Overextending Ourselves - Where does the Cleanse Come In?

Here I am, the founder of this JOOS company and the creator of the JOOS Cleanse, which has an underlying basis to establish mindfulness - and I've been acting anything but mindful. The reason is that I've been way overextending myself. Admittedly, my intent is good. I really want to be the best mother for my children, grow the business, be a good friend, daughter, sister and volunteer in the community. Finally, it hit me that this is not feasible and that I'm really not helping anyone by over-extending myself. In fact, I've seen, it can really play into feeling insecure because when we're extended in so many directions, we don't feel like we're doing anything well. On top of that, we're so busy cramming everything in that we often arrive late, which is disrespectful, don't RSVP in time for invitations, which I learned this morning, justifiably infuriates people, and, most of all, causes way too much stress!

What does stress do to us? Build up acidity, which can cause illness and disease.

I look out my window and it's a beautiful sunny day. The temperature is perfect. Sasha is all smiles because she is attending her best friend from camp's Bat Mitzvah in PA. I get to spend quality time with her and Bill, which hardly ever happens because I'm usually running around with four children, so spending this time with them is really special.

What I also see is that I missed the boat when I did the cleanse. I did lose five pounds. I did reboot by eating habits. I did feel more energetic - but I forgot one fundamental piece: to re-evaluate how I'm going to restructure my life so I can be more present and reduce my stress. Where am I going to start? Small steps - by taking 10 minutes each day to either meditate or journal.

Another Stab at Transitioning off the JOOS Cleanse

I have to admit that without the discipline of the JOOS Cleanse, it is tempting to diverge, especially when I'm tired or stressed. What I do is keep reminding myself how energetic and light I felt while I was on the JOOS Cleanse and how much I want to maintain that feeling.

When I was growing up and made hasty decisions (guess I'm still growing up), my mother would remind me of the candy bar theory - tastes great in the short term, but you feel horribly in the long term.

I remember reading a study that said that you could tell if a young child would be successful later in life if they knew how to relay gratification.

These are the same principles that apply to maintaining healthy habits - and noticed how I wrote HABITS - NOT a diet!

Btw, it is not easy to post on my blog so I WOULD LOVE to hear your comments.

To Your HEALTH!

Lauri

JOOS Cleanse - Transitioning off

Well, I'm supposed to be transitioning off the cleanse, but I am really feeling so much more energetic and grounded on it so I've deciding to stick with it, albeit in a modified way.

Yesterday my children had brown rice pasta with ghee and mozzarella goat cheese for lunch and I had about 1/2 bowl. Granted, ghee doesn't contain casein, the "bad" protein in milk and the molecular composition of goat cheese is more similar to that of human milk (unlike cow milk) so, it really wasn't a big divergence from the cleanse.

In the afternoon, though, I really wanted my JOOS. When I'm feeling sad, anxious, tired, angry..essentially any range of emotion...drinking JOOS makes me feeling that I'm doing the best possible thing I can for my body and my mind.

For all of you new cleansers, please let me know if you have any questions. I realize that it isn't easy leaving a post here, but I would love to hear your comments and questions.

To Your Health!

Establishing Mindfulness on the JOOS Cleanse

One of the main goals of the JOOS Cleanse is to establish mindfulness. So, what does mindfulness really mean. I heard a great definition by Deepak Chopra: Mindfulness is that stillness we find in ourselves.

Why is mindfulness so important in the context of our eating habits?

If we were mindful, we wouldn't overeat so we wouldn't be overweight.

If we were mindful, we would eat what's good for us - and what's best for our body - so we would be healthier and more energetic.

If we were mindful, we would appreciate our food and make certain we're consuming the highest quality food.

If we were mindful, we would be putting loving energy into the food we prepare for ourselves and our children.

Just something to think about...

JOOS Cleanse - Day 21 - Travelling on the JOOS Cleanse

Many people have asked how they can maintain the cleanse while traveling. I just went to NYC for the weekend and so I thought I'd write what I did to give you some suggestions.

