10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse: Lose Up to 15 Pounds in 10 Days! (7 page)

The detox foot bath (ionic foot bath) works by soaking your feet in a warm saltwater solution made up of many different toxin-drawing ingredients. The ionic activity in the water shoots through your body fat and is supposed to draw the toxins out through the hundreds of pores in your feet. Thirty minutes is the average time for a detox foot bath, which costs a little more than the foot pads ($15 vs. $60 for a detox foot bath). A detox foot bath is said to make joint movement easier in the knees and elbows. It’s an alternative-medicine option for people who suffer headaches and chronic joint and bone pain. A detox foot bath is very simple and extremely relaxing! If you want to get a detox foot bath, it is typically offered as a spa service under the name of Aqua Chi Foot Bath. For detox foot pads, my favorite brand is BodyRelief Foot Pads, which really helps me with joint aches and pains.

Chapter 8
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse.

What if I’m too challenged with making it the entire ten days?

If this seems too big of a challenge, no worries. You may customize your experience by doing a five- or seven-day cleanse. However, you should take one day at a time and see how you feel after five days, seven days, and ten days.

Should I take my medications during the cleanse?

I am not a medical doctor, so you should talk to your doctor prior to starting the cleanse. I would personally never stop taking any medications prescribed by a doctor. However, the choice is yours.

Are there any supplements that are important to take?

Whether or not you continue to take your current vitamin supplements during the cleanse is up to you. I prefer not to take vitamin supplements when I cleanse.

Why are the greens chunky and not blended well?

Place only the leafy greens and the water into the blender and blend until the mixture is a green juice-like consistency. Then stop the blender and add the remaining ingredients. Blend again until the whole smoothie is a creamy consistency.

Can I exercise while doing the cleanse?

Exercising while on the cleanse is beneficial. However, if you feel really fatigued, rest! Listen to your body, and if it wants to rest, please do so. The best types of exercises are brisk walking or yoga. Keep things simple during a detox.

If you do not currently exercise regularly (this would be
me!
), start small. Take a fifteen-minute walk today and gradually increase your time over the next ten days. It is always best not to just dive right in and make yourself take an hour walk when you are not accustomed to exercising.

How long will my smoothie keep?

It is always ideal to drink your smoothie the same day you blend it to ensure you get maximum nutrition from it. However, if you are busy or for some other reason can’t make them fresh, then they can keep extremely well for up to two days in the refrigerator. A glass jar with a lid is ideal to safely store your smoothies. Covering your green smoothies with a tight lid minimizes oxidation and absorption of other smells from the refrigerator. Additionally, making the smoothies the night before is okay if it helps you stay on track.

How many snacks can I have per day and in what serving sizes?

Don’t think
diet
, think
detox cleanse
, so calories and serving sizes are not the focus. There are no hard and fast rules. But you should snack in moderation when you’re hungry. Trying to eat by counting calories and serving sizes won’t create a lifestyle change. You’ll just be on a diet for life. I don’t know about you, but I’m done with dieting! Ninety-five percent of people who lose weight on a fad diet gain it back in three to five years. So, you’re changing your eating habits for life, retraining your taste buds to desire and crave healthier foods! Having said all that, the one caution I would give is on nuts and seeds. They are healthy fats but fats nonetheless. They can work against you if you eat too many. For a snack of nuts and seeds, think a handful!

How any ounces of the smoothie should I drink per day?

The unblended ingredients are about 72 ounces. Once blended, they will blend down to about 36 to 48 ounces depending upon blender size and amount of water used. You can drink three servings of 12 to 16 ounces each or feel free to sip on the smoothie throughout the day whenever you feel hungry.

What if I don’t feel hungry or like drinking all three of the green smoothies for the day?

If you don’t feel like drinking the entire day’s worth of smoothies, then drink at least two of them to ensure your body gets the proper nutrition. It’s important to drink a green smoothie or snack every three to four hours to keep your metabolism revved up. You will desire less food but must still give your body fuel.

How long can you stay on the full green smoothie cleanse?

I don’t recommend the full cleanse be longer than two weeks straight. However, two green smoothies plus a high-protein meal per day is very healthy and can be done for life. If you choose to redo the full cleanse or do it for longer than two weeks, you have to deliberately add more protein into your diet and be sure to rotate or use different greens each week!

What if I feel like eating?

