The Master Cleanse Book (Free via PDF)

If you’re considering starting The Master Cleanse fast, also known as the Lemonade Diet, I would highly encourage you to read the book that started this sensation, Master Cleanse, by Stanley Burroughs.

Download the free PDF http://healthandlight.com/TheMasterCleanse.pdf or purchase Burroughs book on The Master Cleanse website.

As mentioned in an earlier posting, there is also a substantial amount of tremendously useful material in the Master Cleanse Discussion Forums.

Below is an excerpt, written for newcomers on the Master Cleanse fast, taken directly from the MC discussion forums.

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Day 10 ~ Master Cleanse

That’s it? That’s all you got? Day 10 has been a breeze.

We were able to lounge around the house this morning but my type A personality kicked in….

So, after scouring the ENTIRE abode in some kind of delirious deep cleaning frenzy, I grabbed the in-laws pooch and marched towards the golf club to see how my trusty Fattie was progressing on the remodel. Wow. That guy is bordering on being the handiest person I’ve gazed my eyes upon. F can accomplish anything that crosses his path and truly embraces a challenge. I heart him.

……………………………

10 days on master cleanse. I made it. No cheating.

Also no creamy risotto. No cream brulee. No lemon & herb roasted chicken. No cheese fondue. No rum laced bread pudding. No pinot nior. No cheesy margarita pizza. No fois gras. No ice cold beer. No banana bread. No garlic mashed potatoes. No freshed squeezed orange juice. No juicy filet mignon. No ceasar salad with homemade dressing & crunchy Parmesan croutons. No warm chocolate chip cookies. No diet coke. No Häagen-Dazs. Not even an avocado.

Not one lick.

But this amazing journey has been about a lot more than just a lack of tasty food, which I’m sure will be scrawled down in the upcoming days….

For now, I’m gratefully savoring my last few lemonades.

This song, Blessed by Brett Dennen, sums up exactly how I’m feeling.

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Day 9 ~ Master Cleanse

I just couldn’t do it. Not another 24 hours! Honestly, I really really tried. I almost made it; but I couldn’t manage one more stinking day.

Master cleanse? Nah. Come on. Are you kidding me right now? That’s a no brainer.

I’m talking about the Christmas tree, silly! See, here in Sweden things are a little bit different around the holidays. Let me explain……First off, Christmas eve is the ‘big day’ equivalent to Christmas day in the States. This is the day when everyone exchanges presents and the height of the holidays are officially kicked off with an elaborately grand smörgåsbord (the Christmas buffet is called a julbord or yule smörgåsbord – translated means Christmas table).

Secondly, most Swedes put up the Christmas tree just 1 or 2 days before December 24th, ‘the big day’. Which by my calculations leaves a measly 24 to 48 hours to decorate the darn thing before the show starts! And if you’re like me, with hundreds of twinkling lights and gorgeous ornaments perfectly placed, this just won’t do. Thirdly, and maybe even more interesting (am I boring you yet?), January 13th in Sweden is also known as St. Knut’s Day or Hilarymas, which is the traditional day to discard the Christmas tree and end the season’s festivities.

Yes, my friends, you heard it here…..The 13th of January! Inconceivable in my circle back home as we’re usually hanging on by needles (no pun intended) just to keep the thing standing & alive until New Years.

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Day 8 ~ Master Cleanse

I dashed out for a quick walk and was lucky enough to capture some gorgeous pictures of the sun setting over the water. We live on a such a beautiful lake in Sweden. Gratitude overwhelms me everyday. I am truly blessed.

……………………………………….

Day 8 on the master cleanse brings feelings of determination.

There are only 2 1/2 days left and there is no question if I can execute to the original plan.

I can and I will. No hesitation.

The question darting around my tiny biscuit is this: since I’m already through the most challenging part of this fast (which for me was those pesky little days called one, two & three) why not persist for just an itty bitty bit longer…? Maybe 12 days? Maybe 15 days? Why stop at 10?

Amazing. Day two into this fast I wasn’t sure how I was going to manage through the next ten minutes and six days later I’m feeling like I could swallow this peppery lemon mixture for another week. Oh, yeah, of course I have cravings of Fattie and I sitting down to the table with a giant dish of chorizo & sun dried tomato laced penne pasta loaded with Parmesan cheese, a fresh pear, walnut & Gorgonzola salad and bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape…….But those silly cravings will just have to wait……

More lemonade please!

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Day 7 ~ Master Cleanse

We were out all day yesterday gathering up goodies for the remodel and I didn’t get a chance to squeeze in a lick of exercise.

Not even a 30 minute jog.

