One Atomic Blonde

View Original

Sakara Life | Level II Detox Review: Goodbye Bloat, Hello Energy

Use exclusive code ATOMICBLONDESAKARA to Save 20% off your first order site wide at Sakara Life

*This post is both sponsored and contains affiliate links; I will be compensated at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Thank you for supporting One Atomic Blonde!


Are you looking around at different detoxes and don’t know quite where to turn? There is so much information (and misinformation) out there; I know it can be daunting to search and find a program that works for you.

I recently completed the Level II Detox at Sakara Life for the third time, and I wanted to share my experiences with the program.

The Level II Detox is a delicious, plant-based cleanse that helps you eliminate inflammation, heal, and take the time to focus on self care.

Created with an acclaimed functional medicine doctor, and building on Sakara’s signature philosophy of plants as medicine, this powerful whole-food cleanse temporarily eliminates common inflammation triggers and floods your body with potent plant nutrition.

Using effective dietary principles like ketosis and intermittent fasting, Level II will help heal the gut, restore the metabolism, release years of toxic build-up, and hit reset on the body’s systems—revealing a healthier, brighter you.

The functional medicine doctor mentioned above is Dr. Aviva Romm, a Yale-graduated physician, midwife, and herbalist.

I have to thank her for assisting in creating a detox that does not rely on juice alone (you’ll see a few juices, but there is only one fully liquid day and that includes some hearty soups!).

Read on to learn more about my Level II Detox experience and see if it feels right for you.

What is Sakara Life?

If you’ve been around the One Atomic Blonde blog or my social media for any length of time, you will have seen me tout the benefits of Sakara Life’s Signature Nutrition Program and supplemental products like the Metabolism Super Powder, Beauty + Detox Water Drops, and Protein Super Bars (among many other offerings!).

Sakara is all about using plants as medicine, and their meals and products are backed by cutting-edge nutrition science and traditional healing wisdom to give your body what it needs to thrive.

They source all of their ingredients from trusted suppliers and organic farms that use healthy, sustainable agriculture practices.

The Sakara Life organic meal delivery program is based on a whole-food, plant-rich diet that includes fresh, nutrient-dense, and delicious ingredients. Our nutritional pillars form the basis of each and every meal that comes to your door.

The pillars of nutrition which form the basis of Sakara Life’s program and philosophy are as follows:

No Calorie Counting

Plant Protein

Eat Your Water

Greens

Good Fats

Eat the Rainbow

Nutrient Density

Sulfur-Rich Veggies

Body Intelligence

What is Included in the Level II Detox?

  • Five days of whole food, plant-rich meals plus functional beverages

  • Medical-grade supplements

  • Detoxifying rituals and complimentary gifts to support your cleansing process 

  • Daily guidance and support from the coaches on Sakara’s Wellness Team 

The detox eliminates meat, dairy, gluten, sugar (including fruit), nuts, soy, nightshades, pesticides, harmful chemicals, alcohol, and caffeine.

Sakara suggests prepping for the detox a few days ahead of time if you can in order to make for a smooth cleanse experience and allow you to maximize your results.

Suggested Prep:

* Review the Guide to Level II (which will be sent ahead of time)

* Eat (extra) clean. Stick to clean meals, supplemented with whole food snacks (like raw fruit and veggies, nuts and seeds), cutting out packaged foods, processed sweets, and junk.

* Hydrate! Target three liters a day to start flushing out toxins.

* Reduce coffee. Avoid going cold turkey on Day 1 of the cleanse (which could result in intense detox symptoms). Try switching to a gentler caffeine source, like green tea, ahead of time.

* Cut back on sugar. Yes, including alcohol. By cutting back now, you’ll temper possible sugar withdrawal symptoms during the cleanse and will likely experience fewer cravings.

* Adjust your social calendar. Cleanse week is about you. You’ll get the most out of Level II if you stick to it as designed, and minimizing temptations helps greatly. We recommend reserving Detox week to self-care, keeping your evenings as free as possible. 

They recommend thinking about your intentions for the cleanse as well, as you are not just cleansing from potentially irritating foods, but also from toxic thought patterns and stagnant energy that no longer serves you.

Keep in mind that, while on the cleanse, they say it is best to stick to the program as it is designed, refraining from all outside food, drink, and supplements (even Sakara Rx: The Foundation and other Sakara Shop essentials).

Day 1 -3

The first three days of the detox I treat like a little game; I picture I am at a high end wellness spa, and tell myself that being able to commit to this detox is a privilege (which it is).

Included in the detox is a really useful checklist labeled “The Level II Detox: Essentials” (this is a recent addition; the first two times I completed the program it was not available yet) that I use religiously.

Wake up, dry brush, take my Beauty Drops, have my delicious whole food breakfast with my Morning Supplement Pack, and I am set. I also take a morning ride on my indoor bike, but that is the extent of my workouts, as Sakara recommends no strenuous exercise while you are detoxing.

After the morning breakfast and supplements, two cups of Digestive Tea (one bag makes two cups), have my lunch, more tea, and then a refreshing Probiotic Coconut Kefir.

Dinner is Medicinal Broth for the first 3 days, and I have to be honest, I struggle with the broth. I have heated it, used chives in it from my garden, and it is still a big rough to get down. BUT I DID IT.

After dinner I take my Evening Supplement Pack and GI Rebuild + Repair pack, and before bedtime dry brush again before having Detox Drops and passing OUT.

Thankfully I don’t feel hungry on this detox, especially the first 3 days. As long as I make the time to commit to the process, everything tends to go quite well.

Day 4

Day 4 is an all liquid day, but fear not! The liquids are hearty and contain soups and also the trusty Probiotic Coconut Kefir.

The rituals are the same, but the meals are replaced with Detox Smoothies (THE GREEN JUICE IS ROUGH OK I’LL SAY IT. Just get it down.) and soups, which are really delicious. Love the soups.

As long as you get through this day, you are golden.

Day 5

Day 5 is delightful; you will go through the same rituals and routine, but the meals are so nourishing and filling. I’m particularly obsessed with the Sunshine Squash Protein Frittata - it’s such a hearty relief in the morning after a day of liquids!

Whenever I finish this detox I feel such a sense of accomplishment. It is not for the faint of heart, and it does not claim to be. Sakara clearly states that this is an advanced program and recommends eating their Signature Meal Program at least a week before and after to both prep and ease your body into a safe transition after you finish detoxing.

This is one of the best and most satisfying detoxes I have done in my day (and I have tried a LOT so you don’t have to.)

You can sign up for the next Level II Detox via my link here, which starts on September 12th.

*Sakara usually has two Level II Detox start dates monthly and will have the dates posted, so it is easy enough to sign up! If you are already a subscriber to Sakara meals, the option to opt in to the Level II Detox will pop up on your calendar.

And as always, my code ATOMICBLONDESAKARA will take 20% off your order site wide if you are new to Sakara Life.

Happy Detoxing!

Xoxo


See this content in the original post