Juicing For Excellence

This past month Doug and I have really stepped up our juicing. I have been juicing for 28 years and have enjoyed the benefits of it in the form of energy and nutritional health. I would typically juice one giant glass a day, usually for breakfast. It's like pouring vitamins straight into my bloodstream...total energy boost. Since I've had several surgeries this past year I am feeling the need to detox my system. Juicing will also help me lose the extra 20 lbs I put on last year, five with each surgery.

Juicing is a great way to get mega doses of natural vitamins, minerals and enzymes. You could never eat enough fresh produce to get the nutrients that just a glass or two of juice will provide. If you are looking for a jump start on weight loss, a way to clean out or detox your system, or just want more energy, I would highly recommend you try raw juice. If you are someone who doesn't eat enough veggies then you need to be juicing! Many vegetables are actually quite sweet when juiced. Carrots and beets are a good example. I love most all veggies, but have never been able to develop a taste for beets even though I know they contain valuable vitamins for the blood and also have cleansing properties. While I won't eat cooked beets, I drink them every day in my Carrot/Beet/Cucumber juice. You don't go hungry; drink as much as you want.

Since I am feeling the need to detox right now I will consume mostly raw juice as my diet. When I feel the need to chew, I will have fresh fruits and veggies. After doing this for only THREE days I am down 7 lbs. The payoff is immediate. I felt better after just one day of juicing and the weight started coming off immediately. Side note: I had already been drinking a glass of juice a day. If you are eating a diet that is high in junk food you may feel worse the first couple of days while your body detoxes. Then you will be amazed at how great you feel.

We are headed to Vegas in a couple of days. I won't be able to juice while there and we are scheduled to attend several dinner events. I will do my best to keep at least 50% of my food intake raw. (I'll let you know how my weight looks when I return.) Then I will return to juicing as the majority of my meals.

While I have been juicing for years, it seems just recently that a lot of people are asking me about it. I found two documentaries that provide very valuable information. I know they are both available on Netflix. Both are available for purchase as well. I have no connection to either of these. I watched them on Netflix. If you want to understand exactly what affect food has on your body you need to watch these. As Maya Angelou said, "I did then what I knew how to do. Now I know better, I do better." Some will choose not to watch because they don't want to "know better" Knowing better means I am now accountable to myself for what I know.

"Food Matters" - available to view on Netflix or purchase at www.foodmatters.tv This is about 75 minutes long. You will see how it is true...YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT.

"Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" - available to view on Netflix or purchase at www.fatsickandnearlydead.com Runs about an hour and a half. Follow Joe Cross as he travels across the US. For 60 days he consumes only fresh juice and loses 90 lbs and gets off of all his medication. Pretty inspiring.

I'm curious to hear what you think after watching either or both of these. I'll do a follow up post with some of my favorite juice recipes. Have you ever tried juicing, either as a supplement to your diet or a juice fast?