acknowledgments
From Jo and Jules: Thank you, Mel, for your unwavering commitment and steadfast attention to detail. We couldn’t have dreamed up a more loyal and loving right-hand woman. To Martha, thank you for the beautiful illustrations you created for this project and for all the creative and technical hats you wear. You amaze us! To Kimba, thank you for joining us in the kitchen and for bringing your culinary creativity and intuition to so many of the recipes in this cookbook. To Julia, thank you for capturing the spirit of this cookbook and for making us laugh with your silly fart jokes. To Ann, you have made what could have been a daunting project, a breeze. Thank you for your easygoing demeanor (even in the face of meeting a deadline during a pandemic), inspiring professionalism, and incredible attention to detail.
From Jo: To my mom, for always believing in me and standing strong in your belief that healing is possible. To my dad, for dreaming big and inspiring me to work hard every day. To my husband, for taking on any recipe challenge, for supporting me unconditionally, and for loving our family fiercely. To my daughter, for being the true light in my life and for making me laugh until my belly hurts.
From Jules: To Enzo, Rocco, and Dax, you are my everything. Being your mom is what fills my heart with joy every single day. To Digger, my favorite dinner companion, had it not been for your encouragement, this cookbook may not have happened. Your whatever-it-takes willingness and unwavering support are the glue that holds our family together. I love you. To Jo, our shared belief in the body’s ability to heal is what brought us together. Our differences have created a wide-open, sacred space for people to realize that healing. I’m forever grateful for you and our cocreation. To my amazing family, thank you for listening and helping me navigate this crazy thing called life. I would not be where I am today without your love, support, and friendship. CTM, my sweet friend, thank you for enthusiastically testing nearly every recipe I sent your way. And to the countless teachers, healers, and mentors who have walked before me, thank you for sharing your wisdom and grace with me.
about the authors
Julie (Jules) Peláez is the cofounder of the Conscious Cleanse and a board-certified Holistic Health Coach. For more than 15 years, Jules has championed the health benefits of cleansing the body through eating a living-food, plant-based diet. Jules teaches that food is never just about food—it’s a gateway to self-discovery and has the power to create a ripple effect in the rest of your life. A certified yoga teacher and lifelong learner, Jules lives with her husband and three children in the Boulder, Colorado, area.
Jo Schaalman was a state champion gymnast, a nationally ranked diver, and a diving coach. While prepping for medical school, she was T-boned by a semitruck during a cross-country bike tour. As a result of the accident, Jo was told that she wouldn’t live a normal life, let alone become a doctor. Her recovery process was both physically and emotionally grueling, but through her own healing, she was able to unlock some universal healing principles that could not only help her, but other people as well. These discoveries became key foundations of the Conscious Cleanse. Because of her experience, Jo is driven to help people who think healing is out of their reach. Although she never became a doctor, Jo has been able to fulfill her lifelong mission of helping people heal. Jo lives in Boulder, Colorado, with her husband and two kids.