On Saturday, when we left in the mid-morning to NYC, I didn't have time to eat breakfast or lunch because I had to take my children that morning to soccer games, baseball practice, etc., and I had to rush to leave because I had promised Fia, who had been in NYC with my brother, that I'd arrive by mid-afternoon. As a result, I didn't have time to pack food for myself for the trip. Suggestion for next trip: pack my food the night before so this doesn't happen again!

I did manage, though, to drink a JOOS while I watched Julia's soccer game, which satiated me for several hours.

So, on the road, all we passed were fast food restaurants. I bought nuts at the convenience story. Definitely not perfect, but the only thing as close to food as I could find.

When I arrived, it was close to dinner. We went to a Mexican restaurant. So easy to maintain the cleanse there with guacamole and salads and, admittedly, I did have the guacamole on corn tortilla chips.

In the morning, I had some tea. I actually didn't feel hungry because I had eaten so much guacamole the night before. As you know, guacamole is so full of the good fat, so I felt satiated, which meant I didn't feel hungry at all to eat breakfast.

When we arrived back in Boston on Sunday afternoon, my kids wanted Chinese food, which is also very easy to maintain on the cleanse with so many dishes with veggies and tofu, although I'm not big on tofu.

Hope this helps. Please let me know if you want to hear more suggestions. I'd also love to hear your thoughts and feedback.

JOOS Cleanse - Day 19 - Not sleeping enough which has thrown me off

In the last couple of days, I've received a few emails from people stating that they're not sleeping enough, which has made them resort to eating sugary, caffeinated foods. Obviously not a surprise. This also underscores the need to get a good night's sleep.

I've noticed the same pattern for myself. While I am still eating the foods I'm supposed to eat on the cleanse, I'm eating too many of them because I need the extra energy, especially raw nuts. Plus, I'm not nearly as mindful as when I have a good night's sleep.

Following is what I wrote to a cleanser who had slipped into her old habits due to lack of sleep:

My recommendation is to BE PREPARED. Here are a few suggestions to have on hand:

1. Trader Joe's Roasted Seaweed Snack: I don't like to talk calories, but the whole pack has 60 calories and only costs $0.99. I buy this by the case for our household because we all love it. My son brings this to school with him for lunch. They are filling and fulfilling. They are also alkaline forming, which is consistent with the JOOS Cleanse.

2. Raw nuts: True, fat absorbs more slowly than simple carbs, but it is more satiating so you have less temptation to overeat and binge. I wrote in my newsletter a few weeks ago that studies are increasingly finding that including raw nuts in your diet in moderation can even lead to weight loss.

3. Sunspire Grain Sweetened Chocolate Chips: These are on our shopping list recommendations. They are also used to make the chocolate mousse, which is in the recipe section of the Cleanse Guide. I would highly suggest to have that in your fridge.

4. If you're craving chocolate, I'm starting to research Taza Chocolate. It's expensive, but that's a good thing because it may make you think twice before having another bite.

5. Vega Shake: Generally I do not like those protein powders for many reasons, but from all my research, Vega seems acceptable. It was created by Brandan Brazier, a Canadian Ironman and vegan, and it is raw and very high in protein. In your blender, add a scoop with a frozen banana and almond milk.

6. Chocolate Sorbet: Freeze unsweetened chocolate milk and a banana. You can add raw honey or a little agave if you want it sweeter. Place in your blender and instant sorbet. You can even add different frozen fruits. This recipe is also in our Cleanse Guide.

7. Pulpcakes: At least you know you're eating something healthy

If you find yourself slipping, PLEASE contact your cleanse coordinator at once. The only way we can help you is if we hear from you.

I find this topic so crucial that I'm going to include it in this week's newsletter.

Enjoy the weekend!

JOOS Cleanse - Day 18 - It's a part of my life!

Vacation week has completely thrown off my daily routine, but at this point, the JOOS Cleanse is so ingrained that I'm following it naturally.

