Project Juice Fast: Day 3

Day 3 Update

Today, I went to the Farmer's Market to get some more fresh produce. The trip to the Farmer's Market is one of my favorite parts of juicing. Here is what I bought:

• Celery
• Spinach
• Carrots
• Parsley
• Pineapple
• Grapefruit
• Apples
• Tomatoes 

Each fruit & veggie has different properties that will add to your juice. Below is some info on a few of my "go-to" favorites. Remember, I'm not a doctor or a nutritionist, this is just some info I've learned along the way. For even more AMAZING info on juice, I suggest Pat Crocker's The Juicing Bible.

When purchasing fruit & veggies, look for ripe options. The heavier the item, the higher juice yield (typically). After buying your organic produce, make sure to wash it well (with vinegar and water). This way you won't have to worry about consuming any bacteria that may be hiding in those leafy greens.

Apple

Apples are known as "the broomstick of the digestive system." This is because they clear out all of the muck & toxins stored in your body. Apples are also high in vitamins: A, B & C. The most versatile fruit, apples can be added to just about any fruit or veggie blend. 

Carrots

Carrots are cleansing to your liver and your digestive system. Being packed with antioxidants, they bring a sweet note to any green juice. Carrots are said to prevent kidney stones (which you can be at risk for if you are eating tons of leafy greens - unfortunately, I learned this the hard way!), enhance mental function, and lower cholesterol. 

Celery

Celery has been used as a treatment for high blood pressure. It also is full of properties that detoxify the body of carcinogens. They have a strong, bitter flavor, so I like to use them in combination with carrots.

Grapes

Grapes are AMAZING! These powerful antioxidants are known for being antiviral, and for having anticancer properties. Their flavonoids protect your heart, and the boron they contain helps to regulate estrogen, preventing loss of bone density.

Grapefruit (any citrus fruit)

Citrus fruits are packed with antioxidants and have anti-cancer properties. They are all especially high in Vitamin C and limonene, a substance thought to inhibit breast cancer. Grapefruit (especially red ones) are very high in lycopene, which fights cancer.

Parsley

Parsley contains so many different nutrients and is one of the most healthy herbs on earth. It is full of volatile oils, flavonoids, folic acid, and Vitamins A & C. Parsley's nutrients have been known to: neutralize particular carcinogens, increase antioxidant capacity in blood, prevent both colon and cervical cancer, and protect against arthritis.

Pineapple

Pineapple is delicious, anti-inflammatory, and enhances digestion while settling your stomach. It is the only fruit to contain Bromelain (an enzyme mix found in the core and stem) which aids in digestion and may shrink tumors. Pineapple is also very rich in potassium, and contain Vitamin C and iron.

Spinach

Spinach is MAGICAL. It enhances mental function (in the morning, it is better than coffee for energy), protects the heart and is full of Vitamins: A, C & E. Spinach is one of the only veggies that is also a good source of protein. 

New Juice Blends

I made 2 new juice blends: 1 fruit blend and 1 veggie/green juice. 

The fruit juice is made up of:

• Pineapple (2)
• Grapefruit (2)
• Apples (15)

The veggie/green juice is made up of: 

• Spinach (4 bunches)
• Celery (3 stalks)
• Carrots (3 lbs)
• Parsley (1 bunch)
• Tomatoes (4)

How do I feel?

The nitty gritty:

Day 3 has been the best so far. I slept well last night and don't have a headache! HURRAH!! My breath also seems to be better... SBM is very grateful for this :) I seem to have an enhanced sense of smell, and I feel very alert. I feel energized! Unfortunately, I am very mucous-y. All of my reading tells me that this is just part of the detox process. Being in the middle of allergy season, I am glad to have my sinuses cleared out! So far this has been my favorite day of the Juice Fast.

Tomorrow we will juice until dinner and then will eat a small, mostly raw, meal. I am definitely looking forward to chewing, although all of this extra energy is encouraging and makes me want to look into adding juice as a staple to my regular diet.

How often do you juice? Do you notice that you feel better when you consume juice as part of your diet?

LOVE LOVE,

Jennah