28 December 2008
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10 CommentsPublished Sunday, December 28, 2008
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The thought of juice fasting can be a scary one. It might seem like folks are always trying to talk you out of trying it. “Oh, you need to eat!” or “You can’t live on liquid alone.” are things you might here if you mention you’re thinking of going on a juice fast.
What they don’t understand, though, is how beneficial raw juice fasts actually are. In my experience, I have slept more soundly and woke up more rested, gained better vision, thought more clearly, and I simply love how “light” and healthy I feel while juice fasting.
One thing that did surprise me is that juice fasting really becomes a spiritual experience - whatever that means to you. It’s like you’re more in tune with yourself, your goals, your dreams, your visions. I love that feeling and personally take the opportunity to pray more, reflect on my spiritual walk and absorb all the peace I can, while in that quiet, still place juice fasting brings me to.
So, how do you start a juice fast? First, you need to do a little research. What types of fruits and vegetables do you like? What are the benefits of those particular fruits and/or vegetable juices? Do you have any health issues? If so, would certain juices interfere or cause problems? For instance, if you’re a diabetic (and, I’ll tell you that it isn’t recommended for diabetics to juice fast; however, I was on diabetic medication when I started juice fasting.)
If you’re trying to control your blood sugar, and you do decide to try a short juice fast, (or even if you’re just juicing for health), focus on the dark greens: spinach, turnip, beet, etc.
I learned to listen to my body, I stayed away from too much fruit (because the fruit/fruit juice turns to sugar in your bloodstream), and I had to accept that I wasn’t physically able to do a 30- or 40-day juice fast at the beginning.
I’ve mentioned before that I’m a freelance writer. Two articles I’ve written recently that will be of great benefit to you before you begin your juice fast is:
How to Prepare Your Mind for a Juice Fast
and
How to Prepare Your Body for a Juice Fast
With a new year fast approaching us, it’s a great time to focus on improving your health by juice fasting. It’s not necessarily a great idea to write a long list of new years’ resolutions because, let’s face it, most of us never keep them and it only makes us feel worse about ourselves. No need for negativity when 2009 can be the best year of your life!
Here’s to health!
Michele,
Congrats on this new endeavor…it’s looking great!
Thanks for stopping by my blog.. it’s been a while since we’ve chatted!
Hope you have a great new year!
truly,
Sylvia C.
Sylvia C.s last blog post..Tea Towel Treasures!
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Great post, Michele! I’m going to consider this more this year. Our meditation group promotes regular fasting, but I get really lightheaded and haven’t had the courage yet. I think the juice fast is a good way to start.
Loris last blog post..What a Crock!
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May I please have some recipe examples?
Do I mix veges and fruit?
Can I do fruit/veges only for 3 days?
I am not a big fan of mixing veges together…any suggestions?
Thank you!
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Hi, JR. Thank you for visiting! Yes, you may see some recipes here. I’m also planning to add more recipes and am also planning e-books with recipes and information on raw juices and fasting, to be available later this year.
Yes, you can mix veggies and fruit. For instance, you can throw in a handful of spinach, a couple of big carrots, some parsley, and half an apple, etc.
If you’d try a handful of spinach with some carrots, I believe you’ll find it quite tasty and rejuvenating. It may take you just a little while to figure out what fruits and veggies you like to combine most–and we’re all different in our preferences. I wish you only the best of health on your juicing journey, JR!
Healthy blessings,
Michele
aka Juice Girl
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Thank you, Sylvia! I’m so glad you stopped by!
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Yes, juice fasting is a great way to start, Lori–and it’s such an amazing experience! I hope you enjoy the healthy experience!
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Michele -
I know you and I discussed the fact that I purchased a juicer earlier this month. (Thanks for your advice, btw.) I just wanted to let you know that I’ve decided to take the plunge and start my first juice fast. I’ll start tomorrow morning. As I told you a couple of weeks ago, I’ve been pretty sick (walking pneumonia, painfully swollen lymph nodes), and I just can’t shake the illness. Considering what your body was able to overcome/heal, I think that a juice fast will allow my body to heal itself, too. Wish me luck! I’m going for 4 days to start.
(Incidentally, I once did a water fast for 7 days. At the end, I felt “cleansed,” but weak. I look forward to how different the energizing, cleansing juicing will undoubtedly make me feel.)
Cyns last blog post..Work from Home as a Freelancer in Almost Any Field
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Hi, Cyn!!
That’s such great news–I’m so proud of you!!
You’re most welcome for the advice, and I’ll be here all the way, cheering you on!!
Just listen to your body, drink fresh raw juices and/or water every time you feel hungry/thirsty. Herbal teas are also permitted.
To help your lymph system clean, jump on a mini trampoline if/when you have enough energy during this juice fast. If you don’t feel up to it, simply add rebounding (even a few minutes a day!) to your schedule once you’re eating again.
Yes, the juicing definitely is a different experience than water fasting–I’m doing that today!
Give me a holler if you need me, you know where to find me.
Blessings!!
Michele
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Michele–
I think your website is wonderful and very resourceful.
I was wondering if you have considered Himalayan Salt into the juicing recipes. I just started juicing (when I can) but planning on fast juicing in a week. I was searching online about the benefits of this salt and thought that it would be nice to added to the juicing recipes, especially for those suffering form Candida, like myself.
Let me know what you think.
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Raw Juice Girl Reply:
July 14th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Hi, Didi! Congrats on your motivation to study and start juice fasting!! You know, it’s very strange that you mention Himalayan Sea Salt because I’ve been considering trying some, reviewing it here on the site, and offering some in a contest some time in the near future. I guess your question is confirmation that my readers would indeed benefit from me doing something like that! I was thinking along the lines of incorporating the Himalayan Sea Salt into smoothies or steel cut oats, etc. I hadn’t even considered putting it into my juices! Thanks for the idea!! I really am not sure I’d put it into my raw juices while juice fasting, though. I’d have to research myself a little and I think I’ll address that in an upcoming post, okay? Thanks so much for the question!!! Oh, and I’ve battled Candida myself, so I know what you’re going through! Definitely stay away from as much sweet stuff as possible–whether it’s processed foods, processed sweeteners, raw sweeteners, fruit, or even foods like bread, etc., that turn to sugar in the bloodstream. I lived a VERY restricted diet while I battled Candida. No fun at all!! Also, there are herbs that (are believed to) help.
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