Friday is gone and it's now past midnight - I just finished my second day of the 2 day Ease-in phase before starting the Lemonade Diet tomorrow (Saturday). I didn't feel at all hungry. Of course, orange juice is sweet and it's what's sustaining me, and it was a pleasure to drink it all day long along with filtered water. We use Britta containers to purify tap water. Overall, I felt pretty good but had a slight headache at the start of the day that lasted until late afternoon. I guess I'm a true coffee and chocolate addict! I do believe I'm purging myself of my daily fixes. The book I ordered from Amazon arrived today - "The Master Cleanse" by Stanley Burroughs. I also found his book in PDF format online - here's the link you can paste into your web brower if you're interested:
http://healthandlight.com/TheMasterCleanse.pdf
FYI - it's not totally the complete book. He goes into other remedies towards the end of the book, but all the important parts about the Master Cleanse is there.
There are quite a few websites that offer their take on how to do the Master Cleanse and I'll tell you honestly, I'm glad to be following Stanley's original procedure. Some of the websites are really strict about doing this and measuring that, and also sell products for the cleanse - which is perfectly fine, it's a choice. What I like about Stanley is that he has a comfortable approach to sticking to the "rules." He stresses a lot of importance on freshness for lemons (and limes) and also discusses how maple syrup is harvested from the maple tree. It was interesting to learn about the various grades syrup is given. The syrup the trees give is different in quality and taste throughout the year that they're tapped. And as far as the cayenne powder and sea salt goes, he recommends buying them from any store that carries health food.
Stanley gives the ingredients on what goes into the lemonade and advises how stick to the lemonade to get the most out of the Master Cleanse. But, he also gives advice on what to do when it gets difficult - and he says it definitely will get difficult in the beginning - but his advice is great. His approach is relaxed and hassle-free. I don't feel a bit concerned if I should feel hungry, weak or tired. Stanley has covered all the bases on what to do!
Here's Stanley Burroughs's exact recipe for making the lemonade:
Makes 1 Serving:
2 Tbsp lemon or lime juice (approx. 1/2 lemon)
2 Tbsp genuine maple syrup (not maple flavored sugar syrup)
1/10 Tsp cayenne pepper (red pepper) or to taste
- Combine the juice, maple syrup, and cayenne paper in a 10 oz. glass and fill with medium hot water. (Cold water may be used if preferred.)
- Use fresh lemons or limes only, never canned lemon or lime juice nor frozen lemonade or frozen juice. Use organic lemons when possible.
I'm excited and looking forward to starting the Master Cleanse Lemonade Diet tomorrow.
8.15.2009
8.12.2009
Two Days of Easing-In to the Master Cleanse
Today starts my 2-day Ease-in phase before I do the full blown Lemonade Diet. Yesterday, I went to the supermarket and Trader Joe's to buy everything I need. My family is doing their own shopping and cooking, leaving me to tend to myself while on the Master Cleanse - they're being really great . . . although, I hope I don't faint when pizza and Chinese food starts being delivered to the house!
I shopped at my local supermarket first because I only need a few fruits and vegetables. I got a couple each of peaches and plums, a container of strawberries and a bag of red grapes (the produce guy said red grapes are always sweeter than the white or purple). The first day of the Ease-in phase also includes vegetables, so for dinner I got 2 beautiful tomatoes and organic basil leaves. I also got a large ripe avocado - which is definitely a fruit! I also got a box of "Smooth Move" tea, and organic sea salt by Hain. At Trader Joe's I got a big bottle of "Trader Joe's 100% Pure Maple Syrup," Grade B, several bags of lemons, two half gallon cartons of orange juice and a container of freshly cut pineapple.
Breakfast was a bowl of cut up peaches, plums and strawberries; it looked gorgeous and was delicious. A couple of hours later I started to feel the need for coffee, so I had a cup of hot herbal white tea. Lunch was more of the breakfast fruits plus fresh pineapple plus a grated carrot. I ate until I felt satisfied, but I was snacking an hour later on all the fruit and carrots - in fact I was grazing all day long. I felt hungry all day long!
