Each of us have a very different reason in choosing to be holistic or clean.  Let it be weight loss, healthier-looking skin, consistent energy or to simply improve our diet.  I do it for all these benefits however one of the best gifts so far is mental clarity.  The Clean Program has helped me pay attention.  Our body sends all kind of alerts and signals when enough is enough.  If I’m tired, I can feel it and automatically know I need to slow down.  Before, I’d fix that feeling with a large cup of coffee and look for inspiration to push my body.  Besides self-awareness, I also found it interesting how it applies in the social spectrum.

Experiencing nightlife on a cleanse diet is half torture and half exhilaration. This past week, I finally decided to tackle a night out with old friends.  I knew I would be out late and surrounded by drinks, tempting food and SMOKERS.   Aromas are definitely heightened. On the one hand, I’m breathing in secondhand smoke, and could smell Chinese food or Pizza every other second, especially near the 1-2 a.m. block in the LES. While on the other hand – the bright side – I felt so clear and full of energy. I was high on life.  Finally there was no room for beer goggles with the opposite sex – success!  I was drawn to those who earnestly were having a good time by conversation or dancing.  I felt vibrant and fully present.

What I could remember from previous nights (pre-clean program) there was impatience around having another drink or the horror of hooking up with someone who soberly, I would have never been drawn to.  God forbid, the nights I’ve spiraled into the trap of mixing drinks and ending my night spinning in a cab ride home.  Those are hardly fun.

It was sincerely sweet to enjoy the moment, maintain all my mental faculties throughout the night and wind up being treated to frozen mangoes and blueberries by a very good friend at the end of the night to curb my snacking urge.  It has raised the question if I will quit alcohol altogether but … I’ll save that for a future post.

P.S.  New Yorkers, you also save a lot of money!

– Stephanie