I like the physical act of eating food and I like to do intense work-outs daily. It is for these two reasons that I have never considered myself a juice cleanse kind of person. I like drinking juices, especially if they're green, but the thought of juice being my only source of energy both depressed me (because I wouldn't get the satisfaction of eating food) and made me concerned that, since I work-out so much, I would be ravenous the entire time. I just wrote off cleanses altogether, thinking they just weren't for me.
Then one day, Amy, a Joulebody representative, contacted me and offered me a 3-Day Cleanse to try. Extremely skeptical, since I was so anti-cleanse, I perused their website. The first thing that caught my eye was that their cleanses don't just include juice, they include food as well! And energy bars! And it's all organic, plant-based and gluten-free! Then, they also give you a list of foods that you can snack on if you're still hungry (raw nuts, green apples, carrots, hummus, and more). Feeling deprived is not an option with this cleanse. My interested was piqued.
Joulebody works on the understanding that it is healthier to cleanse your body by helping your body naturally detoxify, rather than "starving it into submission." They have designed a menu consisting of extremely nutrient-dense whole foods that help your liver and kidneys do what they do best: cleanse the body. Their programs are geared to kickstart your body, naturally, into a healthier lifestyle. If you have a tendency to overeat, their "cleanse" will help you adjust to smaller portion sizes without feeling like your denying yourself. Their juices and foods are specially designed to help "reset" your body and decrease your appetite for sugar, caffeine, or other things people have a tendency to over-do it with, all while cleansing your digestive system. For those looking to transition to a vegan and/or whole-foods diet, Joulebody's various plans will help take the guesswork out of what can be a confusing time, and help you adjust to your healthier new lifestyle.
After researching Joulebody, I really began to like this company, what they stood for, and what they were doing. Since they were offering me a 3 day cleanse to try, I decided to take them up on their offer. Their incredible customer service department helped me set up the shipping, and since I was not going to be home during the day, they arranged for it to go to a Fed-Ex center by my house so I could pick it up on my way home, and included extra icepacks to keep it cool. When I got home and opened my package, It was like Christmas morning. There were small meals and soups, labeled for which day and what time I was to consume it, as well as three energy bars, and 9 bottles of juice (3 for each day). I was so thrilled that I would not have to prepare/pack my lunch and snacks for work for the next few days. It was all done for me.
I received 2 ginger bars and 1 brownie bar, so for my early morning breakfast, before the gym, I would have 1 bar. Both of the bars were great. The ginger bar is definitely "gingery" but surprisingly not overpowering. They were pretty good and I loved the little goji berries it had in it. The brownie bar was incredible and I wished I had more of those. I wasn't hungry after either bar and was satisfied until I got to work and had my first juice.
The first juice of the day was good, but on the spicy side, and it was a little jarring that first morning. Turmeric and cayenne are part of Joulebody's special formula to aid with the cleanse, but it was a little too much for me first thing in the morning. When I explained that to Amy, who originally contacted me, she explained that it was designed to curb your sugar cravings. Wouldn't you know that by the third day, it didn't really bother me anymore? The green juice, at lunch time, was a little harsh, to be honest, but it wasn't bad. The third juice of the day was very citrusy and I loved it. It was a great pick-me up after work, during the long drive home.
I was skeptical of the food because I've worked for a healthy meal delivery company and the food was good, but tasted processed and bland. Not Joulebody's food! I was pleased with each meal that I had. My first meal (not pictured) was 2 adzuki bean patties and after I'd heated them up and I was eating them, my coworker (a hard-core omnivore) said "I don't know what you're eating, but it smells amazing!" They were pretty great and definitely one of my favorite meals. I also received a beet salad which was pretty amazing, a pumpkin collard wrap, and some delicious sushi-type rolls that I forgot the name of (I'm so sorry!). The soups were probably my favorite meals. I received a green soup and a vegetable soup and both were just fantastic. If ever I was still hungry after the meal (they were smaller portions than I'm used to), I would have a handful of raw cashews or an apple.
After the three days, I did feel a bit lighter (I don't ever weigh myself) and I definitely felt very healthy. I slept very well each night, I was less bloated, and it seemed like my skin was a little more "glowy." I did notice that my appetite had adjusted and now I have less cravings for sugar or coffee. I am satisfied on (slightly) smaller portions and don't feel the need to snack very often. I was very pleased with my Joulebody cleanse.
I don't like to do reviews of products I don't really like or that I don't think my readers will benefit from. This is an expensive program and many of you are perfectly capable of eating healthy, plant-based whole foods within your own budget. I loved my experience with Joulebody, but I for one could never afford it on my own. However, Joulebody might be exactly what some of you are looking for: a program that takes all the guess work out of living a healthy plant-based lifestyle and gives your body the kickstart it needs to cleanse and "reset." I know that transitioning to a vegan diet can be very confusing and tricky. Trying to figure out how to be vegan and create a "cleanse" for yourself can be even harder. It is for those readers that I did this review. I think Joulebody can definitely help you make those adjustments and reach your goals.
