Entre Nous.:

Yesterday I completed a three day Blueprint Cleanse, thanks to Gilt Groupe, where I was able to purchase a three day supply of juices at a significantly reduced rate. I'd been intrigued by Blueprint for a while now, probably since the picture of SJP traipsing around the city with a bottle, began making the rounds. I'd been feeling low energy for a while and I was well aware that my healthy eating habits had gone out the window when the holidays rolled around. I needed something to get me back on track.

I've done my fair share of cleanses, usually the insufferable Master Cleanse, but never for more than two days. Truth be told, the three day cleans was really a piece of cake. With a supply of 6 juices to get me through the day, I honestly felt stuffed and not even the tiniest bit hungry. In fact, on two of the days I couldn't even consume all 6 alloted juices.

Out of the three cleanse options, I decided to tackle level two, the foundation cleanse. This level is made up of three green juices (romaine, celery, cucumber, green apple, spinach, kale, parsley, and lemon - I started off not being too keen on this one, but it actually grew on me), one pineapple/apple/mint (my absolute favorite), one tart and spicy lemonade (agave, lemon and cayenne - picture the master cleanse, this one was tolerable), and one cashew milk (cashews of course, vanilla bean, cinnamon, and agave - the dessert of the lot, also tolerable). Included with the juices are ice packs and a small tote bag in which to transport your drinks with you wherever you might need to.

Digging around through various peoples reviews of the cleanse I found a few helpful hints. The green drink is infinitely more enjoyable when poured over ice with a bit of lemon added to it. Those juices you find hard to down are made more tolerable when consumed through a straw.

You're also given a cheat sheet of acceptable foods to consume while on the cleanse in case you just can't help indulging. Don't get too excited, think celery, cucumber, a quarter of an avocado, and low sodium vegetable broth.

If you live in NYC the cleanse can either be delivered to your door or picked up. Living in Savannah, I had my batch of juices over-nighted via FedEx, at the expense of Blueprint. They arrived before ten in the morning the day before I was to start my cleanse. The juices are organic and extremely perishable, lasting only 3 days from the day of arrival.

Before you're set to being your cleanse you'll receive an email from Blueprint offering tips to prepare the days leading up to the cleanse. As well as how to go off the cleanse, i.e. no meat/dairy, lots of vegetables and fruit.

I'll fully admit that although today I awoke not craving solid food and feeling like I could complete another two days of the cleanse, I did indulge in a bit of candy at the movies. How could I not? I should have eased myself off the cleanse by noshing on a salad as they suggested, but I couldn't resist a box of Good & Plenty. Here's hoping I didn't derail all that hard work with one box of candy.

One tip I'll take away from the cleanse and attempt to incorporate into my everyday routine is to begin my day with a cup of hot water with lemon. There's just something so refreshing and invigorating about a drink so simple.

In terms of the results, after the first day of cleansing I really wasn't feeling any different. But after the second day I awoke with energy, my skin seemed brighter, and I just felt healthier. If it weren't so pricey, I'd gladly indulge in a Blueprint cleanse multiple times a year.

Now, thanks to Blueprint, my routine of regular consumption of water, vitamins/supplements, exercise, and healthy eating can commence again.