Lemonade Fast - Day 6

I am currently in Day 6 of the Master Cleanse. It's easy. I thought it was going to be a lot more intimidating than it really is. I was thinking beforehand that it would be tough to do alone without having someone else to do it with, but I've been fine.

It blows my mind to think that I haven't eaten in almost 7 days. When I start to get hungry, I have a drink of the lemonade and the hunger goes away. I'm not unusually lightheaded or lacking energy -- if anything, I feel much better. All of these improvements cannot be attributed to the diet though - I have been working out a lot more which has to make a difference as well. I've lost 7 pounds in the first 5 days. The one thing I am most proud of is breaking my habit of drinking caffeinated beverages - namely "Monster" energy drinks. They are expensive and if I didn't have one - I was miserable. Now, I'm fine waking up early--wide awake--and starting my day on natural energy.

The saltwater flush is easy. It's not as nasty as I thought it would be. The first day I didn't make it in the correct quantity so I ended up taking a swig of heavily salted water, then chasing it with a gulp of ice cold non-salted water. What I do now is just put 1 tsp. of salt into a 2 cup liquid measuring cup and drink it like a morning cup of coffee. I chug the first one down and drink a second to reach the 2 tsp. and 1-quart mixture they recommend.

I think the part I dislike the most is the evening herbal laxative tea, and the only reason I dislike it, is the taste. I'm not a warm drink guy and tea is definitely on the list of least favorite drinks -- yes, I'm wierd.



Some more positive results, my clothes are too loose and I think my face has started to thin out quickly. I feel energized and the sleep I get is very restful.

On the temptation side, I smell everything. I walked through my office this morning and, from some unseen location, could smell omelettes, various flavors of gum being chewed, chicken fingers, perfume and incense. It's really quite strange.

Today is Tuesday and my final day of official lemonade fasting is Saturday. I would personally say it's really the following monday because it's recommended that you drink pulpy orange juice for the two days following in order to prepare yourself for solid foods again.

In conjunction with the smell, I really crave a few items of food. The stromboli's from our local italian place call to me throughout the day. I walked through the shopping market yesterday to get more Grade B maple syrup and the BBQ pulled-pork danced in my nostrils like a tease.

I am making a deal with myself, and KT, that when this is over, we will only eat one "Bad" meal a week. It's good to let myself indulge every now and then, otherwise, I wouldn't really be living my life. With that being said, we have the next 10 years worth of "Bad Meals" practically planned out...starting with that stromboli.

Lemonade Fast - Day 1

So here I am blogging again. It seems like a perfect way to track the roller coaster of experimenting with the Lemonade Fast aka "Master Cleanse." If you youtube the topic, you will find hundreds of people posting vlogs about their experiences with it. It goes to show that it is definitely a ride. From what I see, the results have been very positive.

So here's what it is:

1) Combine 2 tbsp. of fresh lemon or lime juice, 1 or 2 tbsp. of organic maple syrup and some cayenne pepper (as taste allows), per 1 cup of pure water.
2) Drink a minimum of six cups of this mixture a day for a minimum of 10 days. Eat no solid foods. You may drink herbal teas and water as well.
3)Keep your bowels moving with salt-water flush in the morning and herbal laxative teas in the evening to help your body eliminate the toxins accumulating in your colon as the lemonade cleans your entire system. Taking enemas on the last few days is also highly recommended for clearing out your colon.
4) Break your fast by drinking orange juice for two days to prepare your stomach to assimilate other foods. On the third day, drink orange juice in the morning, raw fruit for lunch, and fruits and salad for dinner. Resume normal, healthy eating on the next day.

This morning I started. I put the salt-flush into a water bottle and it took me somewhere in the vicinity of 30 minutes to finish. Everyone warns that you should have a bathroom nearby -- when they say "Flush" they mean it. It isn't painful, nauseating, etc -- it is just what it is...

I am working on my 4th cup of lemonade now. It's very spicy - not sure if everyone has the same level of spice, but it is a little strange at first. Having the citrus taste mixed with Cayenne pepper makes for an interesting gulp. It's 2:30 and I haven't eaten anything since last night. Surprisingly I'm not starving. I'm thinking there is an ingredient (or combination of ingredients) that somehow fools the mind.

The real test will be tonight. I have a gig and cannot eat the free food or drink the free alcohol that is offered to me. It will be very hard because I know from the last time we played there, that their food is phenomenal!

Anyways, here's to the first day! (toast with my lemonade in hand)