Suja Juice Cleanse Round 2!

If you read my last blog post about my first experience with juice cleansing, you knew this would be coming! (If you didn't read it, catch it HERE.) I was so happy with the changes in my appetite after my first 3-day Suja Juice cleanse back in June, that I just had to have another round. I timed it perfectly for the week before our family vacation to Cabo. I figured I'd look a little better in the bikinis I'd be sporting nearly all day and perhaps I would binge a bit less than I normally do at all-inclusive resorts. The results are in!

First off, I'll address the question everyone asks me first when I tell them I just finished a cleanse, "How much weight did you lose?" I had lost about 5 pounds on the initial cleanse, and when I started this one I had gained back maybe a pound or so. I ended this second cleanse 2 pounds below where I ended the last one, so I lost about 3 total this time. For me it isn't all about the weight loss though, my cravings that had been wiped out by my first cleanse were starting to rear their ugly heads again, so it was time to put them to rest! Did it work? Mostly!

Again, I left for Cabo a mere 3 days after finishing this second cleanse, and we stayed at an all-inclusive resort, so healthy eating wasn't really in the cards. But, I know for a fact I made much better choices than I would have had I not cleansed right before! I think I only had 4 margaritas the entire week, and instead opted for wine and other less sugary drinks when the bartenders were throwing drinks at me. I ate salads for lunch whenever I could get my hands on one (believe it or not it wasn't easy, room service became my only lunch option!) I only gave in to the late night room service dessert binge once, and it was mostly because my son deserved the experience (I would normally do that every night when it's free!) All in all I would say the cleanse definitely set me up for better eating habits on vacation and beyond. Now that I'm home, it's back to greek yogurt, salads, protein and veggies on the daily menu...oh and a Suja Juice here and there for a snack of course! And I'm loving it! I missed eating healthy!

As for the experience of the cleanse itself, I'd have to say it was a bit tougher for me this time around. Note to self (and other women), do not allow your cleanse to overlap with PMS. I didn't do a very good job of eating clean leading into the cleanse like I did last time. I had a piece of chocolate or 2 the day before and my husband offered up a glass of wine that I couldn't refuse that same night. I had a headache from hell for the last 2 days of the cleanse, I finally had to give in and take Advil which I really didn't want to do! But it helped! Next time I'm definitely doing a better job of clean eating for a couple of days prior as it really seemed to help the first time around. I had a slight headache that time, but it was brief and manageable. Other than the headache all went well and once again I didn't cheat at all during the 3 days of the cleanse. My husband survived without any issues at all...and he had to work every day, he cleanses like a champ! So are we going to do it yet again? Of course! I think we'll be quarterly cleansers for life, we're hooked.

What a Juice Cleanse Did for Me

It's been a little over 2 months now since I embarked on my first-ever juice cleanse. I chose the 3-day option from a Suja Juice after doing tons of research on taste and cost. And yes, I'll admit, I spent a lot of time googling "juice cleanse weight loss" during my research process too! Who doesn't?! I think a lot of us go into juice cleanses hoping to lose a few pounds and hoping we're disciplined enough to keep it off. I tried to live a somewhat healthy life prior to my cleanse, doing yoga every day and eating a lot of chia seeds and making mostly good choices. But, I still had frozen pizzas for lunch on lazy days and taco shop fare once a week, and I was definitely a sugar fiend. I read a lot of blogs from people saying their sugar cravings had been wiped away by a juice cleanse, but that seemed a bit too good to be true for me. Nonetheless, I ordered my juices and set off on my cleansing journey.

My first juice on morning one (Glow) was a pleasant surprise. It was very green in color and filled with veggies so I expected the worst, but the fruit it contained luckily won me over. "Yay, I can do this!" I thought as I sipped away. The juices only got better throughout the day with the exception of Purify, which contained beets, I'm not a beet fan in any way shape or form! I got it down though, it was still easy to drink despite my dislike for beets. Fuel was my absolute favorite right away and still is, so much so that I'll be substituting it for Purify when I do this cleanse again. I managed to fit in a brief 20-minute yoga session on day 1 and was amazed at how good I felt at the end of the day. My energy level was good, despite my sudden lack of caffeine, and I just felt clean and healthy. I woke up feeling great on day 2 and wasn't even hungry in the morning (one of many surprises during this cleanse!) I did yoga again and felt even more energy than I did the first day, even despite the fact that my baby was up crying half the night. The only downfalls I had noticed at this point were that I had to pee every 5 minutes (thanks in part to the bottle of water I drank after every single juice), and my skin and hair were mega oily! Eew!