Since I last wrote, I've been to restaurants with my children and with adults and not once did I have any desire to eat what wasn't on the cleanse. Sure I had a glass of red wine, or two, but the next day I flowed right back into the JOOS Cleanse routine. No big deal.

I said to my kids today that we all have the ability to influence each others moods. When I'm relaxed, my kids are so much more relaxed and vice verse. Eating whole, non processed foods has definitely helped me to relax. I'm eating the highest quality nutrients and they're affecting me in very positive ways - despite my lack of sleep, I'm feeling so much more relaxed, focused and present.

I'm completely sleep deprived because I still have to go into the commissary too early in the morning and I stay up way too late catching up on work. As a result, I'm eating a little more than I would like because I need the energy. I also find that I'm craving more JOOS than I did when I wasn't on the JOOS Cleanse.

I also believe that when I myself come across confidant, this gives my children the security to try things and/or put themselves into situations that they may not have when I'm feeling strung out. For example, Fia, my eight-year-old, has a history of separation issues. She went to stay with my brother in NYC over vacation. Frankly, I didn't know if she were going to make it. She made the bravest face when she had to leave me. I knew that she felt conflicted and sad, but she really wanted to be brave. The next day when I spoke with her, she broke down into tears, but only for about five minutes. Then she quickly recovered and told me about all the wonderful activities she had done with my brother - and about the John Galiano sneakers she bought with them. OK, I admit, that would make me happy, too :)

Many people tell me that they're hesitant to do the JOOS Cleanse because they don't know how they'll manage with such a big lifestyle change. Like everything, there is a period of adjustment, but if you really follow itm you will fall into a routine and ultimately feel so much healthier and energetic.

Here is a typical day:

When you wake up, stretch a little - maybe for 10 minutes.

JOOS in the morning on an empty stomach. You will feel it move into every cell of your body.

Mid morning - a piece of fruit or preferably a vegetable. If you do not desire to lose weight or if you're working out, add in a handful of raw nuts, a Vega shake with a frozen banana and almond milk, peanut or almond butter or Hummus on Marys Gone Crackers or a Pulpcake.

Lunch - Now that the weather is warming, have a salad with tempeh and/or garbanzo beans and avocado. For dressing, olive oil/balsamic vinegar and/or apple cider vinegar and mustard - or - vegan sushi with brown rice - or - quinoa with mixed veggies - or - hummus smeared on a brown rice tortilla from Trader Joes with tomatoes and lettuce - just to name a few. The possibilities are endless.

Mid-afternoon - If you're truly hungry, have an apple, banana, or a handful of raw nuts or a Pulpcake. Make certain that you're drinking plenty of water.

Dinner - Ideally just the JOOS. DO YOUR BEST NOT TO EAT AT NIGHT - or at the minimum, eat as little as possible and do not eat 2 hours prior to going to sleep.

Make certain you have a good night sleep of a minimum of 7 hours.

Our Lifestyle counselors can give you plenty of meal suggestions so contact us for what may be the most empowering experience you've ever had. It was for me.

JOOS Cleanse - Day 14 - The Whole is Greater than the Sum of the Parts!

In this week's JOOS newsletter, I discussed how whole food are more nutritious than the sum of the parts. Eating whole wheat bread, for example, is not a whole food. It has been processed. The more WHOLE foods we eat, the more nutritious they are, which tends to make us healthier.

Of course you can get too much whole foods, like I did yesterday when I ate too many figs. Figs are my weakness. All I'm going to say on this subject is that I'm grateful the bathroom was vacant when I arrived at yoga this morning. For anyone suffering from constipation, figs can be a cure.

So yesterday, in addition to eating too many figs, I ate 2 bananas for breakfast, 2 handfuls of raw nut mix from Trader Joes for lunch and a salad and mixed veggies with a glass of wine for dinner. I went to a restaurant and didn't have any temptation to eat the bread. That's what the cleanse accomplishes: eliminating, or at least reducing, temptations.

