Day 16 (michelle)

We started this blog thinking people would want reviews on the Standard Process 21-day cleanse/purification, and we wanted to provide a running commentary.

The first couple of weeks it was easy to post because it was so radically different to eat this way, that we felt like it was news. But, honestly, I’ve gotten into a groove with the eating, so I feel like there’s nothing to report.

I did the cleanse by-the-book for the first 13 days, but on day 13, we went on a 20-mile/13-hour hike. I’ve found that the body isn’t happy with only salad when I demand that must production. I caved and had a Cliff bar 5 hours into the hike. I was okay until our 10th hour, and I had a snack-sized Twix. I finished the hike thinking I could have a shake and salad when we got home. I was delusional. My body started shaking and I wanted to vomit. So I drank some of a Gatorade-type drink and downed a piece and a half of pizza, plus a candy bar. I didn’t feel even mildly guilty and it tasted amazing. More importantly, my body felt better.

I got right back on the cleanse on Sunday, and it was fine. Monday my husband and niece ate pizza and I sat there with nothing. I took a bite of the pizza. Since I can add rice and protein this week, I decided I would add rice. I made a GREAT vegetable chili on Monday. It was amazing. But I’m ready for some nuts, a bagel and some pizza. I have only a few more days, and I’m loving how I feel. i love that I’ve lost a few pounds, and I plan to eat differently when I’m off this. So all in all–at this point I would give it high reviews.

I think the cleanse experience has been positive overall, but I’ll be interested to see how I introduce foods back into my diet–will I gradually go back to the way I used to eat? At this point I say no, but I know myself, and I love food. So … tomorrow I start adding exercise to the plan.