Interview With Jordan From TheBlondeVegan, All About Her 5 Day Cleanse And A Recipe!

Hello everyone! Today I want to share one of my favourite health inspirations with you all! The gorgeous Jordan aka. theblondevegan (picture of her above). She will also be sharing everything about her amazing 5 day cleanse and an amazing recipe from her cleanse with us all! So get cozy, get yourself a yummy cup of tea and get ready to be inspired!  🙂

Name: Jordan Younger
Age: 23
Current location: New York City

Contact:

Website: http://www.theblondevegan.com/

What’s your journey been so far? How did you become “theblondevegan” and what made you want to write an ebook on a cleanse?

– I found veganism last January because of severe stomach problems that had been plaguing me my entire life. I had spent years trying to figure out the eating style that worked best for my body. I knew that dairy and red meat did not work well with my system, so I was already predominantly pescetarian but I still ate eggs, fish, some poultry and wasn’t very careful about oils. I went through a rough break up at the end of 2012 and decided to make some changes in my life. One of the first things I did was try a 5-day “plant-based” cleanse, and immediately it was SHOCKING how amazing I felt physically, mentally and emotionally. My stomach problems were gone, I felt clearer, lighter, more energized and I was proud of my choices for myself and for the environment. I knew I had to continue eating an entirely clean and plant-based lifestyle in order to continue feeling amazing, so I fell in love with veganism and never looked back. I started playing around in the kitchen and making all sorts of yummy green smoothies, juices, roasted veggie dishes, salads and raw desserts. I took photos every day and sent them to my mom. I followed a lot of vegan bloggers on Instagram and online already (including you, missy!!) and last June I realized that I had enough photos and recipe ideas to create my own healthy food Instagram. I also love to write, so I decided to expand the Instagram into a blog so that I could share stories and more in-depth information with my followers. I decided to write the eBook because a 5-day plant-based cleanse changed my life, so I wanted to create the same type of experience for my followers and for anyone who was interested in doing the same thing. I wanted to create a cleanse that promoted a sustainable healthy lifestyle change and not a “quick fix” or any type of starvation cleanse.

What’s your food philosophy?

– My food philosophy is simple: find what works best for YOUR body, and then fall in love with that lifestyle. What works best for my body is a whole food, plant-based diet. I have the most energy, I feel the lightest and healthiest when I eat that way. I believe in everything in moderation – eat what you love, don’t deprive yourself! I get my greens in all day long so I deserve some dessert at the end of the day, whether that be raw chocolate or fruit with some raw honey and almond butter. I am also very active, which I think is a key component to leading a healthy lifestyle.

5 tips for health, fitness and just living a great life?

1.    1. Drink lots and lots of water! It keeps your skin hydrated and flushes everything out of your system to keep from bloating.

2.    2. Exercise, exercise, exercise. Yoga, running, swimming, biking, walking, taking the stairs whenever possible, etc. Just move J

3.    3. Green juices!!! The power of the greens will keep you healthy, glowing and radiant.

4.  4.   Don’t sweat the small stuff. FORGIVE, be happy, and know that you deserve peace above all else.

5.   5.  Smile. If you have a genuine smile on your face, you are flawlessly beautiful.

What exactly is a cleanse? Is it the same thing as a detox? And why does one need it?

– A cleanse is essentially the same thing as a detox. Cleanses are good for us because our body and our digestive systems need a rest once in a while. Our systems work hard to process and digest the food we eat each day. Imagine giving it a break for 5 days straight and letting it reboot and heal from the inside. Cleanses aid in avoiding disease, firing up our metabolism and eliminating body stress. Because we are ridding our bodies of built up toxins, we are able to relax and relieve ourselves of all sorts of things that make us feel nasty. Unless you eliminate certain foods from your diet, you’ll never know what works for you and what does not work for you.

What can people expect (as in results like less bloating for example etc.) from your cleanse? 

– People who participate in the cleanse can expect detoxification, shedding unwanted pounds, feeling light and awesome, becoming more aware of the foods they are putting into their body and how food makes them feel, and the reward of challenging themselves in a healthy way.

 

What’s your number one advice for someone following your cleanse?

– Pay attention to your body! If you are hungry, grab a piece of fruit to snack on. This cleanse is not about starving. It’s about making sustainable lifestyle changes and forming a positive relationship to food.

What’s your favourite recipe in your cleanse?

– I have two. The Naked Smoothie and the Butternut Squash Apple Soup (Jordan was kind enough to share the recipe forthe Butternut Squash Apple Soup, with us so make sure you keep on scrolling)! I also love the Strawberry Fields smoothie. I’m such a smoothie addict. 

How is your cleanse set up? (As in 3 meals a day or no food?) 

– 1 smoothie for breakfast, 2 juices throughout the day as snacks, a solid food meal for lunch that is either a salad or a soup with nuts/seeds, and a solid food meal for dinner that is either roasted veggies or a soup with nuts/seeds. You can also eat as many fruits, veggies and nuts as you’d like whenever you get hungry, so you do not have to stick strictly to the meals provided.

Where can one buy it? 

– You can purchase the cleanse here: gum.co/theblondevegancleanse

BUTTERNUT SQUASH APPLE SOUP

This might actually be my favorite recipe in the whole cleanse (minus some of the smoothies, of course). This soup is special to me because it was the first veggie soup I learned how to make in my blender. Learning how to make soups in my blender made my life as a vegan so much easier and a whole lot more exciting.
The flavors in this soup are reminiscent of fall but can be enjoyed at any time of year. The squash makes it thick and creamy while the apple adds a sweetness that pairs well with the subtlety of the squash. The pecans and raisins are a super delicious touch that give this soup an extra oomph. Oh, and the nutmeg brings out all the flavors while adding an oomph of its own. Delicious!

Ingredients:
½ butternut squash
½ apple
1 T nutmeg
½ cup water
salt and pepper to taste
OPTIONAL: ½ T olive oil
Toppings:
1 small handful pecans
1 small handful raisins

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Chop the butternut squash into cubes, and lightly drizzle in olive oil if you so desire.
2. Place the butternut squash into the oven and bake until golden brown. This should take about 30 minutes, depending on your oven.
3. Slice the ½ apple into small cubes. Once the squash is baked, remove from the oven and place all ingredients into a blender or food processor.
4. Blend until smooth. Add more water if necessary
5. Top with pecans and raisins.

Thank you so much for reading and a huge thanks to Jordan for sharing all her amazing wisdom with us! Don’t forget to check her out over at http://www.theblondevegan.com (what a cute name, huh?)

Have a lovely and healthy day, xxx

Yasmin