I think a lot of people probably wonder “why should I do a juice cleanse?” You might even think that only hippie-yoga people do it. And people trying to lose weight. But I have learned there are many reasons to be cleaning out your pipes. I started doing juice cleanses years ago when I lost my spleen in a snowboard accident. This was my way to boost my immune system with out having to inoculate myself yearly with a flu vaccine. I found it brightened my skin, re-set my eating habits, and gave me tons of energy after long winters of snowboarding and training. And after years of this routine spring and late summer, I now also accredit my twice yearly cleansed liver for helping to support my cancer treatments, and beating a stage 3 cancer.
There are many ways and reasons to do a juice cleanse. A typical one is three days, and my favorite is Kris Carrs’. There are many inspiring juice recipies in this one, fresh foods to snack on, and basically helping your digestive system to take a break from the onslaught. I know, you “eat healthy”. But regardless, our romance with unhealthy foods can be a strong one, even an oblivious one. There are so many chemicals/toxins in our air, water and yes our foods, its important we help our liver, digestive system, stomach, and minds to clear out, re-focus and repair. Everyone is different, but I know trying to take meat, caffeine, sugar and dairy away from some people makes them want to rage. But maybe it’s not about giving it all up per say, but taking some things out, or even cutting in half. Try adding a green juice with your coffee in the morning. Or a fruity veggie smoothie with your organic turkey sandwich for lunch.
And as Kris Carr says “When you cut down on animal products, you can look forward to less mucus, better poops, glowing skin, less inflammation, less gas, more freedom.” Sounds like fun eh?!
Even if you don’t have cancer, even if you have no health or immune issues, even if you think you’re too far gone, here is my top three reasons why I think you should throw back some roots, fruits and veggies that have been juiced:
IMPROVE YOUR ENERGY: Many of us need caffeine. To the point of wanting to bitch slap the person who cuts in front of you in that long Starbucks line. And often these drinks come with lots of sugar, so again there’s another thing controlling your appetite and (other) brain; your stomach. Your green juice is flooding your body with super nutrition, and at that same time releasing the chokeholds that toxins have on your cells and repairing them. Adding in proper hydration with your juices, and you have a real tank of gasoline.
RESTS AND REPAIRS DIGESTIVE SYSTEM: Without me having to get into the McDonalds conversation (Again, I know you “don’t eat that crap”) many of our foods have additives, refined carbs, pesticides, saturated fats, and allergenic additives in them. On top of this, many of us take medications for various issues (Advil included) and one of the number one causes to gut issues: stress. Even one of these factors can
easily throw off the friendly little guys in your gut microbiome that help your foods’ nutrients be absorbed into your body so it can function optimally. Consuming rainbow plant based juices helps your body use less energy to digest, gives your stomach, liver and intestines time to repair and eliminate all the icky stuff slowing you down. Key is to go organic when juicing and making smoothies. Check out this years “Dirty Dozen and Clean 15” online.
REDUCES INFLAMMATION: This is one of my favorites. As being an athlete can cause inflammation. And what I have now learned is there is often inflammation happening in your body, even when you least expect it. I have found that doing a detox juice cleanse (even for a day!) makes me feel like a spring chicken again, adds a skip in my hop, and I find an incredible amount of patience for myself and the world around me when my knee doesn’t ache, my head doesn’t throb, and when my liver is functioning to its max.
Juicing is of benefit to not only you but the world around you. I will admit the hard and the easies of a juice cleanse varies. And it’s all about starting, trying and giving yourself a break. Negative self-talk is damaging, even to your cells. So give yourself and your organs a giant hug and a kiss and say “I LOVE YOU”, and mean it by sharing a green juice with yourself.
Here is my favorite easy yummy detox juice, my girlfriends call it The Chronic:
* large handful of pineapple
* 2 green apples
* thumb sized chunk of peeled ginger
* 1 bunch cilantro
* 5-8 stems of celery (with greens)
* 1 lemon (peeled)
Sprinkle on top: un-sweetened coconut and some cayenne.
YUM and happy detoxing
With love, Megs
References:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/woodson-merrell-md/juice-cleanses_b_4549641.html
http://kriscarr.com/blog/crazy-sexy-gentle-how-to-cleanse-in-2013/
