I’ve been in a bit of a digestive funk this past year. So this Summer, I tried a 14-day teatox in an effort to clean and detoxify my body. The herbal teas were delicious but the cleanse required no fasting so even though I noticed less bloating, my digestive system didn’t really get a break. Cue Total Cleanse. Total Cleanse uses organic and locally sourced fruits and vegetables to make cold-pressed juices designed to detoxify your body and give it a break from all those pasteurized & processed foods that we consume everyday.

Why Cleanse?

• Increased energy levels
• Weight loss
• Improved sleep
• Boosted immune system
• Skin improvements
• Clarity of mind
• Elevated mood/positive outlook
• Better breath
• Less bloating

Developed in consultation with nutrition professionals, Total Cleanse offers a variety of different cleanses to detoxify, invigorate or nourish the body. You can choose to “Energize”, “Revitalize”, “Purify” or “Refresh” your system for as many days as you’d like. I chose to do the 3-day Energize Cleanse also known as the “gateway cleanse” which consisted of 2 Green Energy, 2 Lemon Rush, 1 Very Berry & 1 Creamy Cashew. (note: I had to substitute the cashew for Red Energy due to my nut allergy) The Energize Cleanse is also ideal for people who normally eat whatever and whenever they want but are looking to give their bodies a rest. While doing the cleanse, you’re not able to eat any food and are encouraged to drink plenty of water. Before starting the cleanse and just after you’ve completed it, it is recommended that you help your body transition with 2-3 days of healthy eating. For specific details and useful tips, check out the Total Cleanse Start Guide.

The juices are cold-pressed fresh daily and delivered to your doorstep the evening before your cleanse is scheduled to start. They arrive in insulated cooler bags (which are later picked up) and come numbered #1-6. The idea is to drink them in the recommended order, about 2-3 hours apart.

The Juices

• Green Energy: Kale, Celery, Cucumber, Lettuce, Parsley, Apple, Lemon – 190 calories
• Lemon Rush: Lemon, Cayenne, Filtered Water, Maple Syrup – 100 calories
• Very Berry: Strawberry, Pineapple, Blueberry, Apple, Lemon – 220 calories
• Red Energy: Beet, Carrot, Cucumber, Apple, Lemon, Ginger -140 calories
• Citrus Splash: Grapefruit, Apple, Lemon, Ginger, Mint – 155 calories
• Coconut Water: Coconut-Filtered Water – 89.2 calories
• Creamy Cashew: Cashews, Vanilla, Honey, Filtered Water – 270 calories

Results:

My first day was pretty rough. I had only consumed 940 calories and because I also eliminated caffeine, I ended up with a terrible headache. The juices themselves tasted better than I expected though. My least favourite was the Green Energy but I absolutely loved Lemon Rush and also felt quite satisfied after drinking the Red Energy. By Day 2, most of my grumpiness had subsided and I started to feel much better…I wasn’t as hungry and my headache was gone. I also felt like I had more energy and was less bloated. On Day 3, I did have a bit of watermelon and a bite of pizza but that’s only because I was craving something other than liquids!! I realize that I bent the rules but I figured it would have been far worse if I devoured the entire pizza? Aside from that I felt great and also lost 4 pounds in the process! Cleanses like this one are great every now and then. To me it was like giving my body a tune-up. I feel like my body is running better now and despite how mentally challenging it was for me, I am very glad that I did it and I’d certainly do it again. Maybe next time I could add in some gluthathione to boost the detoxing effects, would that make me not need that small bite of food? It could be worth an experiment.

Total Cleanse delivers across Canada, but those who live in the Toronto area can pick up their juices locally to save money! Each day (6 juices) costs approximately $45 CAD.