“See, I’m on this new diet where I don’t eat for a week and when I think I’m going to faint, I eat a cube of cheese. I figure I’m one stomach flu away from my goal weight.” Emily Charlton, The Devil Wears Prada.
Dear Reader, post Christmas and NYE and the food festival that is the holidays, you may be feeling a little as I do and riffling through your wardrobe for the wrap dresses (always so forgiving) and reminiscing about the delicious food eaten while wondering how to eliminate the gentle reminders of them. After much discussion with friends, I decided to try a detox-in the name of research of course. One of my best friends Queen Viv detoxes every six months. She comes out looking brand new and shiny and she believes that it helps her retain her youthful appearance (she looks at least 20 years younger than she is).
Another girl that I know flies to Thailand once a year for a detox. She swears by it although has made it clear that it’s tough during certain stages. So when I was asked by Natural Detox Drinks whether I’d like to try their detox program, the first thing that jumped in my head was Emily’s quote from the Devil Wears Prada. And then I enthusiastically cleared five days in my calendar when I wasn’t eating out and hoped for the best. Here is my detox diary.
Day 1
Dear Diary,
I started off very enthusiastically. I received my delivery yesterday from Natural Detox Drinks and am told that I will be doing the transitioning detox which is the less hard core version of the full juice detox. I’m secretly quite relieved because I’ve never done a detox-my lifestyle and job just isn’t conducive to it.
I started off with a 200ml glass of the Kombucha drink as soon as I woke up. It looked a little like ginger cordial and tasted a little fermenty but it’s pleasant and quite sweet. I followed this up twenty minutes later with lemon water through a straw-apparently I can have as much of this as I want. I’m not a regular coffee drinker so the start was fine, no gnashing of teeth or sniffing bags of coffee. I believe that coffee is the top hurdle for most detoxers.
Around 10am, I decided to crack open one of the satchels of drink. Apparently, I can have as much or as little of these drinks as I want provided I stay within my supply. I chose the chocolatey sounding one (of course) which was cruelly sitting next to my supply of butter, and I poured a glass. I took a sip. It’s a little chocolatey, quite nice and sweet and again healthily pleasant. I then add 1.5 tablespoons of psyllium husks-apparently you need to clear your colon and this helps with it. I tried to say to myself “well it looks like coconut” but after a few minutes, the husks swelled and I was left with a pile of sludgey husks at the bottom of my glass which I ate by the spoonful.
I had an appointment around 2pm so I made sure to eat my only solid meal of the day. For the first three days of the five day detox, I have set out to eat one solid meal of vegetables prepared by myself. Fine, I told myself, I love broccoli and so I steamed myself some. Then I hit my first road block….salt! I season everything, not a lot, but I do season and I couldn’t season this. Suddenly the steamed broccoli turned into something I ate simply to quash my growling stomach. Is this what life for athletes is like when they just use food for fuel and derive little to no pleasure?
After my appointment, I’m feeling vague so I pop open a coconut water. Apparently I can have the unsweetened coconut water and I feel better very quickly. I must admit though that I’m not a fan of any of those prepackaged coconut waters at the supermarket – they don’t taste anywhere as nice as a fresh young coconut cracked open. On my way home I stop at the traffic light and I see a sushi restaurant. I involuntarily start drooling and suddenly a chant enters my mind “Sushi! Sushi! Sushi!” I’m picturing aburi scallop sushi and eel sushi and suddenly I can’t think of anything else.
At 6pm when Mr NQN comes home, I realise that I’ve already had my meal of the day and that I don’t have a meal to look forward to. I miss the social interaction and sharing and I prepare something for Mr NQN that he loves but I’m not tempted by. I look at him and ask him if “I can just watch you eat?” He agrees, but has no real choice in the matter as I stare at him with bulging saucer eyes. I sip on my shakes-I’m supposed to finish all food and drink by 7pm but finish instead at 7:30pm.
Afterwards, I have my shower and dry body brush. It’s something I’ve done for a while now, ever since having it done in Daylesford at the Hepburn spa. Your skin needs to be completely dry and you use a natural fibre bristle brush. You brush with firm, quick strokes towards the heart, starting at the soles of your feet and working your way up (but don’t brush your face). You then have a warm to hot shower and then at the end, turn the water on cold for forty seconds. I love it as it keeps your skin smooth and eczema at bay and Queen Viv swears by it in combination with a detox to remove age spots.
I go to bed at 10pm as suggested and instead of having a glass of sparkling mineral water, my usual drink, I drink still water. I nod off easily and before he turns out the light Mr NQN tells me “I love you”
I mumble back “I love you…sushi.” He laughs.