Day 3 began with me feeling a bit more sluggish, I couldn't even manage to get in a 20-minute yoga session like I try to do most days. I just felt blah. But, there was a light at the end of the tunnel! One more day and I could eat food again! It was a bit harder to drink some of the juices today, but I got them all down eventually and looked forward to my final weigh-in and being able to chew on something again. I went shopping for eggs to boil for breakfast, more juices to have as meal replacements, hummus and carrots and salad ingredients for lunch and fish and veggies for dinner. The strange thing was, this all looked really amazingly delicious to me as I shopped. I never once was tempted to throw chocolate ice cream or frozen pizza into my cart. I wanted to buy lettuce and veggies and fruit and all of this healthy awesomeness in the produce section. Who am I? Where did the former me go?

When it was all said and done, I had lost 5 pounds. I was a little bummed, I had hoped I would lose more, but it was a start! The more important loss was my cravings! Those bloggers were telling the truth! I figured cravings for all things unhealthy would return after a few days, but I'm here to tell you that it has literally taken months for me to really start craving "bad" things again. Just the other night I had my first greasy Mexican taco shop craving, and living in San Diego, that's an amazing feat. That's not to say I haven't eaten bad things, I just really haven't felt the need to, and I haven't even enjoyed them as much as I used to. I'm still not craving sugar much and have pretty much cut out dessert entirely. I think now that the cravings are peeking their heads out, it's time for another cleanse! I want to add though, that I have in fact kept the weight off, this morning I weighed 0.4 pounds over where I was on the morning after my cleanse ended. I don't feel like I've had to work at keeping it off, I still drink wine every night and am not by any means a perfectly healthy eater, but I just haven't wanted to eat the same way I used to eat. I gladly eat salads with local avocado, olive oil and balsamic every day for lunch, I enjoy having juices or Mamma Chia drinks for breakfast, and I look forward to the most basic protein and veggie dinners. My 3-day juice cleanse made me a healthier person, and for that, it was entirely worth it. 

If you struggle with cravings and have the desire to live a healthier lifestyle, I would highly recommend giving a juice cleanse a try. I don't think it matters entirely what brand you chose, or whether you make them yourself at home with a good juicer, just stick with it and know that it will change the way you eat. Sure, the cravings may come back after a couple months like mine are starting to, but I'm able to recognize it and am going to put a stop to it by cleansing again! I think I might even try a 5-day cleanse this time around! I'm thinking about trying a new cleanse every quarter, so if any juice companies have a great product and want a detailed review and potentially a lot of referrals, let me know! :)

Chia Squeeze Vitality Snack from Mamma Chia

I recently reviewed Mamma Chia Vitality Drinks here. Considering how much I love them, I obviously could not wait to try out their new Chia Squeeze Vitality Snacks! I hadn't come across these in my local stores yet, but when I was offered a chance to try out each of their 4 flavors and to do a giveaway, I couldn't refuse! Mamma Chia Squeezes come in 4 yummy flavors: Strawberry Banana, Raspberry Bliss, Apple Cinnamon and Green Magic. The first flavor I tried was Strawberry Banana and I loved it! I popped it in my purse and brought it with me in the car to go pick up my son from preschool. The packets are very similar to the applesauce packets I buy for my son and the newer baby food packaging with the screw off tops and a squeezable pouch. It's a great product for on-the-go families. I was so impressed with the flavor of the Strawberry Banana, I figured there was no way Green Magic could live up to it, but it did! I expected more of a veggie taste with the Green Magic, but the banana and mango flavors won out in this one for sure. My son even tried it and LOVED it, he had no clue there were any veggies involved, which is key with many 5 year olds right?! They will be great to pack in his lunchbox when he starts kindergarten this summer. Once I tried all of the flavors, I had a really hard time picking which one I liked the best. I think I will always keep a variety of all 4 flavors in the house so I can rotate each day!

There are a ton of snacks out there that taste great, but most of them don't pack the healthy punch that Mamma Chia Squeezes do. Not only is each Mamma Chia Squeeze Vitality Snack only 70 calories, but there is NO added sugar, and they are made of solely chia seeds, fruit & vegetables! They also have 1200 mg Omega-3, are a good source of fiber, they're gluten-free & vegan, non-GMO and USDA certified organic! Perfect for the whole family! You can buy them online at http://www.shopmammachia.com/, or you can search for stores near you that carry them at http://www.mammachia.com/find-us.

