Juicing 101
The benefits of a juice fast and cleanse are endless and become apparent to each individual person via their own experience. Juice cleanses allow your body to "rest & digest" for a minimum of 24 hours, which means that it once it has digested its final meal before starting the fast, it fully can move into a phase of restoration, regeneration and healing. After a period of time, the body will be able to flush excess water retention and toxins stored in the fat cells and cell membranes and generally one feels lighter, brighter and cleaner following a juice cleanse.
Digestion takes a lot of energy and power out of our systems, which is why we so often get sleepy after eating. Our bodies are constantly working to process everything we consume, and though a lot of this work is done at night while we are sleeping, the amount of stress the average person endures on a daily basis, combined with the amount of unhealthy and processed foods we eat, can result in an overwhelmed, toxic system. Digestion slows over time, our microbiome is compromised by harmful bacteria and toxins, and we find ourselves fatigued, bloated, irritable, headachey and unable to focus on the things that matter to us most.
The signs of toxic overwhelm make up an exhaustive list, which you can read about more on the Divine Detox page, but should not deter you from doing something about it! In fact, juicing is one of the most efficient ways to detox and reset the digestive and nervous systems, helping us to get back in touch with our vitality, improving digestion, sleep and energy levels.
Though it is recommended that one ease into the process of juicing with intention and respect for what can often be a dramatic shift for what your body may be used to, it is well known that we may have a new stomach lining every 3-4 days ( your stomach lining must consistently rebuild itself to protect itself from its own digestive acids); therefore, with a full rest from digesting solids and managing toxins, your stomach can feel completely new after a 3 day juice cleanse. This does not mean that your entire digestive system, which includes the intestines and several organs, is reset and completely healed in 3 days, but it sure seems to help! Eating healthy following any cleanse is vital to living a healthy lifestyle and feeling well and one may choose to incorporate juicing into their lifestyle on a regular basis as in many yogic lifestyles.
Juice cleanses are more widely available now than ever in my lifetime. If one has the financial resources, it takes no time at all to find your local, organic juice bar and most will offer 1-3 day, 7 & 10 day juice packages with 6-8 fresh-pressed juices per day and the option of a fresh-pressed nut mylk or soup per day (great for the colder months). However, as wonderful as it is to have it all made for you, juicing is not necessarily just for a few days... as one begins to discover the benefits and increased vitality that results from drinking fresh juice, it may become part of your lifestyle and daily routine and you will want to be able to make juice whenever you feel like it.
Therefore, many will choose instead to place their investment in a quality juicer first, hit the farmer's market and start juicing at home! The cost per juice is typically way less and the more accustomed one gets to the process, the easier and quicker it is to juice at home.
Plus, from a spiritual and Ayurvedic perspective, preparing one's own food ensures that the energy being put into the meal / juice is one of love and gratitude and greatly increases the vibrational quality of anything one is consuming!
Some Benefits of Juicing:
strengthens the immune system
promotes excess weight loss
decreases cravings
decreases congestion & allergy symptoms
balances hormones
helps you sleep better
improves body odor
improves digestion
strengthens hair & nails
improves & helps heal chronic illness
balances skin conditions
helps fight colds & flus
supports the body in mobilizing & excreting toxins
detoxifies body & mind
improves clarity & helps lift brain fog
re-energizes the body - supplies nutrients at the cellular level
supports mental, emotional & spiritual health
feel lighter, brighter & cleaner
BUY ORGANIC
When sourcing out the fruits and vegetables you will be juicing, no matter what combinations you create, it is very important that if possible, you do buy organic during your cleanse. As one of the main purposes of a juice fast is to help pull toxins from your body and give it a good flush, the last thing you want to be doing is adding another dose of pesticides and chemicals for your body to process.
If you cannot find or afford organic but live close to farmland, consider taking a drive and asking store owners and growers directly if they have any uncertified organics available - not all farmers can afford the hefty price tag of becoming an organically certified farm but will still practice organic farming and offer quality fruits and veggies as a result.
If possible, grow your own.
What to Juice
Dark Leafy Greens - everything from Romaine, Kale, Chard and Spinach is one of my favourites! Leafy greens are rich in chlorophyll, which cleans your blood and supports detoxification; they are rich in vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, including antioxidants, which boost immunity and make you feel good!
Herbs - Mint, Cilantro and Parsley are well known for their ability to cleansing properties and help remove heavy metals from the body.
Celery - which can be juiced on its own to create a powerhouse detox juice (drink first thing in the morning) that will scrub out the "dark corners" of your digestive tract and help rebuild the stomach acids in your gut, or can be combined to make wonderful, healing and nutritious juices such as: celery, cucumber and apples.
Ginger - adds a spicy kick and is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Turmeric - used for thousands of years to heal a variety of ailments, boost immunity and reduce inflammation.
Citrus - juicing lemons, oranges, grapefruit and limes will not only add a lot of 'juice' to your juice, but are alkalizing and provide essential electrolytes to help you stay balanced and full of energy during your cleanse.
Carrots - another staple of juicing, carrots are rich carotenoids, boost immunity, give you energy and are known for helping to heal eyesight. One of my favourites is the Solar Plexus Charger
Beets - of course another popular ingredient in juicing known for being high in iron, vitamin C and A and improve digestion.
Cucumber - add a ton of healthy, clean water to your juice as well as vitamins and minerals.
Apples - high in vitamins and antioxidants, known for supporting cellular health and delicious!
For more information on cleansing and detox, visit the Divine Detox Page and take a deep dive into your divine health journey!
** This article is for informational purposes only ~ it is not intended to diagnose or treat. As always, do your own research, consult your own Healer of choice, or book a consultation before exploring any of the medicines mentioned on this site.*