Why Cleanse?

I have gotten a lot of questions about why I choose to do cleanses... so I thought I'd tell you the answer here.  First of all, let me just say that the kind of cleanses I choose, while challenging - are NOT starvation based.  In fact, I have actual food every day while on them, and I feel more satisfied then I have on any "diet" plan I've tried.  Often, people hear the word cleanse, and they picture me drinking lemon water for 10 days.  I do not believe that's necessary for most people, nor do I want to go through that at this time.  What I DO want, is to be free of toxic, processed, and addictive foods.  I want more energy, clearer skin, a positive attitude, and freedom to go about my day, without the next meal, consuming all of my thoughts.  On this most recent cleanse, I can say - check, check, check, and check!
I watched the movie, "Food Inc" in 2008, and it truly changed my life.  I began eating more plant-based and organic foods; if I did eat animal products, they were organic, free range, and humanely treated.  I enrolled in an online nutrition program at Integrative Nutrition and studied hundreds of diet theories - most of which I've tried in some form, to see if it fit for me.  Just over two weeks ago, I watched the movies, "Food Matters" and "Fat Sick and Nearly Dead".  Both of those validated my beliefs and choices, and inspired me to commit to making the changes I know I needed.  In other words, I've had the knowledge for awhile, but I've been struggling to make the choices that best nourish me.  For the last three weeks, the struggle has lessened significantly, and I have enjoyed "clean eating".
I feel so very passionate that this is the answer for me - and for many others.  The Western approach towards obesity - of pills, and cutting people up, is barbaric, inhumane -and perpetuates the cycle of sickness.  I believe that our "health" system keeps people stuck in cycles that keep them dependent on medicine, and methods that are invasive and just plain ineffective.  People think that this way of plant-strong eating is drastic, and they often say, "I could never live without my..."  Yet, these same people ask me why I don't just have gastric bypass surgery.  Do you truly think that cutting me open and rerouting my intestines is less drastic than eating plants?!  To that, I say - it has proven to be NO MORE effective than any other method of calorie restriction.  Furthermore, choosing that option means I could face death, a life-time of medical issues, dependence on medicine and vitamins, mal-nourishment, hair-loss, etc. etc.  I would rather be healthy than skinny.  I haven't always been able to say that, but it's so true for me today.  I know so many women, with bodies I'd kill for - who OBSESS about losing that last 5 to 10 pounds.  Yet, their day is filled with Diet Soda, fat-free pudding, sugar-free jello, low-carb tortillas, "light" bread, etc. etc. etc.  I know, because that's how I lost 200lbs. - through chemicals in my "food" and nicotine in my mouth.
I have done so much harm to my body - my goal at this point is to help heal it as much as I can.  I am finally feeding it real nourishment, and giving it what it needs to work effectively.  Will I be perfect from here forward, HELL NO!  It's not always easy to say no to things in the moment, especially those that might give me a little zip, and taste so damn good - chemicals or not.  However, I have spent far too long trusting that the crap on the shelves is safe, and I consumed mass quantities of it.  I urge you to choose one of the movies I've mentioned and watch it.  Knowledge is power.  When we know better, we can do better.  Every one of you is worth making the choices that heal your bodies.  The diet industry, the grocery business, and the FDA are NOT invested in your health, they are invested in remaining the billion dollar a year industries that they are... you are gambling with your life.