How I made it my own – what I ate, drank and “did” + my “RESULTS”!
I just wrapped up a 2 week PaleoCleanse this past Saturday. This is something I do 2 or 3 times a year, usually coinciding with seasonal transitions.
I’ve mentioned this cleanse over the years, but this year I’ve enhanced and personalized it considerably. I thought you might be interested in hearing about my specific approach and experience to inspire you in whatever way you approach the changing seasons…
WHY A CLEANSE?
Although our amazing bodies already “detox” naturally through the liver, kidneys, skin and breath; the truth is, we live in an extremely toxic world – no matter how “clean” and natural you try to be.
In addition, as we age, the liver tends to get a bit sluggish and overtaxed. Not only is it constantly filtering out the barrage of external and internal toxins; the liver plays a crucial role in blood sugar/insulin metabolism, estrogen detox and thyroid hormone conversion (among many many other things).
I choose the PaleoCleanse because it’s very well formulated for safe and effective elimination – plus it’s protein based, tastes great and is SUPER convenient.
Another plus is the cost offset. For the price of the kit, I save so much more in groceries (and alcohol 🙂 ) for those 2 weeks! It’s a win win win.
This time around doing the PaleoCleanse, I set an intention to integrate more of the inner work and embodiment practices I’ve been sharing to make this “reset” more meaningful and healing.
I’ll explain that more in a bit, but first let me cover the nuts and bolts of how I specifically approached my eating and drinking in a way that made the most sense for me.
WHAT I ATE & DRANK
Although the booklet that comes with the kit lays out suggested foods and ingredients to cut out and include, I intuitively and experientially modified this based on my curiosity and what I already knew about my body.
A perfect example of this is coffee. Even though coffee is one of the recommended eliminations, I don’t have any issues with coffee.
I’ve cut it out in the past – and I didn’t feel any benefit – in fact eliminating it only gave me a headache. Given all the health benefits of coffee and my body’s neutrality with it, I decided to keep it in.
Instead, what I chose to take out for the 2 weeks was my nightly “hot cocoa drink”. This is a recipe I picked up wayyy back in a metabolism certification that helps with cravings. It satisfies that need for something sweet after dinner and offers some nutritional benefits as well (such as magnesium, polyphenols, flavanols and theobromine).
However, I started to notice that I felt a little “ick” with it at times which got me thinking.
Cocoa is high in oxalates and tends to be high in heavy metals (even organic brands), so I felt it would be a good experiment to eliminate it for the 2 weeks.
The obvious other beverage elimination for me was alcohol. Even though I’ve “mastered moderation” for the most part; alcohol is something I still associate with weekends and social gatherings.
The fact is, alcohol IS a toxin and a depressant. It’s also associated with poor estrogen and fat metabolism – among many other negative effects.
Here’s what I drank instead:
- Water
- Water with lemon, cayenne and salt each morning before coffee. (Wow – this really gets things moving!)
- Water with no-sugar electrolytes or “Just Relax” magnesium powdered supplement.
- Seltzer
- No sugar mocktails
- Herbal teas
- Kevita Lemon Cayenne (stevia sweetened fermented beverage)
- Coffee! (organic, half decaf with stevia and a dash of Nutpods unsweetened creamer).
Onto food…You can guess by the name: “Paleo” Cleanse that it’s paleo based – meaning you eliminate all processed foods (even if they’re “paleo friendly”), grains, beans – including corn, soy and peanuts – and of course, dairy and sugar.
Stevia and small amounts of honey or maple syrup – as well as pastured butter and “clean ingredient” meats like sausage, deli meat and bacon – are all OK.
I’m still more of a low-carb paleo”ish” eater, so this food elimination was totally fine for me.
I chose not to obsess about the few condiments I used on occasion that may have had not the best oils or a tad bit of sugar or gums, etc…
I didn’t eat grain free/gluten free breads, wraps, crackers, pasta, etc.
Even though nuts and seeds are on the OK list, I also decided to moderate and just use them sparingly in my smoothie bowls, shakes or salads.
Why? Nuts and seeds (and nut/seed butters) tend to be the easiest goto low carb snack on the occasions where I feel hungry and need a little something before dinner or after Pilates or a hike…But since they’re very calorie dense and sometimes hard to stop eating (especially cashews and pistachios!) – I decided to keep them to a minimum.
For the reasons I went into above about cocoa, I also eliminated all chocolate – even dark/no sugar chocolate – to work on my cravings and attachments. I wanted to see how I felt without it for a couple weeks.
So for occasional snacks or to accompany a shake, I chose protein based foods like hardboiled eggs with sriracha & salt – or organic deli meat roll ups with veggies.
The meal approach on this cleanse makes 2 meals a no-brainer because it’s a packet of protein cleanse powder mixed with either unsweetened, non-dairy milk or yogurt, your add-ins, followed by specifically designed detox supplements (also in a convenient packet).
So for meal one – usually between 8 or 9am – I’d make a super quick smoothie bowl with a cleanse packet, unsweetened coconut yogurt, ground flax, a few walnuts and frozen berries or cherries (less than handful of each). THIS IS SO YUMMM!
For lunch later – usually around 1 or 2pm, I’d blend up a shake with packet 2 along with unsweetened coconut or almond milk, fresh or frozen greens, less than a handful of berries and more flax (or hemp, chia, etc..).
Dinner was basically always a protein (chicken, beef or salmon) with veggies – either roasted or a salad. I’d have a small amount of starchy veggies here and there, but mostly I preferred how I felt with the non-starchies.