JOOS Cleanse - Day 12 - Beware of Reactive Eating

In yoga class today, the teacher spoke about when we act in reactivity, this is when we often "put our foot in our mouths" and when we tend to overeat. The simple reason is because we're not thinking. Believe me, I've had my share of both.

One of my mentors gave me the simplest method how to combat reactivity. If you are sitting in a chair, take a deep breath and lean backwards. In that 1/2 second, you can re-orientate your perspective.

Something else that worked a lot for me with the overeating is that I moved my office away from the kitchen. Having an office or computer located near the kitchen can be a recipe for binging.

So Day 12 - I ate all the right cleansing foods, but too much of them.

After coming back to the commissary, I ate two bananas.

For lunch, I warmed up organic frozen veggies with edamame in the balsamic/mustard/olive oil sauce I'm hooked on these days.

By mid afternoon, I had a JOOS, but shortly after I had Marys Gone Crackers and Hummus - too many of them. My solution is to put a few of the Marys Gone Crackers on a plate instead of eating them from a box.

Eating too many of the crackers made me feel a bit bloated.

On to the next day!

JOOS Cleanse - Day 11 - Positive Mood Shifts on JOOS

We encounter similar types of stressful situations each day, but what changes is our attitude toward them. For example, before I did the cleanse, I still had to drive my kids in what felt like a million directions. I would come home absolutely exhausted and tense. On the cleanse, I don't feel that type of tension. The opposite, since I feel so much more relaxed, I can actually give more of me to my family and friends. Funny how that works.

Michael, our Director of Operations, asked me this morning if JOOS can actually help depression. I've seen numerous people have mood shifts when they're on JOOS and it's logical that they would, since they're pumping the highest quality nutrients into their bodies.

Why is it that many of us do not link moods to nutrition? They are absolutely tied together. An increasing number of studies are proving this.

So Day 11
Right after I left the commissary, I did an early morning yoga class. Right after that, I consumed a JOOS. WOW!

Lunch - I warmed up a small amount of lentils and frozen organic veggies with my balsamic/mustard/olive oil sauce. Not sick of it yet, but I'm sure I will be soon.

Mid-afternoon - JOOS and Trader Joes Roasted Seaweed (Fia teased me how hooked I am on that.)

Dinner - 1/4 of a Boca Burger that one of my kids was eating and a big bowl of organic veggies with my sauce.

Then I snuggled into bed with William to read The Lightening Thief. Thank you Sandy Clancy and my doctor, Dr. John Bordiuk, for recommending that I read it to my son.

JOOS Cleanse - Day 10 - Energy Up, Stress Down

I have to admit that even I, who owns JOOS and has done several cleanses, was hesitant to start another JOOS Cleanse, but I have to tell you that once you go through the initial 3 to 4 day adjustment period, it is so easy to maintain with the added benefit that you feel amazing! That's why we encourage doing at least 2, and optimally 3 weeks, of the cleanse.

Last night I attended a JOOS cocktail party in Wellesley hosted by Laura Holland, Becky Georgenes and Diana Gilloly. Becky's asparagus guacamole and Christin Gilloly's vegan tuna fish were "to die for!" If you want, I can get you the recipes.

Another huge hit was stumbled upon by Peter Holland who was dipping dried banana chips into the vegan chocolate mousse I brought. I swear, this was one of the best desserts I've ever had and totally acceptable on the JOOS Cleanse - in small portions :)

So yesterday, I had a JOOS and Pulpcake for breakfast. For lunch I was in a rush (what else is new) so I warmed up prepackaged lentils from Trader Joes, frozen organic veggies in the the mustard/balsamic/olive oil sauce I'm into these days. Dessert was 2 Pulpcakes.

I had another JOOS before I went to the JOOS Cocktail, which was a good thing because I would have ended up over eating on all the delicious food.

So, Day 10, my energy is way up and my stress is way down. I have been on top of organizing my papers, filing systems, business systems and household. I feel like I have so much more time - and this all happened once I started the JOOS Cleanse. For me, that says enough.