If you come to a point where you feel you would like to stop the cleanse, there are a few things to try. First, know this feeling will pass. Try making yourself an extra-delicious smoothie that you really like. Have a few celery sticks, carrots, or an apple. Have a handful of raw nuts or seeds—but only a handful because although they are healthy, too many can be fattening. Drink a refreshing cup of tea. For the first few days, this will really help to curb your hunger. Look forward to Day 5, then to Day 7, and then to Day 10. Your amazing weight loss results and feelings of high energy will begin to outweigh the longing to eat those less-than-optimal but tempting foods. Rest up and stick with it. You can do this and you will be amazed at the results even after just a few days. Picture yourself telling your story. Go for a walk. Engage in something you thoroughly enjoy doing.

What if my bowels are not moving?

Your bowels should move one to three times per day and never less than once a day. It is absolutely imperative that your bowels move toxins out of your system while cleansing.

If you haven’t had a bowel movement in over twenty-four hours, there are two methods to get your bowels moving. Method 1: Use the saltwater flush, which involves drinking uniodized sea salt with water. To tolerate the taste, you can drink two teaspoons of sea salt in eight ounces of water to make it go down and then follow immediately with three more eight-ounce glasses of water. Do this first thing in the morning while you have an empty stomach, and you will have several bowel movements with thirty minutes to an hour. Method 2: One product that really works wonders at getting at the old fecal matter in your colon is Mag07, which I highly recommend. Take three to four pills at bedtime and you can look forward to a heavy bowel movement by morning.

Why are my bowel movements green?

Please don’t freak out! It’s completely normal and 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 amazing, and I definitely intend to do this again! THANKS, JJ! I’m taking control of my life again and it feels AWESOME!!”

— Mya B.

“I completed Day 10 yesterday and I’m happy to report that I lost a total of (drum roll, please) 13.8 pounds!! Thank you, Jesus! I feel great and am so thankful for JJ Smith and crew for keeping us informed, encouraged, and equipped for this challenge! Just the jumpstart I needed, but more importantly, it opened my eyes to how great natural, raw foods can make me feel. I’m not gonna lie, I started as a skeptic and definitely wasn’t expecting to actually feel any different, but I’ve been converted. Green food = energy, and I’m definitely going to keep going and switch over to the modified version. God bless you all and take care of your temples, ladies!”

— Felicia B.

“This is Day 10 for me, and I have lost a total of 15 pounds. . .I am ecstatic!!!! I must admit, the first three days were quite a challenge for me, but each day thereafter did start to become a lot easier. I’m so proud of me!”

— Ethel W.

“Drum roll, please!!!! Day 10 completed and I am down 12 lbs.!!!! What a way to start 2014!!!! Thanks so much, JJ! God Bless you for sharing!! May He continue to enlarge your territory!! We serve an AWESOME God!!”

— Angela L.

“Guess what day it is? Day 10, baby!!! I’m here. . . Boy, I didn’t think I was gonna make it, but I kept saying mind/matter you got this. Perseverance. . .I finished the 10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse. This was a challenge for me, and it was all mental because I thought I couldn’t function without meat. Boy, I feel so much better physically and mentally. I finished the cleanse with a total weight loss of (drum roll, please) 18.4 pounds. I would like to thank JJ Smith for sharing this plan with us. You are a blessing!!”

— Felicia E.

“Day 10 and I must say this have been a great start of a wonderful year. I have lost a total of 14 pounds and 3 inches off my waist. I have great energy and my mind is more clear. I love the energy that I have. I have gotten a lot done. And this will be a forever life change for me. I have been following JJ Smith and am forever grateful for her generous love for others’ health and wellness. She is a Rawstar.”

—Chantel R.

“Day 10 for me and I am very happy with my results. . .20 pounds lost. At 55 years old, if I can do it, you can too. I will continue to encourage everyone and thanks again JJ!”

—Freda H.

“Yesterday was Day 10 for me, and I wanted to wait until this morning to weigh myself, and my total weight loss is — drum roll, please — 13 lbs. I will keep this up doing the modified version. I can’t wait to go to the doctor’s at the end of the month; he’s going to be pleased with my weight loss.”

—Shelly B.

“Whoo-hoo! Finally, Day 10! I stepped on the scale this morning with my eyes closed, LOL! I’m down 14.5 lbs., from 198 to 183.5. The challenge was HARD but the outcome is AWESOME! And yes, I did have my moments where I ate something to get rid of the headache, but I kept going. In addition, on Day 9 I had a colonics done, which I think really helped!!!”

—Chablis F.

“It’s Day 11. I am so excited!!! The report is in, and I am down 12.6 lbs.!! YAY!! Thanks, everyone, for the support, and especially you, JJ Smith. The 10-Day Green Smoothie is ROCKIN’. My journey isn’t over. I start modified today and am starting out with tea then smoothie and a SALAD for lunch. BTW, my blood pressure has dropped, and I have more energy. YES!!

