Leading into Labor Day weekend, my husband and I wrapped up another a 3-day juice cleanse. Although some people who have never tried a juice cleanse may think we are crazy, it’s honestly not that hard. I mean, I definitely want to eat food while doing it from time to time, but your body totally adjusts and don’t get very hungry at all.
I tried my first juice cleanse after finishing up an IVF cycle where I’d pumped my body full of hormones, which would make me gain a few pounds of water weight and just made me feel “icky”. I juiced for a full 5 days my first cleanse and made all my own juices at home, which at the time was doable because I didn’t have a little one under foot. I was super happy with the results, I felt more energetic and like I washed all the “icky” right out of my body.
Since then I’ve found that for me, doing a juice cleanse for 3 days every other month or so is a great way for me to keep my mind and body on a healthy track. Juicing is a great way to get a lot of beneficial vitamins and nutrients found in fruits and veggies into your body efficiently, and may help counteract certain inflammatory diseases. I like knowing that what I am putting into my body is healthy and useful. When you are a working mom and always on the go, it helps make sure you don’t skip meals and is an efficient way to get the vitamins you need. If juicing at home, find a great produce store with reasonable prices to help keep costs down. At home juicing machines can range from $50 to $300 and up – cold press machines are best because they help keep the optimal amount of nutrients in your juices.
Since having my little dude, I’ve been juicing more at my local cold press juice bar in Winter Garden, Press’d at Plant Street Market. Press’d has great juicing packages, and all you have to do is pick up your 6 bottles for the day every morning or the night before. Easy peasy. You can also pick up different premade juices or juicing plans at Whole Foods and on-line, which are good in a pinch, but I always prefer something I know is fresh.
During a juice cleanse, it’s important to make sure that you are consuming enough calories (at least 2000 for an average person), and drink TONS of water. Juicing shouldn’t be thought of as a quick fix for weight loss, and that shouldn’t be your goal, although some people do experience weight loss and juicing helped me lose those last few pregnancy pounds that I couldn’t even shake with marathon running.
Before starting something like this, it is always worth having a conversation with your doctor, especially if you have an existing medical condition and especially if you are pregnant (I would maybe just enjoy some juices along with what you are already eating in that case, but be very cautious about making sure you properly wash all your veggies to clean off any bacteria and contaminants like Ecoli that can be found in the soil).
For me, when I am juicing I am more energized, think more clearly, and feel stronger. And when I’m done, it helps to reset my body as to the quantity and types of food that I’m drawn to eat. When finished, I tend to eat smaller portions, and when I do eat foods or drinks that are not as healthy, I can feel a tangible difference, so it helps keep me honest and on track. Juicing makes me want to put healthy foods in my body, and helps me maintain a healthier lifestyle. Instead of ice cream, I’ll opt for something like this amazing acai bowl (also from Press’d by the way!).
Here’s to a healthy next week!