Day 2
Dear Diary,
I woke up really well today. I wasn’t struggling to get up and I felt good all day. I was expecting to feel lethargic or at the very least, under nourished, but I had a lot of energy. I have however become quite obsessed with food, even more than normal. Suddenly, food takes on almost pornographic proportions and I ogle at roast chickens and sandwiches filled with cheeses. I really shouldn’t be let out of the house…
My skin has improved even after one day-when I got back from Hawaii it was congested and quite frankly hideous because of the range of food that I ate. But now I hardly put on any foundation. My mood is better, I’m calmer and don’t have that sense of urgency that I always seemed to have. I’m also forgetful too though and vague and recalling names of places or people is difficult. And this is just after one day…
I started off with my least favourite drink, the green smoothie and mixed some of the psyllium husks with the cacao smoothie and drank that straight away. That swells in the stomach and makes me feel quite full. I only know this because I noticed that it happened with the little that was left in the cup after some time. One thing that I think this detox needs is more support-while Charlotte from Natural Detox Drinks is definitely ready to answer any questions on the phone, I did feel like I should already know things like this. I also struggled with eating steamed broccoli for the first day and it was only once I called her to find out my options that she explained the foods I should eat and should avoid. It turns out that there is quite a bit I can eat, but the pamphlet given to me doesn’t really give detoxers much hope or inspiration.
Dinner is my favourite meal and I save that for a treat so instead of having lunch and staring at Mr NQN while he ate dinner, I ate salad. I love salad anyway but missed eating caulislaw which I couldn’t have because of the mayonnaise. Instead I had a green salad with tomato, cucumber, broccoli and Japanese non oil dressing mixed with some tahini. And for dessert? A roasted sweet potato which I ate slowly savouring every bite. I am late again and finish my drinks and meals at 7:30pm instead of 7pm. I’m in bed by 10pm and asleep by 11pm.
Day 3
Dear Diary,
I didn’t wake up quite as easily as yesterday although it could have something to do with the neighbours who had a party going on until 2am and apparently invited a yodelling gorilla. We had some last minute shopping to do in the morning so after drinking my Kombucha I took a bottle of water with me to the store and started to feel a bit tired and sluggish. I think I need to take one of these drinks with me to start the day as a replacement for breakfast.
My meal was lunch at Earth to Plate in Bondi Junction, permitted because I checked with Charlotte first. I don’t know if I’m supposed to have raw vegan cakes but they’re dairy, sugar, wheat, gluten and everything free so I figured that I could. I’ve had a headache all day today. It doesn’t help that I’m testing out recipes which is almost impossible if you can’t taste them. So far I take a taste and have to spit it out and rinse my mouth-disgusting I know but blogging waits for no detox. And yes, I’m aware that everything to do with detoxing and the associated whine is a bit of a first world problem.
It’s past 8pm and I’ve still a headache and I’ve got thousands of images of food to go through as well as legal contracts. And tomorrow I say goodbye to solid food and go into two days of liquid only.
Crankypants are ON.
P.S. I ended up texting Charlotte to see what I could do and she said that if I was getting headaches, then I could slow it down by eating something high in fat. Croissants are out (:P) but I could have some avocado or something with olive oil in it. She also mentioned that day three is always the toughest day-something I wish I had known so I could have scheduled a treat or distraction then. Again, something to tell people what to expect would be great. But I resisted and went to bed early at 9pm. Mr NQN was fantastic, giving me a head massage.
Day 4
Dear Diary,
I woke up better today and the headache was gone. This is also day one of the liquid diet. A delivery came at 10am of my liquids and this time it was two chiller bag’s worth. I received a few new things which I was glad to see including a gazpacho, an acai drink, a herbal tea, kombucha and that green smoothie which I’ve had before. I started on the acai drink-it’s sweet and rich with almond milk and really good and actually seems almost too tasty to have on a detox. The alkaline water tastes like…well water.
I think I’ve lost weight but not much (it has only been three and a bit days) and my skin looks clearer. I am calm although when hunger struck, I was observed yelling at the computer.
At lunch I had the gazpacho-not bad but to be honest, I’ll take what I can get at this stage….
By 5pm the headache had returned and it was a challenge making food and editing photographs of it. I have one day left and I’m tempted to splurge and have a green salad. And then I laugh because since when is that a splurge? 
My tongue had developed a furry buildup which was unpleasant. I texted Charlotte and a few hours later she texts me back telling me that I should go ahead and have a salad because it’s not meant to be stressful or extreme. Out of desperation, I also devised a good sesame dressing in a small quantity that I could use on a single salad. I later learn that the tongue build up is a symptom of the detox working – that would have been good to know beforehand too.
