I am currently midway thru the month-long Dr. Natura Colon Cleanse, sent to me gratis by a representative of DrNatura in return for a review.*
This is one of the easiest cleanses I’ve ever been on, and I’ve done quite a few. No worries about always being by the bathroom, no drinking olive oil or strange shakes all day and no fasting (just the logical recommendations to cut back on or eliminate alcohol, coffee, and fatty or sugary foods). Oh, and no enemas.
Ingredients include… Psyllium Husk, Flax Seed, Fennel Seed, Licorice Root, Papaya Fruit, Grapefruit Pectin, Slippery Elm Bark, Althea Root, Rhubarb Root, Guar Gum, Alfalfa, Peppermint Leaf, Uva Ursi Leaf, Aloe Vera, Stevia Extract, and Natural Banana Flavor.
The tastes is that of the licorice and fennel more so than the banana flavoring, but still much more palatable than straight psyllium or worse, some of the bentonite clay I’ve had on other programs.
The licorice root concerned me, since it can cause high blood pressure in some people, and considering my salt-sensitivity, I’ve been monitoring it throughout. Also, when, after the first week, the daily serving was increased, I kept it the same and just added plain psyllium to make up the difference. I’d be interested to know if they’ve had the glycyrrhizin removed. Or maybe they could offer a version sans licorice?
Milk thistle seed extract (80% silymarin), black walnut hulls, grapefruit seed 4:1 extract, clove bud,
Pau d’arco bark, pumpkin seed,
myrrh gum, turmeric root, garlic bulb,
hyssop (aerial parts),
gentian root,
elecampane root,
prickly ash bark,
yellow dock root, fenugreek seed, peppermint leaf, false unicorn root.
Senna Leaf, Buckthorn Bark, Fennel Seed, Chamomile Flower, Cinnamon Bark, Peppermint Leaf, Ginger Root,
Milk Thistle Seed,
Rose Hip Fruit, Passion Fruit,
Uva Ursi Leaf, and Natural Citrus Flavor.
As you can see on this label, if you are pregnant or nursing, or are not an adult, this cleanse is not for you. For example, senna leaf has been known to cause premature contractions, and the safety of pau d’arco in general is still debatable. I encourage you to click around the links above and learn more about the ingredients and be sure to consult with your physician if you have any preexisting medical conditions.
Lastly, if you’re looking for poop stories and TMI pictures, they have those too; check out the testimonials and pictures linked at the top of their site. For me, it’s been pretty mild, probably because I get a lot of fiber in my diet anyway.
UPDATE: I forgot to mention, while you’re doing this cleanse, you should drink plenty of water, but not too much. Don’t worry, they give guidelines in the accompanying instructions. They also recommend taking a probiotic supplement. (They sell one, if you don’t have a favorite. I just ate plenty of vegan soy yogurt.)
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Wednesday, March 31st, 2010
New Hampshire isn’t exactly known for its vegan fare. In the Northeast, that approbation probably goes to Massachusetts or Vermont. I don’t know. Nevertheless, if you look hard enough and listen well to the word-of-mouth, you can find a few little gems. One that shines particularly bright to my mind reflects that treasure hunt with its location, hidden away on the outskirts of Concord, NH in what feels like an office park.
My first introduction to Cafe Indigo was on the Sunday following a multi-day, state-wide power outage due to high winds. I’d spent the night at my friend Scott’s home and we met another buddy there for one of their twice-monthly brunches.
We were all duly impressed and Scott and I soon made plans to repeat the experience. Alas, our wires crossed a bit, so come Friday when I asked if we were still on, it was not to be. We rescheduled for the next one. Meanwhile, I’d worked myself up in anticipation and decided to go it alone.
I brought a chess magazine and just sat there enjoying some quiet time with a cup or two of coffee and a delicious meal. Somehow it felt apropos the issue I’d randomly chosen as reading material was focused that month on women in chess; this completely vegan bakery/diner is, after all, owned by three young female entrepreneurs!
Someday I’ll have to stop by during lunch, even if it is a little over an hour away. Here’s how the brunch works. First things first, of course, coffee. Organic choices, both with and without caffeine. From the menu you then pick a main dish. Last time I had the rancheros, this time the scramble (shown here half eaten).
tofu scramble, rosemary potatoes, vegan sausage, and pure maple syrup
While you wait, you have time to make a few “little of this, little of that” selections from the salad bar. Everything looks so amazing, you have to at least taste each one. (And yes, they live up the visual cues.)
sesame noodles, homemade hummus, bean salads, apple scone
Then, if you’ve left room — or more likely strategically had it before the main course arrived — there are desserts for which to live, including their famous vegan carrot cake. OMG! The chocolate cake was good too, but I was really looking forward to the even more moist chocolate cupcakes from my inaugural visit.
wheat free lasagne, chocolate cake, carrot cake
As before, I left stuffed. A “clean” fullness though. You know, the kind you feel only in your belly not in your arteries. 
Highly recommended. Maybe I’ll see you there?
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