A juice cleanse is an opportunity to take a break from toxic buildups and environmental chemicals, and shift our focus to our health. And so we took the plunge, grabbed a few straws and tackled our very first juice cleanse.
Disclaimer: We received a set of juice cleanses from Elxr. All opinions are our own.
I read somewhere that the effects of snowfall on a car is what our bodies look like post winter. If we continue to drive our snowy and salted automobiles around without getting a carwash, the salt only thickens, the stains on the floor mats deepen and eventually, rust will form. The same thing happens to our bodies if we don't cleanse, wash away and reset our internal system with the seasons. And so, on a beautiful spring day, we got an ultra carwash, scrubbed off the salt, deep stains and rust, and did a juice cleanse.
Elxr Juice Lab is a Toronto based juice company specializing in cold pressed juices, protein-dense plant-based mylks, waters, booster shots, and juice cleanses. What we love about them (aside from the cheery and super cool Katie) is their shared values of simple and sustainable products while paying special attention to the environment. Plus, if you use CSC15 at checkout you'll receive 15% off online orders over $35.
In our experience, the word cleanse is just as taboo as diet, detox or elimination, mostly because the majority believes that our bodies are made to self-cleanse, isn't that what kidneys and livers are for? Instead, juice cleansing is an opportunity to pause and take a break from toxic buildups, body tension and environmental chemicals and shift our focus to our health and ingredients that deeply nourish our bodies.
Elxr Introductory Juice Cleanse
Morning | Toxic Flush
Ingredients: Alkaline Water, Lemon, Maple Syrup, Liquid Cayenne
Highlights: Detoxification, Digestive Aid, Metabolism-Boost
7:30am. First sip, we could get used to this. Like our own morning lemon water, the Toxic Flush was lemonade with a kick, and the perfect way to kickstart our day. Spicy cayenne increases metabolism and helps fight inflammation. Zingy, tart, sweet and spicy, if this was a sampling of what was to come then this cleanse will be a breeze.
Breakfast | First Base
Ingredients: Granny Smith Apple, Spinach, Cucumber, Lime, Mint
Highlights: Cellular Restoration, Anti-Cancer, Immunity, Muscle Recovery, Stabilizes Blood Pressure
9:00am. I decided to have breakfast at work. The flavouring and the feeling of drinking vitamins and nutrition is such an awesome feeling. Typically for breakfast we have boiled eggs, followed by a smoothie at my desk. First base satiated the smoothie withdrawal with its mild but incredibly nutrient dense greens with zesty-fresh mint and lime. Working to reduce aches, and stress, Elxr says First Base is like a green mojito. Cheers to that!
Mid-day | After Party
Ingredients: Alkaline Water, Lemon, Maple Syrup, Activated Charcoal.
Highlights: Whole Body Detoxification, Liver Support, Hangover Remedy
11:00am. My tummy rumbles and my body instinctually starts thinking of lunch. Then enters After Party, the best tasting lemonade around, and looks much scarier than it tastes (trust us)! The activated charcoal calms upset stomachs, reduces bloating and gas, and absorbs all kinds of toxins throughout the digestive tract. It was definitely enough to tide me over until my second mid-day juice. I had my juice while sitting with colleagues while they ate. I was definitely fine and not hungry, but was daydreaming about the pulled pork in our refrigerator.
Mid-day | Piña Vida
Ingredients: Pineapple, Apple, Turmeric, Lemon, Ginger, Liquid Cayenne.
Highlights: Muscle Recovery, Anti-Inflammation, Anti-Oxidizing, Digestive Aid, Energy Boost
1:00pm. We find one of the benefits of the cleanse is that whenever my stomach growls there's a juice waiting for us. Pina Vida is the perfect post lunch juice. Bright and punchy with with pineapple, lemon and turmeric, ginger and cayenne. This was the perfect juice for after lunch slumps.
Afternoon | Defender
Ingredients: Lemon, Ginger, Oregano Oil, Nettle, Deep Immune.Highlights: Anti-Viral, Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Inflammation, Immunity.
3:00pm. Okay, so I've had this plenty of times when I was sick, and sick or not, this little bottle is powerful and potent. If you're brave enough to drink this in one shot be sure to do it in private, the faces I make during consumption and post consumption is deathly.
Late Afternoon | Beta Rush
Ingredients: Orange, Carrot, Turmeric, Lemon, Lime.
Highlights: Energizing, Stress Buster, Healthy Skin Promotion, Liver Support
4:00pm. Beta Rush is the perfect 3pm snack, a hit of energy and a dream team, bursting with sweet oranges and carrots. Beta Rush contains heaps of vital vitamin C and is extremely nourishing to the adrenal glands, our stress-regulating organs. Amazing for the skin too, the dose of vitamin C increases collagen production, while vitamin A containing carrots helps skin to heal quickly, reducing scarring and blemishes.