While eating a salad looking like a castaway that was getting their first meal after months on an island, I remarked to Mr NQN that he must be glad that tomorrow is the last day. I was surprised when he told me that I’ve been much calmer ever since I started the detox. Admittedly, I don’t feel the edge or urgency and I feel more relaxed but it got me to thinking, does eating things other than vegetables make you more aggressive? I don’t think I could ever give up meat because I love eating it too much but if I’ve learnt anything from this it’s that what you put inside you is like fuel and definitely affects the way that you feel.
Have I turned into my mother in law? I must go to bed…
Day 5
Dear Diary,
The final day of detox and all I could think of was burgers. A nice soft burger bun filled with soft mince, two layers of melted cheese, tomato, lettuce, beetroot and caramelised onions and garlicky aioli and tomato sauce. I’ve been sleeping well each night until last night when I woke up at 2am and shouted that there was a spider on the bed and turned on the light and stared at the sheets for a minute before Mr NQN told me that it was safe to go to bed again. Then I woke again at 3:30am and I’m not sure why, especially since I’ve been sleeping so soundly.
I woke up a bit later than usual and it was a bit difficult. I have soreness in my right ankle as if I hurt it somehow during the night. Perhaps it was bitten by the imaginary spider… 
I’m feeling much slower today and without a lot of energy, a vast difference to how I’ve felt in the past few days. At the moment, my head feels heavy and I’m slow to react and can’t remember anyone’s name. I got a missed call on my phone and when I returned it, I had to ask the woman “I’m sorry but I’m having trouble remembering anything today – have we met?”
Important contracts are flying across my desk this week and I’m concerned about my lack of concentration for these so I spoke to Charlotte who said that because I was going through another detox phase being on mostly liquid that I could have a salad or something solid today so I had some salad and some steamed broccoli. I’m determined to finish it, even if it’s limping over the finish line and eating solid food which some would consider cheating, I’m sure. I must admit that I craved something crunchy (my usual crave) so I ate a dozen organic tamari roasted almonds and chewed them until my jaw could chew no more.
I went to bed at 9pm with Mr NQN and we watched a movie and I fell asleep partway through. No dreams of spiders though. Oddly, I’m disappointed.
The day after detox
Even though I can technically eat anything now, a part of me liked the routine so I started the day with the kombucha and lemon water. I woke up easily and well rested and will probably continue on the psyllium husk in the shake routine as I have some left over. I’m going for dumplings tonight so today’s lunch was pickled herring with dill mayonnaise and tomato salad which tasted incredibly good. It appears that I love my savoury foods. No cravings for chocolate yet even though I can have some. My afternoon snack will be half a mango and dinner will be dumplings.
Would I recommend the detox? Sure, I’m really glad that I did it and thought that I learned a lot about my body in the five days. I never looked at food as fuel, to me food was pleasure and it was probably just fortunate that I love vegetables and salads or I’d be morbidly obese with skyrocketing cholesterol. But like I’m careful about the fuel I put in my car, I should be more careful about the fuel I put in myself. And I found solace in coconut water. It provided energy when I was lagging. I still don’t love the taste though and give me fresh any day
The biggest difference was when I ate my meal at lunchtime instead of dinner time. I slept so much better when I didn’t have a big dinner. I know that saying that tells you to feast at breakfast or lunch and eat dinner like a pauper but I always looked upon dinner as a treat after a work day. We usually eat just after 6pm but even salad meant my body was working on digesting it and the process was keeping me up. Although it will be hard when dining out with friends. After all, not everyone is free for lunch and some restaurants are only open for dinner. And somehow asking my friends to dine at 5pm might sound a bit odd…
The pros and cons of this detox
Pros: Most of the drinks provided by Natural Detox Drinks are actually very nice. The kombucha, acai and cacao drinks were my favourite and I’d happily drink those again. Apart from having better skin, I lost a bit of weight and felt calm and in an even mood. For the first two days I had bundles of energy and I felt as if I could do anything.
Also, Charlotte is very friendly and supportive over the phone and I could call her at any time (although I felt uncomfortable calling her out of office hours). And while the cost may surprise some, around $45 per day for a 5 day programme, the Natural Detox drinks detox is less expensive than others on the market.
Cons: There was not a lot of literature about what to expect or what you can or can’t eat so a list with what to eat and what to avoid would have been great. For example, I would not have guessed that beetroots and carrot would be out but they are because they are high in sugar. Also I would have loved a list of what to do when you are having a craving. The pamphlet given is insufficient and is actually a bit different to what is on her website.