I'm so missing my coffee! Slight headache.
I'm so missing my 70% cocoa chocolate! Need comfort.
My Ease-in dinner was fantastic - I cut up 2 big tomatoes in rounds and placed them all around to fill the platter. Then I sprinkled organic sea salt over the tomatoes (why not? I'm going to be chugging a liter of water with organic sea salt everyday, so I figured salting the tomatoes was also fine). I sliced the avocado and placed the slices all over the tomatoes - plus a little sprinkle more of organic sea salt. Then I took a handful of basil, rolled the leaves to look like a green cigar and then sliced it thin (chiffonade-style) to create fine threads of fragrant basil to sprinkle all over the avocado. I am going to remember to make this after the Master Cleanse and have it with whole grain rustic bread and drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the dish - oh, wish I was eating bread with it! I couldn't finish it all, so I'm eating the rest later this evening.
So far so good. I think I can handle the rest of the day munching grapes and finishing the tomato and avocado salad.
Tomorrow is day 2 of the Ease-in phase when all I'm having is orange juice and water. Good luck to me!!!
I shopped at my local supermarket first because I only need a few fruits and vegetables. I got a couple each of peaches and plums, a container of strawberries and a bag of red grapes (the produce guy said red grapes are always sweeter than the white or purple). The first day of the Ease-in phase also includes vegetables, so for dinner I got 2 beautiful tomatoes and organic basil leaves. I also got a large ripe avocado - which is definitely a fruit! I also got a box of "Smooth Move" tea, and organic sea salt by Hain. At Trader Joe's I got a big bottle of "Trader Joe's 100% Pure Maple Syrup," Grade B, several bags of lemons, two half gallon cartons of orange juice and a container of freshly cut pineapple.
Breakfast was a bowl of cut up peaches, plums and strawberries; it looked gorgeous and was delicious. A couple of hours later I started to feel the need for coffee, so I had a cup of hot herbal white tea. Lunch was more of the breakfast fruits plus fresh pineapple plus a grated carrot. I ate until I felt satisfied, but I was snacking an hour later on all the fruit and carrots - in fact I was grazing all day long. I felt hungry all day long!
I'm so missing my coffee! Slight headache.
I'm so missing my 70% cocoa chocolate! Need comfort.
My Ease-in dinner was fantastic - I cut up 2 big tomatoes in rounds and placed them all around to fill the platter. Then I sprinkled organic sea salt over the tomatoes (why not? I'm going to be chugging a liter of water with organic sea salt everyday, so I figured salting the tomatoes was also fine). I sliced the avocado and placed the slices all over the tomatoes - plus a little sprinkle more of organic sea salt. Then I took a handful of basil, rolled the leaves to look like a green cigar and then sliced it thin (chiffonade-style) to create fine threads of fragrant basil to sprinkle all over the avocado. I am going to remember to make this after the Master Cleanse and have it with whole grain rustic bread and drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the dish - oh, wish I was eating bread with it! I couldn't finish it all, so I'm eating the rest later this evening.
So far so good. I think I can handle the rest of the day munching grapes and finishing the tomato and avocado salad.
Tomorrow is day 2 of the Ease-in phase when all I'm having is orange juice and water. Good luck to me!!!
8.11.2009
Starting - My Personal Attempts at the Master Cleanse
Today is my first day of blogging my attempts to undertake The Master Cleanse. Actually I officially start tomorrow. Why do I want to do this? I like the idea of losing a few pounds without having to deal with real food - almost like a vacation from weighing and measuring portions and calories, and not having to deal with falling into the ever present pitfalls of overeating, and indulging cravings for the sweets and salty snacks I love so much. There's also the health benefit of cleaning out the intestinal system of gunk and stuff. That doesn't sound too attractive, but I do like the idea of cleaning myself out for the overall benefits of good health.