Consequently, I feel a little stiff today. Actually, we were gone far longer than expected and since I only brought 16 ounces of lemonade cocktail with me on the road I was H.U.N.G.R.Y. by our return at nightfall. After 4 hours or so without this yellow drink I fondly refer to as ‘food’, swigging a large gulp of my lemon dinner seemed scrumptious.

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Day 6 ~ Master Cleanse

Wow, that’s it. I’m cruising through half-time! I can hardly believe I’m truly over the hump. Adios to 7 pounds! I’m exuberant, my skin feels like silk, I’m loaded with energy, my hunger pains vanish when I slip them a dash of peppery lemonade potion, only brief & microscopic cravings find their way into my head, and best of all, I am determined to run across that finish line with a big cheesy lemony smile!

As good as that feels, I’m simultaneously feeling a wee bit afflicted about days seven and eight. As you know, I love, love, love cooking and intentionally I haven’t set my little paw on a pan, knife or real piece food for the last five days. I’ve managed to keep evil temptation and those delightful smells of – well, anything edible at this point – far far away, locked up real tight….

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Day 5 ~ Master Cleanse

As I’m parked here gulping my salt water flush, Jamie Cullum’s song, ‘What A Difference A Day Made’ is running through my noggin.

Yesterday was ok. I was about 70% – which in reality was so much better than the previous days that it felt like paradise. I managed to bundle up and head out for an hour long jaunt in the freshing (but oh so chilly) air and later mixed in 30 blissful minutes of yoga which allowed me to feel a bit more centered and relaxed my body. But by bedtime my lower back was aching again so I begged Fattie to give me a quick back massage followed by another on my neck & shoulders.

It worked. I eased off to never never land with little difficulty.

You know, sleeping in is considered by some as the ultimate luxury. And even though I now have the ability to snooze away the mornings hours in the most heavenly of beds wrapped up with deliciously soft high thread count linens, dreamlike feather pillows, and topped by the coziest down comforter – I don’t. But sometimes your body just craves a couple extra hours of shuteye and I’m ever so happy to be able to comply. zzzzzzz…

Yes, it’s only the beginning of day 5 and I feel great. Light. Clear. Grateful. Inspired. Committed. Positive. Eager. Devoted. Every day is getting easier. Every day is filled with more clarity. Every day is improving.

What a difference a day made. 24 little hours.

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Day 4 ~ Master Cleanse

It’s a pleasant and unusual feeling, but I don’t have that dread of Monday mornings anymore since I packed up my office and finished my stint in Corporate America.

Stint, well, really more like a third of my life. That’s spooky when you think of it in those terms. Released from the plague of hatred, Mondays just seem like any other day to me now. Must be part of the joy of moving abroad and ditching the briefcase.

It’s been 6 entertaining and active months acclimating to Sweden.

Lots of ups and a few downs – not as many as I expected after reading blogs from expats & websites freaking me out about how hard the move would be and how homesick I would become. Yes, indeed I am and have been homesick at times but nothing debilitating or paralyzing mostly just missing my friends and family. I really am relishing in my new surroundings…..

Oh, the language. That pesky little thing.

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Day 3 ~ Master Cleanse

It’s a snowy Sunday and the middle of day 3 on MC.

I threw up half of the salt water flush this morning; it just didn’t settle well in my tummy. I don’t feel super energetic today either but am planning to go for a long walk in the fresh white snow to breath a little chilly air and get my body moving. Fattie may opt to move to a fruit & veggie fast for the remaining time – he promised to be discreet cooking and eating so it won’t be tempting for me.

I’m keeping my head up and thinking positive thoughts. I’m dedicated to the MC for 10 days and looking forward to the benefits.

If you’re on this fast or been through it, let me know! Any encourage is helpful!

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Day 2 ~ Master Cleanse

It’s around dinner time here in Sweden and I can’t lie, I do miss eating solid food.

I don’t just miss food, I also miss the rituals involved with eating.

Putting thought and love into creating a balanced menu, shopping for fresh ingredients, designing a table setting for the evenings feast, preparing yummy treats while sipping on a champagne cocktail, sniffing the wondrous smells of a rustic supper drifting from the kitchen, paring the perfect wine or being excited to be trying a new one, and having family and friends join us around the dinner table.

Once we do sit down, raise our glasses for a toast and take that first scrumptious bite there is something extremely rewarding and satisfying when your guests compliment the meal – and then you the chef. It’s an amazing feeling to experience people getting pleasure from your food. To be appreciated for something you created. I adore all things that revolve around cooking and eating. (well, except the dishes).

But Master Cleanse must go on. It’s just day 2 and much to our surprise this morning Fattie had lost 5 pounds and I had dropped 4. I’m sure it’s all water weight and you have to remember this is not a ‘diet’ but a detoxifying fast to cleanse the body – but the weight loss will sure be an added bonus.

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