BluePrintCleanse - My Experience

Feeling sluggish as you crawl out of winter? So was I.

The past three days I've been doing the BluePrintCleanse.  I was intrigued by the idea of a cleanse and conveniently, my friend had a discount for us to use.  I figured I'd give it a go.  The beverages contain a blend of raw vegetable and fruit juices, enzymes, and spices -- all 100% natural. The drinks were delivered to her office on Monday and we started first thing Tuesday morning.  I stored drinks #1-5 in a fridge at work.  (In hindsight, I'm thankful I did the cleanse during the work-week.  Easier to stay busy and distracted.)  BPC sends you ice packets should you need to transport your drinks.  My impetus for doing this was not to lose some crazy amount of weight, just to simply press the reset button. I'm someone that eats whatever I feel like eating. I limit portions, but I definitely don't restrict myself from foods. So yes, in 25 years there has been a lot of processed junk. I don't plan on going vegan after this or anything, but I think it's definitely going to make me more mindful of what I'm eating.

According to their website, this cleanse will gently rid your body of impurities, regain an alkaline balance and normalize digestion and metabolism.

Here are the potential benefits of BPC:

* Boosts immune system

* Alleviates allergies

* Improves thyroid function

* Provides rest for the digestive organs

* Encourages physical rejuvenation

* Promotes normalized weight

* Promotes normalized blood pressure

* Reverses signs of aging

* Elevates mood and sex drive

* Alleviates symptoms of PMS

* Promotes clear skin

* Increases energy

* Increases fertility

* Combats viruses

* Suppresses Fibromyalgia symptoms

I am doing the one called "Renovation Cleanse" with the following drinks in this order:

1. Green Juice - Romaine, Celery, Cucumber, Green Apple, Spinach, Kale, Parsley, Lemon.
2. P.A.M. - Pineapple, Green Apple, Mint
3. Green Juice, again
4. Spicy Lemonade - Filtered Water, Lemon, Agave Nectar, Cayenne
5. Beet Juice - Carrot, Apple, Lemon, Ginger, Beet Juice
6. Cashew Milk - Cashew Nut Milk, Vanilla Bean, Agave Nectar, Cinnamon, Raw Cashews

image from website

My drink schedule was 9:30AM / 11:30AM / 1:30PM / 3:30PM / 5:30PM / 8:45PM, but one can adjust it to his/her specific daily routine.

It feels like you're drinking all day long and while you're craving food, you're not hungry. I felt "empty" and very in tune with what was happening inside my body, but I was never hunched over in painful hunger. I found my brain forgetting I was on the cleanse, acknowledging I wanted food and trying to figure out what I wanted to eat. Then it would hit me. No food for me. Wah Waaahhhh.

Honestly, I was gagging from the first sip. I am used to cereal and hot coffee in the mornings, not cold lawn mower residue.  I was the pickiest eater as a child and only ate things that were round. I kid you not. Spaghetti Oh's, corn, chicken nuggets, Cheerios, M&Ms, sliced hotdogs, etc. Throughout the first two days, I was really cold, had a headache, and my bladder was seeing far more action than normal. Despite optimistic thinking, the Green Juice does NOT taste like the Green Machine Naked drink. It's pretty nasty. The second drink is very sweet with a strong mint taste. The Spicy Lemonade is simply put, weird. Cayenne pepper in my drink? Um ok. The Beet Juice, sorry to say, is actually worse than the Green Juice. I'm not a beet fan to begin with, but that drink is a wee hard to get down. The Cashew Drink? So delicious. One looks forward to that at the end of a cleanse day! But you're up for anything tasty. I even found my toothpaste appetizing...

BPC includes a cheat sheet with every order. Somehow I stayed strong, but here's what they suggest you eat if you really need to during the cleanse:

A few celery stalks
A couple slices of cucumber
A quarter of an avocado
A half cup of black coffee
Dilute any drink with water
Add a pinch of celtic sea salt to any drink for energy
Warm vegetable broth (low sodium)
Drink 1/2 of the cashew nut milk in the AM

I crashed pretty early every night, but the Cashew Drink somehow keeps you full until morning. Things I noticed? I had a heightened sense of smell. I seriously smelled someone's peanut butter sandwich from across the room. I was overly aware of my teeth. It was like they were angry at me or something for abandoning them.  I woke up each morning in a cold sweat as if my body was still releasing toxins throughout the night.  Gross, I realize. I've lost at least a pound each day, but am more interested in the fact that I've infused my body with good nutrients and enzymes -- and have hopefully given it a fresh start.

Today is my final day and I truthfully feel great. I've been so energized and focused and happy! Am I excited for tomorrow and solid food? Ha. YES. Would I recommend this cleanse? Yes. But I would advise that it's not very pleasant. Some people told me the first day was the only hard day. I had two hard days. I blame the round food childhood diet.

Or, ya know, college.

If I had to sum up my overall sentiment about each day, this is what it would be:

Day 1: "What the eff are you doing?" - my body
Day 2 : "Um, remember us?" - my teeth
Day 3 : "I feel fantastic! But boy am I excited for tomorrow."

One thing I'm definitely going to continue after this is starting every morning by drinking hot lemon water right when I wake up. BPC recommends it and it's been a nice little ritual to get my body "going".

So if you're up for a challenge, do it! It's not easy, but is anything really worthwhile easy?

And finally, I'd like to apologize to anyone that has come in contact with me the past couple of days as I fear I have been a Cranky McGee.  I'm better now, I promise.

Almost time to enjoy my final drink! :)

until next time,

g