Note: So here's where it get tough. Normally I leave work around 5pm. Phil and I make dinner and then eat. Let me tell you, dinner is probably my favourite meal and we're usually cooking something up that's going to be featured on the blog. At 4:55pm my stomach growled. Mentally, I was looking forward to going home and eating dinner. But I'll keep you posted.
After work | Supercharge
Ingredients: Brazil Nuts, Alkaline Water, Maple Syrup, Lucuma, Coconut Oil, Himalayan Salt
Highlights: Plant Protein, Muscle Recovery, Anti-Oxidizing, Endurance Booster
5:45pm. This. Is. Heaven. Supercharge is a deliciously rich mylk made of Brazil nuts, pure maple syrup, coconut oil, lacuma and a touch of Himalayan sea salt. Did you know that our Maple Coconut Cream Cake is inspired by these ingredients? Because Superchrage is super nutty, it is a source of protein so enjoying Supercharge post-workout helps effective muscle recovery. We did not want this to end. It was creamy, milky, and the chunks of brazilian nut is the perfect amount of protein to curb that dinner craving.
Dinner | Second Base
Ingredients: Cucumber, Granny Smith Apple, Kale, Parsley, Spinach, Lemon, Ginger.
Highlights: Detoxification, Digestive Aid, Immunity, Healthy Skin Promotion, Anti-Oxidizing, Stabilizes Blood Sugar Level
7:45pm. We put off dinner as much as we could, and once we cracked the bottle we savoured every sip. They say this is essentially salad bottled up for you. Packed with vitamins and minerals, we weren't left full and were instead eyeing the kitchen. The evening has definitely been the hardest. Phil and I were a bit more on edge, we snapped a few times and then the whining kicks in. I think we might have to call it an early bedtime.
Late Night | Immune Boost
Ingredients: Turmeric, Chaga, Reishi.
Highlights: Anti-Inflammation, Cholesterol Reduction, Adaptogen, Immunity.
8:30pm. A little disappointed that our salad in a bottle was over, the next juice was an immunity shot. Fresh organic turmeric, reishi and chaga mushrooms team makes this drink a little less delicious than the others but none the less powerful. Elxr Tip: Take on its own on an empty stomach, or add to warmed mylk and enjoy as a warm bevvie with raw honey.
Before Bed | Soothe Operator
Ingredients: Organic Raw Thai Coconut Water, Aloe Vera, Black Chia Seeds
Highlights: Hydration, Detoxification, Digestive Aid, Heartburn Relief, Stabilizes Blood Sugar Levels
9:30pm. We decided to go to bed early that night. 9:45pm early. It wasn't because we were starving, but because late night snacking came into play, a habit we soon recognized. We savoured the final bottle, drinking it slowly, and being sure to get all the black chia seeds floating around the bottle. The coconut water was a satisfying and familiar flavour and was a nice calm before bed and helps rehydrate, allowing you to rest and prepare for the effects of the cleanse. Feeling very restless we decided to move in to the bedroom to get away from the cupboard haul and eventually fell asleep.
Thank you again to Elxr for providing us Introductory Cleanses. Starting at $62 this is guaranteed to give you that fresh carwash smell, just kidding, but really does cleanse and clean away toxins just in time for spring.
Verdict
Later that day, I thought of what I loved and didn't love about our previous day's menu. To be honest, the only con was that it was over and we were back on solid foods. But what did I love about it? What made me yearn for more. It wasn't about how great I felt, I knew I would feel great and I knew the feeling would last far beyond the cleanse. Nor was it about convenience, or having our meals decided for us.
I realized that what I loved was that every juice's name was powerful and positive. I loved that every bottle listed the full ingredients; pronounceable, good-for-you kind of ingredients. And I loved that each label showcased the positive and whole keywords and benefits you received with every juice: energizing, stress buster, healthy skin promotion, liver support, detoxification, digestive aid, metabolism-boost.
These uplifting and hopeful words do not exist in supermarkets, on packaging or labels. Instead we're bombarded with negative words: fat-free, low calorie, low sodium, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free. And then it came to me, what if the foods we consumed promoted positive reflections of its benefits and nutrition? Think back to what you ate today. If your food could talk, what would it say about itself? Would it fool you with foods that are free from ingredients, or cheer you on with foods that are packed full with health benefits?
While you ponder that, be sure to enter our giveaway!
P.S. THE WINNER OF THE ELXR INTRODUCTORY JUICE CLEANSE IS:@jonathansims Jonathan Sims
Thanks to everyone who entered, and thanks again to Elxr for bottling one awesome juice cleanse! Remember to use CSC15 at checkout to receive 15% off online orders over $35.
Bon appetit,
Chef Sous Chef
Leave a Reply