The human body is amazing. Have you been abusing your body with junk food and drinks? If you stop these unhealthy practices now, now will start the healing process. Right at that moment.
Why did I juice for three days, then?
I rarely eat junk food. I do not smoke, rarely have alcohol, I do exercise, although not regularly enough. I am healthy. So, why did I do this juicing thing, then? If you know me, you know that I like lists. So here it goes:
- Stress. I know some people who do not deviate from their healthy habits when under stress. If anything, they get encouraged, because habits are yet another thing for them to prove their resilience. Good for them! I am not one of those people. The last few weeks (or months) have been quite stressful, with lots of unknowns. And I do deviate. (If you want to read an amazing book on the link between thoughts, emotions, and eating, I highly suggest Dr. Nina Savelle-Rocklin’s Food For Thought. She has FB groups, radio programs and so on, all of which will be helpful, I’m sure).
- Moderation? Those good people mentioned above can also indulge in moderation when under stress. There are many things I can have in moderation, but the things I tend to eat when I’m under stress will be gone in one sitting. So when I am going through a tough time, I cannot just have a handful of, I don’t know, soy nuts, or dried figs. (I can hear you laugh. Yes, even when I indulge I consume relatively healthy. But too much of anything is too much! Try to eat flour covered dates by the pound!). So I realized that I am an abstainer! It is much easier for me to just commit to juicing, and not eating, say, dried figs, at least for a while, than trying to eat a few pieces and move on.
- Helps with digestion and bloating. Even those good people who don’t deviate and can even do the whole moderation thing might need help time to time. The magnificent body might want a little break from having to work hard for us. Especially if you, like me, have thyroid problems, or if you have lowered stomach acid, digestion issues, bloating, liver problems and so on, a few adjustments might help.
- Seasonal allergies and hormonal imbalance. I ran out of my adaptogens. The timing could not have been worse- I’m going through this stressful period, and it will go on like this for at least a few months, and I have no adaptogens at home. Some of you know how much I benefit from them to regulate my hormones, increase my ability to deal with stress, have enough and regular sleep. Especially ashwagandha and reishi with stress, sleep, and allergies. And juicing helps me deal with all these.
Click here for my easy, delicious and adaptogenic recipes to reduce stress and balance hormones
Other benefits of juicing
More veggies and fruits: Juicing is the easiest way for me to consume raw veggies and fruits. I do love veggies and fruits, but when I am stressed, busy, and overwhelmed (especially when I am already out of my adaptogens!), I don’t like to make decisions about what to cook. In these situations, it is not easy to pay attention to how much I eat. And what.
Super foods: The most convenient (and sure) way to consume the super ingredients like ginger and spirulina. I use ginger for tea and cooking but not as frequently as I would want, because I simply forget! The celery juice I have every morning (see below) includes ginger, turmeric, and spirulina. So no additional decision-making, no need to remember to make a cup of ginger tea, or try to find a way to consume spirulina. Every morning, it is done.
But what about fiber?
I like to make my own juice. Some juicers remove the insoluble fiber from the whole fruit or vegetable. There are tons of articles out there about the “fiber problem”, and, as with most things, I want to cover all my bases. I do not want to worry about insoluble fiber, seeds, or pulps. Besides, I don’t have a juice “extractor”. I use the most basic Vitamix for everything, including juicing. This means that my beloved Vitamix does not extract only the juice from the fruit or the vegetable, but it makes a “whole food juice” by liquefying the whole fruit or plant including skin, seeds, pulp, etc. When I juice, nothing is wasted! If you like your juice lighter and smoother, you should use an equipment specifically designed for juicing. For now, I am fine with the pulp!
What is the outcome, then? And why do I suggest juicing?
First of all, I did not weight myself, so if your aim is weight-loss, my response is: I don’t know! I WILL weigh myself next time, out of curiosity, and to be more of help to those who are interested in that aspect. But I can tell you this: I wasn’t bloated once during my “mostly juice” days. Juicing reduced my cravings, even though I did not juice for dinner. I really only craved light meals, again with lots of vegetables. If you, like me, are affected by hormonal changes, stress, and the seasonal allergies, you might benefit greatly from juicing. When you juice, your body’s nutritional needs are met more easily. You end up consuming tons of veggies and fruits, so you will be much more satiated. Especially if you are an abstainer, once you decide to not have anything but juice, your cravings will stop!
An important reminder
These recipes do not intend to cure or prevent any medical condition or replace the advice and guidance of your healthcare professional. I am merely sharing my own experience. If you suspect that you have a medical condition, I strongly suggest you speak with your doctor.
Ivy’s 3-day mostly-juice fix
As you know from my post on easy daily habits, I start the day with either a lemon-water or a rose-water. For the last ten days or so, I am also having a celery juice right after that. 
Celery Juice recipe (have this every morning)
1/2 cup water
4-5 stalks of celery
1/2 lemon
a few mint leaves
1/4 tsp turmeric
2 inches of ginger
1 tsp spirulina (if you don’t have it, that’s okay, but besides other benefits, it is good for allergies too).
Blend all the ingredients until smooth, and enjoy every morning. If you are not using a juicer (I am using my Vitamix), use the low speed and take your time. Depending on your preferences, you might need to wait a little longer for a smoother texture.
Day 1
Green Juice (morning snack)
3 handfuls of spinach
1-2 presoaked dates
2 large stalks of kale
1/2 cucumber
1/2 cup water
Carrot juice (lunch)
1 inch of ginger
5 medium-size carrots
1/4 lemon
1/2 cup coconut water
Berry love (afternoon snack)
2 cups of berries (any kind. My favourite is blackberries.)
2-3 mint leaves
1/2 Cucumber
Handful of spinach
1/2 cup water
Dinner
Have a light dinner, preferably with lots of veggies and some complex carbs.
Day 2
Good fats
¼ avocado
2 leaves of kale
2/3 cup spinach
1/2 cup coconut water.
Banana darling
½ cup packed spinach
3-4 kale leaves
1 banana
1/2 cup water
Apple juice
1 green apple
½ cup spinach
2 celery stalks
3/4 mint leaves
2 medium-sized cucumbers
1/2 a lemon
1/2 cup water
Dinner
Have a light dinner, preferably with lots of veggies and some complex carbs.
Day 3 (final day)
Watermelon juice
2 cups watermelon
1/2 lime
1/2 cup almond milk (coconut water is also delicious and hydrating)
mint leaves
Apple carrot juice
1 small green apple
2 medium carrots
2 medium cucumbers
2 celery stalks
Sweet sweet Cabbage
1/2 head of cabbage
2 medium cucumbers
1-2 pre-soaked dates
1 lemon
Dinner Again, finish with a light dinner!
This is how all this looks like in my lovely Trello calendar:
If you hang in there for three days, I think you’ll feel that the symptoms you have been feeling will have much reduced. I am seriously thinking about doing this once a month. Perhaps we should have a small group to encourage each other, share recipes, and so on? What do you think? Let me know at shakingmytofu@gmail.com or Instagram!
Editor’s note: The information in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health programme.
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