I have something to come clean about. I wasn’t going to talk about it on the blog, because of the anticipated responses I would receive. Then I thought, I am not being fair to all of you – judging you by thinking I know what your reaction will be. The negative reactions ? I can handle it.
Coming clean – Jason and I have been on a juice fast.
Many of you know I juice a lot, two or three times a day, sometimes drinking only juice until dinner or eating raw until dinner. I’ve been doing this for a while, leaving room for indulgence and dining out.
We are currently in our fourth week, and in that time have taken some cheat days eat days – one for a wedding and two when a friend was in town and visiting us. There have also been a couple sushi dinners in there, which Jason likes to point out is still raw. 😉 When we began, we said a good way to do this, for us, would include a day to eat. It works for us, and makes it easier to enjoy events and normal life.
why?
health – a cleanse.
discipline – to prove (to myself) that I could!
We initially planned a week. After the first couple days, we both felt fantastic. I even felt good on the first two days – day two was the hardest, I was tired. The next day I woke up early and full of energy, as I have most days since. I feel great, and I juice 4-6 times a day. When I make a juice for myself, I am making enough each time to fill up the juice pitcher on my juicer – I’m definitely getting plenty of calories and nutrients. I hesitate to even call this a fast.
In addition to the benefit of extra energy, detoxing and improved sleep, coming clean has left me headache free, with no allergy or congestion symptoms, and less joint / muscle pain. I have a good understanding of how my body is working, I feel clear, both internally and in my mind.
In addition to nutrient packed juice (still mostly vegetable, generally only one fruit for every 3-4 vegetables), I have been starting the day with lemon water and probiotics, and I have brought back daily dry brushing.
Juice fasting gives your digestive system a break. The body spends little to no energy on digestion, and can expend that in the cleansing and detoxing process. Drinking the juice immediately after juicing gives you the benefits of the enzymes, which break down toxins and debris in the digestion system.
This process was made easier for me because I have not been drinking coffee or alcohol for quite some time, don’t regularly eat sugar or many processed foods. When we have eaten, in most cases I have made very clean choices. The one time I didn’t (at the wedding there was salmon, pre dressed salad, orzo and cake), I felt it. My very best friend got married, I was going to eat cake!
pineapple pepper green juice
1/2 fresh pineapple, skin and core included
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded
2 large bunches kale
Juice and enjoy!
Want to know more? See Juice Fast – Your Questions Answered.
Caroll says
Iam going to attempt to remain not overdramatic, but with your help I have changed my life!! because of you I watched the fat sick almost dead movie, then bought a juicer, did a small cleanse three days, and have began a workout routine and overhauled my diet. you started it! ;)~
spabettie says
oh Caroll, I am so happy for you! thanks for sharing, I am happy to have helped. juicing has been such an amazing thing for us, and when I hear someone has been inspired by my sharing, it makes me so happy!
Chandra says
Your photos are incredible, magnifique! I do wish there was a running list of your juice choices, all four each day…any possibility you kept a log of the juices each day? Again, the photos are incredible…extraordinary!
Samantha says
today I complete my 30 day fast, all thanks to you and your guidance. I know we’ve moved our connection to email, but I had to come here to let everyone know how wonderful I think you are:
Kris has helped me in every possible way, save from showing up at my house to juice for me! (which I hope one day may happen?) 🙂 🙂 she is eager to share her experience and knowledge, she is there to answer questions and help you when you are questioning yourself!! she reminds you why you are doing this, does not listen to excuses but gently reminds you why you are doing this, and becomes a valued friend in the process.
I did it, proved to myself I could, and I feel fabulous!
THANK YOU. <3
spabettie says
oh, Sam, thank you! I am so proud of you, friend! this has been just as good for me as it has for you, and it has been fun getting to know you. we WILL juice together one day! XO k
Jon says
thanks to you we are on day three of cleanses, are doing full seven days (we had to make sure we could before comitt LOL), thank you!
spabettie says
that’s great, Jon! glad it is going well for you!
Melisser says
thank you for this – I don’t know if I could ever do it, but I’m researching for maybe a day or two. would that even be beneficial?
Indra says
had our first juices this morning, trying for a week of juice and raw foods. thank you for all your help and sharing your experience with us. I have several of your recipes printed to try. cheers!
