Eating well should not be painful process. Sarah Hinsch, owner of Greenmouth Juice Bar + Cafe in Easton and Allentown, has tips on how to make eating healthy a regular habit that you choose to do, rather than one you're forced to do. According to Hinsch, getting your diet back on track starts with a juice cleanse.
1. The Journey
For people with clean diets already, a one-day juice cleanse once a week or every other week will help them recharge. However, if you're noteating a clean diet packed with veggies and are new to juice cleanses, a three-day or five-day cleanse is ideal. Hinsch recommends completing a three-day or five-day cleanse a couple times a year or once a quarter in order to clean the digestive system. A juice cleanse also gives the digestive system a rest while reducing bad-habit cravings like sugar, salt and coffee.
Juice cleanses act as stepping stones to health goals. They are beneficial to physical goals like losing weight and emotional goals like being happier. Be committed to the cleanse and focus on the gratifying results it will have on your body. “It's a mind game, so when you set your intentions, you commit to something and take action, and focus on the results,” says Hinsch, who believes anyone can achieve the five-day cleanse. Health Coach Linda White is regularly available on site as aGreenmouth juice cleanse consultant and can help identify what length of cleanse your body needs.
2. The Mind
Put your body first and remember why you're not eating during your juice cleanse: Because you care about your body and are taking this step to become healthier. “Food can either be the purest form of medicine or the ugliest toxic poison,” says Hinsch. Your body rejuvenates cells every second of the day and those cells are made of the food you eat; food is fuel.
While most Americans are concerned about macronutrients such as proteins, fats and calories,it is more important to focus on micronutrients, which most Americans are deficient in, like phytonutrients, enzymes, minerals and vitamins. These micronutrients are what prevent diseases and keep your body working properly. “All disease starts in the gut, so the cleaner your gut is, the stronger your immunity is to ward off and fight off disease,” says Hinsch.
3. The 80/20 Rule
All human beings have toxic substances within their bodies, whether it is from breathing toxic fumes, drinking chemical-treated water or eating processed foods. Everyone has a different toxic load and it is important to create an alkaline balance within your body by digesting 80 percent alkaline items, like fruits and vegetables, and 20 percent acidic, which should give your body a pH of seven.
“Acidic items are not what you think of,” says Hinsch. “You think of acidic as lemons, but, actually, lemon is an alkaline in your body once it's metabolized.” Acidic foods include sugar, dairy and flour. The 80/20 rule still lets you eatall your favorites, just in more limited amounts. Counteract the ice cream and your must-have treats with colorful vegetables and fruits that are chock-full of micronutrients.
4. The Cleanse
Three days prior to the juice cleanse, eat a healthy diet consisting of fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains and eggs, and strive for eight glasses of water a day. This will ease hunger cravings during the cleanse. With the Greenmouth juice cleanse, participants are told to start each morning with a glass of water and a squeeze of lemon, followed by the seven juices to drink throughout the day. All seven drinks serve a specific purpose for the body with their names revealing their purpose such as “Alkalize,” “Energize” and “Immunize.”
The first of the seven is the “Morning Tonic,” “which is alkalizing your gut and giving you a really good flush of high acid from apple cider vinegar and creating that balance in your gut right [off] the bat,” says Hinsch. Each drink becomes fuller bodied and more detoxifying as the day progresses. The last drink of the day is “Cinnamon Vanilla Almond Milk” to make you feel full. Post-cleanse diets should be similar to the pre-cleanse diet in order to gradually return to solid foods and hopefully make smarter food choices in the future.
Early this month, Greenmouth Juice Bar + Cafe will move their Easton location to 134 N. 2nd St., Easton and will be called “Greenmouth Home.” The new location will be equipped with indoor and outdoor seating and will be able to hold more guests.
Sarah Hinsch
Certified Health and Wellness Coach
Greenmouth Juice Bar + Cafe Owner | greenmouthjuicecafe.com