Juice Cleansing 101

Fresh-pressed juice is my choice indulgence.
Second only to bread.

And chocolate…

I would cringe at the amount of money I’ve dropped at my local juice shop if it wasn’t so damn good for my body & small biz economy. But knowing the investment goes toward health & vitality, supporting a business I adore, AND ultimate tastebud satisfaction – it is absolutely worth it.

I love juicing so much I asked for a juicer for my birthday (yes, yes – total Virgo here) and I have been putting it to (over)use every day since! This new gift prompted a new moon cleanse & seasonal reset. And I’d love to share with you what I’ve discovered along the way.

Instruction

The guidelines of a juice cleanse are surprisingly simple. 

Pick a date to start & determine how long you will commit to cleansing (3-5 days). Feeling solid in your commitment will help you push through if you start craving. 

Stock your fridge with a variety of seasonal, local, organic produce.
You may even feel a sense of excitement at the sight of this abundant rainbow of nourishment. 

As you progress through your cleanse, drink as much juice as you need to feel satiated. Drinking plenty of water will help sustain, hydrate & cleanse your body.
If you feel especially depleted or weak, it’s totally cool to supplement with vegetable broth or even plain kefir. 

Being a cleanse, you’ll obviously want to avoid such things as alcohol, smoking, sugar, excessive caffeine…

Once you finish, allow a few days to gently transition back to eating.
Start with simple & easily digestible foods like smoothies, soups, or kitchari.
Continue incorporating juice into your daily nourishment.

A couple more noteworthy tips…
It is of your greatest benefit to get plenty of rest & good quality sleep during this time. 
Avoid scrolling to keep your mind away from tempting food porn pics & mindless consumption.  
Indulge in plenty of self-care activities like gentle movement, ritual baths, or meditation. 

Benefits & Effects

You might notice the following side-effects during & after juicing:
clarity of mind & diminished brain fog
craving foods to nourish deficiencies
greater appreciation for eating
notable change in energy
detoxification symptoms
epic bowel movements
clearer & brighter skin
reduced inflammation
emotional purging
better mood
weight loss

Best Produce to Juice

Fruits: apple, lemon, orange, grapefruit, pineapple

Veggies: beet, carrot, kale, spinach, celery, cucumber, radish, zucchini, garlic, bell pepper

Herbs: parsley, cilantro, mint, basil, ginger, turmeric

Fave Recipes 

Rise & Radiate
1 bunch celery
1 bunch cilantro 

Invigorating
2 large apples
1 cucumber
3 inch knob ginger
1 bunch kale
1 handful beet greens

Be(et)loved
2 apples
1 bunch beets & stems
1 bunch radishes 
2 lemons

Flourish
1 pineapple
2 apples
1 inch knob ginger
5 cups spinach
1 bunch mint

Root Resilience
10 medium carrots 
2 inch knob ginger
4 inch knob turmeric 

Shopping List

12 apples
3 bunches beets w/ greens
10 lb carrot
1 large piece ginger
3 pieces turmeric
3 bunches greens
5 lemons
2 heads celery
2 cucumbers
1 pineapple 
1 bunch cilantro
1 bunch parsley
1 bunch mint

(3 days / 1 person)

3 Easy Uses for Pulp

Broth
Combine water, pulp & herbs of choice in stockpot & simmer for several hours.
Strain & sip warm or save for soups.
(see this post for broth recipes)

Rainbow Crackers
Mix pulp, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, salt & pepper.
Spread evenly on baking sheet w/ parchment paper.
Cut into bite-sized squares.
Bake @ 200 degrees until dry.

Baked Goods
Add pulp to muffins or quick breads like zucchini bread, carrot cake, apple muffins.

Store in fridge for up to a week or freeze until needed.

Human tested. Kitty approved!

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