Day 14 is here! Celebrate! You did it! Aren’t you proud of your accomplishment? Have you let any naysayers know that you don’t mean to disappoint them, but you ROCKED this cleanse! Read on for your final day of our 14 Day Summer Cleanse…
DAY 14
1. Daily Affirmation:
“I have accomplished so much and will continue to learn how to nourish my body and mind.”
My belief system is pretty cut and dry. I believe I was Created by God. I believe my body was Created to consume the food in the state that God Created it. This means that most of the food that I eat comes from the ground straight to my plate. I don’t have any personal convictions about eating animals that were raised in their native habitat, but I won’t eat them if they are processed and raised in crammed pens while being fed growth hormones, genetically modified corn, and injected with antibiotics to keep them healthy. Since it is difficult to find affordable meat in the condition the animal was meant to live, I rarely eat it.
Nuts, legumes, fruit, and veggies are all beautifully made to nourish and create our cells, tissues, and organs that make up our bodies. Organically raised meat and dairy may also fit in with those who feel they do better with these components, although for most of us keeping animal products to a true minimum is beneficial.
On Day 14 I suggest you sit down and write down your eating goals for the next 14 Days. How much of this cleanse do you want to take with you? What could you leave behind?
If weight loss was your goal, the food on this cleanse is a great option that will lead to long term better health. DO NOT deprive yourself and journey down the road to crash dieting. Continue to eat as much raw food as you would like. AND if you would like a “cheat” every so often, allow yourself but maintain your self control.
If increased energy is your goal, I’m sure you noticed by now that you feel amazing! If you don’t, my bet is you’re still not eating enough. Keep adding more fruit and legumes into your diet!
Continue to visit GreenDrinkDiaries to get new smoothie, salad, and dinner recipes to add to your meal rolodex you gained from this cleanse.
Consider ordering a Vitamix to make THE BEST smoothies, soups, and purees. I made my daughter’s baby food in mine, too.
Most of all, envision what the long-term effects on your body will be like if you continue eating this way. It is not difficult. You will get sick less, you will be MUCH LESS likely to develop conditions like diabetes, arthritis, cancer, immune system disorders, digestive conditions, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, etc, and you will age better.
I have thoroughly enjoyed cleansing with you! Let me know how things go as you incorporate what you have learned!
2. Today’s Menu:
Breakfast- green tea to start, juice (1 apple with any veggies you have leftover…NEVER waste veggies. JUICE them and drink!)
Snack- carrot or celery sticks with hummus
Lunch- BIG Salad with guacamole, (guacamole < 1 avocado, 1/4 diced red or white onion, Herbamare or sea salt to taste, chopped tomato, cilantro to taste> chopped romaine lettuce, black beans, 1/2 lime squeezed, 1/2 red bell pepper chopped) (Try the Mango Lime Dressing from Day 11)
Snack- apple with almond butter, continue to use leftover veggies to juice and drink!
Dinner- TREAT yourself to a salad at a restaurant to celebrate!!! Research in your city to see if there are any raw foods or vegetarian restaurants that could accommodate your cleanse diet (check out www.VegGuide.org!) If you’re not feeling it, go ahead and eat your favorite salad or smoothie from the last 14 days!
Dessert- naturally uncaffeinated herbal tea
3. Daily Question:
Don’t answer any questions today. Instead, when you have a moment, send me feedback in the comments section. I would love to hear what you liked best, what you hated, and how you are feeling!
Hello from Perth, Western Australia 🙂 I finished the cleanse a few days ago and I loved it, thank you VERY much for all of your generosity in making it so easy to follow complete with grocery list and tips and tricks!! Your motivation was also very much appreciated and has helped me to stay determined to follow a healthier style of life, I felt so good afterwards, it’s more than worth it!
I loved the tropi fab smoothie, that was my fave and the only thing I really, really hated was the watercress etc juice! It’s just as well that I actually LOVE salad so I actually cheated a bit and ate all salads instead of as a green smoothie, I just couldn’t stomach a green smoothie…!
The only cheat I had was a shot of coffee on the first day (I was offered it without being asked, as a gesture of hospitality and they were so lovely, I couldn’t refuse!) and on the last day after dinner, I had a glass of red wine…! Cheese and wine were the things I missed most.
I did also work out whilst doing the cleanse but I am feeling more energised and alert, lighter by a few kilos, and my cravings have lessened – not gone – but lessened.
