Seven Days That Will Last a Lifetime
This natural detox helped rid my body of toxins stored in my blood and organs.  After seven days I felt alive and full of energy.  My skin felt healthier and my eyes were vibrant and clear.  It was a wonderful experience and I wanted to share it with you.  It begins with two full days of a modified macrobiotic diet, then moves into three days of fruit only, then comes back to a more regular eating plan for the last two.  Throughout, we eliminate caffeine, alcohol, refined sugar, dairy, and artificial foods altogether.  There are no strict guidelines as to how much or when to eat...just listen to your body.

Days One and Two: Your diet for these two days should consist of organic fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and tofu, chicken, or fish. 

• Upon Awakening:  One large glass of hot purified water with one half of a fresh lemon squeezed into it.  You may add honey to sweeten if you wish.  This tonic helps flush waste matter from your digestive tract and keeps your breath sweet.
• Breakfast:  Fresh fruit and freshly squeezed fruit juice, organic yogurt (if you eat dairy), chopped almonds to sprinkle in the yogurt or over sliced fruit, and as much herbal tea as you want.  You can use a little organic honey for sweetener.
• Lunch:  One serving of protein (tofu, fish, or skinless chicken breast), steamed, poached, or baked with no oil, and one serving of a whole grain (like brown rice). 
  One serving=one fist-sized portion of food.
  You may also have as much fresh vegetables and salad as you would like.  You can use vinegar and lemon with one teaspoon of olive oil for dressing and natural seasonings as you wish.  Make lunch your largest meal.  But remember, less is more.
• Snack:  Any form of fresh fruit or vegetable.
• Dinner:  One serving of protein as at lunch and one serving of a whole grain and one serving of a vegetable or a salad.  For dessert, you can either have fresh baked fruit, or you can get creative and make naturally low-fat, whole-grain, dairy-free desserts that you can get from any good vegan cookbook.

Days Three, Four, and Five: Here is when you enter your three-day fruit fast.  It sounds hard, but after two days of already eating light, it won’t be as difficult as you think.  You can have as much fresh, whole fruit or freshly squeezed fruit or vegetable juice as you want.  I bought my first juicer to get me though this part.  Be creative!  Instead of just eating an apple, or a pear, take the time to prepare a beautiful fruit salad that combines several kinds of fruit.  Here are a few creative suggestions:

• Mash up a few bananas and freeze to make banana “ice cream.”
• Bake apples, using honey or cinnamon for flavoring.
• Poach pears and use a little honey or cider for sweetening if you wish.
• Remember, avocados and tomatoes are fruits, so you can use them to make soups, salads, guacamole, and so on.  You can add a little tomato salsa or apple cider vinegar for flavoring.

Days Six and Seven: For the last two days of your cleanse, you will go back to what you ate on Days One, Two and Three.  However, it is very important that you remain conscious of what you are doing.  Your system is cleaner and lighter than it was three days ago, so you will probably need less food than you think you do.  Do not break the fast foolishly.

If you can:

• Practice Yoga daily to help the cleansing process along.
• Sweat every day (sauna, hot bath, hot yoga, aerobic exercise)
• Sleep 7 to 9 hours each night- your body is going through an energetic process and needs to rejuvenate.
• Do not deprive yourself of a meal or snack if you are hungry.  Eating is necessary, natural, and good for you.  Your metabolism needs fuel.  Don’t eat if you are not hungry, as this will defeat the purpose of becoming aware of your hunger patterns.
• Refer to the Guiding Principles.