—Shonda R.

“DAY #10, say what? Day #10. . . I can hardly believe that I have not had any solid food besides apples and boiled eggs (if you considered that solid food??) for 10 whole days and I wasn’t sick or in a coma!! LOL! (I Love FOOD). I feel great and I am so proud of myself for staying the course and losing a grand total of 15.8 pounds!!!!!!! I didn’t measure myself, so I don’t know how many inches, but my clothes tell the story and I feel TERRIFIC!! I must give a big shout out to JJ Smith for her introduction to the green life and a jumpstart to my healthy life. Stay blessed and thank you!”

—Arlisa B.

“It’s Day 11 and I’m happy to report I’m down 18 lbs.! Wow! Not even to mention my cravings for junk are almost nonexistent. This is so easy compared to other lifestyle changes and by far has given me the best results. Thanks, JJ Smith. . .you’re a beast (in the best way possible), LOL.”

—Gabrielle C.

“This is Day 11 for me which means – weigh in. (Drum roll, please). I lost 12 lbs. and 8 inches. I feel so good and blessed all over. I can do flips with all the energy I have. I feel and look so healthy. I thank God for this opportunity!”

—Mia M.

“It’s Day 10 for me, and I’m down 12 pounds! I tried. . .I did. . .I saw, I experienced. This is a miracle getting me not to take a sip of coffee for a day, much less 10 days. I am down 12 pounds lighter. Even my five year old said, ‘Mommy, you have changed.’ Thank you, JJ! I will continue until I achieve my weight goal and get my swag back!”

—Annette A.

“I went to the doctor’s yesterday because of a knee injury incurred when I took a fall at work. However, the good news is I lost 10 lbs. I was 247 in November, now I am 237, and my blood sugar, which is usually out of control ranging anywhere from 250 to 400, was 78. My doctor was so pleased, as was I. He wants me to stay on the modified cleanse; he agreed that it is helping me a great deal. Now I have to say I really love my smoothies, and while I have to stay with really one kind because of the diabetes, I enjoy them. Well, I will keep you posted.”

—Renee D.

“10-Day Green Smoothie Cleanse officially finished. Down 14 lbs. Started 10 days ago at 222. Today’s weight 208. God bless JJ Smith for sharing this amazing gift with us.”

—Ruth C.

“I am excited to say that I ended day 10 yesterday with a new attitude. My energy level is finally up and I’m actually sleeping and resting better. I am craving a big salad, LOL! I am down 15 pounds Woohoo!!!!!! This is just the beginning. I am feeling excited!”

—Lina C.

“Morning of Day 11 and down 13.6 lbs!!! This cleanse has been very life-changing for me. I now have more energy than I ever had, and my skin is glowing. I never had the ‘slept like a baby’ moment that most had on here, but I am no longer feeling sluggish when I wake up even after four or five hours of sleep (a norm for me).”

—Demetria M.

“Praise the Lord, I have completed my 10 days. I am happy to report 14 pounds down. It doesn’t stop here. I will continue with my weight loss journey and a more healthy lifestyle.”

—Geraldine C.

“I completed my 10 days yesterday, and I am down 13 lbs. and lost a total of 3 1/2 inches! I want to first thank God for giving me the will and determination to complete this GS cleanse. Once I started, I was determined to finish. My family was very supportive throughout, and I am grateful for that. A big, big thank you goes out to JJ Smith for the info that changed my life forever! I don’t feel sluggish anymore like I used to before I started this cleanse, and my health has improved! I will continue to eat healthier from now on. Thank you all for your support!”

—Tracey W.

“I want you to know that I lost 12.5 lbs. by Day 6, including 2 inches from my hips and 2 inches from my waist. I’ll let you know how much I lost by Day 10. Thanks for introducing me to this cleansing method. I’m sharing it with others.”

—Donna. J.

“Completed Day 10 and my body responded with 17 lbs.! Thanks, JJ Smith. This group rocks. . .you are a blessing!”

—Michelle G.

“What day is it? What day is it? It’s not Wednesday but Day 10 for me!! I did it! JJ, you are truly an angel sent by God, and I thank you for not being selfish with your knowledge and sharing it with me and everyone who desires to be healthy! I want to encourage those who are at the beginning phase of the 10-Day Cleanse: Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending! Oh, I forgot to mention. . .drum roll, please. . .I lost a total of 13.2 pounds!! Stay green and stay healthy!”