A couple of days ago I copied over a set of directions to the Master Cleanse by googling "master cleanse." I chose Stanley Burroughs's version because his is the oldest version from 1941 - and the original - description of this procedure. Two days ago I went to Amazon.com and purchased a handheld citrus juicer, plus "The Master Cleanser" by Stanley Burroughs. I think I have enough information to get started before the book arrives.
Before I even entertained thoughts of doing the Master Cleanse I pondered where my head was at with my Jenny Craig program. I'm kind of tired of planned eating. Or maybe it's more that I'm not so excited about eating right now. Oh, I do eat. I love to eat. I just get like this during the summer, not liking to have to figure out what to eat, when to eat and how much to eat.
I'm taking 2 weeks off of my Jenny Craig program after today. I've been on the Jenny Craig program for the past 20 weeks and have lost 11 pounds. I'm a 5'-8" female who 20 weeks ago weighed 196. Today, I weigh 185. I need to lose 35 more pounds. I'll figure out when I'm at 150 pounds how much more I must lose, if any. I think I could have lost more weight except that I tend to cheat on myself and overeat on fattening yummy foods. Plus, I guess I would lose more if I were into a more vigorous exercise regime than what I currently do now. Basically, I'm pretty languorous about doing any exercise "on purpose." My typical conversation with my Jenny Craig counselor:
"Did you exercise this week?"
"Yes, I did."
"Because you wanted to, or on purpose?"
"Oh, on purpose, fer sure!"
I purchased a recumbent bike from Sears this past June and absolutely love it. It peddles quietly and is small, which makes it easy to store away in a corner or closet. Time flies when I'm peddling as I watch TV - I can go up to 40 minutes before I cain't do no mo'. I also purchased an exercise ball to do core exercises. I got a white one so it would look nice in my living room - where the TV lives. I like the exercise ball. If I'm not doing modified crunches on the exercise ball, I'm sitting on the exercise ball for 20-30 minutes at a time for balance strengthening as I watch TV. As you have surmised, I exercise on the recumbent bike and then the exercise ball while I watch TV in the evening after dinner.
I do enjoy eating almost all of Jenny Craig foods. Actually I only eat their frozen foods - all the other lunches and dinners are pre-packaged to sit on a shelf without refrigeration, and to me taste like cafeteria style Chef Boyardee. Some people really like that food. I tried each one, but was always disappointed in the taste. The frozen foods are delicious. I also only eat the frozen food containing chicken or fish. I've cut out eating red meat quite a bit. I only have red meat at Christmas when it's all about the juicy prime rib or a luscious rib roast, plus I love making a sandwich the next day with the leftovers. And, honey-baked ham for New Year's, and then there's roasted lamb for Easter. Yep - I eat red meat only on those holidays, for 2 days straight (freshly cooked and then leftovers the next day). Oh, and I'll have one Jumbo Jack cheeseburger, or a Carl's Junior Star cheeseburger, during the summer. Really - that's it! I would prefer to go for an In-and-Out-Burger, but the last time I had one my local TV news reported a week later that a meat factory in SoCal was grinding meat for hamburger from sick and lame cows - and there was undercover video that showed all the gruesome details! The reporter named a list of the companies who regularly bought from this meat factory, and wouldn't you know it - WOULDN'T YOU JUST KNOW IT - In-and-Out was one of their customers! Can you get mad-cow by eating just one cheeseburger made from tainted hamburger meat?
Why am I blogging about my little adventure into the Master Cleanse? I suppose my primary reason to blog about being on the Master Cleanse is because I believe it will be useful to me to journal my experiences everyday. I love, too, that I can be anonymous about it. No fears of someone coming across my journal and reading personal thoughts I've written down, and knowing they're mine. Am I embarrassed? I don't know - guess I just don't want someone picking up my journal and reading: "Dear Diary, I pooped a mountain of crud today after downing a quart of room temperature water with organic sea salt. I can't wait to do that again tomorrow!"
