I have already begun my 21 day jump start to my life. As a matter of fact my 21 days end on the 21st of May. This actually began as something a church I attend felt lead to do. My mental clarity (calmer, better elimination, being in tune with myself and others) have drastically improved. What began as 21 days will continue indefinitely. I was definitely in the right place at the right time. I don't think my life will ever be the same. Ladies, I encourage all to participate and allow the cleansing the Lord has called for such a time as this. We have work to do and we need to be healthy and whole ourselves before we can help others. Keep the Faith! Pat Ann

I was getting mad watching the show when it first started. I'm so glad that the show took a turn and began showing people who improved their looks without Botox, Veneers, Lasik etc... At the start of the show I was thinking that Oprah had stooped to the level of "The Swan" and "Extreme Makeover." Those programs never talk about the fact that Botox doesn't last very long or that not everyone is a good candidate for Veneers or Lasik. I never understand why makeover shows always give people Lasik instead of just picking out a more flattering pair of frames for their glasses. Also I looked into veneers at one point and what they don't tell you on makeover shows is that your teeth have to be shaved down for the veneers to fit and the veneers don't last forever and will need to be replaced. At some point all those low income women from "The Swan" and those other shows will need to get their veneers replaced and they probably won't be able to afford it. Then what! Anyway, I'm glad that the show is now focusing more on eating right, meditating, and taking good care of yourself in order to look good!

Great Show!

I loved Kathy's segment, and I want to try the cleanse, though I have a slight allergy to soy, is there something else she recommends? Also, I KNOW I'm gonna need to go to green tea first and ween myself off coffee, my cocktail of choice for the last 24 years... Thanks a million for the jump start! Onward! Mug

As a vegan, I'm very excited to see Oprah giving up animal products! Ever since she had the author of Mad Cowboy, Howard Lyman, on her show, I think she's been heading in this direction. It seems that her diet has been slowly evolving away from animal products, little by little. And if an ex-cow rancher can give up animal products, anyone can! The recipe online for her Ceasar salad dressing is not free of animal products, though, which confused me.

I try to not eat too much soy now, since I think it's easy to over consume as a vegan (it has an estrogen-like hormone). I love almond milk now, and there are some products (like I use an apple and sage sausage) made from vital wheat gluten, instead of soy, but I still try to not eat it very often, either. We don't need a ton of protein anyways, and I try to get it from beans and nuts, pretty much. Blessings to all who are making positive changes in their lives over the next 21 days!

Grace and peace,

Jen

Does anyone know how to get chosen for these types of shows? I would love and feel like I desperately need a makeover. As a high school teacher, I would feel so much more confident.

Hi, thank you for your inquiry. Members can share their story or submit show ideas to the Producers by clicking the 'Be on the Show' link from the Oprah.com Homepage or The Oprah Show section at Oprah.com. There you can also see what projects we're working on.

I hope you find this helpful. Have a great day.

-HarpoBear, Oprah.com Community Producer

How can I find what the 21 day cleanse is? I'm willing to try anything!

I love veggies and fruit and can easily give up all meat for a few weeks or even months. My problem is refined sugar. I know, I know. I never even had a sweet tooth until I was around 44. What's that about anyway? Now I crave chocolate covered raisins, triple layer chocolate cake or any cake. Let's not talk about bananna pudding (the real southern stuff with 'nilla wafers), key lime pie or the giant molten thing at the local food place. Perhaps I need to print an article to remind myself why these things are bad for me and post on my fridge. I do like to run and excersise each day, so I reason that if I eat a pie I run an extra mile or two. Can I become a conscious eater? I do want to jump start my makeover from the inside out. I just finished my last piece of apple pie and will start my 21-day clease with my next meal today. Peace!

Hi, click the link above that says 'See what happened on the Show!' for more information. Hope this is helpful. Have a great day.

-HarpoBear, Oprah.com Community Producer

I will keep an open mind and watch todays program but let's get real. How many of these people really dress like this every day?!? I, for one, can "clean-up nicely" but I don't dress nice everyday. For starters, I can't afford to dress to the nines all the time and if I only had a few select outfits, I'd be doing laundry 7 days a week! I don't believe these shows really change people except for the moment.

