Final Day of Juicing

I did it! Today was my final day in a week of juicing. After seven days of drinking freshly made fruit and vegetable juices, I spent time reflecting today on the experience and the benefits.

Final Day of Juicing

Juicing proved to be a very good experience for me. I fell into an easy routine that ensured a smooth flow to the day. Each morning began with warm lemon water, fresh celery juice and a fruit smoothie. The rest of the day I sipped on delicious juices for my meals.

I quickly developed the habit of four juices a day, including the morning celery juice. I kept the juicer set up on the kitchen counter and rinsed it well between juices so it was always ready to go. I used a medium sized glass bowl to hold my prepared fruits and veggies so that what I needed was within easy reach.

Final Day of Juicing
Final Day of Juicing
The benefits that I experienced include feeling lighter, leaner, stronger and healthier (I will weigh in the morning and update with any weight loss *update-I lost 6.4 pounds), increased energy, improved clarity, clear skin, incredible sleep each night and waking rested, hydration, and a flatter, firmer stomach. Because I wasn’t spending time cooking, I practiced yoga daily and had time for more fun activities. I wasn’t hungry between juices and gave up drinking unsweetened black tea by day 3, choosing to drink water instead.

I also enjoyed the creative aspect of trying out new juice blends and creating a couple of my own recipes.  There is a sense of accomplishment too, in setting out on this journey and completing it. The level of self-care I practiced increased feelings of tenderness and compassion, toward myself and also toward others.

The only negatives during the week were frequent trips to the bathroom, due to drinking so much liquid nourishment, and several additional trips to the market to purchase more fresh fruits and veggies.

I had a repeat juice for lunch today, the Grapefruit Margarita, pictured above with the recipe. This crisp light blend was probably my all time favorite this week.

Tonight I fixed two different juices for dinner.

Final Day of Juicing
Final Day of Juicing
This juice was Greg’s favorite this week. He much preferred fruit juice blends over veggie ones. The lemon gives this one a nice citrus punch. I left out the ginger for him, as he doesn’t care for the taste.

Final Day of Juicing
Final Day of Juicing
The juice I prepared for myself was my own creation, born of necessity. In the refrigerator I had half a cucumber, a small amount of kale, and a bit of ginger that I needed to use. I also had one pear remaining. I decided to create a juice using the leftovers I had, hence the playful name. I included carrots and a sweet potato as well.

The orange colored juice was full of flavor and not too sweet, with a pleasant kick of ginger.

I intend to incorporate juicing into my plant based lifestyle. I desire to juice one day a week, and occasionally replace a meal or snack with a juice during the week.

I am very grateful for this weeklong experience. Juicing not only provided nutrients at a cellular level, it connected me more deeply with my body and its needs. I learned to listen better and respond.

My body is currently letting me know that a week of juice is enough. Since yesterday I have been thinking about some of my favotite plant based recipes. I look forward to easing back into eating fruits, nuts, brown rice and cooked and fresh vegetables over the next couple of days. There is a pot of lentil curry calling my name!

Final Day of Juicing
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Juice…It Does a Body Good

Storms have continually moved through my area today, bringing lightning, thunder and periods of heavy rain. It has been a good day to stay indoors, sipping juice, reading, journaling and watching a movie. There was also time for yoga and a bit of coloring and contemplation. 

Juice...It Does a Body Good

As I wrote in my journal I thought about how empowering this week has been. Switching to a plant based lifestyle last July was crucial to me taking back responsibility for my health and well being.  The desire to be healthier and free from pain and disorders enabled me to make choices for myself, no matter what anyone else thought or did. 

Juicing has been another choice I made, born partly out of curiosity and partly out of the desire to take nutition and healing to a whole new level. I like how juicing has made me feel this week…fit, healthy, lean, creative and oh so strong. I feel empowered by my raised awareness. I feel in tune with my body and its needs. 

I treasure these feelings! 

Today I tried a juice recipe from Jonny Juicer, my inspiration on Instagram, which was perfect for this chilly, gray day. 

Juice...It Does a Body Good
Juice...It Does a Body Good
This recipe made 32 ounces of yummy juice. I shared it with Greg, who is doing a modified week of juicing (plenty of juice plus some cooked veggies and cashews), and he declared it his favorite thus far. 

I loved it too. Using oranges instead of apples made for a slightly less sweet juice, which I appreciated. And I’ve come to enjoy the fresh ginger in my juices. This one had a bit of extra zip with the turmeric. I didn’t have fresh so I used a dash of ground. 

Juice...It Does a Body Good
Juice...It Does a Body Good
I wanted a green juice for dinner and decided to create my own. I’ve been following recipes all week and felt like I had a handle on what makes a great juice! It was fun to combine the goodness of celery, cucumber, green pepper and kale. I opted for a pear over an apple. And the lemon gave the juice a nice zing. My creation was very tasty and I feel encouraged to try more juice combos on my own. 

As much as I enjoyed my own juice blend, I’m still going to name the Sunshine Juice as the day’s favorite. 

Juice…it truly does do a body good. It is so much more beneficial than that other drink that uses the slogan I borrowed from. At least, I can verify that it is doing my body good! 
Juice...It Does a Body Good

Hooked on Juicing

Day 2 of my 7 day juice cleanse is complete, and what a great day it was. I’ve got the juicing process down to a smooth routine. And I woke up feeling energized and full of anticipation for the day. 

Hooked on Juicing
I tried three new juice combinations today, at lunch, mid-afternoon and dinner. My morning routine of warm lemon water, celery juice and a fruit smoothie is unchanged. 

Here are today’s juice recipes:

Hooked on Juicing
Hooked on Juicing

If you don’t like beets, this is not the recipe for you! I like beets, and this was my absolute favorite juice today! The carrots and apples balanced the earthy flavor of the beets and the ginger and lemon provide a delightful zing. Plus, the ruby red color just made me feel happy. 

Hooked on Juicing
Hooked on Juicing
This light and refreshing juice was a perfect to-go drink as I headed out this afternoon. The pineapple was wonderful, combined with the cucumber. I have already come to appreciate adding fresh ginger to my juices. Ginger is very anti-inflammatory and great for the digestive system. 

Hooked on Juicing
Hooked on Juicing
I chose this juice for dinner because it was full of vegetables. The flavor was excellent, although the carrots and apple sweetened the juice a bit too much for me. I like my vegetable juices to be less sweet. 

I took my lunch outside, and sat on the front deck. Sipping on my Red Roar Juice, the wind stirring my hair and my heart, I felt that sense of euphoria rise within me. I’ve come to recognize what that feeling is. It is good health. This is what being healthy feels like. My energy and vibrational frequency are both so high. 

I am loving this week of drinking my fruits and vegetables. I am hooked on juicing!

Hooked on Juicing