So once again, THANK YOU!!
I’m so glad you found the cleansing experience enjoyable and it was easy for you!! (: I agree about the watercress- I’m not a big fan either, but it is so wonderfully cleansing!
Thank you – it was ‘easy’-ish…haha! I had become more conscious of my health through eating etc (cutting back on processed foods, sugar etc) for almost a year in advance which helped prepare me mentally and physically – if I had tried even just a few months ago, I highly doubt I could’ve stuck to it! I also helped prepare myself by sticking up motivational quotes everywhere to keep me focused and I had a hubby who was supportive & made sure he didn’t eat anything I couldn’t in front of me 🙂 I’ve never done a diet in my life & even though I do love salads, I did find myself starving on the 5th day (I think it was the 5th) from being over them and read your motivational post for the day and laughed! So I ate…I also scheduled some time out in advance to account for the ‘detox’ nausea/headaches etc during the 14 days but on the whole, I felt a lot better. I am sticking to it about 70% and I think my body’s still detoxing! I’m craving junk but not for the taste, I think it’s withdrawals…!! I’ve encouraged all my friends and family to do the same and directed them to your website 🙂
YEAH Melissa, you did it!! If you get a moment, drop me a line to let me know how I could improve the cleanse. (: I hope you took some recipes from it and are feeling AMAZING!
Thank you so much for everything! I’m loving all the greens and how they make me feel! I will be visiting your site often for new smoothie and juice recipes!
can you recommend another blender that is not $500? I just don’t have that kind of money. Thanks!
Hey Emily- there are some cheaper ones, but when you’re using your “blender” (it’s more of a kitchen appliance/machine) 4 times a day and drinking really veggie-like smoothies, you need the BEST. A cheaper option would be a refurbished Vitamix for around $375 with a 7 year warranty OR the Blendtec- a similar machine with some different features than the Vitamix (they run closer to $375 also.) To my knowledge, nothing else compares to these two higher-end machines. Maybe someone else will have an option about a cheaper “blender?”
Yes its great, he is my new bff 🙂 I got mine refurbised from the Vitamix website, also got the 7-year warranty and it works perfect. Its awesome you became an affiliate. I have been bringing green smoothies to work for people to try and everybody loved them. As soon as I ‘convert’ some friends I’ll send them your way!
Hello Cortney, I am a friend of Mariah and I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy reading all your posts and how glad I am I found your blog through her FB page! Your amazing story has really inspired me to eat healthier. I actually got a Vitamix and I have enjoyed green smoothies every day for the past months and feel great! So THANK YOU! Nadia
Yeah Nadia! I’m glad it has been helpful. Isn’t the Vitamix great!? I just broke down recently and became an official Vitamix affiliate since I have sold so many of them without having part in the company. Now, I am official and can offer special discounts. If any of your friends are ever interested,send them my way!
Cortney, Meant to tell you how much I enjoyed this cleanse!! I used to make smoothies with yogurt and lots of fruit. Now I cut the yogurt out and add a veggie. Super delish! I also am now addicted to almond butter and almond milk and coconut oil. Yum, yum, yum… And the kids love it. I will be ordering a Vitamix very soon, can you tell me the cost again? I really do need one, I love blending everything!! Also, I’m curious, what kind of milk does Ruby Claire drink?
Thank you so much for everything you did for this cleanse and on your blog. This is a wonderful resource with fresh ideas. Hope to see you soon, maybe the pool one weekend coming up, or a Monday (I have it off)??? You rock, wonderful job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alright, sounds perfect! 🙂 I just became an official Vitamix Affiliate which means you can get them through me for $449 with free shipping and a 7 year warranty. The best deal I have found for this model (the one I use) on the web 🙂 Ruby-Claire doesn’t drink any milk since she gets her calcium mainly from yogurt or greens in smoothies other times. Hope this helps!!! 🙂
I got off track last weekend and had a hard time not cheating the reminder of the week … I am striving to stay raw, though I am past the times where i am hard on myself when cheating … I know the raw diet is the best for me.
You have done a tremendous job keeping us motivated, also done a great job putting the recipes and shopping list together … I will treasure them forever … I really got inspired to continue to do more Cortney salads and not just green smoothies.
How can I treat you … I would like to mail you a gift certificate ti LFI … should it be a foot massage, a body massage or a colon cleanse ? ? ? ; )
green cheers and parsley kisses
-janne