Would you like the chance to try Mamma Chia Squeeze Vitality Snacks for yourself? I'm giving away a few vouchers for FREE Mamma Chia Squeezes! All you need to do to enter is head over to the Mamma Chia Facebook page here , like their page and leave a comment that you were sent by Jen Wright. Then, just come back to this blog post and leave a quick comment letting me know you've entered. I'll choose and announce the winners on July 14th by responding to your blog comment. Good luck!

My New Obsession...Mamma Chia!

Those of you who know me well know that I became obsessed with chia seeds about a year ago, right after giving birth to my baby girl. I had heard about them on Dr. Oz and immediately went online and bought some. These tiny little seeds are not only filling and easy to consume, but they are high in Omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, a great source of antioxidants & minerals, gluten-free AND they can help regulate cholesterol and blood sugar! The Ancient Mayans and Aztecs used chia seeds for their healing power and for energy, many ancient warriors would sustain on chia seeds alone for 24 hours or more. In today's society, many notable athletes and long-distance runners swear by chia seeds for stamina and health benefits. I had been using them in greek yogurt, in various beverages, mixed with oatmeal, you name it. Right off the bat I was able to drop some of my stubborn baby weight because the chia seeds made me feel SO full, and I also noticed more energy. I've stuck with chia seeds every since! Imagine my delight when I saw a beverage product at my local grocery store that had chia seeds in it! It was called Mamma Chia, and I had to have it! I bought a couple and drank one right away when I got home and was blown away, it was SO good! And packed with so many health benefits!

Mamma Chia Vitality Beverage is available in 9 delectable flavors: Blackberry Hibiscus, Cherry Lime, Cranberry Lemonade, Raspberry Passion, Pomegranate Mint, Coconut Mango, Kiwi Lime, Guava Mamma and Grapefruit Ginger. I still think the first flavor I tried, Coconut Mango, is one of my favorites. They are all so yummy though! It's hard to believe that this fun and great tasting drink will provide you with 2500mg of Omega-3, 4g of complete protein, 95mg of calcium, as well as fiber and antioxidants! As added benefits, Mamma Chia Vitality Beverages also provide you with natural vitality and are organic, non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan! I've been using them as meal replacements in the morning, as a mid-day pick-me-up, or even before meals out at restaurants so I won't eat as much!

Now for the fun part! I want to give away some Mamma Chia Vitality Beverages!! As they need to stay refrigerated, I'll be sending the winners a coupon good for a free Mamma Chia Vitality Beverage of their choosing (please be sure they are available near you before entering at http://www.mammachia.com/find-us!) This is a 2 part contest which will require a blog comment as well as a tweet.

• FIRST, please comment on this blog letting me know your level of familiarity with Mamma Chia. Have you heard of their products, have you tried them, thoughts, etc. Whatever you'd like to share. PLEASE include your Twitter handle as well so I can match you up with your tweet! 
• NEXT, please tweet the following or similar "Thanks @Jendub77 for introducing me to #MammaChia Vitality Beverages! I hope I win one! @MammaChia1 #chiaseeds #chia http://bit.ly/134eOkR".  You can change the text, but please include the 2 Twitter handles and the link for sure. That's it! You have until July 7, 2013 to enter!
• You must complete BOTH steps to win! Good luck!

Stay tuned for another blog post about Mamma Chia's newest product, Chia Squeeze Vitality Snack!

Note: After falling in love with Mamma Chia from buying the Vitality Beverages on my own, I was lucky enough to receive a nice set of their products to sample so I could try them all. I received the complimentary products in exchange for writing a blog review, however all opinions of the product are my own.

The Fast Metabolism Diet

I recently received a free copy of The Fast Metabolism Diet book by Haylie Pomroy from SheSpeaks to review. I must say, as soon as I started reading the book I was excited to try the diet and see what results I would get from it. Many of the author's clients have lost upwards of 20 pounds on the 28 day diet by keeping their metabolism guessing. The diet is broken down into 3 basic phases that are alternated every few days:

Phase 1 - Lots of carbs and fruit
Phase 2 - Lots of proteins and veggies
Phase 3 - All of the above plus healthy fats and oils


Pomroy claims that in addition to seeing pounds fall off, you will see your cholesterol drop, blood sugar stabilize, energy increase, sleep improve and stress melt away. That all sounds great to me! Now for the tricky part, sticking to a diet!