I usually “closed my eating window” by 5:30 – 6pm every evening.
My fasting window is usually 14 to sometimes 16 hours most days. That’s been good for me lately in my “flexible fasting” evolution.
Overall this approach was easy, peasy. I moved through urges for drinks on the weekends quickly. I never let myself get too hungry and I always felt satisfied.
WHAT I “DID” – EMBODIMENT & INNER WORK
The practices I decided to do consistently each morning included the following:
- Cayenne lemon water before coffee.
- Morning sun outside. Shoes off with gently movement.
- Journaling – I’ll often use prompts from books/workbooks or other inspirations and reflections.
- Expression – Sharing what comes up emotionally for me with the people I trust. Practicing being vulnerable.
- Tapping into creativity with watercolor! This is really rewarding and expansive for me. I’m also working on planning and creating some things around the home like a DIY bedroom refresh and a flower garden (along with our veggie garden).
- Rebounding for a few minutes using somatic movement and intention (such as “I am releasing old traumas and energies.”)..Yes I look like a loon when I do this. lol
- Dry skin brushing before my bath or shower.
- Reformer Pilates 2-3x a week, yoga on Saturdays, occasional kettlebell/strength training at home 1-2X week. Daily walks/hikes (3-5 miles).
- Sleep 8-9 hours.
Even though this sounds like a LOT, I must admit, I do most of these things regularly anyway, but I tended to skip/forget/feel too busy or felt just “not into” practices like the lemon/cayenne water before coffee, rebounding and dry brushing – but after 2 weeks of being consistent, I discovered how GOOD they felt so I’m keeping them in.
I also found myself going to bed much earlier (like by 8pm most nights). I’d read for a bit, fall asleep and then naturally rise between 5-6am each morning.
Maybe I’m just old, but I recognized that I’m way more of a morning gal – whereas evenings are more of a brain dead/numbing/zoning out time – plus TV kinda bores me lately as does my phone – so I just tuned in and listened to that nudge when it came.
WHAT I EXPERIENCED + MY RESULTS!
Aside from exploring my attachments, deepening my inner work, creativity and embodiment, I have to say, metabolically, losing some winter weight (or more accurately: releasing body fat) was a hidden desire of mine too.
My clothes were feeling a bit snug and poochy and I wasn’t liking how that felt and looked.
Although I don’t use a scale anymore (I’ll explain that another time); I took measurements last month and was THRILLED that I lost 2″ from my hips and 2.5″ from my waist! My jeans and clothes fit much looser now, which feels awesome!
With the exception of minor bowel adjustments the first day or 2 and a mild detox rash on my neck a few days in, I felt SUPER clear and had way more energy, creativity and a notable ‘spark’ during this process.
I also slept really well too (except for the first few nights where I had to pee more).
I attribute these improvements to my more consistent practices – and for sure – eliminating alcohol…but also cutting out cocoa/chocolate and probably the dairy helped with this too.
My plan is to continue to moderate these things even more going forward – particularly with alcohol and dairy. I decided to cut out the cocoa drink permanently and have dark chocolate only on occasion. I realize the herbal teas feel much better for me in the evening.
IS A CLEANSE NECESSARY?
NO! You definitely DON’T need to do a supplemental cleanse to experiment with your own curiosities, attachment and patterns. You can choose to eliminate any suspected foods, drinks or draining habits anytime you wish for free!
Simply cutting out all processed foods, alcohol, sugar, etc.. can make a HUGE difference in how you feel and look.
I offer this specific kit as a very easy option that is essentially cost neutral. It’s also the highest quality out there (I know! I’ve looked!) and it does help improve metabolism and liver function.
If you do decide to try the PaleoCleanse (or another sort of “reset” or cleanse), I have a few suggestions:
- Make it biochemically supportive for your detoxification pathways – the more extreme your approach is (i.e., Juice cleanses), the more this matters. You risk toxins recirculating if it’s not done properly. Phase II detoxification requires specific AMINO ACIDS to safely shuttle toxins and metabolites out of elimination pathways.
- Personalize it! Go by what you’re curious about and what you already know about your body. Don’t cut out things (restrict) based on someone else’s list. Go within and be honest with yourself to make those determinations. For example, If you get gassy or feel sleepy or kinda ‘ick’ after eating something; that’s a clue that either the substance itself, or the dose and frequency OR how you’re eating – may need closer examination. If you’re constantly ‘jonesing’ for a certain food/drink – these urges and cravings may indicate an attachment – either physical and/or emotional. My coffee – cocoa switch is a perfect example.
- Integrate the inner work and embodiment practices. This brought my spring cleanse to a whole new deeper level. Both inner work, embodiment and intentional indulging practices will continue ongoing. I feel the way I approached the PaleoCleanse this time was so much more empowered and attuned than in cleanses past when I would just kinda muscle through the elimination period and go back to my old ways.
SO there you have it…WOW.. This went much longer than I intended, but I hope it helps you see the possibilities for yourself.
Do you like to do an elimination, reset or Cleanse with the changing seasons too? Please share your experience!
If you have any questions or if you’d like my support with or without the actual PaleoCleanse Kit, don’t hesitate to use the ‘Work with Me’ or ‘Supplements’ links above to take the next step on your journey.
xo, Ev
(Disclaimer: Be sure to check in with your health care provider to make sure a supplemental cleanse or dietary change is appropriate for you. Although the PaleoCleanse is a very gentle and effective supplemental system, it’s possible there are medications or conditions where it would not be recommended. You’ll find a list of ingredients below as well. Let me know if you prefer plant based and I can direct you to that ingredient list.)