JOOS Cleanse - Day 9 - Too Many Pulpcakes, but so good!!

I was just listening in my car to a lecture by Ann Marie Colbin, PhD, author to The Whole-Food Guide to Strong Bones. She was saying that studies are out that show that the whole food has more health benefits than the sum of the parts.

I always thought it was weird that food companies put individual ingredients in foods, like adding Omega 3 to cookies. This is a great marketing ploy to make us believe that we were consuming some new "super" ingredient while eating our favorite junk. By the way, there is no junk food - there is either food or junk!

There is no substitute for the real thing. Nature intended us to eat whole foods. Why do we believe that processed, refined and fortified foods can actually be nutritious?

So on Day 9, I consumed my JOOS in the morning with 2 Pulpcakes.

At lunch I had quinoa with organic frozen veggies that I warmed with mustard, balsamic and olive oil. Remember, quinoa is actually a seed and a complete protein like animal meat. Then I snuck in another Pulpcake.

Mid-afternoon I consumed my second JOOS so by dinner I wasn't very hungry, although, I not full enough to eat yet another Pulpcake.

I confess that I broke my rule of two Pulpcakes a day.

JOOS Cleanse - Day 8 - Feeling happy, but almost purchased the M&Ms

A few weeks ago, I saw Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, speak. She said that women named making their beds in the morning as something that makes them feel happy. I could see the point, but just making a bed? Well today I spent hours shifting threw my pile of papers and filing them in appropriate places, mostly the bin. Tonight I feel so much lighter and "happy."

This is exactly what happens on the JOOS Cleanse. It's a way to clean out your closets, i.e., your system - organs and all, so that you feel "happy."

Today I almost blew it. I was in Staples and I almost reached for the M&Ms. M&Ms are such a nostalgic candy for me. I don't like candy bars, but M&Ms... Someone who worked for Mars, the company who owns M&Ms, told me that the company adds a special ingredient to make people feel hungry for more M&Ms. I believe it.

Anyway, since I'm on the cleanse and exercising more restraint, I took a moment to think about why I thought about purchasing the M&Ms. I realized that, in actuality, I was very thirsty. As soon as I drank water, my desire for the M&Ms vanished.

So today, I had JOOS at our commissary. Mid-morning, I still wasn't hungry, but our baker just baked the Pulpcakes and I couldn't resist. They smelled soooo good. So I had two. That's probably why I felt so dehydrated later in the afternoon when I almost purchased the M&Ms.

By mid-afternoon, I had a half grapefruit and JOOS.

By night, I had a handful of raw nuts.

Yes, I do need to eat more veggies, but I find that I run around so much throughout the day that I barely have time. I know you all can relate!

JOOS Cleanse - Day 7 - Loving this beautiful weather!

Amazing what a little sleep and a JOOS Cleanse will do...and, of course, a sunny day spent with friends and family.

Today I woke up to a JOOS. So good to get those nutrients into an empty stomach.

I had a handful of nuts mid-morning and then melon for lunch.

Mid-afternoon, another JOOS

Dinner, a bowl of quinoa with veggies and the mustard/balsamic/olive oil sauce I've very into these days, followed by a handful of raw nuts.

As a reminder about quinoa, it is actually a seed, not a grain, and is a complete protein, just like meat.

Looking forward to another full week of JOOSing!

JOOS Cleanse - Day 6 - Getting into the flow

The benefits of the JOOS Cleanse are definitely kicking in full throttle. I felt calmer today than I have in days. My appetite is also vastly diminished. I went to my favorite Indian restaurant, Masala Art, today for their brunch buffet with Julia. I had a small lentil soup and a small serving of another vegan dish and I was full. Normally, I would have had 2 to 3 plates and walked out 3 to 4 lbs heavier, but not today.

I had a JOOS in the morning and the afternoon. By mid-afternoon, I was feeling a little more hungry so I had a handful of raw nuts. At dinner, I had 2 packs of Trader Joes Roasted Seaweed Snack. (Yes, they are that great. Even my mother loves them) and a handful of blackberries. I feel completely satisfied.