Disclaimer: Joulebody kindly gave me a sample of their product to try, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Photography by Chris Miller
Gabby @ the veggie nook
Great review Kristy! Sounds like a great balance of real food and juices. I agree the cost of these programs can be a bit prohibitive, but sometimes having someone do everything for you is exactly what helps someone be successful on a cleanse!
keepinitkind
I completely agree. I wouldn't even know where to start and I would have so much planning/preparing to if I were doing it on my own. Though I can't afford it, I think it's a great idea and a great resource.
Michelle
Kristy great review
My local juice bar did a special on Groupon 99.00 for 5 days ....raw snacks included. U definitely felt less bloated....I normally never weigh but I think it was 4 lbs hubby 6. But pants felt better. I really liked it. I've never done one and I like the snacks too
keepinitkind
That sounds awesome, Michelle, though I don't think I could last 5 whole days! I was ready for some home-cooking by the end of the third day. 😉
Michelle
Day 3 was the hardest...4 & 5 were the easiest....so convenient pick the 5 juices on my way to work for the day...
I want a juicer but the time clean up keeps me away
keepinitkind
I want a juicer too, but the lack of counter space keeps me away. 🙂
Annie
This would be a great way for some people to get that little nudge they need to transition to healthier eating!
keepinitkind
Totally! 🙂
Somer
Awesome review Kristy! I think you're right about your target market, it would be great for someone trying to figure this all out.
I was thinking I would have loved to have this delivered to me at a hotel while I was staying at Disneyland for 3 days earlier this year! Not many healthy or vegan options there and you don't really have time to scout out restaurants around when you are schlepping 2 kids around from dawn to dusk! Next time!
keepinitkind
Thank you! This would have been perfect for that kind of trip! I know I loved it just for work, and I didn't have to worry about kids at the same time. 🙂
Cadry
Like you, I've never been interested in doing a fast-type cleanse. I really enjoy chewing, I'm so unpleasant when I'm hungry, and I want to have energy to exercise. Plus, I'm of the mind that if I want to refocus on whole, healthy foods, I'll pay extra attention to the foods I'm already eating. (Goodbye, seitan. Hello, kale and chickpeas.) I've seen so many people in Los Angeles especially (and you've probably noticed this too), who would do the Master Cleanse for 10 days to a month, lose a ton of weight, and then just return to their old eating habits of visiting McDonald's. I always thought that if they had the willpower to not eat for 30 days, why not instead refocus on what they were eating and create a sustainable and healthy diet (that obviously does not include Golden Arches)?
Like you said, this sounds like it could be a good option for people who want to kind of "reboot" or have someone else do the work as they figure out what a new, healthier diet is going to look like. I like that there is real food involved and not just cayenne lemonade with maple syrup! 🙂 I like it that you focused the cleanse's success not on losing pounds (you didn't even weigh yourself), but instead on how you felt!
keepinitkind
THank you, Cadry- this was a great compliment. I had worried that I didn't do the company justice, but I wanted to be as honest as possible while still sharing what I think is a great company. I totally know what you mean, though. There is a girl in the office on a fasting cleanse and she hasn't eaten all week. She's been freezing and pretty unpleasant all week. She gets to start adding things back in next week and I just keep thinking that this is so unnatural! I love Joulebody's approach to cleansing the body with whole foods and not starvation (which only does your body more harm). I could never do that sort of thing. I would be crying by the end of the first day and I'm pretty sure that by the end of the week, I would be a bit more than unpleasant. 🙂
Heather
Great review! I feel the same way about product reviews, but sometimes to someone they are helpful 🙂 I love the fact this cleanse includes food - it sounds like you had a positive experience - thanks for sharing this with us!
PS I had a dream you came and visited me at my parents house and we made coconut granola and soup - haha it was so random!
keepinitkind
Thank you! Though it is not a product I would buy, I love supporting good vegan companies that may benefit my readers.
And, um, WHAT AND AWESOME DREAM! Maybe your dream is trying to predict the future? I hope. 🙂
Reia@TheCrueltyFreeReview
Informative, thorough, and honest review. I've never tried a cleanse because like most people, I just wouldn't feel like I would ever be full. From the sounds of it Joulebody works well but it is so very expensive. Unless I had a lot of disposable income I could never justify that kind of money for a 'reset'. But I really appreciate that they make quality, effective foods and I'm jealous that you got to try it for free!
keepinitkind
No need to be jealous- I did have to pay for shipping which was $50, but I figured $50 for 3 days of food and not having to cook or pack my lunches sounded like a pretty good deal. 🙂 Otherwise, there is no way I could afford it. Joulebody is a great company and I love supporting vegan business. 🙂
Richa`
great review Kristy. I couldnt do a cleanse. i am so picky about food and just not in juices and smoothies.:) those bars do look good.:)
keepinitkind
The bars were soooo good! 🙂