Phase 1 includes high-glycemic, moderate-protein, low-fat foods such as brown rice, oatmeal, fruits, turkey, lentils and more. Easy enough. Phase 2 includes high-protein, high-vegetable, low-carb and low-fat foods such as broccoli, leafy greens, lean beef, low-fat fish and kale but prohibits fruit and grains. Phase 3 has an emphasis on high healthy-fat, moderate-carb & protein, low-glycemic foods such as avocado, nuts & seeds, olive oil, hummus, salmon, berries, beans and my fave, lobster!

Now, I must say, the food lists aren't so bad. And each phase is only a couple of days, so it's all very doable. My problem? Giving up my vices! The "rules" of the diet strictly prohibit not only my beloved wine and coffee (caffeine in general), but also wheat, corn, dairy, soy, refined sugar, dried fruit, fruit juices, artificial sweeteners and fat-free "diet foods". I can live without most of those, but not my wine and coffee!

So, I may just have to add my own little tweak to this diet to allow for the occasional glass of wine. I'll be setting out on the venture soon and will keep you all updated on how it goes! Has anyone else tried this diet yet? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Two Crowdfunding Projects to Check Out!

This is a new topic for my blog, but I wanted to post links to two awesome crowdfunding projects I'd like everyone to check out. Even if you can't contribute, please pass along the links below or send a link to this blog!

The first is to support an artist who is trying to fulfill his dream by producing a Sideshow Sketchbook, and you can get copies of it as a backer! Check it out here: http://lky.me/MFJ

Next is a new workout-related concept from Zunefit that lets users pay as they go while being able to attend multiple fitness classes or activities from various partners without having to maintain multiple memberships and contracts. You can earn free classes for backing them! Check it out here: http://lky.me/MKM

Influenster Holiday VoxBox 2012

Here is the unboxing video of my Influenster Holiday VoxBox, Christmas came early! 

Reviews to follow soon as I try out all of the products! 

March 2012 Birchbox

Well, I couldn't resist jumping on the Birchbox bandwagon, and I'm so glad I did! What a fun box this month! I'm hooked already =) 

 

In this month's box I received:

Traditions by Nick Chavez Yucca Shampooing Cream (Retail $20.00 for 200mL)
A traditional Native American hair remedy, yucca root boosts shine levels and fortifies each follicle, preventing excess hair loss. Wild yam encourages healthy hair growth, while the mildest dose of peppermint oil will leave your scalp tingly and refreshed. I adore the scent of this stuff!!

Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens ($10.00 for 100 pack)
The speckled sheets are made with linen fibers from the abaca tree plant, which is native to the Philippines. Infused with green tea, which is rich in natural antioxidants, the sheets instantly absorb oily shine (and you can see the trace evidence with your own eyes). I love Boscia products, and these are no exception!

Grandma Stelle's Hand Wash (Retail $20.00 for 400mL)
It’s made with botanical extracts, including verbena and thyme, which will leave your hands softer than they’ve felt in years. It smells great too!

Color Club Neon Nail Polish in Lava Lamp (Retail $8.00 for 0.5 oz)
They come in seven neon shades that channel the decade’s exuberant vibe: think mod girls, painted buses, and the advent of color TV. The Lava Lamp color isn't something I'd normally buy, it's a bright fluorescent orange...but it looks cute on the toes for spring!

stila Smoky Eye Shadow sample trio (Retail $45.00 for 3 colors)
These long-lasting shadows are made of finely pressed pigments that go on super smoothly. The formula is designed to be applied dry or wet, so you get double the use out of every compact. I love the color combination, it makes for a perfect smoky eye!!

Kusmi Tea Paris - I Love My Detox Tea (Retail $21.95 for 24 tea bags)
Sourced from China, the premium green tea in this blend is full of antioxidants that boost your immunity. Maté, an Amazonian plant renowned for its medicinal powers, flushes out the impurities in your system, while lemongrass aides your digestive system.

Garnier Skin Renew Clinical Dark Spot Corrector

Check out the new Garnier Skin Renew Clinical Dark Spot Corrector which targets dark spots, age spots and acne marks. This daily moisturizer with Vitamin C acts quickly but gently to break apart dark spots. See your spots fade with the Virtual Spot Corrector at www.garnierusa.com/darkspot and get that perfect glow—just in time for the holidays!