—Brenda W.

“Yesterday was Day 10 of my Green Smoothie Cleanse, and let me just say it was NOT easy but I did it! Glad to report my weight loss of 13 pounds!!!!! I started off at 187 and today I am 174! Thank you, JJ Smith, for the invite and sharing how to be a healthier ME!”

—Victoria G.

“Day 10 for me and I’m down 13 pounds. I’m so happy and I feel awesome. I’m gonna continue with the modified version to include the light, healthy meals.”

—Natasha M.

“Day 10 is like Christmas morning. Couldn’t wait to see how much I lost. Just like the good nutritionist said, you can expect to lose nine to fourteen pounds. I did. I am so excited to report on Day 10 I am 13 lbs. smaller, happier, energized, mentally clear, and not to mention caffeine free. I was the queen of java but not anymore. My prayer is that God grant me the strength to keep it up and to lead me not into temptation. I feel like I can keep going on, though. Thank you for your support.”

—Liz P.

“You are going to love the way this cleanse changes you. I feel great. I have a lot of energy. I’m down 9 lbs. I’m able to go to the bathroom without using supplements, as I’ve always been constipated. I have continued to cook dinner for him every night, which consisted of T-bone steak, fried chicken, fried fish, mashed potatoes, French fries, bread, and you name it. I don’t understand this cleanse, and if I hadn’t done it myself I would’ve thought everyone was lying. It’s a mystery but a good mystery. I’ve never been able to complete any diet. JJ Smith did an amazing job putting this together. I’d like to take this time to thank her for her giving heart. I’m a new me. . .I plan to do the modified version after my tenth day.”

—Carla S.

“Holy smokes!! Day 3 for me today, sticking to what is suggested in the book, and I am down 9 pounds!! Yes, 9! I said 9! WOW!! Feeling great!”

—Olga T.

“Walked past the mirror and caught a side glimpse of myself. My stomach is GONE!! I know it was there 2 weeks ago! LOL! I cried. Then I danced – and I’m dancing and typing this stat RIGHT NOW!!!! YEEEEEEESSSSS!!!!!!”

—Natasha W.

“I completed the 10-Day Detox!! My accomplishment: 9.5 lbs. lost and a total of 7.5 inches smaller. Now Day 1 of modified detox and exercise!!”

—Nichole W.

“Yesterday I completed my 10 days!! Down 12 lbs. and lost 12 inches and feeling great! Went to work with smoothie in hand. Had a salad for lunch and have a new appreciation for eating healthy; at lunch literally was mean mugging the greasy option, LOL! Thanks, JJ.”

—Denise B.

“Day 11 and drum roll. . .12 pounds down for me and 16 pounds down for the husband, yahhhhh!!!!!!! Now we will continue with the modified version and eating smarter.”

—Carla D.

“Day 5 and I feel great! Yesterday was a bit of a challenge for me. I’ve lost 10 pounds as of this morning. I’m totally stoked by this. So as I approach Day 6, I’m beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know I will finish this cleanse with a bang!”

—Lalita W.

“Well, today is my 10th day and I made it! To think that 10 days ago I was worried about finishing. Thank you so much for introducing me to this lifestyle change. I will definitely keep green smoothies in my lifestyle change and as a part of my healthy life. I don’t ache when I walk now, I don’t have to take painkillers to not be in pain all day, and I get out of bed in the morning with no problem. Loving the new me. I’m even checking out gyms and personal trainers to keep this going. And yes, I lost 11.4 pounds this week.”

—Tonya A.

“Day 9!! Down 13 pounds, feel great!! I could kick myself for not taking my measurements. Anyway, I’m getting proper rest and it feels good. But I’m shooting for 15 lbs. by the morning of Day 11. LET’S GO!!”

—Nakia B.

“This cleanse is simply amazing. This is my Day 6 and I am down 12 pounds. Hopefully I can get off blood pressure meds sooner than later.”

—Jessica L.

“My husband and I successfully completed Day 10 yesterday!!!! YAYYYY, it was awesome. I lost 12 pounds and my husband lost 10. We enjoyed it so much we’ve decided to make green smoothies a regular part of our day. I just finished making two pitchers of smoothies for us for tomorrow. Thank you again, JJ Smith.”

—Lisa B.

“Today is Day 10 for me! I SO proudly announce that I’ve conquered the ‘first round’ of any green smoothie cleanse! I visited my team of physicians this afternoon, and they all high-five’d me on my success of losing a whopping 12.5 pounds!! Cheers to us—living with healthier, stronger bodies in 2014!”