The theory behind a juice feast is that if you be sure to FEAST and not FAST, you can effectively shut down your digestive system whilst not starving yourself. When you give your body pure nutrition and let your digestive system rest a little, your body can really go to work to cleanse and heal. It sounds a little crazy, but it’s amazing how fast it becomes normal to well, just drink juice for your meals. I get asked a lot if I was hungry. NEVER. I was full, all the time. Of juice, but yes very full and I really didn’t want solid food too bad. The absolute worst part was the detoxing from all the junk. YUCK.
At only Day 2 I started to feel really sick, like the flu. I was weak, I had a sore throat, headaches, soooo tired. I couldn’t believe how bad I felt. But I knew it would get better so I stuck with it and gradually it got better and better by Day 6 I felt totally normal. It was kind of amazing to me that I could really live off of just juices. Mind you I was eating about 10 lbs. or fresh organic produce a day, along with some supplements and raw oils. But still, amazing.
I learned some neat things about my body through the process.
- I learned I am tougher than I thought.
- I learned that raw organic produce can give me lots of energy.
- I learned that sugar and junk had a real, live hold on me and I was addicted.
UPDATE: I am NOT Vegetarian anymore. Read why I chose a Traditional Whole Foods Diet for my family and I feel great!
Visit my blog posts Juicing 101 & Juicing 102 for some great juicing recipes!
I have been wanting to do a detox/cleanse but assume it might not be a good idea while nursing. Does anyone know if there is a safe cleanse to do while breast feeding? I have a 17 month old and I am not sure when he will be done nursing so I may just have to wait.
I’m interested in doing a juice feast, but I’m super nervous about trying to feed my family at the same time. How did that work out for you?
I focused on myself and let my family’s diet slide…a lot. I used it as an opportunity to get rid of the last bit of processed junk in my fridge/pantry/freezer. It was convenient, and they were happy. I really needed to focus on me. Also, I had them defer to cereal for dinner. They were cool with it:)
I’ve just added my two blog posts above that include my juicing recipes!
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DaNelle,
Could you please send me your ‘juice’ recipes? I too have had back surgery, leaving me in more chronic pain… But I am double your age, and since surgery in 2005,I not only passed 50 – but I gained 20 pounds. It’s the pits! And what makes it worse is I love to sew and have made oodles of dresses I cannot wear, but want to very much. So thanks much! I do have one recipe I make… 1/2 apple, 1/2 banana, 1 orange, and handful of spinach. Pretty good!
Oops… please send to [email protected]
Okay, I’ll send you an email right away!
Great post. I love the term Juice Feast. Fabulous. I’ve done a 3 day and a 2 day feast, but I’m interested in taking if further. I’d love to know what recipes you used. simplyfrugalmom(at)gmail(dot)com…if you don’t mind sharing. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.
DaNelle, you are awesome! I suffer from chronic pain and started eating an anti-inflammatory diet and amazed at how much diet affects my pains. Can you email me your recipes? ~ Julie Schonlau
jschonlau at gmail dot com Thanks!
I love you DaNelle!!!! You are the best for posting this! You are doing everything I want to do!!!! Exactly!!! I have cut meat from our diets to, we eat it like once a week for dinner. But you know I would love the recipes you came up with!! Please!! Well I want to get back on my green smoothies everyday. My parents are soon this and love it 🙂 they have been doing it for a few months now and I wish I was as dedicated. It is hard with a hubby and kids though. 🙂 it was so fun hanging out the other day! Let’s play again soon 🙂