Janice says
great info here, thank you!
Bibby says
I am begin cleanse tomorrow, thank you for all this. priceless to me!
Carn says
thanks for this and the FAQ article, both have helped immensely.
spabettie says
you are welcome!
Lynne says
that pinapple is so awesome!
I love this, and it invigorates me—I am beginning a cleanse on Tuesday and was referred here by TWO different people! you know your stuff, clearly. thank you for all this!
spabettie says
hee, glad you appreciate the pineapple – I had fun making that. 😉 I hope you have a great cleanse, and please let me know if you need anything – just a supportive word, answer any questions, anything! Cheers!
Crystal Poppy says
splendid – you really love your juicing, and the enthusiasm has prompted me to try. I bought a masticator yesterday and will be juicing all weekend, begins now. my favorites to purchase while out include spinach and pineapple, I look forward to making my own combos and testing some of yours as well.
besos, CP
spabettie says
hello Crystal! I am so happy you bought a juicer – I recently ‘upgraded’ to a masticating juicer as well, and I LOVE it. I hope your juicing is going well. take care and have a great weekend! Kristina
Kelly says
thanks for this!
spabettie says
you are welcome, Kelly!
Stan Kravolski says
thank you for your inspiration and wisdom here, I can tell this is a passionate subject you derive much energy from! I am seventeen days into a cleanse (including raw foods), so I think I pick up on the positive vibes even more! keep it up and thank you again,
S. Kravolski
Stan Kravolski says
this is wonderful news! good for you (and all of us) for ” “coming clean” ” 🙂
curlsz says
I think pre “fat, sick and ….” more people would give you negative responses for “going to an extreme” but really the amount of junk food and fast food we eat is the real extreme part
question – juicing pineapple with the skin? how does the juicer handle that?
spabettie says
absolutely! all I do is chop the top off, then cut the rest into strips that fit into the juicer feed. even the core (fiber!) 🙂
and yes – I have had my fair share of folks telling me this is ridiculous, extreme or dumb. I didn’t do it to get off medications or anything like they do in the film, I just feel great when doing it! 🙂
curlsz says
ok i’ll try it with the skin on – nervously bites nails.
you’re response should be – well i wanted to eat fast food and dorritos every day but then i realized i’d be just like the other 85% of Americans
spabettie says
it’s totally fine! the skin cannot get through that mesh, so it all ends up in the pulp. (just wash it, like everything else).
the only things I can think of that I don’t put through the juicer – citrus peel, the tops of carrots from the grocery store (even organic, they always look gross) and apple cores – the seeds are toxic, at least to dogs, and I sometimes use the apple pulp to make Basil some doggie treats!) 😀
keep asking ANY and ALL questions – I learned all I know by months of trial, error and research – I am happy to pass it all along! XO
Pat says
thank you for so much information! this is very motivating for me!
Kendall says
I came here to tell you how you have helped change my life!! seriously, I am not exagerrating at all, this has been a life changing time! I read this and saw the Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead movie within the same week, and then went to buy a juicer immediately. I started using your recipes (which was great at first, to keep me interested!!!) and now I am more or less using one or two main combos. I have unlimited energy, I feel spectacular spectacular, and so healthy! thank you!
spabettie says
ah, Kendall, you have no idea how happy this makes me! thank you SO much for connecting – I would love to hear more! we did the same thing, at first I had a great time coming up with different recipes (uh, not ALL of them were good…) 😉 and now we have a couple juices we always make also – we still love it just as much, though!
I am so happy to hear this, please keep in touch!
Doc Natasha says
great discussion, Kris. you really know your stuff, impressed!
Randy says
Gail and I JUST bought a jucier yesterday, thanks to you we are embarking on a journey today! juice for breakfast and with lunch, and this week we are phasing to a raw diet with juice. thank you for being such an inspiration, love your recipes and photos too.
Rebel Chick Jenn says
Oh my, I have to say, I am really happy for you! I have always wanted to do a cleanse like that, but I lack the will power. Good for you!
spabettie says
it really gets VERY easy after the first few days (which yes, are Pure Torture!) 😉 I’m about to start another one… wish me luck!