JOOS Cleanse Day 5 - Weight Loss Already?

OK, I wasn't going to admit this...but I've lost 2 lbs. Frankly, that wasn't my goal and, if you've been following what I've eaten, I have not been depriving myself in the least. To the contrary.

All of our BODIES are completely different, but I am convinced that if the vast majority of us stick with the JOOS Cleanse program, you will take off the weight and, if you continue to follow the principles of it, the weight should stay off permanently. The reason is because you will become more mindful of WHAT and HOW you eat.

For some of us, the weight may not come off immediately. Many of us must undergo major transformations in our diets, but I can tell you that each time I do the cleanse and get myself back on track, mostly everything else in my life seems to fall in place, because I'm in a better place.

So today, same routine at the commissary with sampling the JOOS. Some of you may have tried our new concoction of cucumber, apple and the roots. That will clean you out. I'd love to hear your feedback on this.

When I came home at 7:30 am, I had a banana, took the kids to school, did a few errands and had a very much needed nap. I was craving to go to yoga, but I was just too tired. I'm learning that it's detrimental to push myself when my body is exhausted.

At lunch I warmed up the mung beans and brown basmati rice, only this time I added my special sauce of balsamic vinegar (as opposed to coconut vinegar the other day), cold pressed olive oil, and one of my favorite mustards I've been able to find in the Boston area, Trader Joes Whole Grain Dijon Mustard. I love the way it crunches. Anyone else have a favorite mustard?

Mid-afternoon, I had my Anti-Oxidant Blast JOOS and the Trader Joes Roasted Seaweed. I purchased 12 packages of this seaweed yesterday and it's already gone among the 6 of us. Each pack is 2 servings and only 30 calories per serving. Seaweed is so unbelievably good for us and filling. I highly recommend bringing this into work with you if you're feeling the need to munch.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

By dinner, I wasn't very hungry. When I'm not on the cleanse, I tend to eat mindlessly with my kids, but tonight I noticed that I didn't have an appetite. So instead, I had a handful of raw nuts and raisins.

JO5OS Cleanse Day

JOOS Cleanse Day 4

I'm amazed that I'm already on Day 4. I forgot how fast it really is to adapt to this type of lifestyle and I really love it - obviously I do or I wouldn't be promoting it :)

What I like so much about it is that there is surprisingly so much flexibility in doing the JOOS Cleanse. At first it seems restrictive because it is mostly a vegan diet, but there is such a wide range of healthy, vegan food, once you get the hang of it - and your energy level is just incredible.

Last night I had just over an hour of sleep. I had to pick up Sasha at rehearsal after 11 pm and then Julia was up from 2:30am to 4:30 am vomiting from food poisoning as a result of food she ate on a trip to Boston with our babysitter. The good news is that she said she doesn't want to eat pizza again. By the time she went to bed, I was already late for work.

By now you get the daily routine, and I know most of you share the same one, with driving kids around, meetings, etc. I did squeeze in a short run with the dogs and I know I would not have had the energy to do that if I hadn't been on the cleanse.

Why? Because I'm eating healthy, highly nutritious whole foods so my body doesn't have to waste energy metabolizing the junk. Notice how I didn't say "junk food" because I believe there's either food or junk.

Admittedly, I was so busy that I didn't have time to sit down for a meal. Not good!

Breakfast I had my JOOS at the commissary and came home and ate 2 oranges. For some reason, my body is craving oranges.

Mid morning I grabbed a handful of raw nuts before a business meeting that ran through lunch time.

When I got home, I had another orange, banana and Trader Joe's Seaweed Snacks. A must to try. In fact, TJs is having problems stocking them because they sell out so quickly. My son brought 2 packs with him to school today for lunch.

Mid-afternoon I had a JOOS. I felt immediate relief. My body is craving the JOOS more and more because I believe it recognizes the superior value of the nutrients.

