Preparing for the 21-Day Green Smoothie Detox!

- by Sarah McMurray

Tonight I’m watching the stars come out over the river…

I just finished putting away bags of fresh produce to incorporate more fruit and leafy greens into my diet over the next few days before starting the 21 Day Green Smoothie Detox. I’m new to green smoothies, but after reading about the benefits of clearer skin, more energy and general detoxing, I can’t wait to start! I’m looking forward to gaining an introduction to green smoothies as the program kicks off on the fifth of July.

Last night I played on the swings at a favorite childhood playground with an old friend, discussing the need for greater health in our lives. Both of us have struggled with health problems that we tend to blame for our lack of health.

My battle with PCOS (poly-cystic ovarian syndrome) has left me frustrated with my skin, my weight and lack of energy. A few weeks ago I promised myself that this summer would be a time of actually taking care of myself, nurturing my body and spirit holistically and getting over the excuses I’ve made that PCOS is keeping me from being as healthy as possible.

The truth is that there are lots of things I can do to take action now and feel better.

I’m choosing to make health a priority and what better time to take on the green smoothie challenge than summer when fresh, delicious produce abounds and I have ample opportunities to get outside in nature!

This is a season of getting healthy-like-life-depends-on-it (because it does), letting go of my excuses and in doing so creating SMART goals to help me along. SMART stands for Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic and Time sensitive, meaning that these are practical goals with specific end dates and check in points.

This week I am in my preparation week of weaning myself off of processed food to begin the green smoothie challenge next week. My goal for this week is to eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables every day leading up to the 21 Day Detox kickoff on July fifth. I’ve been eating fruit smoothies for years, but not normally with greens in them.

Recently I’ve learned to love the flavors of ripe summer berries and spinach (my slow start toward moving green) dancing on my tongue, and today I incorporated some dried dulse and kelp which actually was hardly noticeable.

In choosing to make health a priority this summer, knowing that I can do something about my PCOS symptoms (lack of energy, acne, weight that seems to never budge, inconsistent cycles etc.) by eating whole nutrition (hence giving myself a strong start with green smoothies), getting lots of exercise and rest, I am encouraged that life is about to be something magical. Magical in the sense of choosing that I can impact my health naturally, without lots of pills and I will feel great in the process.

My goals for the summer include exploring every farmers market in my community at least once and trying new fruits and vegetables each week, moving my body outdoors in the fresh air, and finally putting my excuses behind me.  PCOS will not define or defeat me, but I will do everything I can to fight back and embrace health wholeheartedly.

Here’s to green smoothies, more energy and 21 days of detoxing with leafy greens and scrumptious fruit!

Please join me on this exciting journey!

Who’s coming??