Like almost everyone in the past few years, I’ve tried juice cleanses. I was not a huge fan because I am not really a juice or smoothie devotee. I like to eat and chew food. Juice cleanses made me feel full of liquid and starving. Then I saw Soupology on Gilt City and I was super curious. Soupology founder Alison Velazquez is a graduate of Kendall College’s Culinary Arts Program. Pure Wow said, “her delicious flavors, like carrot coconut curry or sesame ginger broth, will make you forget that you’re on a cleanse.”
Soupology is a unique cleanse program that “combines flavored alkaline waters and carefully crafted soup blends that work to detoxify and flush out the body.” Soupology “gives your digestive system a break while flooding the body with nutrients which works to clear the body of toxins more quickly and effectively.” They say that for many this is a better cleansing option than juice. Soups keep fiber from the vegetables and along with a variety of vitamins and nutrients are all maintained in the souping process. The other great part of souping is that there are no huge blood sugar spikes because the focus is vegetables and savory flavors.
According to Soupology, the benefits of “souping” may include:
- Flushing out harmful toxins
- Losing weight organically
- Preventing and control health problems
- Healthier immune system
- Increase in energy
- Reduction in cravings
- Decrease bloating
- Glowing skin and shiny hair
Soupology is currently available in Chicago for local pickup and delivery each Sunday. The cleanse includes an alkaline water (to help balance your body’s pH), four pureed soups and one nut milk per day. All menu items are gluten-free and vegan.
I ordered a One-day “Quickie Cleanse” from Gilt City. It included one alkaline water, four organic soups and a nut milk (approximately 1000–1200 calories total). The directions say to start with #1 and have a soup every two hours and to skip coffee. Eek. I did the former and ignored the latter. The one days cleanse starts with “Buenos Dias Acapulco”- a pineapple, jalapeño and cilantro alkaline water. Next up is “Paris Fashion Week” – a lemon-tamari veggie broth. Then comes my fave “Hollywood Hills” – a butternut squash and coconut milk soup. Soup 4 is “Miami Poolside” – a spicy black bean, carrot soup. Number 5 is Fountain of Youth – a delicious, filling green soup. Finally you get a chilled “Sleeping Beauty” a spiced pumpkin and cashew milk drink.
I enjoyed the one day cleanse. The soups are fresh and light. The butternut squash and green soups were my favorites. I liked the alkaline water and broth, too. I was surprised at how much I liked the cashew milk drink. I was not a fan of those in the juice cleanses I tried. This one has some of my favorite flavors and a nice texture, too. I felt good at the end of the day but slightly waterlogged and kind of hungry. 1000-1200 calories is much lower than my usual intake and I did exercise in the morning as I normally do. I had a handful of cashews and called it a day. I woke up feeling good.
I got a 25% off coupon at Gilt City and there was a great deal on a 5 day Soupology cleanse so I got that one, too. (Of course I did.) After all of my travels, I wound up getting it the first week I was home. I made it through a day and a half and I decided to go back to solid food and a soup or two a day. I did not have the desire to exercise less (recommended) and 5 days is too long for me to have such a low calorie diet. Three days or subbing some meals (although I know this is not the point) seemed to work better for me. Since the fresh soups only last a week, I offered two days worth to my friend, Molly. Molly is always game to try something new – especially if it is gluten free and vegan.
Here is our exchange on chat:
me: Hey – I’m doing my Soupology post. Any comments?
Molly: Hi! Unlike you, i LOOOVED the cashew milk. I wish I could have it every night
me: I have two more! I did have it after that Nike workout and I like it better than the Blue Print ones
Molly: I was a fan of the butternut squash and the green soup.
me: Yes – me too!
Molly: The others weren’t very substantial.
me: Those are my faves and yes, I agree.
Molly: There was one with mushrooms that was good, but needed a huge chunk of bread in order for it to be a meal.
me: ha ha ha. Yeah – the whole sipping broth thing never fills me up. I have tried it a million times. Who am I kidding? nothing fills me up!
Molly: I know, story of my life. I almost wished they had another cold soup, warming them up was kind of cramping my style.
[Note – They added a few more chilled options in the Spring line up.]
me: Did you try the alkaline water in the morning?
Molly: I liked that water actually but I also like the Blueprint Spicy Lemonade
Molly: I think the soups were really good – way better than store bought. They tasted fresh.
me: I agree.
Molly: If they sold them at Whole Foods, I would definitely get them ala carte. I guess that is not the point.
me: Oh. Good point. Thank you for weighing in! 🙂
What do you think? Have you tried a juice cleanse? Would you try “souping”?
You can check out Soupology on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Gilt City has a current deal (not as good as the one I got! If you are new to Gilt City, you can get 25% off of your first purchase with this link. (Affiliate Link)
Want to see what other people are trying on Tuesday? Check out the Tried It Tuesday link up at Lake Shore Runner!
Please note: I purchased these items from Gilt City. This post was not sponsored in any way by Soupology or Gilt City.
PS. Don’t miss my great giveaways including the Wednesday Giveaway Round Up Link Up!