A more holistic approach beyond what you put into your mouth would also have been useful. I would have loved to have known, and perhaps everyone knows this except for detox newbies like me, that you will get a furry build up on your tongue, that your hair will excrete more oils and that you should dry brush twice a day (and telling people how to dry brush helps as it’s quite specific). Scheduling “treats” like massages or treatments on difficult days like the third day would have also helped. Charlotte knows all of these techniques but it’s only communicated to you when you phone her and ask her about this specifically.
There are recipe suggestions on the facebook page although these are not in a dedicated section. I think putting them on her website would be better.
Want a D.I.Y. detox?
Queen Viv loaned me her copy of Jane Scrivner’s popular “Detox Yourself” book. It’s a month long detox that is gentler on you than a liquid detox. There are lots of foods that you can eat and it goes into more detail about what you can expect and what you can and can’t eat. The “can eat” list is long and you are allowed plenty of brown rice as well as some yogurt and milk (sheep or goat but not cow’s milk) as well as a long list of fruit, vegetables and fish. There is also a recipes section with really scrumptious sounding recipes (ok they’re not cake, but they’re appetising sounding). The hardest part of this, and why I can’t really do it is because of its length as it goes for a whole month and with my job, it can’t be done but for most other people, I think it is quite feasible.
Three weeks later…
So it’s now about three weeks later and things are interesting. The very first night I went head first into eating dumplings and I mean head first…. I think I may have even teared up I was so excited at eating cooked dumplings. Unfortunately, the mix of flour and meat was a bit too much and I felt myself reacting a little. So much so that when we hit a bar afterwards, I declined any idea of a cocktail as I knew that it would probably be far too much, too soon. That night, I couldn’t sleep all night for having eaten such a comparatively large amount of food at dinner time (which was what I would have eaten before).
Since then, I’ve switched my main meals to lunch time which allows me to burn them off more. I still go out to dinner because dinner is as much about being with friends as food but I tend to eat a few bites rather than going for more. Unless I am going out for dinner, I still finish by 7.30pm and haven’t gone back to sparkling water, now drinking just still. If I’m hungry I’ll have a small salad around 6pm, otherwise I’ll drink a green juice and perhaps some fruit or something small then.
I tried buying almond milk but am not a huge fan as they aren’t as good as the ones that were made at Earth to Table and Rubyfruit. To be honest, I don’t know if I can be bothered to make almond milk from scratch for an occasional cup of tea. I do miss Charlotte’s drinks though, especially the kombucha, acai and cacao drinks. It’s also very difficult to find green drinks at the supermarket-the closest I could find was one where the green was from spirulina so I’ve started making my own.
I’m still yet to activate my almonds though
Do It Yourself “Green” Drink
Adapted from Dr Mehmet Oz
- 2 cups spinach
- 3 carrots (I used a purple carrot which gave it a distinctly non green colour!)
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1 bunch parsley
- 1/2 bunch mint
- 1/4 lemon
- 3 cups unsweetened apple juice
If you make this with orange carrots, the colour is a bright green, I promise!
So tell me Dear Reader, would you or have you ever done a detox? What was your experience like? And are you more of a food as pleasure person or a food as fuel person? And have you activated almonds?
NQN tried the detox as a guest of Natural Detox Drinks
Natural Detox Drinks
http://www.naturaldetoxdrinks.com.au/
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74 Comments | Add your own
What a fantastic detox rundown. Thank you for such a thorough explanation and for your honesty! Great stuff in here that I plan to try myself…
Well done on surviving. I have never done a detox. I think I would have to go away to do one so I’m removed from my whole routine and environment. But…if it could make me look 20 years younger, I could be persuaded xx
I haven’t read your whole diary yet, but if you can do it on your schedule then Im going to give it a try.Detox is going to fix my life …..um I mean fix me up !!
The things you do in the name of research, you have such commitment. Although the detox sounds lovely in theory I am pretty sure I would fail. My only diet rule is no chocolate before 10am
I usually do a detox once a year,at springtime.And yes,the 3rd day is always the hardest.As I don’t eat meat or much animal products the detox is not so difficult for me.
I’m not sure if I could survive a detox! I’m mostly a food for pleasure person, but on days when I’m planning a big workout, I do consider food more from a fuel perspective. Starting the day with kombucha and drinking more coconut water is something I’d like to try.
Ummm… I don’t think I could drink those green drinks. They are too scary for me.
Delightful, fun post! I am in awe, yet again. Haven’t ever detoxed as such though I used to regularly do one juice fast day a week. A…long…time…ago. My husband is the one who does this type of thing, though I admire it and wish I were inclined. Food for pleasure. All the way. My almonds are sadly unactivated–but we do eat a lot of those!
Very interesting. I’m impressive that you stuck to it for 5 days! I have contemplated them in the past but never actually gone ahead. I put spinach and carrot in my morning smoothies but that’s about as far as I go at the moment.
