My Simple Smoothie Cleanse Guide
- Sheterria Sparks
- Jul 18, 2022
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 13, 2025
Light workloads, rooftop bars, and tan bare skin--all the essentials of a great summer vacation. It's the three months I dream about all semester long, yet I'm hardly ever prepared when it gets here! Between part time jobs, blogging, and a full time student schedule, it was nearly impossible for me to have enough hours to myself to make nutritious meals as much as I like to--and certainly not enough time to make it to my local gym. So when summer came around and I barely had enough energy for my friends, a wild sleep schedule, and barely any room in my bathing suits from the year before I knew something needed to be done--and fast!
I debated on two weeks of raw vegan dieting, a month of intense morning cardio, three weeks of pilates and walking my dog but no, nothing quite fit. A week later, I ran into the owner of Sea Smoothie at a local popup and it clicked for me. Sea Smoothie is a self-operated sea moss smoothie business uniquely ran out a local clothing store in my hometown. I've been a devoted customer since the days in which the business was ran from owner James Smith's home. I initially gave them a try awhile back due to the simplicity of the black owned operation, but upon first try I received so much more. Not only was my hearty smoothie made with fresh fruit and sea moss daily, it also came in customized shelling with the cutest jumbo straw and car side delivery. Which showed me Smith was a business man who understands the importance of adding hospitality and aesthetics to a great taste.
Due to my obsessive personality, obviously I chugged my smoothie in five minutes and immediately did my research on the essential ingredient of sea moss inside of it. I found out that sea moss promotes heart health and weight loss, aids in workout recovery, and is one of the healthiest sources of iodine. This was great news that no longer made me feel guilty for my $8 smoothie splurges every week after that. (I could retire the "treat yourself" excuse and use the "self-care" one instead!)
When I ran into Smith two weeks after school ended and nearly busting out of my pants, it felt like a sign. I purchased a week's worth of pre-bottled sea moss smoothies--one for the morning and one for the night--and began mentally preparing myself. Out of all eight flavors, I am a devout fan of the Tropical Ron but didn't want to get tired of the flavor so I got a few random ones as well. I had never done a smoothie detox before so I will admit I was dreading it and unsure if I'd stick to it at all. I decided to take a before photo for motivational purposes that I'll attach below.
Day 1
This was a fairly easy day for me hunger wise. I had a very busy day that made the process of going from breakfast to dinner feel like the blink of an eye. And I began with my favorite flavor so that was a plus. However, I did have low energy this day. Though this was probably heightened by my Sunday night habit of sleeping midday and staying up all night.
Day 2
This day was a challenge for me, not hunger wise but irritability wise. My mind got very fixated on the thought that I was not even halfway done with this detox and it immediately caused me to have an attitude. Also, this was around the time that everything (and I mean everything down to the ramen noodles) smelled good when it was cooked around me--which was super irritating! But I felt lighter by the time I woke up the next day, which felt great.
Day 3
This was the first day my tummy began growling at me in between breakfast and lunch. I made a promise to myself before starting that even though I wanted to detox, I should never neglect my body's needs so I headed to the grocery store for celery sticks and apples after work. When I say those celery sticks tasted like a five star meal? I mean it. I also picked up some Yogi tea, which is my holy grail for feeling like a real health goddess. I recommend every flavor at least once!
Day 4
By this day, things were getting easier for me. Mostly because I was getting into the groove of the end of the week which usually means less corporate work and more creative work that makes me feel really happy and keeps me from thinking about anything else--especially food. And with my gourmet apple slices and celery sticks I felt unstoppable. This was also the first day I looked in the mirror and noticed that my skin looked more radiant than it ever had in my life and my energy levels were through the roof. It was crazy to think that my main concern was feeling too sluggish to get anything done and I was starting to feel the exact opposite. (Thank you sea moss!)
Day 5
This was a tough day only because my aunt had a birthday dinner and I truly had to test my willpower. Remember when I said ramen noodles were smelling like heaven a few days before? That feeling had quadrupled and my heart was truly in pain. Okay, I'm being dramatic but sitting at that table was hard! But I'll never forget how proud I was when I left the restaurant without breaking a single guideline I had set for myself so close to my deadline. This was also the day I came home and took my after photo, even though I wasn't done until a day later my tummy looked great already. I simply forgot to take one when it was actually over, I was too busy on my way to the nearest plate of pasta I could find.
Day 6
This was the last day and truly an easy one! Until I accompanied my best friend to her little brother's track meet and sat in 90 degree heat. I stayed strong and resisted the Dip'n Dots and the hot fudge sundaes--but I rationalized with myself and decided a shaved ice cup was essentially a more sugary sea smoothie and decided to cave in and indulge in one. Besides it was my last day and how often do you see a shaved ice truck? Despite all of that, I felt better than I had in years. My skin and body looked amazing and I was quite proud of myself for the commitment I had made--but I was overjoyed that it was over!
Overall, I was so happy not only with my body results but my skin results as well. I felt my most beautiful inside and out on that last day and only 20% of that feeling came from my external appearance. My energy levels were better than they ever had been, my sleep schedule was much more consistent, and I even had smoother bathroom trips.
My smoothie cleanse not only helped me during the week of, but followed me far beyond. I thought I would be running back to all of the fried, fast and easy foods I had become accustomed to but I simply couldn't. My stomach couldn't even handle it. The following week, I bought tons of healthy groceries to begin meal prepping my lunches and small fruits and grains to eat before heading out for the day--a huge transitions from my daily Starbucks and Chick-fil-a runs before and during work. My new found energy also got me back in the gym before starting my 10 hour work day, something that used to feel completely out of the question. And with a wake up time of 4:30am every morning, my sleep schedule became its most consistent since my elementary school days. Sure, some nights I'm in bed before the sun has fully set but most times the only thing I'm missing is a couple extra hours of scroll time on my phone, something I've always wanted to diminish anyway. Since my cleanse at the end of May, I have seen over 10 pounds of weight loss while gaining muscle in the process.
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