Articles with the juice fast Tag
Breaking a juice fast is pretty easy to do–if you focus on the actual process and don’t go crazy over the fact that it’s time for you to eat again. You don’t want to undo all your hard work, dedication, and cleansing you’ve just accomplished from your juice fast, do you? So, keep that in mind when the aroma of a cheeseburger or pizza slaps you in the face, okay? Okay, good.
First, I want to address an issue some of you may have when you’re actually in the middle of your juice fast. You may feel like it’s all happening too fast, like your body is on toxic overload and can’t rid itself of the toxins as fast as your cleanse is making it happen. Maybe you travel a lot or work a lot of hours and you just don’t have time to feel those detox symptoms as strongly as you are.
Here’s a tip…
Two foods that gently slow the effects of detox while juice fasting:
Avocado
Banana
So, while you may not want to completely end a fast, you can eat a small portion of banana or avocado to slow down the detox process and allow you to have a little rest from the detox symptoms. Yes, you will “wake up” your digestive system a little by nibbling on a banana or avocado but this is a mild way to find relief from, say a headache or achy flu-like feelings that often come with a juice fast cleanse (for some people).
Remember, I’m not telling you to eat 10 bananas or avocados in some crazed oh-my-gosh-my-mouth-met-food-again frame of mind. Be cautious, be mindful, be respectful of your decision to adhere to your juice fasting goals.
Breaking the Fast
This part of the fast is a personal preference, I believe, but let’s see if I can give you some ideas. 
A great way, I’ve learned, to break a juice fast is by eating some fresh fruit. A small portion will be enough. I can’t stress enough that you need to think with your tummy and not your brain when breaking a juice fast. Here’s where your preference comes in: Maybe your favorite fruit is banana or apple or a peach. Whatever it is, have that. Pineapple is another great choice. (Raw) fruit is loaded with enzymes that’ll really help your system start to get used to real food again.
I’ve heard of people sipping hot veggie broth during (and to break) a fast. Honestly, I tried both of those and really don’t prefer broth at all during or breaking a juice fast.
Some other ways to break a juice fast:
- a smoothie
- raw veggies (if you must, but they’re harder on the digestive system than enzyme-rich fruits)
You can also eat pulp (with or without the juice).
I’ve found that the simpler I make it coming off a fast, the easier it is. For example, instead of going wild and making a fruit salad from every fruit you can find, just stick with one (or two, if you must).
Add more veggies, and then raw nuts, seeds, and if you eat dairy or meat, etc., be sure to add those (in moderation and hopefully organic, of course) after at least a few days of enjoying fresh, raw, living foods.
Enjoy the Process
This is the most important tip of all, I think! If you enjoy the process of breaking your fast in a healthy way, you’ll probably end up wanting to embark on another juice fast in the future. Take time to savor each taste of fresh fruits and veggies on those first few days after the fast has ended–and forever! Your body–and your taste buds–will thank you.
Upcoming Contests Sponsored by These Fabulous Companies
- 2 Food Matters DVDs (Haven’t had a chance to watch this one yet, but do check out their site–they have a RAWsome message to share!!)
- Detox 4 Women by Natalia Rose (I read this book last night and it’s awesome; it really helps you understand water retention, etc!)
- Oh Nuts! (raw macadamia nuts and pecans) <— These are seriously delicious nuts–and they’re JUMBO sized!
- E3Live (Green-tasting (which I don’t mind!), but I REALLY notice that it’s making me feel better. It was definitely put to the test through my recent stressful events!)
- 2 books (Coconut Water for Health and Healing
and Oil Pulling Therapy: Detoxifying and Healing the Body Through Oral Cleansing
by Dr. Bruce Fife
- and MORE!
You’ll definitely want to stay tuned!
So… be sure to subscribe to Healing with Juices’ Feed for free updates. You can get free updates to your email as well (sign up here). You’ll also receive inspiration, juice and smoothie recipes, and juice fasting tips and encouragement to help keep you motivated toward your ultimate health–and more personal posts about stuff that’s going on in my life. 
Photo Credit(s):
http://www.sxc.hu
Note about yesterday evening: I was hit with tiredness out of the blue!! I was having a great day, feeling energetic, alert, etc., and then it just hit. That happens to me sometimes during these longer juice fasts. That’s my body telling me it’s just needing me to slow down a little and allow it to rest. I even took a 10 minute power nap! I ended up going to sleep earlier than usual but I didn’t sleep that well. That happens sometimes too but it’s the first really restless night I’ve had on this 30-day juice fast. Also, I ended up having TWO brown juices for my dinner juice(s) last night–they’re truly pick-me-ups (and I needed that)!
