Last week I decided to road-test a couple of juice cleanses currently on the market.

You can read about it here.

Through my naturopathic training, I became interested in juice cleanses and by second year, had lashed out on “The Angel Juicer.” Twin geared, cold-pressed, all stainless steel (yes, that is a choir of angels you hear singing in the background), it’s the Thermomix of juicers. But to be honest, after a stubborn virus and a busy schedule before heading overseas this week, shopping and prepping kilos of veggies just wasn’t going to happen. I needed quick and simple goodness stat.

Which brings me to guinea pig No. 1:

Orchard St.

Based in Woollahra, Sydney, I immediately loved the fact the genius creator of Orchard St, Kirsten Shanks, is a Naturopath, Nutritionist and Herbalist.

The cleanses include juices, fermented tonics, nut milks and water elixirs and all the juices are cold-pressed and organic. All are created from local, chemical-free, sustainable produce, including wild herbs and weeds like river mint, nettle and dandelion – nom nom. On top of that, they all come neatly encased in glass. (What’s not to love right? I know!) Tick, Tick, Tick.

I trialled the 3-day Pure Cleanse, the lowest in fructose, but they also offer their Signature Cleanse with a greater mix of fruit and veg and a Green Cleanse, perfect for a pure unbridled alkalising body-bath (an internal one that is) as well as a range of customised and superfood options.

Each day I was supplied 6 x 500ml bottles that included:

Green Ganesh (kale, avocado, coconut water, chia seeds, probiotics, spirulina, vanilla, stevia)

This was divine (as long as you’re cool with thick avocado smoothies). Deep green, comforting and nourishing.

Turmeric Kefir (alkaline water kefir, lemon, ginger, turmeric, cayenne, mountain pepper)

Bright yellow anti-inflammatory goodness. Kind of un-sweet (as opposed to bitter); cooling.

Green Fields (kale, cos lettuce, spinach, celery, cucumber, sea parsley, nettle)

Fresh and clean, like you’re drinking springtime.

Roots Grounded (carrot, celery, dandelion, lemon, ginger)

More your traditional-type juice. Well probably not seeing as though dandelion isn’t that common, but it’s a familiar, earthy veggie taste. True to its name, grounding.

Myrtle Elixir (alkaline water, nettle, aloe vera, chia seeds, stevia)

After a hard day on the ‘juice’, this is a really lovely ‘tasty glass of water with extra bits’. Cooling, calming and cleansing, that’s what I felt anyway.

Cashew Chai (alkaline water, cashew nuts, coconut butter, chai spice, sea salt)

OMG I’m trying to not think of just how many cashews and coconut butter go into making this delicious tummy tonic, but thank goodness it comes in a bottle that’s finite else I might have just kept on slurping. I do have to say it is a little too rich for me personally, but that doesn’t mean it’s not the yummiest way to end an evening for just 3 little days …

Finally, I cannot wax lyrical enough over Orchard St.’s design, branding and packaging (just look at those gorgeous labels!)

For a start, the website makes me want to live there and I could easily purchase one of everything offered.

But then the delivery! Oh the delivery.

Not only does it arrive on my doorstep by the loveliest delivery guy (even after my neighbors sent him on a wild goose chase in the dark saying my unit didn’t exist.. thanks neighbours!), but comes with the yummiest, rustic and most practical natural hessian/jute bag, a bunch of clear straws and 2 fresh sparkly lemons.

Can I just reiterate the value of the bag here? I thought at first, “Oh that’s nice…” (another bag) but it’s genius, because as soon as I realised I had to spend all day at work with no forethought to transporting the fragile glass bottles of goodness, it all became clear. The hessian bag has a plastic liner and the drinks all come packaged with reusable ice packs, so it became the perfect transporter for a day out and about. These guys have thought of everything.

If you can’t already tell, I loved the whole experience.

My only feedback would be some days I felt there was too much to drink (no chance of hunger pangs here!) and because the breakfast and dinner smoothies are super thick and nutritious, I felt like I could do with half the amount. However, on the other day I wolfed them all down without a second thought.

I’m quite sad my 3 day cleanse has finished (and I won’t be seeing that Green Ganesh or Cashew Chai again in the immediate future) but I have to say it’s been an absolute treat. I haven’t even noticed the lack of a glass of wine or coffee, nor have I craved the chew of solid food. It’s been a pure delight and my tummy is definitely feeling a whole heap calmer than a few days ago.

I’m now mid-way through my 3-day journey with Pressed Juices. All I can say is, they have big shoes to fill. Can they do it? I’ll fill you in shortly …

Kate is a qualified naturopath who is passionate about helping women heal from hormonal havoc and inspiring women to know their own power, worth and wisdom.

Kate offers one-on-one Skype consults for irregular cycles, PMS and period pain, endometriosis, PCOS, peri-menopause, mood swings, fatigue and mental and emotional stress.

Simply drop me an email to see how I can help you!