Feeling gross after the holiday gorge-fest of 2014?

“A juice cleanse is the perfect way to kick start your health in an easy, simple way that’s done for you,” said Samantha Gladish, a Holistic Wellness Coach. “There’s no recipes or complicated instructions to follow: a juice cleanse provides your body with a variety of nutrients that gives you a natural and instant energy boost.” Gladish answers all of our pressing juice questions and gives you tips on how to kick off your own cleanse of atonement.

I’ve never done a cleanse before. What’s the right choice for me?

Not to worry! Cleansing does not need to be difficult or involve deprivation. A three day juice cleanse is a simple and effective way to start. Three days is plenty of time to stay committed, cleanse your body and feel renewed. The point of a juice cleanse is to avoid eating solid foods, however, incorporating raw salads or vegetable soups can be included if you feel sluggish or want to fill up on something more solid. The Cedar Juice three day cleanse is a great way to get started. They offer six tasty and nutritious juices for three days in place of meals.

I’m not a fan of juiced veggies. Are there any cleanses that are all fruit juices?

I personally have not seen any cleanses that contain just strictly fruits. The point of including vegetables in a juice cleanse is to increase alkalinity, lower the sugar content, and increase the vital nutrients to your cells. Most juice cleanses incorporate some fruits mixed with vegetables. You will find they taste quite delicious! An added apple or pear for example, lends the perfect amount of sweetness to a mostly green vegetable juice.

What are some easy tips to help me stay the course?

First step is mindset. You truly have to prepare yourself for embarking on a strictly just juice cleanse. Eliminating solid foods can be difficult, but in doing so, you give your digestive system a rest. Preparing for this step is important. Know that challenges will come up along the way, but having the mental capacity to deal with them will allow you to finish your cleanse with ease. Secondly, enlist a friend to join in on your cleanse. It’s great to have support and someone join you on your journey. You can both help motivate one another. Thirdly, listen to your body. If you feel you need more rest, do so. If you’re energized and want to hit the gym, go right ahead. And if you feel you need some solid food, know it’s ok to eat some. Just chose quality, healthy foods.

juicesWhat will cleansing do for my body?

Many things! It will help to alkalinize your system, improve mental clarity, allow your digestive system time to rest, increase your energy, give you glowing skin, improve your sleep and help you shed a few pounds. More importantly, you’ll be providing your body with a variety of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that help to fight free radical damage. Embarking on a juice cleanse with fresh pressed organic fruits and veggies is like drinking in nature’s multivitamin.

How often can I cleanse?

I would recommend at least three to four times a year. A three day juice cleanse is something you can do every three months as an effective reboot to your system. Knowing that you’ll be cleansing every three months may put you in the mind set to eat healthier throughout the year to prepare your body for your cleanse.

What weird things will happen to me during the cleanse?

Everyone experiences different things. You may feel fatigued or sluggish, while others feel renewed and energized. Everyone reacts differently. It is common to experience headaches or mild fatigue during your first or second day as your body is working hard to release toxins. Feeling hungry is also very common. It’s not often that we just strictly incorporate juices and eliminate solid foods, so it’s important to pay attention to your body and listen to what it needs or wants. Some people will experience minor constipation. Taking the fiber out of one’s diet could potentially slow down bowel movements, while others who cleanse will actually find they have increased bowel movements. It will vary for everyone. Once meals and fiber is added pack in, regular bowel movements will be back to normal in no time!

I’m currently pregnant/breastfeeding. Can I cleanse?

I would not recommend cleansing while breastfeeding or during pregnancy, however, it is a great idea to incorporate fresh pressed juices into your diet in the morning or throughout the day. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, it’s important that you provide your body with the right amount of calories as well as with essential macro nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats and protein. Eating a well balanced diet with quality foods and some fresh juices or smoothies is an ideal way to optimize your health and the health of your baby.

What are your favorite Cedar juices?

Personally, I am a green girl all the way, so I love the Kale Made Good. It contains powerful nutrients from kale, parsley and swiss chard, plus the perfect amount of sweetness from pear. I also love Cracked It. This creamy concoction is so delicious. Cashews and vanilla bean together are quite heavenly!