At dinner, Sasha wanted sushi before rehearsal so I had an avocado roll. After I dropped her off, I had another handful of nuts and then a few more pieces of the Roasted Seaweed with Fia while we talked about her day.

It's nearly 8:30 and I'm about to snuggle in bed with William to continue reading The Lightening Thief. He and I have been waiting all day to do this. So, wishing you all a goodnight and I'm very much looking forward to sleep.

P.S. Many of you have informed me that it's hard to post on this blog. We are aware of the problem and attempting to resolve it.

JOOS Cleanse Day 3

Finally, my energy levels kicked in. Perhaps it was due to the gorgeous weather or maybe because I allowed myself to take a nap after I came home from the commissary and taking the kids from school or maybe it is a combination of all these PLUS the beneficial affects of the JOOS Cleanse.

When I woke up from my nap, I still felt tired, but by mid afternoon, my energy levels escalated and I still feel bountiful energy at 10 pm - which is good because I still have to pick up Sasha at rehearsal at midnight.

Waking up tired from my nap made me think about how exhausted so many of us are at this time of year: the transition from winter to spring. Winter is the time we sleep; spring is when the flowers start to bloom - a time of revival and rejuvenation. Now that the trees and flowers are started to blossom, we should start waking up - just a theory, but I hope it's true.

As for food, as the official JOOS sampler, at least for now, I consumed plenty of JOOS in the morning. After my nap, I went for a quick run with the dogs and came home feeling dehydrated so I had 2 big glasses of water. I warmed up the mung beans and brown basmati rice with my vinegar, olive oil and mustard sauce, although today we only had coconut vinegar, which I discovered I don't really like so I barely ate my lunch. Instead I ate a banana and three oranges.

Mid-afternoon I grabbed a JOOS before running off to a series of business meetings, teacher conferences and the typical driving to activities. I didn't feel hungry or tired, but when I went to Whole Foods with Sasha to pick up dinner for her prior to her rehearsal, I saw these Kale Krisps that were too difficult to turn down, even with the $7.69 price tag. They're completely acceptable on the JOOS Cleanse and absolutely delicious. Just watch the portion: 1 bag is 4 servings.

At around 7pm, I had another banana and an orange.

So true that the more JOOS I drink, the less hungry I feel because the more satiated I am. Pouring the most nutrient dense food into my body is highly satisfying.

JOOS Cleanse Day 2

I have to admit that it has been challenging doing the JOOS Cleanse knowing that I have to post each day with exactly what I've eaten and felt that day. On the positive side, this exercise makes me so much more mindful in the way I eat. This crystallized for me the importance to journal, or at the minimum, write all the food you've eaten on a daily basis. Your JOOS Guide includes pages that are conveniently laid out that enables you to do this.

So today, as usual, a very early morning, although I received 5 hours sleep instead of 3 - still way too little and I feel the affects of it. I arrived at the commissary at 4:30am instead of 4am and fortunately there was JOOS already made. I am always amazed how rejuvenated I feel once I drink JOOS. I often wonder if I should have an IV injected into my arm so I have constant JOOS flowing into me.

After leaving the commissary, again it was, shall I say, an eventful day - getting the kids off to school, catching up on emails, marathon meetings, errands and organizing the house - with an early pick up at school. Most of you know the afternoon drill schlepping the kids to their actities and doing your best to be present for them when all you want to do is sleep.

Since I didn't have time to eat lunch, I grabbed a JOOS. After I consumed it, I was so full that I couldn't have eaten if I tried. By 4:30 pm, though, I was dragging so I tossed a handful of raw nuts and a Pulpcake into my mouth: my first leavened product in over a week. Love those Pulpcakes!

Dinner at 6:30pm, I warmed up rice and mung beans I prepared yesterday and tossed in frozen vegetables with a sauce of mustard, balsamic vinegar and a high quality olive oil. One of my daughters didn't finish her orange so I had a couple of slices of that, but you know what? I wasn't hungry.