I haven’t activated my own almonds but I must admit I once bought a packet of already activated ones. I don’t know that they made a difference, but they were lovely and crunchy – quite satisfying.
Historically I have eaten food for pleasure only, but I’m trying really hard to see it as a fuel. You can still eat very tasty meals for fuel anyway, you just have to try a little harder I find. You need to use better ingredients, give up convenience foods and do a lot of cooking from scratch.
To be honest, I think that detoxes like this are a load of baloney. Your body is already equipped with the ability to detox – it’s called your liver. If you make slow changes to improve your diet you will naturally detox without feeling horrible and deprived.
My husband and I after coming back from an excessive family dinner were saying last night we need to do a detox. I will do the green smoothie you posted and some raw meals, don’t think I could do the hard core detox you did. I find lots of green tea also helps flush the system. Quick question….the lemon is it a quarter whole or squeezed in your smoothie? X great post.
Hi Bec! That sounds like a great idea and it’s easy enough to do it yourself too. I also love this green drink and it’s more drinkable than others-I hope you like it!
Yep, it’s one quarter of a whole lemon squeezed into the drink 
Thank you Bec! 
x
I love reading about your adventures Lorraine. You have inspired me to finally do the three day juice fast I have been psyching myself up for! Detox!
Intermittent fasting would probably suit you better, Lorraine, with your lifestyle:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/running-on-empty/story-e6frg8h6-1226555300289
I have been meaning to try a detox but just couldn’t find a recipe I liked. I think I may be giving this one a go
Thank you Lorraine, that was very interesting reading.
I wouldn’t do a detox because I eat very much like your mother in law anyway!
Regarding activated nuts, I’ve had several Lebanese clients tell me that they have traditionally always soaked their nuts before eating them and dried them out in the oven afterwards. They claimed this made the nuts more digestible. So it’s not really a modern fad – people have been doing it for decades or more.
The green salad you created for dinner looks absolutely divine.
Wow! Reading about the detox seems very intense. This detox caper is not for me but the DIY green drink recipe is totally up my alley. I was just talking with Mr PEPS about the health benefits of having a regular fast day but in my mind the fast day was filled with juices and other drinks. You were very good not to eat the sushi but I would have
I could never detox, i dont really see any benefit to it.
I think it is far better to develop healthy eating habits for the rest of your life.
I love eating mostly healthy and feel so much better for it.
Such an interesting post! I’ve never done a detox myself but I’ve always wondered what it would be like – I might have to give it a try at least once! Thanks for posting all the info on it!
I am on what might be termed a three-month ‘detox’ at the moment for weight loss and fitness: in my case all it means is that I reduce my calories and give my liver a break by not drinking my usual wine. I have also reduced my portion size by about 1/3 and have cut down [but not out] on my favourite stirfries etc. Am losing about 1- 1 1/2 Kg per week as on occasions before. Natural, healthy, blood tests are singing! Am getting a lot of literature from my universities etc who do not approve of other, artificial forms of detoxing. I’m afraid, with a lifetime of medicine behind me, I agree: to each their own. This is not painful at all, altho’ I do miss my lunchtime vino somewhat! ‘Tis temporary!! Oh, I very definitely live to eat, not eat to live
!
lovely recap of your detox, dont think i can live on a diet like that tho!
Wow! I am in awe that you completed this! I am not sure i could do it to be honest! I loved your daily diary.
Sounds like a bit of a mission, congrats on completing it. I’ve never done detox – there’s so much literature on whether or not its effective, necessary etc. But I guess it depends on the individual. Switching lunch/dinner was a good outcome. I’ve been doing that for many years. Its more logical
Thank you for sharing your diet with us my friend – it sounds painful but you are most courageous! My detox comes from doing the 40 hr famine each year and I eat my dinner straight after school (3:30), gym then have fruits before sleep – works really well
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Not a full detox, but I do make green juice occasionally when kale is cheap and heroically gag it down in the morning. Food for pleasure, but with a critical eye to its nutrition value. Made activated almonds once, but I think I over-dried them.
Not a huge fan of Detox, feel bad depriving my body for so long, hehe and would not want a headache for nearly two days like you experienced Lorraine! One positive is that one’s liver would be grateful if alcohol is part of your diet but as for weight loss, don’t think that a 5 day detox would make much difference, they say most is fluid in such a short space of time.
I used to follow the Kombucha diet many years ago ( it was gross), bad memories immediately re-surfaced when I saw the Kombucha drink.
It’s a personal choice and I just feel that if you have a varied diet, eat lots of fruit and vegetables, ( home-grown or locally sourced) and vary your protein then your body will do a happy dance!!
