Ever feel like you want to get off the merry-GO-Round?

Things are moving fast: kids, school, work, schedules, social obligations, more work. You’re busy running around taking care of everyone and everything. Then you look up and see an entire month has passed, but you’re not really sure how it happened?

That’s how I was feeling when I reached out to Organic Pharmer to help me put together a 5 day meal program. Why? I wanted to slow it all down, breathe, and reconnect with myself and healthy habits. I felt that taking a break from all the decision making around food, meal planning, and cooking for a full five days was a great place to begin.

I wasn’t looking for a cleanse or detox, although everything at Organic Pharmer is free of common inflammatory foods, and follows the principles of functional medicine (BTW this is something I really like about the brand). I was looking for a fully curated, five day, prepared meal program featuring organic veggies, fruit, whole grains, legumes, healthy fats and clean plant protein that would keep me feeling full, satisfied and energized, so I could step back from the hustle, and create space to be more mindful and present in my everyday life.

Yep, even holistic health coaches need support and inspiration from time to time! In fact, acknowledging when you need help, and knowing how to ask for it are key components of a healthy, happy lifestyle. Hope you will follow along this week, as I share with you what I’m eating, how I’m feeling, and what I think about the Organic Pharmer 5 Day Jump Start meal program.

Onto 5 days of: prepared, whole, plant-based meals, cold pressed juices, smoothies and healthy snacks. Stick with me this week to watch it unfold.

To juice cleanse or not - that is the question —

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that in May I did a juice cleanse with @organic_pharmer_ny, a grab-and-go eatery in Rye Brook, NY that specializes in clean, plant-based meals, cold-pressed juices, frozen foods, and smoothies. I sat down with Darleen Gross, Culinary Director of Organic Pharmer, (also former personal chef to Gwyneth Paltrow!) to discuss all things cleansing, and how the Organic Pharmer cleanse is different from other cleanses on the market.

Here, our convo —

What is a cleanse and who is a cleanse for?

A cleanse is a process by which a person sets aside their normal eating habits for a specific length of time and instead consumes high quality, plant-based foods/drinks that facilitate the body’s natural ability to purge toxins. Cleansing is for anyone in general good health who wishes to give their body a break and strengthen their digestion + immunity.

Q) What are the best times to cleanse?

Spring is great time to cleanse, but it really depends on the individual. If he/she is facing a health challenge then it’s best to consult their physician before attempting a cleanse.

Q) I’m a health coach, eat a mainly clean, whole foods plant-based diet, and exercise regularly. Would cleansing benefit me? What can I expect from cleansing?

You can expect a feeling of lightness, more energy, mental clarity and refreshed skin.

Q) People always talk about cleansing in relationship to detoxing. What does that really mean and how does it work?

The liver’s main function is to filter toxins out of our blood, cleansing supports liver function.

Q) What is unique about Organic Pharmer cleanses. What do you take into consideration when formulating a cleanse?

Organic Pharmer cleanses are unique in that the beverages each contain an herbal or botanical infusion which support a targeted body function like digestion, immune system, inflammation, etc.

Q) One of my concerns with juicing has always been sugar, and how the juice alone, without the fiber, affects blood sugar and insulin levels. Where do you land on that? Blood sugar is a big concern when it comes to health and weight management. I would love to understand this better in relationship to all the benefits of juice cleansing.

As for the sugar concern, I totally understand and have kept the sugars as low as possible while still offering juices and shakes that have a wide appeal. In fact, all of our juices also contain botanical infusions which help cut the sugars and add flavor & function that sets our products apart from other bottled juices. We composed our cleanses with the need for fiber, fat & protein in mind, so we added the protein shakes and nut milks to keep the cleanses balanced.

Q) How does cleansing fit into a larger wellness plan? How often should a person cleanse?

This is highly individual. A generally healthy person could cleanse up to once a month, but I would recommend at least once a season, even if only for one day.

Q) Do you have any tips or cleanse hacks to make the cleansing process easier, in particular the easing off of caffeine?

Easing off caffeine seems to be the most difficult for people. I would say try to reduce your caffeine intake for a week before starting the cleanse, then replace with a lower caffeine tea like Matcha or an herbal tea or mushroom coffee both of which have great antioxidant qualities. Also, and this may seem obvious, make sure to drink plenty of water and get enough rest!

Q) What is the cost of an Organic Pharmer Cleanse?

