Juicing Momma, Juicing Poppa... Juicing Kiddo?

I recently was asked, "Juicing has changed my life!  Can I give the same juice to my kids?"

ABSOLUTELY!  (... keep reading)

Note this first, you are an adult... they are children... you have very different bodies, growing patterns, nutrient needs, digestive tracts, chemistry... and the list goes on.  So keep the tips below in mind while introducing a safe and effective juice plan for both you and your children.

For all of you juicing parents out there, I commend you!  It is not an easy feat to keep yourself fit and healthy while pulling double-shifts as a parent.  So often we tend to put our child's health above our own until we begin to disappear from our own "nutritional radar."

The truth of the matter is that it is so much more difficult to take care of your child when you are in physical distress or diminished health.  Being "out-of-shape," overweight (unhealthy), lethargic and full of toxins prevents you from not only being a fully effective parent but being a good example to your children.  I've even noticed that when I'm not at optimum health, I tend to be more of a passive parent, leaning on television, toys and inside activities to entertain my child.

Doing things together, Parent and Child, is why we had kids in the first place... right?!  Or at least it's why I love being a parent.  There is nothing as captivating as watching a child discover a new talent or a new element... it leaves me speechless every time.

So... getting back to the question at hand (sorry, I digress...), "Can I give the same juice to my kids?"

The answer is still, YES!  Below are some tips to take into consideration:

1. Make sure the portion in small enough to be utilized as a "supplement" to their diet and NOT a "replacement" for other foods.
2. Help expand their taste buds!  Little by little, introduce different flavors into the mix.  You will be surprised by how much children will LOVE all kinds of juice... even the "green-stuff!"
3. Morning and lunch is a great time for juice.  This helps ignite the brain and system for maximum activity and attention throughout the day.  
4. Nighttime tea is a great way to "wind down" at the end of the day.  You yourself should have a glass yourself.  Watch the both of you melt into a couch, sip your tea and read a chapter of Percy the Pig!  My daughter has become accustomed to tea with a few drops of Stevia in her bottle before bed.  This keeps her system clean and able to repair overnight vs. heavy drinks before bed.
5. Note allergies and sensitivities. 
6. Stay organic... those little bodies can only take so much of the concentrated toxins.  Keep it good, local and clean.  Your child's body will thank you for it!
7. Don't force it... let them enjoy and like it.  Good experiences early will ensure they like it moving forward.

Here are some combos to try with your kids... feel free to make a pitcher the night before and have these as a fun breakfast or "take to school/work" drink!

• Pineapple - Carrot
• Cucumber - Apple
• Broccoli - Pineapple
• Spinach - Apple

Happy Momma, Poppa, Kiddo juicing!

Toxic Overload!

When you finally make a decision to become healthy, to rid your body of toxins and begin a diet and exercise regimen that works for you, you are actually breaking old habits.  When you decide to juice, you are shaking your previous routine to the core!

In these initial stages, you are actually "fighting" with the poor habits that your body has grown to expect.  Anytime there is conflict within the body, there will be initial consequences before things get better.

How it works inside your body...

Your liver, adrenal glands and other vital organs were designed to cleanse the body and create the balance needed for overall functionality and health.  Yet these organs do have limits.  Just like the air filter on your car... everything needs to be cleaned.

What then happens, when these systems are overloaded, is that they start to "reject" toxins to other tissues.  Basically saying, "We are at full capacity, can you take this?"  The surrounding tissues, namely fat cells, have no choice but to absorb the toxic overflow and hang onto it for as long as the tissues and cells are functioning.  You essentially have a backlog of toxins just building up... slowly taking over your cells and organs and thus clogging your body.

This is exactly what causes symptoms such as:

• Lethargy
• Constant feeling of sickness in stomach
• Headaches
• Excess weight gain
• Joint pain
• Inability to concentrate
• Mood swings
• Digestive issues
• Acne
• And the list goes on...

Since our cleansing organs and functional systems do not allow us to "remove and replace" them, like a car filter, we have to take the approach of cleansing them and then allowing them to regenerate.  This means:

1. Slowing the intake of toxins to an acceptable level, range and frequency.
2. Giving these systems a break so that they can "self clean" and rejuvenate their own tissues.

