Interview with Rose Cleanser, Blogger, and Detox Authority Rande McDaniel

I’m so honored to introduce one of my blogging/detox heroines Rande McDaniel! She’s been conducting a series of interviews with myriad Rose Cleansers over the past several weeks that are utterly inspiring. Today, however, she so kindly agreed to share her very own answers to her Rose Cleanse questionnaire right here on Ooh Lola! Her blog, The Vegetable Centric Kitchen is rockstar. Below you will also find her recipe for sweet potato sushi that looks completely mouthwatering!!! Thanks Rande!

Who are you?

My name is Rande McDaniel, I’m a Flight Attendant-health nut living in the Pacific Northwest. I blog at thevegetablecentrickitchen.com


What were your reasons: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, etc for embarking on the cleanse?

I’ve spent a lot of time juicing until dinner as a practice, never really considering it a “cleanse”. Cycling in and out of it has been rough on my body and I wanted to make in a more permanent thing and have the support of a group. I can’t say it was or wasn’t about weight loss, that was more of a secondary thing. I love feeling light in my body and having space and energy and creativity during the day. Juicing allows for this. I’ve struggled immensely with emotional eating and having the energy to carry me through a day without having to be concerned about a meal until I can settle down in the evening is a lifesaver. Mentally I wanted to feel calmer and clearer and spiritually I find it easier to connect when I’m not obsessed with food or weight or feeling “off” in any way.

What detox symptoms, if any, have you experienced?

A few headaches and some tiredness in the first week. A bit of puffiness and bloating. Nothing too crazy but I’ve really transitioned into this.

What positive changes have you noticed?

Emotionally I feel much calmer. I have boundaries that my body and head appreciate. I think my body had been craving this for a long time and I was having a hard time letting go of eating when I didn’t need to. I’d eat just for “fun” and end up needing a coffee. My clothes are much more comfortable and I’m enjoying what I see in the mirror. I find it much easier to be present during the day.

What was your lifestyle like (regarding food and health) prior to the cleanse and what are you planning for after the cleanse?

I’ve followed Natalia Rose’s work for years and gotten better and better at it. I’ve experimented with a lot of things (vegetarian, vegan, raw foods, various diet books) but I always come back to her books. Juicing, a vegetable centric diet, food combining, and colon cleansing are where it’s at for me. I’ve struggled at times to stick with it and just prior to the cleanse I think I was convincing myself that I *was* juicing until dinner on most days…if by “juicing” you mean almond milk lattes and chocolate infused wheatgrass shots…The difference between that and *actually* juicing ‘til dinner is huge and I plan on sticking with this for as long as it feels right for me.

Are there any tips or inspiration you would like to share with fellow cleansers or those curious in a cleansing lifestyle?

It’s important to know *why* you’re doing it and to be able to remind yourself of that. When I’m feeling a little “off” I’ve been able to remind myself that a piece of chocolate cake does not actually *fix* that “off” feeling for very long and that I’ll just end up feeling sad, foggy, and weighted down. I’m learning to breathe through the difficult moments and enjoy the freedom that comes with a healthy body and a clear head. Oh. and clean your freaking colon. It will change your life.

Sweet Potato Sushi Rolls
nori sheets
parsnips
avocado slices
green onions
cilantro, chopped
sweet potatoes
srichacha sauce or Trader Joe’s Sweet Chili Sauce
nama shoyu

Preheat oven to 400. Slice sweet potatoes into thin fry shapes, coat with hot sauce and bake for 30 minutes. Place parsnips into a food processor and pulse to a rice-like consistency. Lay nori sheet flat, scoop a layer of parsnip-rice over the bottom third of the sheet. Layer sweet potato fries and veggies on top. Starting on the rice end, roll everything up snugly into a tube shape, leaving a bit of the nori sheet out. Moisten that last little bit of nori and continue rolling. This will be your “seal”. Cut into about 6 pieces for each roll.