Juice Detox Fast or Feast?

I was so excited that yesterday was spring, I decided to do a juice detox as a form of "spring cleaning" for the inside of my body. I haven't had much luck with juice fasts in the past. I usually give in before mid-afternoon. I think the problem has been not drinking enough juice. Instead of a juice "fast" I need to think of it as a juice "feast" and be sure to drink plenty of juice. By evening I was super hungry. I could tell it was hunger instead of a craving because plain carrots was sounding delicious. I usually have to have hummus or peanut butter to eat carrots. I don't care that much for them raw without the dip. But, last night, I could have eaten a whole bag raw! I managed to get through the "spring cleaning" and felt really good when I woke up this morning. Besides giving my digestive system a break, I felt good that I stuck with my detox plan. For me, juicing is one of those things I have to work my way up to doing more often. I prefer smoothies where you blend up the entire fruit or veggie and have the pulp. I want to experiment with more juicing this summer. I think adding is much easier than taking away, so instead of taking the food away, I will add a juice a day. I normally drink 32 ounces of water with lemon and local honey first thing in the morning. It's a great way to start my day. I healed a year-long cough in a couple weeks with that concoction. I alternated the lemon and honey water with ginger, honey, and OJ. I read about it on a holistic website somewhere a couple years ago when I was looking for ways to heal my chronic lung infection. It worked! I've been hooked every since. But the other juices, that is an acquired taste for me. I'm getting there.

I would love to hear from you about your juicing experience and favorite juice recipe!

Kathy

SPRING CLEANING #Juicing #Detox

I love spring. It's my favorite time of the year. To me, it feels like more of a fresh start and renewal of the spirit than New Year's Day. It's a time of forgiveness. I am forgiving myself for the numerous times I've fallen off of the wagon this past winter. It's also traditionally a time to clear out the clutter and do spring cleaning. That's exactly what I am doing. The first day of spring which is next Thursday, I am doing a "spring cleaning" of my body, riding it of the toxins and chemicals I have ingested. I have never lasted more than a day doing a juice cleanse also known as "detox". I would like to do a three-day detox, but I will be happy with even a one day. I know detoxes are controversial and fasting is often associated with crash diets or religious practices, but it's like everything else, do what works for you. I can tell when it's time to give my gut a rest and flush the chemicals out of my body. I begin to feel sluggish and get brain fog. I know the best practice is to eat clean, which I strive to do, but it is a process and coming from a lifetime of eating the standard American diet, it takes effort to stay on track. I think of "spring cleaning" as a way to recommit to my pledge to live my healthiest life.Part of my "spring cleaning" plan is walking outside so I can get fresh air, get my blood circulating, and clear the dust bunnies out of my mind.

What about YOU? What does spring mean to you? I hope it is a time of renewal for you too, not just of the body, but also of the mind and spirit. Let's let go of all those negative voices that are within us and around us as well as our self-limiting beliefs so that we can open ourselves to receiving love and compassion.

SIX DAYS UNTIL SPRING! Oh  yeah!

Kathy


Below is a juice detox recipe from one of my favorite holistic wellness mentors, Dan "The Life Regenerator" McDonald. I love what he says about the process of eating clean and getting healthy:

"More people quit than stick with it. Don't be one of those people. Yes, you'll hit the wall; yes, you'll stumble; yes, you'll fall; yes, you'll fail; but if you stay persistent, the angels of light will come and put wind in your sails... You will reap the rewards of planting the seeds of persistence, patience and dedication." ~ Dan McDonald