This is the 2nd detox post i’ve read in the past half an hour … and i’m still not convinced i’d get through the first day. Having said that … i’ve just looked at my reflection in the computer screen, seen the dark circles under my eyes and sallow looking skin and think, maybe, i need to push myself. Great post. Nice work.
For all my anti-detox-in-the-sense-of-body-hatred-and-control stance, I would totally try something like this if it was sent to me. KOMBUCHA FOR LIFE BABY.
Lorraine, you’re brave.
Honestly, we’re quite health-focused in our house… we drink about 1L of green juice or at least a big green smoothie every day, love being outside and exercising together, but also adore spoiling ourselves with everything Melbourne has to offer. It’s a rounded approach to wellness
I completely understand, though, the changes you felt on the inside (and some of the symptoms), since when we first started drinking green juice, my body had a hard time making sense of it. Now, I feel really energized when I drink them.
I don’t think I could do what you did, but I commend you for making such a valiant effort to get your health on track! Curious to see how you’re feeling even further down the track.
Lorraine, I am not a fan of detoxing although I do like green smoothies similar to the one you have adopted from Dr. Oz. The only difference is I hadn’t added the lemon juice or carrots – but will try this, As far as the almond milk goes, I have always used a recipe from years ago where you soak the raw almonds in boiling water to remove their skins and once removed(this is very easily done) I pulverize the almonds in the blender with a little warm water and then add more cold water to make up the quantity and strength of flavor to your liking. Lorraine, you can strain this, although it isn’t really necessary after a lot of blending. This is tasty and fresh with none of the nasty additives you get in some of the store bought almond milks.
Lorraine, you must try it! Please let me know what you think. My daughter-in-law is a chef and cannot have dairy and loves this version of a ‘make it yourself’ almond milk. Economical as well.
I don’t think I could cope with a full detox – and the thought of the headaches doesn’t sound like fun! However I have given up sugar and alcohol for January, totally fine at home where I can’t see it but my Nephew’s 3rd birthday yesterday was a struggle! I also eat more at lunch (and no carbs for dinner), like you say lunch is when you need more energy and you do sleep better without the bloat : )
Ugh, this sounds really painful and horrible. Might as well just stick to the cube of cheese and activated almonds.
Great run down of your detox Lorraine! I think these diary entries should go with the detox kit so people know exactly what to expect. The unknown is always difficult and can be quite scary.
Apparently the toxin dump was too much for my gall bladder, and I ended up having it removed! This certainly wasn’t the detox programs fault, my gall bladder had unknowingly been unhappy for a while, and the program obviously worked all-to-well. On a positive, I certainly noticed that my eyes became much, much brighter and quite sparkly too 
I did a detox a few years back with a very well known system, and was quite excited- until I got really ill and had too go to hospital
You are too funny! You were pratically eating with your eyes!!!
I actually did a juice detox for 7 days and absolutely loved it! Felt amazing and I am going to do it again very shortly. They say liquid detoxes are excellent for your system because your body doesn’t have to break down the solids/fibre but rather gets the chance to break down the toxins clogging you.
Enjoyed reading your recap!
What an interesting read this morning Lorraine, I don’t know that I would be able to see a detox through without caving in so congrats on doing so well and I really appreciated your insight and honesty. You’re absolutely right too; being well informed and having support at the ready is very important when undertaking something as intense as this. Isn’t it amazing though how food affects all we do, how we think and the way we live our lives.
I think this sounds absolutely horrible and a complete pile of rubbish.
I would not put my mind and body through such ordeal. It was bad enough when I had to fast for 2 days (was allowed clear broth and light coloured juice and jelly – no thanks!) for a recent medical procedure. I ended up with a massive headache and had 2 litres of fluid pumped into me intravenously when it was finished) I didn’t skimp on drinking water either to try to stay hydrated, so no way would I choose to do it.
I eat for pleasure but try to do the best for my body as well.
Those shakes look hideous! Just saying.
Thanks for your honest detox insider’s view!
I agree with others above, don’t believe in detoxing as (in my opinion) life is too short not to enjoy and for me personally would stress my system even more too!
I have been to Golden Door Retreat for a week, so know re detoxing effects and the benefits too!
Now am on a doctor directed lifestyle that is “most beneficial” and feel THE BEST I ever have worldwide too and eating more (not less) but the right proportions and combinations of food is what works best for me, TRUE!
You did so well! Great work babe. I hate veggies so thus would be hell on earth for me.
Did you lose any weight with it and did you keep it off?
Interestingly, spider hallucinations are very common.
I had a strange hallucination whilst waking the other night and when I googled it, all I could find were blogs of people discussing their spider hallucinations!
Hahah what a great read. I could relate to so many things in this post.
