The holiest day of the Jewish year is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement; a day spent in prayer, penance and among other things, fasting. How grueling it was to me as a child. Of course I rarely made it through and the few times I did I would break fast (no not “breakfast” spellcheck) with something like a cheeseburger and a milkshake. Nowadays it’s become popular for people feeling a bit guilty about their sinful diet to do a little atoning of their own with a variety of juice fasts. Maybe my ancient ancestors were on to something.

Anyway, this fasting is a risky business and really not necessary for those with a healthy diet already. Nonetheless, the benefits are compelling. In addition to getting rid of toxins built up throughout the system from a poor diet it can decrease congestive symptoms; eliminate food allergies and sensitivities; reduces the burden on the digestive system, allowing it to heal; release pesticides, drugs, and other chemicals from stored fat, which can then be eliminated; enhance mental, physical, and spiritual well-being; increase energy and mental clarity; promote glowing skin; prevent chronic diseases caused by poor diet and lifestyle; and clear mucus discharge.

A juice fast is just what it says; a short-term intake of raw vegetable and fruit juice and water ONLY. This is done because juice is an incredible source of vitamins and antioxidants. Fasts typically last for one to three days but some people go longer. I wouldn’t recommend that without some type of medical supervision and monitoring to ensure that nutrient deficiencies don’t result.

So here’s a basic outline of a fast although many variations are possible. Do your research and find one that’s right for you. It’s suggested to fast during the warmer months with Spring being the best time of the year for juice fasting. For seven or more days before the fast, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, dairy, wheat, animal meat, fish, and eggs should be reduced or eliminated from the diet. During this time eat mainly organic fruits, vegetables, and beans. During the fast between 32 and 64 ounces of juice is recommended and should be sipped throughout the day. Typical fruits and vegetables include celery, carrot, kale, cabbage, apple, pineapple, cranberry, spinach, beet, and greens. Citrus fruits are often avoided. In addition to the juice roughly 6 glasses of room temperature or warm filtered water is recommended. GO ORGANIC! And if you absolutely, positively cannot, peel the skin off the fruits and vegetables or wash them with a non-toxic produce cleaner like the Cuisine Clean. Fresh juice is a must so the best alternative to juicing at home with a centrifugal juicer and masticating juicer is to buy it from the health food store. Be sure not to skimp on the wheatgrass, green vegetables and sprouts because they contain the chlorophyll, which is especially beneficial during a juice fast. These must be juiced in a masticating juicer. Be sure to combine both fruits and vegetables as they each have their own unique benefits and finally, when you break the fast, return to solid foods gradually.

Certain fruits and vegetables and their parts should not be juiced, like the pits of peaches, apricots, cherries, and other fruits, apple seeds, citrus peels, carrot and rhubarb tops, tough skins (such as kiwi, pineapple, mangoes), and bananas and avocados. Some people can’t handle complete abstinence from solid food so it’s ok if you eat one meal a day in addition to the juice.

Pay attention to your body while you fast. Keep an eye on your weight, symptoms and degree of congestion, tongue coating, degree of hunger, and energy level. If energy level drops for more than one day, if weight becomes too low, or if any symptoms become particularly intense, just break the fast for God’s sake. This isn’t a punishment after all. Please note that a certain amount of tongue coating is normal. It may become thicker or have a more pronounced color (yellow, white, grey) as the body eliminates toxins.

Certain people should not do this. Pregnant or nursing women or children shouldn’t try a juice fast. As well, people with diabetes, low blood sugar, eating disorders, kidney disease, liver disease, malnutrition, addictions, underweight, anemia, impaired immune function, infection, nutritional deficiency, low blood pressure, ulcerative colitis, cancer, terminal illness, epilepsy, or other chronic conditions shouldn’t try a juice fast or should do so only under strict medical supervision. People shouldn’t try a juice fast before or after surgical procedures. Remember, a juice fast can reduce blood proteins and change the way prescription drugs react in the body so people taking prescription medications should consult a health professional skilled in detoxification before trying a juice fast, and should never discontinue or reduce their medications on their own.

Be well,

JuicyJosh

www.877myjuicer.com

Now that you’ve researched juicers, read up on organic fruits and vegetables and (hopefully) purchased your very first juicer, you might be asking yourself; just exactly what can I do with this new appliance? Do you make a smoothie, throw a juicing party or do you try out one of the expected juice fasts you’ve heard so much about from your friends and legions of committed juicers? If you decide a juice fast, just might be the answer, you may want to start with understanding the basics of juicing for detoxification.

WHY DETOX?

