day 2 - Pre Cleanse

Let’s keep the good vibes going! Today, stick with the same delicious foods as yesterday: cooked apples and pears, oatmeal, lentil and squash soup, black bean soup with corn tortillas, steamed veggies with tahini, and maybe a date or two for a sweet treat (just some suggestions).

To help your body release the heat from the summer, steer clear of heating foods like OJ, tomatoes, green bell peppers, garlic, and onions (a little is okay if you still rely on these for cooking). Eggplant and white potatoes are also harder to digest, so favor sweet potatoes instead. Enjoy lots of kale, carrots, beets, and winter squash.

Get ready to start the main cleanse tomorrow! Have your kichari ingredients ready, and carve out time for your daily oil massage. Being organized makes the process so much easier—especially if this is your first Ayurvedic cleanse. If you’ve done this before, embrace that familiar sense of dropping into a routine of self-care, rest, and nourishing rituals.

Tomorrow, when you wake up, clean your mouth, scrape your tongue (if you already have this in your practice), and sip on some hot water or tea. If you soaked your rice and mung beans overnight, breakfast will cook up quickly. Steam your veggies on top of the rice and beans for the last 10-20 minutes, or on the side if you prefer. If you need to head out, pack up your food, sit for breakfast, and leave the rest on the stove for dinner when you get home.

Kichari Notes:
When cooking kichari, check to make sure there’s enough water in the pot. If it looks dry, just pour a bit more water on top, cover it, and leave it alone—don’t stir! Let it simmer away and stir at the end. It’ll turn out creamy and delicious (just how I like it and how it digests best).

For variety, you can enjoy herbal teas with your meals. Stick with kichari and seasonal veggies, spiced however you like, but the spices in the recipe are most beneficial. If you’re feeling low blood sugar, add extra steamed veggies—especially sweet potatoes this time of year.

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The first few days might feel easy, or they could be a bit challenging. Either way, expect some ups and downs as your body adjusts. Take it moment by moment!

Look at your schedule for the week and see if there’s anywhere you can carve out more time for yourself.