOT the person to ask. I typically enjoy eating–And sometimes eating too much. Hence the reason for the cleanse. Furthermore, I have never enjoyed exercising, unless I’m doing something recreational. BUT, there’s a first for everything, and I am changing my ways. And since the cleanse, I am beginning to actually enjoy my exercise and healthy eating. Don’t get me wrong I will ALWAYS like muffins, scones and anything else delicious! But, I am realizing that it’s very important to include exercise and healthy food into our regular daily lives. So, I have begun a routine of mixing running with strength training, while changing my eating habits.
In the few months leading up to our big move to CA, I began gaining weight and went back to eating badly. The month long trip on the road wasn’t that helpful either. We would eat big meals provided by friends and family (delicious, I might add) and then sit and drive for 12 hours. It was time to take action. I knew I would start to feel better, start losing weight, and start having more energy if I just took some time to plan.
So, here we are beginning this journey together. Both Ricky and I are working to be healthier for each other and for our family. Anything I share with you “health” wise is simply my experience. I have learned and gotten a lot of inspiration from both my family members and close friends, to which I am very appreciative.
This specific cleanse/jump start kind of just fell into our laps. We really didn’t plan it. We had planned to start being healthier, but we weren’t sure how we were going to do it yet. My blender had been broken, and I have needed a food processer for quite some time. The solution: The Nutri Ninja! I had a Bed, Bath, and Beyond gift card, plus a coupon so we splurged and got the Nutri Ninja complete with blender, food processer, and 3 different sized Ninja cups. I was actually pretty excited about it. When I opened it I noticed there was a cook book in it, Eat to Win, Eat to Lose by Rachel Beller, and a 3 day jump start/clease pamphlet. I skimmed the cookbook and concluded that this would be a good option for us. One thing I really like about the book is that she does all the work for you. Since I’m clueless in the health department, I really needed it spelled out for me. She specifically lists what to buy and what not to buy at the store. She has pictures showing what are good 100-calorie snacks. It’s pretty simple to follow, and at this point I need simple. Here is the direct link to her book if you are interested.
Before I give you the specifics of the cleanse, let me tell you that it was a little pricey getting all the ingredients we needed just for the 3 days. If you don’t regularly have these items in your pantry/refrigerator, just know that they won’t all be cheap.
For me the first day of the cleanse was the hardest, for Ricky it was the second day. I definitely was feeling hungry and not really enjoying it. The second day, the hunger pains weren’t as bad for me and I knew I would be able to finish without cheating. I drank a ton of water in between meals which helped fill me. By day 3, I was happy to know we were almost finished. I was really just tired of liquids and ready for some solid foods. It was a great feeling waking up the day after we finished and seeing that I had actually lost some weight. 5 pounds to be exact! Also note that I did light exercise during the cleanse.—mainly walking. We live close to everything so we’ve been doing a lot more walking in place of driving.
Ok, here’s the breakdown of the cleanse. Hope it helps you! Just remember it’s only 3 days and you can get through it.
{This 3 day cleanse was created by Rachel Beller, author of “Eat to Lose, Eat to Win.” I believe it is only available with purchase of the Nutri Ninja, but her direct link is here.} It is not included in her book, there are no copyright notes on the 3 day jump start program, and because I am just listing the recipes there is no problem posting them here on my blog. I am also only listing the cleanse for women. If you are interested in the cleanse for men feel free to contact me. These were created specifically for the Nutri Ninja, but I would imagine whatever blender, juicer, etc you have would also work.}
Day 1:
Breakfast: Top O’ the morning super juice (Calories 327)
–1 small banana, peeled quarted
–1/2 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon
–1 scoop protein powder
–1 orange, peeled, quartered
–2 teaspoons ground flaxseed
–1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
–1/2 cup ice
Blend
Snack: Green detox (Calories 95)
–1/2 cup Swiss chard
–1/4 cup parsley leaves
–1/4 cup broccoli sprouts (any sprouts of your choice)
–1/2 golden delicious apple, quartered
–1 teaspoon lemon juice
–1/4 banana, peeled
–1/4 cup water
–1/4 cup ice
Blend
Lunch: Pep in your step soup (calories 128) (2 servings, Save ½ for later)
–3 red bell peppers, roasted, peeled, seeded
–1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
–2 garlic cloves, peeled
–1/4 cup white wine
–1/4 bunch Italian parsley, trimmed
–1 cup low sodium vegetable broth
–salt and pepper to taste
–balsamic vinegar, as garnish (we didn’t do this)
Directions: Puree in your food processer, blender or Ninja. Heat through.
