There are just a few basic ‘rulz’ and a lot of room for making it your own.  In my practice, I have learned that co-creating plans supports your wellness journey.

1. No Grazing. Allow 4 to 5 hours between each meal.  This allows the nerve complex known as the migrating motor complex to move food out of our stomachs through the small intestine, optimizing nutrient absorption, maximizing digestive power while sweeping misplaced bacteria into the colon for elimination.  The MMC starts two hours after eating. Snacking between meals slows or stops the digestive process.

2. Fermented Foods. Add one to two servings of non dairy fermented foods daily. I suggest 1-2 oz of kombucha, raw sauerkraut, miso soup, kim chee, etc

3. Whole Foods. You may choose to add these soups once or twice daily to a whole foods diet free of process and refined foods.  Another option is start the day with vegetable or bone broth or miso soup, a mid day meal of in season greens sautéed in coconut or olive oil sprinkled with seeds or nuts and evening soup. You may choose to rest the digestive system further with a week of ‘smashed, mashed, pureed, broths and teas’ or intermittent fasting. Make it work for you.

4. Water and Herbal Tea. Drink ½ your body weight in clean water daily including a cup or two of your favorite detox or calm tea and supplemental mineral water or drops. During winter I always cycle back around to calming and adaptagenic teas ~ watch for our upcoming post: Teas: Adapt & Calm to dive deeper. This is the time to shop local and buy from  your peeps.

5. Grocery Lists. I’m not a fan of grocery lists.  We live in a time in which all fruits and vegetables from all parts of the globe are in season all the time in our commercial grocery stores or can be shipped to our door. I’m inviting you to shop your local farmer’s market, harvest your yard.  Absolutely whenever possible buy organic – it’s richer in minerals and free from pesticides and chemicals.  No spray is also a better choice.  Fresh is better and frozen is still good. Really look at the produce when you are shopping. Which produce looks the healthiest? the most vital?  the most alive? Choose that one.  If one or two of the vegetables from the soup cleanse ingredient list is not available – skip it. 

6. Soup Share. Consider recruiting a friend or family member to parnter with during the cleanse week.  You all could each prepare 1/2 of the soups and together you have the whole with 1/2 the work.  Check in daily. Genius!!
7. Add One. Subtract Three. Add one external element of support.  In addition to one form of circulation/movement daily ~ dance time, qi gong shaking, yoga, stretching, walks, sauna, therapeutic bathing ~ add support like our Element Wisdom Water Deck or your favorite pod cast or inspirational.  Subtract three sources of overstimulation:  social media, radio, news, TV, netflix, all technology after sunset, etc