May 20, 2008

It's an amazing coincidence how Oprah (her show and magazine) continue to offer PERTINENT information that I have related to over the years! A New Earth has provided my husband and me much "food" for discussion and guidance for living our best life, and this 21 day cleanse is right on target! I have experienced a major life change in the last 2 years - going through menopause, remarrying at age 49, moving to an island, retiring, seeing my youngest child graduate from high school and join the Navy as one of the few females in Intelligence (proud mama!), becoming a grandma (what a privilege!) ... it seems that EVERYTHING in my world is different!

But the one thing that has been on my mind through all this is the almost 20 pounds I gained while going through menopause (3 years ago) that I can't seem to lose. I had determined just a week ago that this next six weeks is my time to initiate the new habits that will take care of this once and for all. Even though I eat vegetarian and mostly macrobiotic, and even though I am very active with biking, yoga, etc., I realize that I need to be more conscious of the calories I consume and to be consistent with a truly beneficial exercise routine. I recently did research into actual "cleanse" (intestinal) programs and will be doing this for 6 days starting May 25 to kick start my new habits and had planned to use the following 5 weeks to establish my commitments. The timeliness of Oprah's 21 Day Cleanse will be so helpful to keep me motivated! Thank you! I am going out today to purchase Kathy Freston's book as it is JUST what I've been looking for... I realize that making these kinds of changes requires a WHOLE approach and I'm sure that her suggestions and guidelines will keep me on track.

I will be keeping a journal and tracking my progress. I am filled with anticipation to watch the new and improved ME reveal herself, ready to take on all my new roles in this life!

The cleanse is pretty much eliminating the following from your diet:

Caffeine
Sugar
Alcohol
Gluten
Animal products

I'm not really sure what gluten is. I'm sort of doing my own version of this cleanse because I know I can't get rid of it all at once, especially the gluten when it seems like all bread products even whole grain has it...but again, i'm not sure. Things to keep in mind: the book's author said it's about progress, not perfection...I love that! So I will take it day by day and do the best I can..that's my mindset going into this. I have to be realistic and make this cleanse fit my life. Unfortunately, work and studying for the CPA exam would go downhill without my daily coffee, so that's one item I can't eliminate for another 2 weeks. Lastly, don't underestimate the power of excercise.... Good luck to all who are partaking in this cleanse challenge! See you on the other side =)

My husband and I went vegan for one reason: We did not want animals harmed for our dining pleasures. But the health benefits are great too! I have been vegan for over 11 years, I am 54 years old, and look and feel great. My husband was vegan when I met him, he has been vegan for most of his adult life, about 40 years, he is now 58 years old, and he looks great too! The vegan diet is a bounty of fresh and healthy choices, colorful and tasty. By adopting a vegan diet, you will enjoy extra energy, a slim and trim body, and excellent health. Not to mention the fact that you will NOT be supporting factory farming, that cruel and inhumane practice of raising animals for food. Go vegan, and your body will thank you, and so will the animals!!

While I have not read Kathy Freston's book, I was disheartened to listen to her speak about the "energy in food" on Oprah's show today. I will not deny that animals can be treated poorly in the meat industry, people are treated worse in the fruit and vegetable industry. Migrant workers are treated with little to no respect anywhere in the Western world. They work for wages that no one could live off of and in conditions that no one should live in. They have no legal rights in the countries that need their labour to get fruits and vegetables to their tables. Would that kind of mistreatment energy also not "transfer" into the healthy fruits and vegetables that Ms. Freston is so concerned about? What does that say about all of our "spiritual enlightenment?"

I am so dissapointed in Oprah for this show! I just recently had a thought about this issue, now that Oprah has embraced the New Earth teachings, I thought she'd practice what she preached or walked the talk! Nope! This show is all about how you look!! Selling youthfulness! what the heck?!!Oprah, stop these ego feeding shows!!!