Granted there were times I could have easily cheated, but I realized that wouldn't be honest to myself or to you. Psychologically I felt I should be eating more, particularly with this busy schedule. The restriction of not being able to eat when I wanted to angered me at times, but when I took a moment, a breath, to think about if I really wanted to eat, I realized that I just wasn't hungry.

Today I did drive around with a large water bottle and sipped that all day. What a difference that made.

I'm about to snuggle in bed to read with my son. I feel tired in a fulfilling way, but I don't feel as flustered as I often do at the end of the day. I'm definitely ready for a good night sleep!

JOOS Cleanse Day 1

As I write, I admit that I'm tired. Going to bed at 12:30am last night, since I had to catch up on work emails and triple check the delivery spread sheet and then up at 3:45 am to go to our commissary definitely takes it's toll on my energy level. I'm the JOOS taste tester - or you can say the King's (and Queen's)taster - so I consumed plenty of JOOS.

After leaving the commissary, I attended a power yoga class at 9:30am where I sweat profusely and definitely did not hydrate enough because I had to run off to a meeting right after the class and then an interview. Since the meetings were back to back, I didn't have time to eat or drink and I broke my cardinal rule of taking a water bottle around with me, particularly when I'm on a cleanse.

By the time I picked up my oldest daughter at school at 2:45pm, I was already feeling the first effects of dragging. I ran and picked up my 3 other children at their school and, as soon as I came home, had a cool, refreshing and delicious Anti-Oxidant Blast JOOS! Yummy! The shot of concentrated nutrients sustained me for a couple of hours. By 5:00, after taking 4 kids to activities in every direction, I slipped into Trader Joes to purchase raw nuts, hummus, roasted seaweed snack (delicious, nutritious and only $0.99), grapefruits and bananas.

When I came home, I cooked rice in the rice cooker for tomorrow and made a huge pot of mung beans with turmeric, Himalayan pink crystal salt and other ayurvedic spices. I grabbed a handful of nuts, some pieces of seaweed, a handful of raisins and a banana - breaking another cardinal rule of sitting down, chewing my food and eating peacefully because I had to run out for another round of child pick ups in multiple directions.

In the evening, at 7:30pm before running out to pick up one of my daughters at gymnastics, I had a mug of warm unsweetened almond milk mixed with raw, unsweetened chocolate, ayurvedic spices and some honey. I finally had time to take a very deep breath at 9.

Day 1 completed and in bed by 9:30pm. Goodnight!

Arugula: A Powerhouse of Powerhouses

Once again, I'm presenting to you a cruciferous powerhouse: arugula. In fact, arugula could be one of the most nutritious of all the the salad greens. Cruciferous vegetables are part of a group of vegetables that research has proven may provide protection against cancer because they're loaded with vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals: that is, antioxidants, phyto-oestrogens, and compounds that modify potential toxins and carcinogens. They are also a rich source of chlorophyll, which cleanses and energizes the blood and supports healthy skin. Other cruciferous vegetables include kale, chard, broccoli, bok choy, mustard greens and cabbage.

May Take Some Mess to Create Lasting Positive Change

Did you ever notice that when you clean out a closet, it gets messier before it gets organized? Sometimes, it even looks like a disaster before you decide what to toss and what to keep. Then you have to decide how to reorganize the closet so it looks tidy. Once you've completed this process, don't you feel such a sense of accomplishment? The energy in the home even feels lighter and all you did was organize a closet.

This is precisely what happens when you change your eating habits from an acidic diet to an alkaline diet. That is, a diet high in sugary, processed and refined foods, caffeine and animal protein to a diet of fruits, vegetables and whole foods.
The process can be very difficult. In fact, this could be the hardest change you ever make, but at the end, you will feel so much more vibrant, healthy and balanced.

The JOOS Cleanse is one of the best ways to change your diet from acidic to alkaline. It is a system reboot. The first few days can be scary because many of us are completely changing the way we eat, but soon we adapt. The JOOS Cleanse may be one of the most rewarding experiences, especially if you've had years of poor eating habits and/or undergone considerable stress.