First of all, many doctors, naturopaths, nutritionists and juicers consider detoxification an important corrective and restorative process in our cycle of nutrition. It is a time when we allow our cells and organs the chance to clear out waste and take in new oxygen and nutrients. While we do not necessarily need to fast to experience some cleansing, (minor shifts in the diet such as including more fluids and more raw foods will encourage detoxification), juice fasting is an advanced detox method designed to speed the elimination of toxins from the body. Freshly juiced fruits and vegetables provide calories and nutrients on which to function and build new cells, and also provide vital enzymes.

Juice fasting essentially refers to the avoidance of solid foods and the consumption only of liquids. Water fasting is popular, but juice is often chosen over water as a way of fasting because of its many benefits. Juice requires minimal digestion, improves energy, is easily absorbed and assimilated by the body and it supplies nutrients and calories to maintain energy, while it stimulates our body to clear waste. Fasting also increases the release of toxins from the colon, kidneys and bladder, lungs and sinuses, and skin. While this process may generate discharge such as mucus from the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, sinuses, or in the urine, it is helpful in clearing out the problems that have arisen from overeating and a sedentary lifestyle.

BEFORE YOU DETOX

Since we are all different from age to body type to health conditions, it is recommended that you consult your primary care provider before trying a juice fast for detox. Fasting can reduce blood proteins and change the way prescription drugs react in the body. If you are taking prescription medication make certain to consult a health professional skilled in detoxification.

Moreover, if you have one of the following conditions do not try juice fasting: diabetes, hypoglycemia, eating disorders, anemia, epilepsy, kidney disease, impaired or weak immune system, cardiac arrhythmias, weak heart, candida, cancer, peptic ulcer, malnutrition, pregnancy, nursing, gout, lactation, asthma, terminal illness, tuberculosis, ulcerative colitis, any condition that causes depletion and weakness, underweight, chronic infection, nutritional deficiency, low blood pressure, epilepsy.

JUICING GUIDELINES

Once you’ve received the go-ahead and are ready to begin your juice detox, it is best to start slowly and to avoid being excessive or impatient. Make sure to get good nights sleep and follow some of these practical tips:

Begin slowly with a three or five day juice fast and graduate to a longer fast from there.

The basic procedure is to use between one and three parts distilled or filtered water to one part fresh juice. Between 32 and 64 oz. of juice is usually recommended per day. The juice is sipped throughout the day. Approximately 6 glasses of filtered water should be consumed (including the water used to dilute the juice) to flush out toxic substances.

· Low-allergen protein supplements can be added after the third day. They provide protein, vitamins, and minerals to support the detoxification process. The powder can be mixed into juices.

· Keep warm. Nurturing and relaxing are important during this time. Breathing exercises, yoga and/or meditation are some optional suggestions.

· Add blue-green algae, spirulina, or chlorella to juices to provide more energy.

· Be sure to drink plenty of warm water in addition to juices..

· Good choices for detox are celery, carrot, kale, cabbage, apple, pineapple, cranberry, spinach, beet, and greens.

· Apples, grapes, oranges, and carrots are caloric and should be minimized if weight loss is desired while grapefruit, lemon, cucumber, and greens, such as lettuce, spinach, or parsley, are recommended for weight loss.

Fruit Juices

Lemon—liver, gallbladder, allergies, asthma, cardiovascular disease (CVD), colds
Citrus—CVD, obesity, hemorrhoids, varicose veins
Apple—liver, intestines
Pear—gallbladder
Grape—colon, anemia
Papaya—stomach, indigestion, hemorrhoids, colitis
Pineapple—allergies, arthritis, inflammation, edema, hemorrhoids
Watermelon—kidneys, edema
Black cherry—colon, menstrual problems, gout

Vegetable Juices

Greens—CVD, skin, eczema, digestive problems, obesity, breath
Spinach—anemia, eczema
Parsley—kidneys, edema, arthritis
Beet greens—gallbladder, liver, osteoporosis
Watercress—anemia, colds
Wheat grass—anemia, liver, intestines, breath (remember you have to use a masticating juicer for this.  No other juicer will work!)
Cabbage—colitis, ulcers
Comfrey—intestines, hypertension, osteoporosis
Carrots—eyes, arthritis, osteoporosis
Beets—blood, liver, menstrual problems, arthritis
Celery—kidneys, diabetes, osteoporosis
Cucumber—edema, diabetes
Jerusalem artichokes—diabetes
Garlic—allergies, colds, hypertension, CVD, high fats, diabetes (use a garlic keeper to keep it fresh)
Radish—liver, high fats, obesity
Potatoes—intestines, ulcer

Enjoy and Be Well,

Juicy Josh

www.877myjuicer.com