Easy Cleanse for Busy Moms

I’ve done a bunch of different versions of Sakara: four-week programs, three-day programs, a ten-day DIY program, and, most-recently, a two-week plant-based challenge. (Update: My readers now get 20% off Sakara with code XOMAIA at checkout). 

Through trial and error with various versions of Sakara and other “diets,” as well as a range of meal kits (like Sun Basket), I think I’ve finally settled on my ideal eating plan.

Can Alcohol Be Part of an Easy Cleanse?

No matter how you structure your easy cleanse, I encourage you to skip drinking for at least a few days every week. This has brought about the most meaningful change in how I feel and look.

That said, I’ve found that I absolutely need happy hour pretty much every day during the time I’m preparing dinner for my kids. On my easy cleanse days, my happy hour just doesn’t involve alcohol (more on that later).

Sakara’s Take on Bibimbap

What I Eat Monday Through Wednesday: Easy Cleanse

As much as I love Sakara’s delivered breakfasts, I am making my own for the moment because of the cost of having all three meals delivered. 

The quick cheat to eating like you’re on Sakara even if you’re not is that you don’t eat any wheat, dairy, meat (including fish), sugar, or processed oils.

1) Easy Cleanse Breakfast

I start my morning with Sakara’s Beauty Water (these will be included with any Sakara plan you order). Next, I make a a smoothie with their Life Source Powder, or I’ll just make mom my’s Miracle Energy Smoothie. I also have a cup of this green tea.

Easy Cleanse Smoothie Recipe

I’ve tried a bunch of Sakara’s smoothie recipes, but my favorite combo is Life Source Powder mixed with this almond milk, half a banana, this almond butter, and a splash each of Olea True and organic vanilla.

Sakara’s Clean Boutique offers a range of healthful snacks

3) Easy Cleanse Lunch

Sakara or Provenance. (If you’re not buying Sakara, make yourself any lunch that doesn’t contain wheat, sugar, dairy, vegetable oils, or meat, and don’t forget to load up on good fats and protein like avocado, nuts, and beans.)

4) Easy Cleanse Afternoon Snack

Something from Sakara’s Clean Boutique, or homemade popcorn with ghee, black pepper, and nutritional yeast. Sometimes I’ll also have Sakara’s beauty tea in the afternoon (I like it much better than their detox tea.)

5) Easy Cleanse Happy Hour 

Kombucha mocktail–guava kombucha, lots of fresh lime, and seltzer, poured over ice. I drink this while preparing dinner for my kids (here’s what they eat) and listening to a podcast or watching reality TV on my iPad.

6) Easy Cleanse Dinner 

Sakara. My husband works late and is also low-key about dinner–he will happily grab pizza or a gyro on his way home if I say there won’t be a proper meal!

I know that for those of you who aren’t working, the arrangement in terms of who does the cooking may be different. (And, again, here’s what my kids eat.)

Once Thursday hits, I am ready to relax, because I do most of my heavy lifting work-wise during the beginning of every week—in addition to my easy cleanse.

Here are my “rules” for the days when I’m not doing the easy cleanse outlined above.

1. 

   Even when not “cleansing,” I eat lots of produce.

   I eat as much fish, eggs, and chicken as I want on these days (I don’t crave much of any of these, so this doesn’t typically amount to much).

2. I also eat dairy and wheat again, although I TRY to limit the butter, cheese, and white flour–all of which I crave in pretty much infinite quantities!
3. Sugar and alcohol are also back on the menu, but I definitely try to limit these. (Here are some healthier dessert ideas.)
4. I keep up with a daily 12-hour fast (usually 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) because it’s pretty easy to do!

Dinner on Thursday-Sunday will be a combo of restaurants, delivery, and Sun Basket easy dinners which we actually eat as a family! (That link will get you $35 off if you want to try Sun Basket).

It’s important to note that even on my non-cleanse days I eat healthfully–lots of salads, whole grain pastas, Olea True drizzled on everything, tons of berries, etc. It’s just that on these days I also might have desserts and wine and cocktails in moderation.

Sun Basket Vs. The Others

There are enough meal-kit delivery services to make your head spin, and I haven’t tried most of them because they aren’t committed to organic ingredients. If you have used any of the following services, please comment with your thoughts!

• Purple Carrot (vegan)
• MaMaSezz 
• Nutrition for Longevity (use code GIMME20 for $20 off first trial box and $40 off first subscription order. I’m about to get my first order and am super excited!)
• Hello Fresh
• Blue Apron
• Green Chef
• Plated
• Home Chef
• Jet Fuel Meals
• Paleo Plan (this one is just recipes and plans–no food)

I’d love to hear your ideal food plan. Please comment below!

Stay sane,

P.S. My readers now get 20% off Sakara with code XOMAIA.

P.P.S. Here is the link for $35 off at Sun Basket.

What About Fitness?

I am always tweaking my workout plans, but I’ve found that I do best if I schedule out four days a week of classes (for me this is barre, pilates, and sometimes a Soul Cycle).

The other three days, I am intentional about getting in a lot of steps, at the very least. Sometimes I’ll even go for a jog if the weather is nice.

I also treat myself to a restorative yoga or self-care class at least once a month.