"cleanse" news and stories

• An ode to romaine: It's not just for Caesar anymore.
• They may sound one step away from a Hot Pocket, but Japanese hot pots couldn't be further away -- and they're really, really hot.
• Speaking of Hot Pockets, you weren't considering going on a cleanse, were you?
• This reviewer has a fever for the flavor of former "Top Chef" winner Ilan Hall's quirky downtown L.A. restaurant, the Gorbals.

...well, not forever. Technically, only for 21 days, along with all animal products, caffeine, sugar, alcohol, and gluten. Oh, right: and she's calling it a "cleanse," in hopes that it will prepare her for her "inner makeover."

Now, giving up alcohol, caffeine, and animal products is a difficult decision, and one that shouldn't be taken lightly.

But, (big surprise), I have several issues with this. First of all, I dislike the word "cleanse." It's often associated with that ridiculous maple syrup/cayenne pepper diet, and don't even try to convince me that it works, because depriving yourself of food is simply unhealthy, I don't care if you feel "amazing" or not (most likely, that "amazing, high" feeling is the effects of oxygen depletion to your brain, sweetie).