I found some old blog entries from 2006 that I never posted, and after re-reading my blog cover to cover I think I'm back on the Blog-wagon. And since I just started a juice-fast yesterday (today's day two!) I thought I would start with this entry...

From December 2006

Two days after I arrived in Dallas I decided to do the “Master Cleanse,” based on a book by Stanley Burroughs The Master Cleanser written in 1977. It is a cleansing fast (not to be confused with diet). Although, I did tell someone about deciding to go on it and they said “Oh, the Beyonce Diet.” Apparently it’s been getting around. (She did the diet to loose weight for her role in Dreamgirls.)

Well it’s also been making the rounds in my circle of friends, with Joe and John starting it first in Feb 06. They loved it and told me every (gory) detail about it.

As I’ve never done a fast, and my being out on the road for a sabbatical, I decided I was mentally, physically, and spiritually ready – to not eat for 10 days!!!

Literally your last meal is raw salad or vegetables, and it starts. 8oz distilled water, 2 tbl spoons of organic lemon juice (squeezed), 2 tbl spoons organic pure grade B maple syrup, and a dash of cayenne pepper (buy the extract in liquid form – it’s easier).

And you’re off to the races. The book says you can do the diet from 10 to 28 days. 8 days was about it for me before beginning the stage to come back to real food.

I must say though – it was surprisingly easy. The diet encourages 8-12 glasses of the lemonade a day, along with as much water you want. It encourages dhiertic teas and salt water flushes to ensure your gastro-tract is getting properly cleaned out. Apparently it cleanses your liver, stomach, kidneys, and the entire colon.

I also have to say — I had a TON of energy on the diet. Anytime I was hungry, I just drank more juice – and I never got sick of it! It’s tough of course if your friends ask you out to dinner, or to accept a Christmas party invitations (no soda, I just sucked on ice cubes at one event). The diet does make for interesting conversation though!

Day two I had lost 7 lbs. By the end I dropped 15 lbs and to date (one week back on food) I haven’t put anything back on – and I have been eating everything.

Coming off the diet is important, so see www.mastercleanser.com for the full scoop, but the first day is all organic OJ, the second a combo of OJ and raw fruit, and the third organic vegetable soup.

How did it affect me? I felt as though I was more awake than I had been all year. Colors were brighter. Edges crisper. The other aspect too is that I detoxed off coffee during this fast. I drank a 1/2 a cup of joe the first 3 days, then went off it completely.

I like my life off coffee better. I’ve done 2 years with no coffee at one time. I’m more even, no crashes, no maintenance, and I’m more productive at work when I can focus intently on a project (and I’m nicer to be around too!)

All and all – I’m a Master Cleanse convert!

And if you consider doing it let me know. I found the best lemon squeezer at Target. It makes squeezing 75 lemons so much easier!