AGAVE Question

[harbour]

Sorry if this has been asked before but I noticed while reading your posts that several of you have done the Master Cleanse.

I am on Day 7 and would like to try substituting my maple syrup with agave nectar. Could any of you tell me which kind is suitable for the MC and what I should look out for/avoid?

thanks!
-anna

[Sygma]

When I was researching that cleanse, I read that it is very important not substitute but to do it exactly as directed in the original publication.

So, frankly, I don't think you should substitute.

By the way, do you guys really think that cleanse is raw? Isn't maple syrup processed?

[Eva]

Maple syrup is not raw.

There is even debate if agave is truly raw. I have been satisfied with the way small amounts make my body feel, along with what I have read, that it can be raw "enough." The only agave I use is Madhava raw agave. I don't know if it would be easy to find truly raw agave in Vienna. I never managed to find it in Budapest, but I only looked for a month before I asked my husband (who calls himself my "mule") to cart it over for me in his luggage when he came to visit.

I do not buy honey for personal reasons. But, if you do not mind using an animal product, raw honey is like maple syrup in its healthfulness and can be found raw somewhat easily. I bet you can even find all sorts of lovely varieties in Vienna. :) Ah, it's not liquid though, so I don't know how you would work that out.

[AutumnBreezColordLeavz]

This is what I found for you.
You may have to call and ask about the agave before going.
I am sure you will go to Vienna for other purposes at some point then just agave nectar. Appears to me that they are bragging about Natures First Law and David Wolfe. Maybe NFLaw are sending internationally.

http://www.vegetarian-restaurants.net/Europe-Vegetarian-Cities/Vienna-Vegetarian-Restaurants.htm

[RawHeaven]

My take on the master cleanse is do what you feel is best. Listen to your body and pay attention to it's signals.

I've completed 5 lengthy MC's - 21 to 40 days. I used maple syrup with the first couple and substituted agave nectar with the latter. I honestly felt much better energetically while I was using the maple syrup. There is a non-raw, but holistically focused book (The Complete Master Cleanse) by Tom Woloshyn who is one of Stanley Burroughs' proteges. He states in his books that it's not a good idea to substitute with agave due to the apparent lesser minerals and this may have an adverse impact on your results or your body's ability to fully benefit from cleansing. This could very well be true but I didn't notice any major differences, other than I seemed to be able to stay on the MC longer with the maple syrup. And quite frankly the agave was a bit too sweet for me and I like the taste of the maple syrup better. I've been raw for over a year now and I find myself not being as overly strict with myself as I was in the beginning. I don't focus too much on what is 98.9% or 100% raw anymore. I just make a decision which is best for myself and my body.

I wouldn't worry too much about using either the agave nectar or the maple syrup. Just monitor how you're feeling with whichever one you choose and go from there.

If you really want to remain raw while you're on the MC and this is important to you, than perhaps go with the agave. It's all about personal choice I think and what works best for you personally.

Just my opinion.

[RawHeaven]

I forgot to mention that I can no longer complete a master cleanse. I find that the agave or maple syrup disrupts my system too much. I feel spacey. Raw foods are healing and cleansing in and of themselves. The longer you choose to eat raw foods, I think you may begin to experience graduating to other types of cleanses and fasts. I can only complete water fasts and green juice fasts or feasts now. I don't think my body responds to the MC the same way anymore because my systems and organs are "cleaner".
Just food for thought. Not really on the subject, but sort of. :p

[harbour]

Thank you all for your promt replies and help!
You're the best.
-anna

[Sygma]

I think you should try just being raw for awhile and then doing a juice feast or green smoothie cleanse. I think it might be the easiest way. :D

In any case, Good Luck with your cleanse! :)

[Raw Joy]

I too think the point of the maple syrup is all the vitamins and minerals.

Is it raw? No.

Does it provide more nutrients than agave, thus helping you be more nourished? Yes.