At the time I was in my early 20’s, had just been laid off from my first job out of college, and had made a tough decision to move back home for a few months while I looked for my next opportunity.

It’d be safe to say I was a little lost back then with no clue what was to come next in my career. I figured there’d be no better time to work on my fitness and drop a few pounds. If it was good enough for Bey, it was good enough for me.

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BUT WHAT IS THE MASTER CLEANSE?

The Master Cleanse has been around for ages. It was created by nutritionist Stanley Burroughs in the 1940’s as a way to cure stomach ulcers and other digestive ailments.

The cleanse lasts for 10 days. During this time you’re allowed to drink water, herbal tea, and a “lemonade” drink that’s a concoction of fresh squeezed lemon juice, grade B maple syrup, and cayenne pepper.

Each morning you complete a salt water flush of the digestive system… aka you drink a quart of hot salty water that goes straight through your stomach to the other side. It’s like a liquid plumber for the gut if you will. Proximity to a toilet at all times is mandatory.

What I thought would be a grueling 10 days dreaming of all the pizza and cheese dip I’d eat when it was over turned into something deeper.

In that first cleanse I learned that taking an extended break from food gave me time to get reconnected with myself. I looked more deeply at what really drove my desires and reconsidered the things I truly wanted in life.

I used the time to make a few adjustments and within a few weeks I had a new job in a new city, moved back out on my own, and started a more mature phase of adult life. All of those changes weren’t the result of my time spent cleansing, but it played a big role in helping me adjust. I didn’t just lose a few pounds, I found a new clarity in the life I wanted to build for myself.

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HOW I USED THE MASTER CLEANSE TO REVIVE MY FOCUS & CONNECT WITH CLARITY

I’ve continued to do the Master Cleanse over the years at times when I’ve needed a reset. It’s a great way to bring myself back to center, identify unhealthy patterns, and to get extra clarity in my goals and refocus my vision.

The biggest takeaway from my master cleanse review and overall experience is that it also gives me a chance to release toxins, waste, and extra pounds I’m holding onto but no longer need. Even better is that it provides an opportunity to do the same mentally, emotionally, and energetically.

In my last cleanse I found an unhealthy pattern of accepting less than what I deserved.

I then released a happy client who loved my work but had made a habit of paying late and making me chase them down to be compensated for completed projects. I released a man I really adored who rarely made the effort to communicate through any channel other than text despite his repeated claims to be excited about dating. I released a belief that “hard work” was the key to success and allowed myself to step into more simplicity and ease with the structure of my business. I let a lot go in 10 days and felt like a new person because of it.

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TIPS ON GETTING THE MOST BENEFITS FROM YOUR FIRST MASTER CLEANSE PHYSICALLY & MENTALLY

Here are a few tips on using the Master Cleanse to clear both your body and mind from dead weight that no longer serves you being you being the best version of yourself.

TIP #1: Plan in advance

The biggest reason people fail to complete the cleanse is a lack of planning. Pick a timeframe to complete your cleanse when your schedule is less taxing. If there’s no such window in your calendar then create one. If you can’t seem to create one then ask yourself why making time for your own health isn’t a priority. Get real with yourself and accept your truth, whatever it may be.

Once you’ve picked a 10 day period to complete your cleanse you should plan for success. Order the things you’ll need in advance and have them ready to go at the start your cleanse vs picking up things along the way. I wrote a separate post that outlines everything you need to know like what to buy, estimated costs and more.

You can get a list of master cleanse ingredients and rules here.

TIP #2: Set an intention

Have a clear and specific reason for completing the cleanse. Most of us want to lose a few pounds, but you’ll have better results if you dig a little deeper.

Perhaps you want to get back in touch with your own voice? To identify your vices and unhealthy patterns? To find renewed energy and focus to complete a specific project? To reset your eating habits and get back to taking better care of your body overall?

Use your time cleansing to work towards a specific outcome but give yourself the flexibility to roll with whatever comes up in the process without judgement. Allow yourself 10 days to just be.

TIP #3: Use extra time wisely

During your cleanse you’ll find yourself with a bit of extra time on your hands. You’ll spend less time planning, cooking, and ordering meals. You’ll no longer need to do quite as many dishes or spend as much time shopping for food.