Today’s Details
I was surprised after not sleeping well that I’ve felt okay today–not fantabulous, not super energetic, but an “okay” I can be happy with. I haven’t taken photos of my juices today because I’ve had errands to run and have been gone for part of the day. But I do have photos for you!! 
Oh, and I haven’t felt hungry today either. The digestive system is getting some Zs!
Breakfast
My day started out the same as always: With a cup of hot lemon water. After that, I had a glass of cucumber juice. It’s so refreshing, I knew that’s what I wanted for breakfast today!
I put some more cucumber juice in my E3 Live cup to take with me and also grabbed a container of water with one tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar so I wouldn’t be thirsty or get tired while I was running errands.
Lunch
For lunch, I had about 16 ounces of my brown juice (if you’re just tuning in, it’s only brown because of the beets mixing with the greens).
Snack
For a snack, I had my tablespoon of E3 Live and also a glass of herbal tea with lemon. Yum-O!
Dinner
For dinner, I’ll probably have a green juice.
As always, rest assured I’ll have had plenty of good old water and herbal tea before day 8 ends!
Reader’s Question
I receive this question from readers a lot: Will juice fasting help me lose weight? I addressed this question with an article at Raw People: Juice Fasting for Weight Loss. But I’ll discuss it here, too. I have lost weight during various juice fasts I’ve done–anywhere from 20 pounds up to 30-ish. I’m not following my weight on this juice fast because it isn’t about weight loss for me, it’s about cleaning my body and getting back on track after falling off the 100% raw food wagon. I confessed to the cooked foods I ate: Confessions of My Not-So-Raw Moments. The foods I ate weren’t all that bad and it was during an extremely high-stress situation (losing 3 young family members and almost losing my Dad). So, I have forgiven myself and moved on. I am 100% raw right now because of the juice fast, but before I started this juice fast, I was only 90%+ raw and although that is still excellent and I should be proud of myself (and I am), it isn’t the 100% raw status I was striving to maintain.
So, this juice fasting journey isn’t about losing weight for me (although I won’t be upset if it happens!), it’s about enjoying the serenity of the fast and being in tune to myself spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.
The answer to the question: Yes, many people do lose weight while juice fasting. Like I stressed in my article for Raw People, though, losing weight isn’t at all what juice fasting is about. If you’re heavier (200 lbs and up) you may lose 30 pounds or more during a 30-day juice fast. That’s from my own research. You may even lose around that much if you’re a little under 200. And some people have lost 50 or more pounds during a 30-day juice fast. It all depends on your body, that you’re not limiting your juice intake, that it’s 100% raw juices you’re drinking–and not storebought, etc.
But if you lose weight on a juice fast and don’t transition from the fasting mode correctly and just go back to eating junk, then you’ll gain all of that weight back!! Sorry, but it’s true. 
You have to target the root of why you’ve gained weight before you can successfully keep it off.
As you’ll see in the photos before, I’ve lost a significant amount of weight. I didn’t start juice fasting until I’d already lost around 50 pounds or so, but raw juices and juice fasting have been a huge part of not only my weight loss, but my maintenance.
Before & After
More before and after photos are available on my Before & After page.
Just tuning in? Catch up:
Day 1 of a 30-Day Juice Fast and Juicer Mishaps
Day 2 of a 30-Day Juice Fast–and AMAZING GRASS!!
Day 4 + Wheat Grass Galore + a Juicer!!
Until tomorrow… happy juicing!
Contest Alert!
Don’t forget about the Living Tree Community contest! (You’ll win a 16 ounce jar of Coconut Mango Persimmon Butter AND an 8 ounce jar of Raw Almond Butter–both organic!!)
Upcoming Contests Featuring these Fabulous Companies
- 2 books by Nomi Shannon, The Raw Gourmet (These two books have GORGEOUS photos and the recipes are amazing!
- 2 Food Matters DVDs (Haven’t had a chance to watch this one yet, but do check out their site–they have a RAWsome message to share!!)
- Detox 4 Women by Natalia Rose (I read this book last night and it’s awesome; it really helps you understand water retention, etc!)
- Living Tree Community (Raw almond butter and organic coconut mango persimmon butter!)
