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Friday, January 16, 2009

The Juice Fast



I did some research last week and came to the decision that I was going to do a 3 day juice fast. Actually, if the 3 day preparations were included in that number as well as the 2 days it will take to break the fast it will actually be an 8 day festivity.
After much research I found that fresh juice is not just packed with vitamins and minerals but also with living enzymes, antioxidants, phytochemicals and is low enough in calories to force the body to cannibalize on its filthy waste, propelling you to vigorous physical health and clarity of mind.

Sounds extremely fabulous doesn't it?

The big seller for me was that fasting improves memory and concentration. SOLD!

The 3 days of preparation were a breeze, eating fresh fruits, soup and lots of water and tea. The first day of the juice fast was also very easy, until dinner time. OMG, talk about craving everything! It didn't help that Jim & the boys munched on everything from cookies, to lindt chocolate to popcorn. (Thanks guys!)

After 8 glasses of juiced fruits & vegetables and 4 glasses of water, I went to bed.

Day 2. All day I could not stop thinking about eating a meal. I could not keep my mind occupied on anything, couldn't play the guitar, paint, write, read, homeschool, pet the dog, or do the laundry. I felt anxious, depressed, weak, dizzy and miserable. I began to think out loud
'What in the hell was I thinking?"
So I have decided to cut short the 3 day juice fast to a 2 day. I still have to break the fast for 2 days which consists of an apple for breakfast, juice, an apple for lunch, juice and a bowl of soup for dinner. Blah, I want my home made cookies!!!! Geez, I sound like a big baby don't I?
Consumed with the thought of food, not exactly my ...er... bowl of chips...uh...box of cookies... oh right, cup of tea!.

Tonight's supper for Jim & the boys consisted of stew, thats it. I had never really made one before because it's not something I would eat, but since I wasn't joining them for supper anyway, I decided to give it a try. I made it in the morning when food is not normally on my mind with the hopes of making my evening a little less harder to get through. My plan didn't work though, I am fuming at the fact that I am not able to consume solid foods at the moment.




I had to start up the Breville JE900 Professional Juice Extractor to make my yummy supper. Its a super fabulous machine, no cleanup and incredibly fast. If anyone wants a glass of juice in 5 seconds come on over because this baby can make that happen :)


This is the pulp and skins from the 2 apples, 1 carrot and handful of grapes that I juiced for my supper. Ewww!


And here is the juice; my supper. Mmmm.

Now I have to fight myself through 2 more days of breaking this fast. Will I ever do it again? Yes, with someone who will do it with me and/or at a weekend retreat away from home in the summer. That way I won't have to watch everyone eat all of my favorite Lindt chocolates with out having any myself :)

Life’s journey has many imperfections and humility is the only response to grace for when we fail.

2 comments:

Ryan McLaughlin said...

Hey Sherri, an interesting idea for a fast. I really need to drink more juice anyway, so might be a good opportunity for me to kick off a new habit.

I'm a bit surprised you had such a hard time though. A few years ago I did a 7-day fast, and though it wasn't easy, I don't remember it being excruciatingly difficult either.

I'm wondering if maybe it was the level of hydration you were allowing yourself. Whenever I had cravings I just filled myself up with fluids. On a juice fast are you allowed to consume only juice (no water?) and only at set intervals?

Unknown said...

I never thought of my level of hydration. I drank about 8 glasses of juice and about 4 cups of fruit dissolved in hot water and maybe 2-3 small glasses of water.

I will use your suggestion on my next fast as I know that drinking a glass of water before a meal will help with limiting the amount of food consumed.

Other than that I think it is the fact that everyone around me is always snacking, and I LOVE snacking too! I am not hungry at all and do not have any urges to eat, just crave snacks. It's very weird. I do applaud you in enduring a 7 day fast though, wow, that would take a lot of will power!