It is mind bending to encounter someone who has an opinion based on limited information. What caused this epiphany? The Master Cleanse did it in the kitchen with a juicer. (Fans of the board game CLUE would get that one.) Taking away food for two weeks revealed the Opinion Addiction.

What is the Master Cleanse? In place of food you drink water with a shot of lemon juice, two tablespoons of maple syrup a dash of cayenne pepper - followed nightly, with a laxative tea called, get this, Smooth Move. Sure, there’s weight loss, as you only consume about 650 calories a day, but the benefits also include:

• Sustained boost in energy
• Detoxification
• Improved complexion
• Heightened mental acuity

 The experience also reveals a bunch of insights:

• Don’t trust a sneeze
• The act of eating is addictive
• It is possible to go two weeks without solid food
• It takes a good deal of self control to sit around and watch people eating
• You retain untold waste in your intestines until you implement a way to flush them out (I can neither confirm or deny, at one point, there was evidence of a Barbie shoe and a three-prong adapter)

In the spring, gearing up for the first round of the Master Cleanse, a buddy with experience insisted, “Read The Master Cleanse book.” Indeed, it made a massive difference understanding what you’re getting into. On the sideline, two friends decided, without reading the book, they would also do the ‘cleanse.’ By noon on the first day, they were out.

After 14 days, 12 pounds shed, plus an exceptional surge in energy, the thing that stood out were how many people said, “You know, that's not good for you.” I wondered how they know if they didn’t put some time into researching or exploring it?

Another interaction happened at Central Market a few days ago. Going into replenish the ingredients for a second round of the Master Cleanse, a store employee was appalled at my decision. Based on limited information, he basically looked down his nose at what he assumed was an unhealthy way to lose weight. (The second time, no weight was lost, but the detoxification, energy, complexion and mental acuity were all enhanced.)

Are people entitled to their opinion? Of course.

Is it always welcome? No.

Is your opinion based on anecdotal information or sufficient research and experience? Your call - measured alongside your level of addiction to giving your opinion.

So whether your addiction is offering opinions, eating or something more destructive, if you do the Master Cleanse… count on this one – don’t trust a sneeze.