First Oprah, Now Dooce: What Is This Cleanse All About?
By mswen
updated 3 months ago
So apparently there is a 21-day cleanse that some big names are publicly endorsing and following. Being the cynic that I am, I'm assuming this is another trend that all-knowing celebrites have jumped on and will fizzle just as fast as it's arrived on the scene. In the meantime, I'm curious as to what it's all about. Here's what I found out.
‘Quantum Wellness’ – the book that’s got everyone all crazed.
What is it?
Quantum Wellness is the epitome of wellness that, according to the author, Kathy Freston, will allow us to achieve the highest level of health and happiness. To get there, she advises the reader to incorporate these eight tenants into their lifestyle:
* Meditation * Visualization * Fun activities * Conscious eating * Exercise * Self-work * Spiritual practice * Service
By following these “Pillars of Wellness”, the book promises that you will not only be physically healthier, but spiritually and mentally as well.
Watch Kathy Freston on ‘Ellen’ discuss her philosophy.
Where does the "cleanse" part come in?
The 21-day cleanse is meant to jump-start you into the Quantum Wellness program. According to the book, it will eliminate unwanted toxins and help get you past cravings for things that aren’t ideal for your diet.
It’s probably better to ask what you don’t eat. The basic premise is to eliminate caffeine, sugar, alcohol, gluten and animal products from your diet for up to 21 days. After the intial cleanse, the book heavily promotes a vegan (or, at least vegetarian) lifestyle to maintain “optimal wellness”.
Heather of Dooce made these sweet potato fries which are appealing to me because they’re, well, fries.
Some other foods suggested in the book are brown rice, quinoa, steamed or sautéed vegetables, chickpeas, yams, rice cakes, flax crackers, peanut butter or almond butter, apples, blueberries, whole grain cereal, nuts, fruit, and soy milk.
Coffee drinkers will probably go through a clawingly horrifying stage of caffeine withdrawal. Kathy Freston recommends Teeccino, a coffee substitute made from grains that you brew like coffee. I have no idea what she suggests for an alcohol substitute.
You can’t beat Whole Foods for top-notch produce, of which you’ll be eating a lot during this cleanse, and random health-nutty things like flax crackers and Teeccino.
You can’t beat Whole Foods for top-notch produce, of which you’ll be eating a lot during this cleanse, and random health-nutty things like flax crackers and Teeccino.
Don't forget to exercise
The book suggests at least 30 minutes a day, three to six times a week, which is a great goal regardless of whether or not you’re following this program.
Is this lifestyle change too severe? Will you miss out on vital nutrients during the cleanse? Is it a sustainable way of eating for the rest of your life? Diet and nutrition can be very subjective, but these are valid and important questions to address before starting this – and any – cleanse or diet.
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