The initial affects of such action may cause a slight increase in the above symptoms... meaning you will actually feel WORSE before you feel BETTER.  I know we've all heard that saying before, yet it rings true even in health and wellness.  When you shock your body into making this drastic and much-needed positive change, your body will rebel and you will probably feel "sick."  

This is OK and normal.  You are burning off and releasing toxins that your body has held onto for a long time.  Your body is finally having the capacity to break them down, process them and finally rid them through your immune and digestive systems.  

So... if you are just starting a major health shift in your life, take on the challenge!  Know that this is going to be a side affect and push on through.  It is temporary!  Here are some tips to help make this transition easier:

1. Drink excess amounts of water
2. Sweat it out - exercise
3. Juice - juice according to your plan and don't let up
4. Cut out the toxic intake - remove alcohol, caffeine, excess sugar, fats and oils... until your body is back on track
5. Rest - rest - rest

Remember, your body is taking on a huge shift in it's normal routine.  Give yourself and your body a break and allow yourself to finally deal with and flush these toxic invaders.  You owe it to yourself to see this through... see through to the "New You!"

Just As A Horse...

"Just as a horse will manufacture all the protein it needs for it's strong musculature from greens, so too will a human." ~Natalia Rose (Author of "The Raw Food Detox Diet")

This phrase has gotten a lot of hype on blog and discussion postings.  Raw food fanatics are raving about it's truths and the all-American meat and potato eaters are claiming it is made-up and false.  There are arguments both ways and in reality it is a statement that works to support how a body's metabolism and chemistry actually manufacture protein and nutrients from the very foods and liquids we intake.  

What a concept!

Plant-based proteins do in fact exist.  Examples are:

• Asparagus
• Dark greens (Beet greens, broccoli, collard, kale, mustard, spinach, chard, turnip greens)
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Sprouts
• Tomatoes
• The list goes on...

A well rounded routine means that you must determine what works for you!  Each body is different.  Each body vibrates at a different frequency.  Each body requires it's own unique balance of energy, nutrients and exercise.  There is no magic formula to fit all.  

It is VITAL that we remove stigmas and false, blanket statements about health.  Wipe the slate clean and start doing your own research.  You will be amazed at what you find rings true for you.

One example is that last year I tried a high protein powder diet.  The idea was to match my body weight with 1 gram of protein each day.  What ended up happening is that I would fill up on any type of protein imaginable (powder, nuts, cheese, meat...) until I was too full to eat anything fresh.  My body was so dense and my system felt so "heavy."  My mood was gloomy and I felt "off."  After two months I had not lost a pound.  In fact I had gained 5 pounds.  This program was obviously not for me! 

So... I found a different way to get protein on a regular basis.  One that worked with my body.

For me, juicing became "the way."  I found that juicing made me feel light, happy, energetic and more aware. I started thinking more clearly, sleeping regularly and am now able to focus on the important parts of my life.  

Based on results, my body is in-fact able to manufacture the nutrients (including protein) it needs based on what I intake.  The form from which it comes is obsolete... because it works for me!

What works for you?

Plateau Obliteration - What Worked

After 5 days of obliterating the infamous "plateau" of weight loss and progress, I figured out what worked and what didn't.  The overall theme was that I needed to tighten the reigns on my own habits.

I found that one of the key reasons I was in this rut was due to me giving myself too much leeway later in the day.  My self-created juicing maintenance plan is juice for breakfast, lunch and snack with a handful of raw nuts or a cup of almond or rice milk.  I also allowed myself raw fruits and vegetables but they are harder to come by during the workday, so juicing made it very easy and simple to maintain.

The evenings is where I began to give myself too much slack.  My motto was that if I was maintaining, then I could eat whatever I wanted at night.  After months of this regimen, I began to see more salty, cheesy and bready items creep their way onto my plate.  I have a toddler so our evenings are about quick meals and convenience.  Unfortunately, over time, this equals unhealthy eating habits.

In the end, I found the following to help me successfully break through the plateau!