- Oh Nuts! (raw macadamia nuts and pecans) <— These are seriously delicious nuts–and they’re JUMBO sized!
- E3Live (Green-tasting (which I don’t mind!), but I REALLY notice that it’s making me feel better. It was definitely put to the test through my recent stressful events!)
- and MORE!
You’ll definitely want to stay tuned!
So… be sure to subscribe to Healing with Juices’ Feed for free updates. You can get free updates to your email as well (sign up here). You’ll also receive inspiration, juice and smoothie recipes, and juice fasting tips and encouragement to help keep you motivated toward your ultimate health–and more personal posts about stuff that’s going on in my life. 
So far I’ve breezed through days 1 and 2 of this 30-day juice fast. Today marks day 3 and I thought I’d take advantage of the number 3 and talk about E3 Live. The company was kind enough to send me some to review (I’m LOVING it–thank you SO MUCH E3 Live!!!). I’m very pleased with the results so far! I’ll keep you updated on how I’m feeling while taking it but I plan on dedicating an entire in-depth post to E3 Live in the near future.
In the meantime, I’d like to introduce you to it. E3 Live is a superfood. (You can learn more about it at E3Live.com.)It’s a green liquid that a lot of people describe as tasting “green”. I have to describe it the same way–but it isn’t a strong green taste. It’s pretty mild to me. Of course, I’m used to green juices and smoothies and even herbal tonics, so I could be wrong but I think you’ll also find that it doesn’t have as potent of a green taste as you’d think. (I guess you’ll just have to try some for yourself!)
Day 3 Recap
This morning started off with lemon water (see yesterday’s post for the recipe). About half an hour later, I had a strawberry-blueberry juice. Around 10 a.m. or so, I had a tall glass of herbal iced tea. Then I did a no-no: I poured myself a cup of coffee. Just a few sips hit my stomach like a ton of bricks! (This is when I know that my body is finally rejecting coffee–yay!!! So, no more coffee!)
I noticed I was feeling really tired today, so a little before 1 p.m., I reached for a green juice. Until now, each time I’ve taken E3 Live, I’ve just downed it straight up. I haven’t added it to a smoothie or anything. But I felt like adding it to my green juice today–so I did!
E3 Live Juice
(1 tablespoon of E3 Live liquid into my green juice.)
The ingredient list for E3 Live (from the site):
Supplement Facts: Protein <1g; Trans Fat 0g; Vitamin A 1890 IU 38% daily value; Vitamin K 34mcg 43% daily value; Riboflavin 49 mcg 3% daily value; Vitamin B1 27 mcg 117% daily value; Organic Liquid AFA Algae (Fresh-frozen Aphanizomenon flos-aquae)
Lovin’ My E3 Live Shaker Cup!
(Thanks for letting me try your shaker, E3 Live!)
I’ve also had more herbal tea and water. It’s 5 p.m. as I’m typing this … I’ll probably have another green juice at 6 p.m. or so. I skipped the snack juice this afternoon–the E3 Live carried me right on through!
Note: I also noticed I slept better last night!
A First
I’ve never added anything to my juices while juice fasting. Adding E3 Live during a juice fast is a new experience for me–but it’s an experience I’m glad I’ve had and I’ll now continue it on future juice fasts!
What about you? Have you added superfood liquids or powders on your juice fasts? Why or why not? I can’t wait to read your juicy comments!
Upcoming Contests Featuring these Fabulous Companies
- 2 books by Nomi Shannon, The Raw Gourmet (These two books have GORGEOUS photos and the recipes are amazing!
- 2 Food Matters DVDs (Haven’t had a chance to watch this one yet, but do check out their site–they have a RAWsome message to share!!)
- Detox 4 Women by Natalia Rose (I read this book last night and it’s awesome; it really helps you understand water retention, etc!)
- Living Tree Community (Raw almond butter and organic coconut mango persimmon butter!)
- Oh Nuts! (raw macadamia nuts and pecans) <— These are seriously delicious nuts–and they’re JUMBO sized!
- E3Live (Green-tasting (which I don’t mind!), but I REALLY notice that it’s making me feel better. It was definitely put to the test through my recent stressful events!)
- and MORE!
You’ll definitely want to stay tuned!
So… be sure to subscribe to Healing with Juices’ Feed for free updates. You can get free updates to your email as well (sign up here). You’ll also receive inspiration, juice and smoothie recipes, and juice fasting tips and encouragement to help keep you motivated toward your ultimate health–and more personal posts about stuff that’s going on in my life.
