Day 3

          How did Day 2 go? How do you feel right now?
 
Giving Alcohol a break

I find that Day 2 and 3 are the most challenging physically and mentally. The lack of caffeine hits people hard and leaves them feeling tired. Try and wake up and have warm lemon water or herbal tea. Making it through the first 3 days of the cleanse is the most difficult because it is when all of the withdrawal symptoms come to the surface.  Have you felt any withdrawal symptoms? Take note of them. You might also be struggling with giving up your nightly beer, cocktail or glass of wine. It is important to give your body, especially your liver and brain a break from alcohol.
 
If you don’t drink alcohol then giving up for 21 days will not be an issue.
Most people enjoy drinking socially and there has been research that suggests that there are actually health benefits to moderate drinking.  At the end of a long day there sometimes isn’t anything better than a cold beer or a glass of wine.  However, too much alcohol can be unhealthy for the body and the brain.  It impairs judgment and cognitive ability. It is a form of self medicating. When you give yourself a break from alcohol, you give your brain a chance to find its natural chemical balance and your brain will be able to produce serotonin at healthy levels. Alcohol is also harsh on other organs, especially the liver. By giving yourself a break you are giving your liver chance to regenerate itself.  Your body thinks that alcohol is basiclly a poison and the liver works overtime to metabolize this
 
Abstaining from alcohol for the duration of the cleanse breaks any habits you have formed around it and allows you to become aware of any dependency you might have with the substance.  Your body will have a chance to balance out and reset.  If you are used to having alcohol in your life take note of how you feel without alcohol in your life, especially in the morning when you wake up.  You will find that you are more awake and clear-headed.  
 
Some alternatives to alcohol

• Sparkling water with lemon
• Kombucha
• Kefir
• Chilled Herbal Tea
• Fresh pressed juices

 
Of course, I believe life is about balance so if a birthday, holiday, wedding, etc. happens during your cleanse, have a drink and enjoy it consciously! Take note of how you feel and move forward!
 
Meal Ideas
       
           Breakfast: Nut Butter and Banana Smoothie
       with Dairy free milk, almonds, dates, and whatever else 
       healthy you can throw in there
 
Lunch: Veggie Sandwich

• Gluten free bread
• avocado
• tomato
• Veganaise
• sprouts
• (any veggie that you want)

 
Dinner: Veggie Tacos

• Black Beans
• Brown Rice
• assortment of veggies
• Corn
• Lettuce
• Corn or Rice Tortillas (gluten free) 
• Guacamole
• Salsa

 
Recipes        
Best Homemade Guacamole        
Ingredients:

• 2 avocados
• 1 tomato chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 lemon
• Himalayan salt or sea salt to taste

 
 Directions

1. Smash avocado and mix ingredients together

Homemade Salsa
    Ingredients:

• 2 tomatoes chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 T of chopped cilantro
• 1 lemon
• salt to taste
• cayenne pepper to taste 

 
  Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together by hand or with a food processor