I have done many detox’s over my time and have the one thing that stands out every time is my obsession with food increases ten fold. And usually food I would never eat normally. Its borderline “crazed” ha ha !
I do always feel great at the end with sparkling eyes, hair and skin.
Like you, I too eat my main meal at lunch time and only snack on fruit or something really small at night. That advice was given to me by a medicine woman in Bali and couple of years ago ! I feel so much better for it.
Love your blog
I would miss kombucha too, I love that drink so much that I started my own, and as I was reading through this post, I had a glass of it. It is easy to make, and doesn’t need too much time to maintain it.
Great post, Lorraine, thank you. Like Margaret says, our Lebanese friends too have always soaked almonds in salted water, and oven or air-dried. They are so much nicer to eat that way.
Been looking up Kombucha and you can buy a starter kit in Australia so that might be on the list of new things to do.
I’m so so hesitant to do anything like this. I see ads for things like the Lemon Detox Diet, and it just looks so unrealistic. Surely a better option is making daily changes that you can continue?
Having larger portions of salad rather than meat, cooking from scratch rather than from packets, drinking water instead of soft drink, limiting your wine intake…all those seem like things that you could actually do long-term that would have better health results than a one week fad detox.
Hi Amanda, I do see what you’re saying but I do all of those things already so I wanted to test out something different to what I was already doing.
I have never gone on a detox! Though you definitely seemed to have learned more about yourself through the process which is always wonderful (:
I would like to detox too after all the eating during Christmas and also from all the food from CNY reviews! But I think I could only go on a detox for 1 day.. haha!
Love your real look at a detox! I’ve never tried one but it seems as though everyone else on earth is currently detoxing…
Last year I did a 30 day juice fast and I felt fantastic. I just wish I could live on juice without keeping my head in the door of the fridge gazing at food. I never had any side effects and lost a bit of weight.
Hmm this is a bit iffy. I think I would do one, granted I was in the right frame of mind (with my past ed) also I would have to cancel my classes probably because doing 2-3 hrs of exercise a day on no food could be an issue haha. But it seems interesting and I’d love to learn how my body responds to things. I already have very little sugar (other than natural) so when I do I have learnt my bodies reactions- like a hangover and then a need for more more more.
Aslong as people view this as a once in a while type thing and not an all the time thing..that’s when detoxes turn into eating disorders
Wow, what an interesting read! I’ve never done a detox, but I have done ‘clean eating’, and it’s amazing the difference you feel when eating “clean”, healthy food – energetic, bright, etc.
I do love food for pleasure too though
Lovely drink recipe! No surprises, but I’m not a fan of any detox. I do however applaud healthy eating choices like the beautiful salads and fresh veggie juices, & also love thinking differently about food, thinking of it as fuelling you & obtaining nutrients to give you energy etc. Such fresh pictures in this post!
Heidi xo
Wow, it sounds very gruelling and I’m impressed that you stuck to it so strictly. I think I would have cheated! The green drink sounds good though.
This is interesting, I’ve never done a detox but i’m thinking of trying this.
Years ago I spent a week at a health spa and pretty much got the same results as a detox with the fresh vegetarian food 3 times a day, so you can eat and detox but also got the runs for a week as well so maybe a liquid diet is the way to go!
Such a great review Lorraine probably the best one I have read on detoxing, I appreciate that you are so honest where some reviews are not. I would love to do it but I think I wouldn’t last, actually won’t kid myself I know I wouldn’t last!! I have been basing my lunch on fresh steamed beetroot for lunch the past few weeks, can’t get enough of it as it’s so delicous and thought I was being really healthy, little horrified where I read the part about it being high in sugar…not sure why I didn’t think of that
!
Oh you poor thing! So wish I was there to give you a big hug! Glad to hear some of the drinks were yummy though – I have done a gentle detox before (with light/limited foods) and they are great. Not sure I’d do too well with a liquid one – the soup diet was hard enough!
NQN, what do you mean by still water? Really enjoyed reading this review, very interesting. Thanks for sharing. Food is the number 1 pleasure in life for me. I have never done detox and will not attempt it as I love eating too much. I have no idea what activated almonds mean?
I have got to get on this detox grainy train. You’re so brave. It’s just that every time I even consider it, I get depressed, lol. This however, looks a bit doable =)
How interesting, and five days are indeed quite manageable. How much weight did you lose? I’m doing a liver detox, but they are just giant horse pills you take in the morning and at night.
I wonder why it’s better to drink still water? I drink San Pelagrino which is just slightly carbonated. I’m definitely food for pleasure person, but I do limit my quantities, for example, unless I share a main course, I always order appetizer portions, no matter what.