I will also tweet about it. I just became a member of Twitter. I started looking for other tweeters to follow and have enjoyed following major newspapers and news stations for their up to the minute news, plus fashion and design magazines. I haven't tweeted anything, and I don't think I will under my current Twitter name. I just like Twitter for following current news. However, I do intend to join Twitter under a second name to attach to this here blog. I've discovered that there are several tweeters tweeting about their own experiences on the Master Cleanse, and I'd like to join them and find out how they're doing. If you want to follow me on Twitter, my Twitter name is "LemonlyYours."
So, I'm going to start the Master Cleanse tomorrow. In the meantime, I have to decide how long I want to be on the "Lemonade Diet." Three days is supposed to be standard, and some folks do it for up to 10 days. But, there's an "Ease-in" phase of 2-3 days before you actually do the Lemonade Diet, and when you're done with the Lemonade Diet you're supposed to do an "Ease-out" phase for another 2-3 days so you don't fracture your digestive system with regular solid food. There also are people who are able to plunge straight into the Lemonade Diet, but the Ease-in is supposed to help you adjust to not eating solid food and make it easier for you to transition to the Lemonade. So, there's 2 days easing into the diet, 3 days on the lemonade, and 2 days of easing out and back to solid foods. That's 7 total days. I'm thinking I would like to be on the Lemonade for 5 days - 9 days total. I'll see how I feel - come follow me on Twitter and my blog!
Well then, I will make today all about setting up my kitchen with everything I need, and set myself up with Twitter for tweeting about my Master Cleanse experience. I'll also shop today after I figure out what fruits and vegetables I want to eat on my first day, plus orange juice for the second day. And, of course, get lots of lemons, cayenne powder and maple syrup (B grade) for my big Lemonade escapade. Oh - and organic sea salt. I think I'll get everything from good old Trader Joe's.
I'm officially starting tomorrow!
A couple of days ago I copied over a set of directions to the Master Cleanse by googling "master cleanse." I chose Stanley Burroughs's version because his is the oldest version from 1941 - and the original - description of this procedure. Two days ago I went to Amazon.com and purchased a handheld citrus juicer, plus "The Master Cleanser" by Stanley Burroughs. I think I have enough information to get started before the book arrives.
Before I even entertained thoughts of doing the Master Cleanse I pondered where my head was at with my Jenny Craig program. I'm kind of tired of planned eating. Or maybe it's more that I'm not so excited about eating right now. Oh, I do eat. I love to eat. I just get like this during the summer, not liking to have to figure out what to eat, when to eat and how much to eat.
I'm taking 2 weeks off of my Jenny Craig program after today. I've been on the Jenny Craig program for the past 20 weeks and have lost 11 pounds. I'm a 5'-8" female who 20 weeks ago weighed 196. Today, I weigh 185. I need to lose 35 more pounds. I'll figure out when I'm at 150 pounds how much more I must lose, if any. I think I could have lost more weight except that I tend to cheat on myself and overeat on fattening yummy foods. Plus, I guess I would lose more if I were into a more vigorous exercise regime than what I currently do now. Basically, I'm pretty languorous about doing any exercise "on purpose." My typical conversation with my Jenny Craig counselor:
"Did you exercise this week?"
"Yes, I did."
"Because you wanted to, or on purpose?"
"Oh, on purpose, fer sure!"
I purchased a recumbent bike from Sears this past June and absolutely love it. It peddles quietly and is small, which makes it easy to store away in a corner or closet. Time flies when I'm peddling as I watch TV - I can go up to 40 minutes before I cain't do no mo'. I also purchased an exercise ball to do core exercises. I got a white one so it would look nice in my living room - where the TV lives. I like the exercise ball. If I'm not doing modified crunches on the exercise ball, I'm sitting on the exercise ball for 20-30 minutes at a time for balance strengthening as I watch TV. As you have surmised, I exercise on the recumbent bike and then the exercise ball while I watch TV in the evening after dinner.
