harmless. What you see is chlorophyll (what makes plants green), and it’s a good thing. Over time, as your body adjusts to more greens in your diet, your bowel movements will return to their normal brown color.
Can I drink coffee while on the cleanse?
The cleanse is a time to give your body a rest. Coffee containing caffeine gives your adrenal glands a rush, and it is important to take a break from this. Coffee is also acidic. As you cleanse, you are bringing your pH into a more alkaline state, which is imperative for good health. Coffee will interrupt the process of bringing your body into an alkaline state. It is also an irritant to the intestines. Take a break from it for now. If you need to, have a cup of green tea instead. But this also contains caffeine. Going without any caffeinated beverage is best.
For serious coffee drinkers, the hardest part may be giving up coffee. Here’s a tip: On the first two days of the cleanse, try half decaf/half regular coffee. For the next two days, try all decaf coffee. After that, try no coffee for the remainder of the cleanse. This will help you gradually ease off coffee so you won’t get such strong detox headaches. Additionally, there is an herbal, caffeine-free coffee made by Teeccino that is delicious! And feel free to drink plenty of the herbal teas.
Consider slowly weaning yourself off coffee during the week before you begin the cleanse. You may experience a headache or even achiness during the first few days if you are a regular coffee drinker. Again, this is your body’s cleansing reaction. It is very normal to feel less than optimal during the first few days. Consider this a sign that the cleanse is working.
Can I use agave or honey instead of stevia in the smoothies?
Agave is okay in moderation, but if you’re interested in weight loss, stevia is the number-one sweetener. The way to think about sweeteners is how much they cause insulin spikes because that determines how much they will cause fat storage in the body. Foods are given glycemic index (GI) ratings according to how much they cause insulin spikes. Stevia is a 0 (which is ideal). Agave is a 20. Honey is about a 30. Brown sugar/raw sugar is a 65. And white refined sugar is an 80. So that gives you some perspective. I have four friends who all use different brands of stevia, and none of us like the others’ stevia because they all taste different. If you think you don’t like stevia, perhaps just try another brand.
Is the cleanse safe?
It is important to consult with your doctor prior to starting this cleanse. It is unlikely that any damage will be caused by consuming only fruits and vegetables for a period of two weeks or less. Not only is it safe to eat large amounts of plant foods, it may well add years to your life. Blended fruits and vegetables are very cleansing, so there is a possibility that you may experience a reaction as your body cleanses. The more toxic buildup that exists in your system, the more chance you will have of this occurring.
Where can I learn more about green smoothies and get more recipes?
This book contains over 100 green smoothie recipes that are geared toward various health and beauty goals. My favorite books and websites on green smoothies are listed below:
Green Smoothie Revolution by Victoria Boutenko
Website: www.SimpleGreenSmoothies.com
Website: www.GreenThickies.com
Chapter 9
Testimonials
Here are just a few of the testimonials from those who did the 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse.
“I completed my 10 days yesterday. I lost a total of 15 pounds Woooo-hoooo!! This detox has been such a blessing. JJ Smith, thank you so much for sharing this life-altering plan with us. I learned so much about my body and the importance of clean eating in this short time period. I’m looking forward to a new, healthy life and a positive journey towards my goal weight.”
— Nicole F.
“DAY 10!!!! Feeling super excited at how far I’ve come!!!! I’ve lost 14 pounds!!!! It’s