Take that extra time and do something good for yourself. Read (or listen to) a good book. Spend a little time in meditation. Take a new course or learn a new skill. Connect with an old friend. Get outside and enjoy nature more than you normally would. Leverage the time you’d normally spend eating to feed a different part of your soul.

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TIP #4: Move your body

It’s easy to think a time where you’re not eating is a time to veg out and live in couch potato land, but the opposite is true. Your body needs movement. As you move through the cleanse and release toxins your system needs circulation now more than ever.

Light exercise like a long walk, gentle yoga, or simple stretching goes a long way in helping your lymphatic remove waste from the body.

TIP #5: Release judgement

There will be times where you may feel tempted to judge yourself or others during the cleanse. You might be tempted to judge your cravings or inability to stop thinking about food. You might be tempted to judge every person that friend who knows you’re fasting but eats in front of you anyways.

Let it go. Take this time to embrace a space where there is no right or wrong way to do things. Go with the flow of what feels best and ask yourself the deeper questions surrounding your thoughts. Get past surface level judgements and reconnect with the truths that really make you tick.

A SUMMARY OF MY MASTER CLEANSE REVIEW 

The master cleanse isn’t for everyone. But if you’re up for the challenge and looking for a reset it may support your goals. I’m just a regular person who found success in using this process throughout my life. This isn’t medical or health advice and you should talk to your doctor before giving it a try.

The post How I Revive My Energy & Focus – A Master Cleanse Review first appeared on Ashley Baxter.

I decided to put together this quick guide after having followed the cleanse a few times over the past decade. The master cleanse has allowed me to reset my eating habits, achieve more mental clarity, and release unwanted weight and patterns from my life. You can read more about that HERE.

I’m going to give you all the basics plus a few pro tips to help you move through the cleanse with ease.

MASTER CLEANSE RULES

The Master Cleanse was created by nutritionist Stanley Burroughs in the 1940’s. Originally, Burroughs created the cleanse to cure stomach ulcers and other digestive ailments. Over the years, it became a catchall detox program to help those who are feeling sluggish and would like more energy.

The rules of the Master Cleanse are simple:

STEP 1 – Select a 10 day window for your cleanse
STEP 2 – During that window consume only your cleanse “lemonade”, fresh water, and herbal tea (no other food or drink allowed)
STEP 3 – Complete a salt water flush each morning to move waste out of the body through your digestive tract

These 3 rules are easy to follow if you set yourself up for success. Now, let’s move onto what you’ll need to purchase for a successful cleanse.

MASTER CLEANSE SHOPPING LIST

You’ll need a few supplies to complete the cleanse. I suggest purchasing everything at once before you begin for one main reason. You’re less likely to waste the ingredients you’ve purchased and give up on the cleanse before it’s over.

In the past I’ve tried the buy as you go method of picking up materials for a few days as I needed them. Those efforts frequently left me with failure. My cravings for a snack would kick in before I’d make it to the store to get more goods.

However, there’s nothing like 10 pounds of lemons sitting in the fridge just waiting to be used to give you motivation to see it all the way through. Buying in advance is commitment.

For a 10 day cleanse you’ll want to have on hand:

• 20-25 pounds of fresh juicy lemons approx. (organic is best!)
• 3 liters of maple syrup
• regular sized container of cayenne pepper
• Regular sized container of sea salt
• 1 box (or 10 bags) of herbal laxative tea (Smooth Move is a great choice)

The largest cost comes from the fresh lemons and the maple syrup. You can save a little money by buying in bulk at your local Costco, farmers market (buy a whole case), or restaurant supply if they sell to individuals.

The cost of my last cleanse (in 2020) was as follows:

Lemons = $32.50 (25 pounds x $1.30 a pound)
Maple Syrup = $39.57 (3 Bottles x $13.19 a Liter)
Uniodized Sea Salt = $2.99 (1 container @ 30 ounces)
Cayenne Pepper = $3.98 ( 1 container @ 2.89 ounces)
Herbal Laxative Tea = $4.99 ( 1 box of 16 bags)
Total Spent For 10 Day Cleanse = $84.03 (plus tax)

My lemons, maple syrup, and salt came from from Costco. The cayenne pepper and tea came from Amazon.

Another item you might consider purchasing for your cleanse is a food scale. I use this simple food scale from Escali to weigh my ingredients to make sure I’m following the right proportions.

