Introducing benourished: The healthier (and much more delicious) alternative to the post-holiday air-only diet

The beginner:
Randi Bergman, online editor

The idea: Looking down the barrel of over a month of impending unhealthy holiday eating, I set out to try this cleanse along with Jordan. I had been skeptical about cleanses beforehand, but this one seemed different because it involved actual food, and all-natural ingredients.

The cleanse: Having never cleansed before, I opted for Glow, the beginner cleanse that consists of four juices to be consumed throughout the day, one salad for dinner, one sweet treat, and a white tea bag to help you kick that caffeine dependence.

My biggest hurdle: Quite an interesting predicament, as I headed for New York for an under 24 hour­–long trip with no baggage. (I waited in line to check my little lunch bag, while others looked on in horror). The situation proved even more interesting when I was placed beside the host of a lunch that I wasn’t going to be able to eat! Alas, I did break the cleanse for half a dish of ravioli and soup, but I picked it back up right after and finished off the cleanse as planned.

The result: I was flabbergasted to see how quickly and easily I was able to go without my morning coffee. In just three days, my head went from pounding to totally blissed out. More importantly, my holiday damage wasn’t quite what it had been in the past, and I’m starting off 2012 not so far from where I ended 2011.

The advanced cleanser:
Jordan Porter, market editor

The idea: After New York Fashion Week followed by another here in Toronto, I felt like I hadn’t seen a healthy meal in ages.  I was running from show to show, with early mornings, late nights, and hotel living—my body was a wreck. I could feel a cold coming on—my first in years—and my sugar cravings were through the roof.

The cleanse: I am, for the most part, a pretty big health nut. I don’t eat grains, processed foods, refined sugar, or dairy, except for the odd dessert cheat—especially if it involves carrot cake—so I knew I could tough out benourished’s intense version. Sprout is an all-liquid cleanse with six fresh-pressed fruit and vegetable juices a day, and comes in three-, five-, and seven-day versions.

My biggest hurdle: On day two: “My head is pounding!” Sugar withdrawal officially kicked in, so I’m guessing the piece of chocolate I was having every single night pre-cleanse might have been a no-no.

The result: While I still indulge in the odd square of Ritter Sport dark chocolate post-dinner, my usual cravings are gone. I’m four pounds lighter (which is a lot in the five foot tall community) and no more grogginess! Two weeks later and I’m still waking up with the sunshine, completely energized and beyond cheery.

For more information on benourished, visit benourished.com.