I do enjoy eating almost all of Jenny Craig foods. Actually I only eat their frozen foods - all the other lunches and dinners are pre-packaged to sit on a shelf without refrigeration, and to me taste like cafeteria style Chef Boyardee. Some people really like that food. I tried each one, but was always disappointed in the taste. The frozen foods are delicious. I also only eat the frozen food containing chicken or fish. I've cut out eating red meat quite a bit. I only have red meat at Christmas when it's all about the juicy prime rib or a luscious rib roast, plus I love making a sandwich the next day with the leftovers. And, honey-baked ham for New Year's, and then there's roasted lamb for Easter. Yep - I eat red meat only on those holidays, for 2 days straight (freshly cooked and then leftovers the next day). Oh, and I'll have one Jumbo Jack cheeseburger, or a Carl's Junior Star cheeseburger, during the summer. Really - that's it! I would prefer to go for an In-and-Out-Burger, but the last time I had one my local TV news reported a week later that a meat factory in SoCal was grinding meat for hamburger from sick and lame cows - and there was undercover video that showed all the gruesome details! The reporter named a list of the companies who regularly bought from this meat factory, and wouldn't you know it - WOULDN'T YOU JUST KNOW IT - In-and-Out was one of their customers! Can you get mad-cow by eating just one cheeseburger made from tainted hamburger meat?
Why am I blogging about my little adventure into the Master Cleanse? I suppose my primary reason to blog about being on the Master Cleanse is because I believe it will be useful to me to journal my experiences everyday. I love, too, that I can be anonymous about it. No fears of someone coming across my journal and reading personal thoughts I've written down, and knowing they're mine. Am I embarrassed? I don't know - guess I just don't want someone picking up my journal and reading: "Dear Diary, I pooped a mountain of crud today after downing a quart of room temperature water with organic sea salt. I can't wait to do that again tomorrow!"
I will also tweet about it. I just became a member of Twitter. I started looking for other tweeters to follow and have enjoyed following major newspapers and news stations for their up to the minute news, plus fashion and design magazines. I haven't tweeted anything, and I don't think I will under my current Twitter name. I just like Twitter for following current news. However, I do intend to join Twitter under a second name to attach to this here blog. I've discovered that there are several tweeters tweeting about their own experiences on the Master Cleanse, and I'd like to join them and find out how they're doing. If you want to follow me on Twitter, my Twitter name is "LemonlyYours."
So, I'm going to start the Master Cleanse tomorrow. In the meantime, I have to decide how long I want to be on the "Lemonade Diet." Three days is supposed to be standard, and some folks do it for up to 10 days. But, there's an "Ease-in" phase of 2-3 days before you actually do the Lemonade Diet, and when you're done with the Lemonade Diet you're supposed to do an "Ease-out" phase for another 2-3 days so you don't fracture your digestive system with regular solid food. There also are people who are able to plunge straight into the Lemonade Diet, but the Ease-in is supposed to help you adjust to not eating solid food and make it easier for you to transition to the Lemonade. So, there's 2 days easing into the diet, 3 days on the lemonade, and 2 days of easing out and back to solid foods. That's 7 total days. I'm thinking I would like to be on the Lemonade for 5 days - 9 days total. I'll see how I feel - come follow me on Twitter and my blog!
Well then, I will make today all about setting up my kitchen with everything I need, and set myself up with Twitter for tweeting about my Master Cleanse experience. I'll also shop today after I figure out what fruits and vegetables I want to eat on my first day, plus orange juice for the second day. And, of course, get lots of lemons, cayenne powder and maple syrup (B grade) for my big Lemonade escapade. Oh - and organic sea salt. I think I'll get everything from good old Trader Joe's.
I'm officially starting tomorrow!
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