I tried a detox diet a couple of years ago and like you, I had headaches and was completed unfocussed. I’m actually developing a natural detox that doesn’t involve juice and food deprivation – lots of lovely vegetables and natural everythings. I think it’s good to clear your system every now and then but not with just drinks, I can’t do that! xox
A cube of cheese…yeah…I remind it, and I also remind a friend that I met years ago on the gym (yes, in one part my life I went to a gym) that instead of cheese, she ate peanuts…”just 4 peanuts Nydia, only 4″…no way, sorry, I can’t, ok, I can eat a cube of cheese and 4 peanuts but with my entire food. Eating is a pleasure, looking myself into a mirror…well, it depends, with clothe or not?
Thank you for your truthful and well documented detox. Would you do it again Lorraine? Just the idea of living on so little scares me, where would you get enough energy from to do everything in a typically busy day. I admire your dedication. When I was in my early twenties I would have only liquids for one day each week and did feel better for doing this weekly ritual. Now however, detoxing is more not having wine or meat for one day each week and even this creates a healthier feeling for your body. I am thinking that possibly one ‘raw food’ day per week would be beneficial.
Lorraine, I painfully read through the detox. You know I’m a Spinach Tiger. I eat my weight in greens and I make my own green drinks that even kids like, but as far as ever doing a detox or anything drastic and paying for it, never. I usually take 4 days a week where I cut out alcohol and most carbs, but I do like the suggestion of eating dinner earlier. I, too, save dinner as something to look forward to. Good for you for giving it a try. Now onto dumplings.
I have tried two detoxes in the past, and failed at both. I am not a big eater, but I just cannot diet in any form other than portions. You are amazing, truly!!
I have been wanting to try a detox for ages but have never had the guts to. You did amazing, I don’t think I could survive on just/basically liquids for five days.
This is a luxury detox: packaged drinks and such! I have done some in the past with the juicer and tons of veggies and fruits. Idid not feel like it made a difference down the line. Detoxes are hard. I am on a 12 hours fast right now for blood tests tomorrow and I WANT food. So psychological!
I love reading your posts, but the crack about ‘activated almonds’ really gets me. I would like to share this very informative article and encourage people to read it as it explains WHY it’s important to soak and “activate” your nuts. Nuts are NOT healthy to consume on a regular basis because of the phytates (anti-nutrients), so activating/soaking breaks down those anti-nutrients making them more digestible. It’s not some wanky term like people think, it’s a very sensible thing to do, especially if nuts are your main source of protein.
http://www.nutritionbynature.com.au/1/post/2012/11/nuts-seeds-are-for-birds-and-squirrels-not-humans.html
A sometime serious detoxer daily drinker of a detoxifying, alkalising superfood drink (because i absolutely believe in the magical powers of spirulina and bee pollen and because i produce a said powder!)
I am a mixture of food as fuel and food as pleasure, as a chef it used to be about the pleasure, as a holistic chef it’s about the nutrition provided by nutrient dense whole food.
Charlotte i have met quite a few times and she is a lady that walks her talk!
I think it is so great this kind of thing is becoming so much more mainstream!
Thanks NQN for reviewing, most awesomeness.
blessings Shakti xxx
everything in balance is the key
I don’t tend to do full on detox as this but when I’m feeling a bit overloaded I find replacing a few meals with a green drink gets me back on track
I started feeling quite sick from all the sugar I was having (am massive baker who never said no to treats of any kind). But every detox seemed to involve fasting or just juice and steamed veg. However needed a break fom it all bigtime. What I did in the end was cut caffeine, dairy and grains. I kept proteins to eggs, fish, chicken and lamb. Despite 10 days of incredible headaches and feeling spaced out, after doing it for 5 weeks I realised I had never felt better. Just fresh tasty food with no sugar and lots of veg and supergrains made from scratch. Highly recommend.
Did you do any intensive exercise during the detox period? I exercise (an hour) everyday, so not sure if the drinks could sustain my energy level.
I personally don’t believe in ‘purchasing’ these detox programs since our organs are able to eliminate toxins, but I understand that after holiday feasts or other social engagement, a short period of eating ‘clean’ meals would definitely help. Sometimes I buy green drinks; unfortuately, they are so expensive that they are a real treat for me. Wished I own a Vitamix.
Thanks for sharing your journey~
Love your blog on the detox. It inspired me to do the detox. I did the full liquid detox for 5 days. I found the products exquisite – flavour, freshness and quality. It was difficult though with tiredness headaches and hunger, but I am glad I did it. I slept like a log every night. I feel that I have given my body and mind a spring clean.
Hi Maria! That’s wonderful and I’m so glad that you enjoyed the products. I miss those drinks I have to say!
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