We review the Prodjuice Autumn Cleanse!

Say goodbye to cold-pressed juices… winter detox is all about warm, nourishing soups!
By Siena Scanlon

Being a person that loves a vegetable juice as much as the next health-nut, I always thought a cleanse would be right down my alley. That was until I signed up for a two-day juice cleanse only to get to the mid-afternoon on the first day feeling tired, hungry, strangely unsettled and cold (in summer). I cracked at 3pm and went on to eat my “normal” healthy food alongside the nourishing juices.

Having later found out that I am considered to have a predominantly Vata constitution based on Ayurvedic Principles, my discomfort made sense, as cold fluids put out my “digestive fire” making me feel weak and irritable.

When I heard “souping” was the new wellness craze for the cooler months, I wanted to jump onboard as I have always believed in the benefits of cleansing.

I wasn’t looking for a diet or a rapid weight loss fix, but wanted to reset my system, boost my immunity, realign to good eating habits and give my digestive system the break it deserved.

Prodjuice, based on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, was my top-pick with their seasonally appropriate approach to cleansing- enter The Autumn Cleanse. Offering 1, 3 or 5-day options with a mix of seven hand-bottled jars containing organic juices, soups, nut milk, tonics and a porridge. The combination is specifically designed to drench your system with a huge array of bioavailable vitamins, enzymes, minerals and nutrients.

My experience:

It was exciting to wake up to find my 3-day cleanse delivered straight to my front doorstep, all beautifully packaged and presented!

The cleanse began with an Immune Shot which was a mix of lemon, ginger, garlic, honey and oregano oil- this blend is antibacterial and immune boosting. Once added to a mug of hot water it had a nice kick to get my system firing first thing in the morning.

Next up was adding hot water to the Quinoa, Slippery Elm & Blueberry Porridge. Packed full of fibre and protein, this got my day off to the right start, feeling confident that my second cleanse attempt would last well beyond 3pm on Day One.

Morning tea was a refreshing, alkalizing and fructose free Green Juice which was just enough to tide me over for another few hours with plenty of energy.

Come lunchtime I was very excited for the Bone Broth, as I am well versed on how this praised liquid can miraculously cure all kinds of aliments (thanks Mind Body Green!). As I sipped slowly on the warm brew, I wondered how it was going to fill me up. To my surprise, it was pleasantly satiating due to all of the nourishing fats.

Afternoon tea was an anti-inflammatory, vitamin C kick called the Turmeric Tonic, which I could feel stimulating my digestion.

Come 5:30pm I was ready for dinner and was pleased to be having a hearty Spiced Carrot, Chickpea & Lentil soup. This was warming, nourishing and made me wish I could have gone back for seconds.

Desert! Yep, I can call it that. The Rose & Ashwagandha Almond Milk was delicious and comforting. Standing over the stovetop heating up this sweet milk was my favorite part of the cleanse and something I wish I could make a nightly ritual.

The verdict:

After completing the 3-day cleanse I felt clearheaded, light and full of energy, ultimately, I felt GREAT!

I like that this cleanse relies primarily on vegetables rather than fruit, that it’s low on the glycemic scale and full of protein, fats and fibre to keep you full-ish.

I would lie if I said I wasn’t hungry, but I am always hungry! I am a very healthy eater, but have an enormous appetite with little restraint when it comes to wholesome food. The portion sizes were something for me to get used to, but I just had to remind myself that I was resting and resetting my digestive system.

I had no adverse affects- headaches, weakness or irritability- instead I had consistent energy, focus and a stabilised mood. That being said, I don’t drink coffee, smoke, or have nightly alcohol, so the cleanse wasn’t a big transition from my daily habits.

Also, I did take it very easy across the three days. I took baths, I had a one-hour massage, reduced my exercise to only one Barre Body class and tucked myself into bed with a book by 9pm every night. Heaven right?

Last words:

I will definitely be doing this cleanse again! I loved having warming soups, tonics and a porridge form part of the daily menu as I felt my body was supported to detox without feeling deprived and unsatisfied.

If you are anything like me, the cooler weather signifies the start of forced hibernation. I sleep more, have lazy weekends and dial down my social life, making Autumn the perfect time to rest, recharge and boost your immune system.

If you don’t have the mental stamina required to complete a juice cleanse one-liquid-meal-at-a-time then give “souping” a go!

Check out Prodjuice for more.

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