day 1 - Pre Cleanse

Begin using the pre-cleanse recipes TODAY and continue into Day 2.

Today marks the beginning of our journey together, and I’m so excited for us! This is a beautiful time we've set aside to focus on self-care, nourishment, and inner balance. Over the next 10 days, we’ll embrace simple eating, sipping warm and spiced water, practicing eventually learning about the practice of daily oil massages… and allowing ourselves space to rest and reset.

Let’s make room for this Ayurvedic cleanse to ignite your digestive fire and release those deep-rooted toxins. Trust me, it's totally worth it!

Day 1 is your pre-cleanse, and you’ll continue with this for another day.

Once we get to Day 3 and start enjoying Kichari, there won’t be much to ask! These first days may bring some mental ups and downs, so check out the Pre and Post Cleanse recipes to understand what you will be eating for the pre-cleanse.

You can stock up on lots of veggies from the grocery list, cook a big pot of whole grains in the morning, or keep an apple or a smoothie jar nearby in case you need a snack. The key here is being prepared. And remember, if you’re in a pinch, grab a Green Juice and avoid getting overwhelmed. After a few days, you’ll find your flow.

Adding hemp, pumpkin, or sunflower seeds to your meals is totally fine, but let’s hold off on seed and nut butters for now—they're a bit too fatty for this stage. Stick to lower-fat foods (think avocados and healthy cooking oils) to prep your body for the ghee. Make sure to go through the recipes in the manual a couple of times. Anything from there will help ease your body into this process.

Remember, perfection is not the goal! We don’t want to stress over every little detail. If you’re eating out over these first 2 days, opt for roasted veggies, cooked greens, grains, and beets when possible.

Throughout the day, start sipping warm water. Bring a thermos with you instead of a cold water bottle. If you’re working or on the go, pack your meals in glass Tupperware and bring that thermos along.

Take each cleanse one day at a time and be open to it evolving in unexpected ways. Think of this as your personal retreat week—a time to pull back from social commitments and focus on your health and happiness.

Thank you so much for showing up and committing to this. You’ve already done the hardest part by signing on, so let’s celebrate that! Woo-hoo!

SOME ADDITIONAL INFO:

The Vitamin Question: 

This is a common question when it comes time to cleanse. The answer is found in your manual, under the FAQ section. The liver digests vitamins, and we are asking the liver to clean the backlog this week, by avoiding putting in any new hard to digest items. Unless Dr. prescribed, or something you’ve been guided on through a 1:1 Ayurvedic consultation, take a week's break from vitamins. Probiotics are fine. Oil in capsules is not recommended this week.

Constipation protocol:

Soak 2 Tbsp chia seeds in warm water for 1+hours. Drink in the early part of the day, daily. If that doesn't work, 1-2 Tbsp Psyllium husk daily, found in the supplement section of your Natural Grocers. Whichever you use take with 12-16 oz of water. In the event the stool is also dry, increasing the amount of ghee in the kichari recipe by 1-2 Tbsp is helpful as well.

Headaches:

Sleep is the best medicine if you can get it. Headaches can result from long term dehydration you were not aware of. Drink warm (not hot water) throughout the day, 3-4 liters total. A green juice, perhaps with 1 Tbsp of hemp powder, can also ease the reaction. A bit of protein will stop the cleansing reaction if you don't have the opportunity to sleep it off.

Remember:

Take it one day at a time, and be open to the program turning out differently than you thought! This is important. And enjoy. You have done a great thing in taking this time out for self-care. 

Thank you for your sincere efforts. You have already done the hard part, which is to sign up!

SUGGESTED YOGA PRACTICE

Take this class either in the morning or any time during the day of your cleanse. Listen to your body! If you feel like you need a rest day, take the time to rest.