MASTER CLEANSE INGREDIENTS & RECIPE

The master cleanse recipe consist of:

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons grade B maple syrup
• 1/10 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 10 ounces of fresh water

You can follow this for a single glass of lemonade. However, making single serving glasses throughout the day can take a little time. Or worse, you may be tempted to give into cravings or hunger pangs (which don’t always reflect a true need to eat) if you don’t have lemonade on hand at all times.

The recipe to make enough master cleanse lemonade to fit into a gallon container consist of:

• 10 ounces fresh lemon juice
• 10 ounces grade B maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 100 ounces of fresh water

Once made, you should store your lemonade in the fridge until your ready to drink it. If you’re not a fan of spice, you can also make your mixture without the cayenne and wait to add it to each glass. This will prevent your premixed from becoming super spicy.

SALT WATER FLUSH RECIPE

The salt water flush recipe consist of:

• 2 teaspoons (or 12 grams) of uniodized sea salt
• 1 quart (or 32 ounces) of warm fresh water

DO NOT USE IODIZED SALT. Make sure the sale is uniodized such as most sea salt or pink Himalayan salt. It needs to be raw and unprocessed.

You can make a fresh quart for your flush each morning when you wake up. It’s important to have the proper ratio of salt to water. An imbalance of too much or too little salt may not provide the “flushing” effect needed to clear your system.

It’s also important to drink the entire quart of salt water immediately. You don’t need to chug it, but get it down within a few minutes for the best results. If you find that the above ratio doesn’t produce a bowel movement within 30 minutes to an hour, try using more or less salt until you find the right ratio for you.

A DAY ON THE MASTER CLEANSE

The master cleanse schedule is easy to follow.

Upon waking up complete the salt water flush. You’ll do this on a completely empty stomach before having any lemonade. After the flush has produced your first significant bowel movement you’re safe to drink a regular sized glass of  fresh water.

Once your flush is complete you’ll go about your day as normal. It’s best to drink lemonade throughout the day as this will help regulate your appetite more effectively. If you’re hungry have some lemonade. You’ll can also drink fresh water as desired too.

At the end of your day, prior to bed, you’ll brew and drink a cup of the herbal laxative tea. This will help to encourage your colon to release any toxins or matter that it’s holding onto and in turn make your flush in the morning much more productive.

WHAT ABOUT THE BATHROOM?

One of the most common concerns about completing the master cleanse is what comes out. How frequently will you need to use the restroom? What should it look like? Should you have concerns? Etc…

The cleanse is… well it’s a cleanse. Most people will clear their colon of any remaining solid foods in a few days. After that, their bowel movements will be in the form of mostly liquid or mucous. This is normal.

It’s most important to stay near a restroom in the mornings after drinking the salt water flush. That is when your digestive system will be most active and productive. Many people are free to carry-on about their day as normal once the flush is complete.

As you start to ease out of the cleanse your bowel movements should return to their normal form, or improve if they were previously problematic.

This guide from TheMasterCleanse.org highlights what you should expect.

EASING OUT OF THE MASTER CLEANSE

Easing out of the master cleanse is a simple transition. Once done you can return to or kickstart healthier eating habits. You’ll want to be gentle on your system and work your way back to solid foods.

Day 1 

Start working your way back to a regular diet with fresh squeezed orange juice. A few glasses on this day will do.

Day 2

Continue drinking orange juice but also incorporate a fully vegan vegetable soup. You’ll want to avoid meat, dairy, and high amounts of sodium. If you need a boost to satiate your hunger you can also add rice.

Day 3

Continue to enjoy your orange juice and soup, but also add in fresh green salads and fruit. This will introduce your system to easy to digest raw fruits and veggies.

Day 4

Resume a regular balanced and healthy diet. Your break from eating is likely to have reset your taste buds. You should find it easier to stay on track with foods that are filling and nutritious without tons of sugar, processing, and junk.

Disclaimer:

I’m just a regular person who has found success in using the Master Cleanse for my own personal use. Nothing I’ve shared has been evaluated by the (FDA) and this information is for educational purposes only. This is not health or medical advice and I am not suggesting you complete the Master Cleanse. Be smart. Use your own judgement as to whether or not this may work for you and consult your own doctor for advice before beginning any new program.

The post How To Do The Master Cleanse (A.K.A The Lemonade Diet) first appeared on Ashley Baxter.