Snack: Ginger Greens (calories 230)
–1 cup baby kale
–1/4 cup cilantro leaves
–1/4 ripe avocado pitted, peeled
–2 kiwis, peeled, quartered
–1 teaspoon lime juice
–1/2 cup coconut water
–1/3 cup ice
Blend
Dinner: Rockin’ Broc Soup (calories: 151) (2 servings. Save ½ for later)
–1/4 cup cashews, soaked
–1/2 small onion, chopped
–1 clove garlic, chopped
–2 cups water
–1 ½ cups broccoli
–1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions: Place all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes, until broccoli and onions are tender. Allow to cool. Puree all ingredients in your food processor.
Dessert: Cool honeydew cleanser (calories 79)
–1/4 medium cucumber, peeled, halved
–1/2 cup honeydew melon, 1-inch chunks
½ cup fresh pineapple, 1-inch chunks
–1/4 cup water
–1/4 cup ice
Blend
Day 2
Breakfast: Makin’ me bananas (Calories 362)
–1 medium banana, quartered, frozen
–1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
–1 scoop protein powder
–1/2 orange, peeled, halved
–1 tablespoon white chia seeds
–1 cup unsweetened almond milk
–1/4 cup ice
Blend
Snack: Caribbean Cooler (calories 315)
–1 small banana
–1/2 medium cucumber, halved
–1 cup vanilla protein powder
–1/2 lime, seeded, peeled
–1 cup fresh pineapple, 1-inch chunks
–3/4 cup water
–1/4 ice
Blend
Lunch: Pep in your step soup
Use ½ of the recipe you made yesterday for your lunch.
Snack: Green Detox
See recipe above.
Dinner: Carro-banzo soup (calories 223) (2 servings, save ½ for later)
–2 teaspoons olive oil
–3 carrots, cut in 1-inch pieces
–1/2 onion, sliced
–2 garlic cloves sliced
–1/2-inch ginger knob
–1 teaspooon turmeric
–1/4 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon
–1 cup low sodium garbanzo beans, canned, Bpa free, drained, rinsed
–2 cups water
Directions: Heat olive oil and sauté onions, garlic and carrots until softened. Add water, ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon and simmer for 20 minutes. Puree ingredients in your food processor. Return ingredients to your saucepan and add the garbanzo beans and simmer until heated through.
Dessert: Icy red purifier (Calories 94)
–1 cup watermelon, 1-inch chunks
–3/4 cup raspberries
–1/4 cup water
–1/2 cup ice
Blend
Day 3
Breakfast: Apple almond super juice (calories 331)
–1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, halved
–1 teaspoon almond butter
–1 scoop whey protein powder
–1/2 small banana, peeled, halved
–1 tablespoon white chia seeds
–1 cup unsweetened almond milk
–1/2 cup ice
Blend
Snack: Tangerine protein machine (calories 270)
–1 small banana, peeled, halved
–1/2 cup spinach, packed
–1 scoop vanilla protein powder
–1 tangerine, peeled, quartered
–1 cup water
–1/2 cup ice
Blend
Lunch: Carro-banzo soup
Eat ½ of the recipe you prepared from the previous day.
Snack: Green Detox
See recipe above
Dinner: Rockin’ Broc soup
Eat ½ of the recipe you prepared from the previous day.
Dessert: Cool Honeydew cleanser
See recipe above.
Hope this helps!
This is joy under the sun.