Yesterday I shared with you that I started a 30-day juice fast--even though my juicer burnt out on me! And… I forgot to drink my lemon water yesterday morning!! Want to know why? Because I had a cup of coffee!! That’s one of the reasons I knew I had to just go for it and start this juicing journey: coffee+Raw Juice Girl doesn’t = a pretty cup of fantabulousness! I really don’t even care for coffee–honest! I started drinking it again after recent stressful events–and now I’m saying good-bye to it (again)! So, I started the day off right today.
Lemon Water
Lemon Water Recipe
What goes in:
- juice from half of a fresh lemon
- a cup of hot water (heated in a tea kettle)
What you do:
- squeeze your lemon juice in a cup
- add the hot water
- toss in the lemon itself–if it’s organic
Sip and enjoy!
Breakfast
About half an hour or so after the lemon water, I had 8 ounces of the strawberry-blueberry juice I made up.
Snack
1 tablespoon of E3Live (Yum-O!)
Note: I sipped on a cup of coffee. (Baby steps. )
About Coffee
Most folks frown at drinking coffee during a juice fast (honestly, I’m one of them!) but I won’t be drinking coffee for the duration of the fast. I have found that if I sip a little coffee (during the times I’ve drank it), the first few days of a juice fast, it’s way easier to eliminate coffee from my diet than when I’m eating. I believe this is because of all the nutrients that are hitting my blood stream and also the fact that a juice fast just motivates you mentally and helps you focus on all aspects of better health. So, if you’re a coffee drinker or even a soda lover, the first week of a juice fast is a great way to beat the habit.
Lunch
I had 8 ounces of green juice.
Snack
For a “snack”, I had an herbal tea concoction (that my Mom made) with a slice of lemon and a packet of Stevia Balance
Dinner
I’m posting this at a little after 4 p.m. but I plan on having another 8 ounces of green juice probably around 6 p.m. or so.
Of course, besides the lemon water and juices, I had plain water throughout the day. Two down, twenty-eight more to go!
Overall Feelings
Yesterday, I had a slight headache. Today, I haven’t had a headache; I have felt hungry all day long, though. This is totally normal for me on day 2. I think I’ve felt this way on every juice fast (or water fast) I’ve ever done. So, I expected it.
Surprise!
As I was polishing this post, I heard something outside–it was the UPS man!! Yay!! We all know what that means. Guess what today’s package contained…. I’m waiting… Okay, I’ll tell you: It contained samples from Amazing Grass. Eeeeek! I’ve been seeing this company’s products on blogs all across the healthy blogosphere and I was really wanting to try them! I’m so excited!! There’s also going to be a fantabulous contest (sponsored by them!) coming up in the near future–so stay tuned…
Look at all those goodies!!
(I even got a pretty green cup like Kath’s!)
Thank you soooooooooooo much, Amazing Grass Team–you rock!!
Upcoming Contests Featuring These Fabulous Companies
- 2 books by Nomi Shannon, The Raw Gourmet (These two books have GORGEOUS photos and the recipes are amazing!
- 2 Food Matters DVDs (Haven’t had a chance to watch this one yet, but do check out their site–they have a RAWsome message to share!!)
- Detox 4 Women by Natalia Rose (I read this book last night and it’s awesome; it really helps you understand water retention, etc!)
- Living Tree Community (Raw almond butter and organic coconut mango persimmon butter!)
- Oh Nuts! (raw macadamia nuts and pecans) <— These are seriously delicious nuts–and they’re JUMBO sized!
- E3Live (Green-tasting (which I don’t mind!), but I REALLY notice that it’s making me feel better. It was definitely put to the test through my recent stressful events!)
- and MORE!
You’ll definitely want to stay tuned!
So… be sure to subscribe to Healing with Juices’ Feed for free updates. You can get free updates to your email as well (sign up here). You’ll also receive inspiration, juice and smoothie recipes, and juice fasting tips and encouragement to help keep you motivated toward your ultimate health–and more personal posts about stuff that’s going on in my life.
Contests on Other Blogs
June, over at An Apple A Day is currently running more than one contest!
- One is for Element Bars - contest ends Sunday, June 21st.
- Another is for Earthling Bars – contest also ends Sunday, June 21st.
Published Sunday, December 28, 2008
By
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!