The Organic Pharmer has five individual cleans: Reboot, Power Play, Beauty, Liver Love, Muscle and Joints. You can choose do a one day cleanse, or combine them to do a longer cleanse. Each cleanse includes fresh pressed infused juices, protein shakes and infused almond milks.

5 Day Cleanse: $325

3 Day Cleanse: $195

Single Day Cleanses listed below may be combined for a customized cleanse experience, or enjoyed on their own.

Reboot: $65

Power Play: $65

Beauty: $65

Liver Love: $65

Muscle + Joints: $65

prices correct at 9.5.2019

Read about my experience with an Organic Pharmer cleanse here —

3 DAY situation - succeeding with a cleanse.

If you follow me @thisisgrounded, you already know that juice cleansing is not part of my regular wellness routine. Until last week, I had never even done a juice cleanse. Strange, I know, given I make my living in the wellness space. As a holistic health coach, passionate about wellness, I generally eat whole and clean, know how to hit the reset button if I overindulge and believe in a sustainable lifestyle over radical diets and extreme food trends. I also really like to eat and don’t see much virtue in feeling hungry or deprived.  But then I met Darleen Gross, Culinary Director at Organic Pharmer and former personal chef to Gwyneth Paltrow.  DArleen and her husband Lee Gross were also part of the team that brought M Cafe , LA's award-winning macrobiotic restaurant to life.  After getting to know Darleen, and learning more about Organic pharmer and her thoughts on cleansing, I decided to give juicing a try.

Why?  Because the Organic Pharmer Juice Cleanses were created by Darleen under the guidance of Dr. Susan Blum, a leader in the field of functional medicine and the founder of The Blum Center, a functional medical practice in Rye Brook, NY. This is a big plus in my book because it means that each cleanse adheres to the highest standards of functional medicine. All the ingredients are certified organic or locally sourced organic and Darleen has also added botanical infusions, increasing the efficacy and functionality of each juice. I like that each cleanse includes two protein shakes and an infused almond milk to deliver the protein, fiber and healthy fats your body needs to feel it’s best, keep blood sugar steady and quell hunger.

So - with all this in mind, I signed on for Organic Pharmer’s 3 Day Cleanse which actually consists of three discrete one-day cleanses, each one designed with a different function in mind.

First up, Beauty, a cleanse jam packed with antioxidants and phytonutrients to fight free radical damage, stress and signs of aging. I believe that healthy, glowing skin begins on the inside, so this cleanse really spoke to me. The jewel-toned juices, nut milk and protein shakes were as beautiful as they were delicious and they helped keep me fueled and satisfied throughout the day and evening.

Second in line, Liver Love, a cleanse designed to support liver health and aid in the detoxification process by delivering a powerful mixture of liver loving nutrients and antioxidants. This day of the cleanse was notable for an additional green juice and ginger shot, both said to aid in the liver’s detoxification process. Since the liver is the main detox organ in our body, responsible for metabolizing environmental toxins, pesticides and even heavy metals, I felt this cleanse could be helpful as it’s impossible to avoid all the toxins lurking in our environment.

Last, but not least was the Reboot cleanse, designed to help press the reset button, eat better and set you up for more mindful food decisions going forward. I found this cleanse to be the easiest and most satisfying, maybe because my body had adjusted to a liquid diet by Day 3 or maybe because it included a protein shake that tasted suspiciously like a rich and creamy chocolate milkshake. Whatever it was, I felt fueled, satisfied and relaxed on this cleanse. No headaches. No unmanageable hunger.  No fatigue. No cravings.

Once it ended – I was glad I tried the 3 Day Juice Cleanse. I gave my body and digestive system a break, taking all the inflammatory foods out of my diet for a full 72 hours. My skin is clear and hydrated. I feel lighter in my body. And the best part? I flooded my system with a ton of antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals.

Now that I have had a successful experience, I do believe there is a time and place for a juice cleanse. To start -  you should ask yourself why you want to do one in the first place? Just like any overly restrictive diet or food trend, cleansing for the wrong reasons or as part of a binge/reset cycle can lead to disordered, unhealthy eating.  As a health coach, I want to help you ditch the drama around food and dieting and replace it with a healthy, sustainable lifestyle that empowers you to make strong food/health choices that support and enhance your overall well-being. I believe cleanses work best when done within this framework and can be an important part of a holistic lifestyle approach to health.