Juice Cleans Guidelines: Before, during, and after.

Before:
Two - three days before your cleanse juice, you should avoid certain foods and substances including; meats and poultry, raw fish, refined starches like bread and pasta, dairy and eggs, sugar, alcohol and nicotine. Ideally you should be eating raw vegetables, steamed vegetables, vegetable broths and soups. Drink plenty of water. Did you know that the part of the brain that signals hunger is the same part that signals thirst? Often we mistake hunger for thirst. So drink up, your body is thirsty for pure H20! Try to eat as clean as you can. This will prepare you for the days to follow.

During:
During your juice cleanse phase, juicing will promote cleansing and purification. The release of toxins during this phase will also help to minimize the need to produce free radicals in the body which can ultimately cause premature aging, excess growths (such as tumors and cysts) and cancer. *Free radicals are generated in the body to help rid the body of toxins, viruses, germs and fungi. Some causes of overproduction of free radicals include, poor air and water quality, denatured and excess fatty foods, radiation, computers, cell phones, cigarette smoke and alcohol. During this phase your body will be allowed to restore balance and promote the healing process of any weakness, deficiencies and/ or excesses. The key focus is in building the “qi” to optimum levels. Your body will start to encourage growth and repair and promote inner strength essentially building a solid foundation to outer physical strength. You may experience a higher level of clarity and focus which can provide mental stimulation needed to sustain increased energy levels. The increase in clarity will affect energy levels both physically and mental

After:
Well done! With the allure of solid food closer than ever, you are probably wondering how to come out of this and maintain the results of all your hard work. It's likely that whatever indulgences you were enjoying only last week are probably not the first thing that appeal. You might even find that your attitude towards food has changed entirely, and you're craving new and different (and ridiculously healthy) things now. Well, good for you!
So now you're going to have to eat some real food again, and the key word here is SLOWLY! Ease into your routine by slowly introducing things back into your system. Use common sense when it comes to coffee, dairy and meat. You don't want to shock your system back into reality. Listen to your body, it will tell you what it needs.
Tip: Foods that are "dense" are hardest to digest, and will therefore present the most trouble for you. You don't want a wave of nausea ruining your first taste of solids. So even if you're craving brown rice like the dickens, it's best to hold off at least a day.

A sample menu for tomorrow:
Breakfast: Fruit - melon, mango, watermelon or other fruit (try not to mix fruits as it gives your digestive system extra work!)

Lunch: Fruit again or any combination of the following: cucumber, avocado, leafy greens, celery - add some lemon juice & olive oil to make a salad.

Dinner: Warm vegetable broth (low-sodium!) cucumber or avocado salad, mixed greens salad, arugula or spinach salad, lemon juice, olive oil (you get the picture)
If you MUST eat a cooked dinner, keep it to lightly steamed or sautéed

We'd love to hear from you after you finish. Tell us about your experiences, and give us any feedback you think might be useful for us in the future.
You can also connect with us on our Facebook page at facebook.com/juicecrafters

FAQs

Q. In what order do I consume my juices?

A. The juices should be consumed is listed in the flyer every two hours in chronological order.

Q. Does it really matter what order I drink the juices?

A. Yes, the order in which you consume your juices directly effects how you absorb, assimilate, and digest nutrients. For example, when your stomach is empty first thing in the morning, it’s able to assimilate whatever you put in it much more than if you consumed something prior. That is why we always have Green Juice first. Your body will absorb ALL of the vitamins and nutrients without interruption. That said, don't worry if you DO have to switch it up a bit and maybe have half of your Cashew Nut Milk first thing in the morning instead of last because you're used to a protein fix the second you open your eyes, and you'll absolutely lose it if you don't have it. This is when we can give ourselves permission to improvise.

Q. How long can my juices last?

A. You should consume your juice within 4 days after you receive it. It's super fresh, completely raw and unpasteurized.

Q. Who should do a juice cleanse?

A. Adults can benefit from a cleanse program as a regular part of their lifestyle regimen but no more than once a month. Children under 18 should not participate in our juice cleansing program. *Please keep in mind that our cleanse programs are NOT appropriate for those of you who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or suffer from certain medical conditions. Consult your health care provider before starting a juice cleanse program if you have a medical condition or take medications.

Q. How many calories are in your juices?

A. Most of our drinks range from 50-300 calories per bottle. All nutritional information can be found on our website.

Q. Am I going to lose weight on a juice cleanse?

A. The answer to this is variable. Your body knows what to do, so trust it. We try not to focus on weight loss as a goal at Juice Crafters. Balancing your natural, healthiest physical and mental state is what’s key to you becoming your personal best.

Q. Can I add extra beverages to my day of cleansing?

A. We are totally for adding extra drinks if you feel you are in over your head with just 6 drinks and 1 Aloe Vera H20 per day, but make sure they are healthy! Stay away from carbonated and caffeine drinks. You are more than welcome to add extra doses of water with lemon, herbal teas and wheat grass shots.

Q. Can I exercise while on a juice cleanse?

A. Definitely! We are eliminating toxins and let us help this process along. You may have to modify your workout to a lighter load than usual.

Q. What are some of the symptoms that can be expected during a cleansing program?

A. During the cleansing your body is breaking down all of the obstructions in your body and essentially making room for the new building materials that will be taking place. This means that your body has to move out waste products while building new material. Some of the symptoms you may experience are: headaches, nausea, skin eruptions, and body odor.

Q. Should I do a 3-day juice cleanse, 5-day juice cleanse or an 8-day cleanse?

A. Cleansing for 5 days is a deeper, more intense experience than cleansing for 3 days and cleansing for 8 days is the most intense. It's up to you and a health care professional to do an evaluation of where you are in your life and from there decide what works best for you.

Q. Can I cleanse while taking antibiotics?

A. Juice Crafters’ juice cleanse is actually the perfect partner for your antibiotics. While antibiotics fight off harmful bacteria they also deplete the body’s supply of healthy bacteria. Our juices are packed with nutrients that will help your body fight off the bad and replenish the good bacteria. An extended cleanse will even help strengthen your immune system to prevent illness in the future. We wish you a speedy recovery.

Q. Won’t this slow my metabolism?

A. Yes and no. If your metabolism is fast right now, chances are it will slow a little as you are not taking in as much energy. This also depends on your body - everyone is different. On the other hand, if you have a slow metabolism, clearing out toxins opens up channels so your body functions more efficiently.

Q. Can I juice cleanse if I am lactose intolerant?

A. YES!!! There are absolutely NO animal products in our juice.

Q. Shouldn’t I have fiber? Should I take fiber supplements?

A. Normally, fiber is great for moving things through your system, but when the body must separate out juice from fiber, there is an energy expenditure there that is significant. For our purposes, we want to reduce this burden as much as possible so that we can give the body and digestive tract a break from having to break down solid food – so that the saved energy can be transferred to cleansing processes. When you save energy in one department you can expend it somewhere else.