1. Get your attitude straight.  Having a "can-do" attitude with positive self-talk and optimistic views lightens your body, your mood and your energy.  By turning my attitude around, I was able to do more and was able to attract the things I needed to be successful.
2. Kitchen clean-out.  I took an evening and gave away the chips, the breads, pastas, the cheeses, the dips, the chocolate... you get the idea.  It's not that I can't have any of these things.  But during times like this, I needed to remove all temptation and get back on track.
3. Stock the fridge.  I then went to our local health-food coop and stocked up on alive food.  I stuck to produce and simple grains only (I like rice and quinoa).  I got fresh herbs and citrus to flavor.  If you have good things on hand, you are less likely to veer from the path.
4. Make juice ahead of time.  I started making some juices with coconut, honey and almond milk just to have on hand.  These flavors really added a depth to my routine and allowed for a sweet treat later in the evening when I was craving more hearty snacks.
5. Change up the routine.  I needed to desperately add some diversity into my activity routine.  So I decided to switch up my cardio and do some of my old-favorite resistance exercises.  Plus I added in some free-weights just to push myself a bit farther.  AMAZING results.  I could feel my muscles reacting within the first three days.

What didn't work?

1. Making excuses.  I had to constantly convince myself that what I had been doing was not going to get me to the next level.  Being tired and unmotivated was not an option.  My internal voice kept battling this obvious statement, but in the end... I won!
2. Not getting enough rest.  I had a sick kid and my mind kept racing with work related issues.  This was not helping me break through my plateau.  It actually had the opposite affect and resulted in bloating and general fatigue.  To stop this cycle, I started drops of Rescue Remedy and then introduced an earlier wind down routine with my daughter.  I would then do some light stretching and deep breathing right before snuggling in for the night.
3. Saying "Yes" all the time.  I am notorious for saying "Yes" to everyone.  Yet, when I am working on healing myself, I needed to draw some boundaries and simply decline invitations that were self-sabotaging or pushing me past a healthy point.  Sometimes you just need to do what you need to do... no excuses!

After five days, I am back on track.  I lost 2 lbs to get me back to where I needed to be and I am feeling lighter, thinner and less bloated.  I still have some work to do and the daily grind doesn't always help.  But... That is exactly why I juice!  Because it is an easy way to progress to a healthy weight and overall lifestyle.  Without juicing, I would be 30 lbs heavier and still dreaming about what it would be like to be "back in those jeans."  

By the way... I'm wearing those jeans right now!

End of Winter Slump

I am looking outside at a sea of half-melted snow, salt covered cars and a cold wind that looks to rip these poor, barren trees right from their roots.  I'm looking at the "end of winter slump."  The time of year when you are watching the days tick off of your calendar, waiting for that first Robin to return, for the first crocus to pop through the snow and for that first sign that the sun is actually warming the earth!

It's the end of a very long week full of hard work and change.  The rigor of life has really taken it's toll this week and I am looking forward to a weekend of rest and recovery.  In doing so, I thought I'd share a great day brightening recipe.  Time to lift the spirits and power through the last weeks of winter!

Hey, if the sun isn't going to stay out... why not bring it out!  Happy Friday juicing everyone!

Day Bright
1 peeled grapefruit
1 peeled orange
1/4 pineapple
1/4 c fresh coconut juice
1 yam
1 apple
1/4 in ginger
(if you are adventurous... try a dash of cayenne chili powder!)

Plateau Obliteration – Day Three!

When “obliterating a plateau” it’s hard to stay motivated.  Progress isn't as fast, my internal engine has slowed down to accommodate for the pace it wants to follow and it is just plain hard work.

Day three is always the day that I seem to hit my slump.  Today I left the gym feeling tired and sore and a little bloated from the weekend.  The scale has not moved an inch and this is about the time when I start to feel a bit defeated.

Time for a little self-talk and some motivation boosting!  Luckily, I have been here before and I know how to push through. 

Step 1:  Stick to the plan.  Make sure that you are juicing each day in accordance with the plan you've created for yourself.  

• For my “plateau obliteration plan” I am making a commitment to incorporate no more than 25% fruit juice into my routine.  This forces me to seek vegetable alternatives which add less sugar and less calories.

Step 2:  Increase intensity and duration.  For your movement or exercise routine, it’s time to pick up the pace and increase intensity and duration.  That means you want to increase your heart-rate for a longer period of time.  

• My current goal during this time is to increase my cardio to 30 min instead of 20 at an intensity of 6-7 vs. my previous 5.  I’m sweating bullets!

Step 3:  Check the negative attitude.  This is about the time when I start the negative talk in my head, “I’m just too tired… I am not making any headway… there’s no point, I might as well take the day off… I think I’m looking fatter… this is just too hard… I've made a lot of progress recently, I don’t’ need to work that hard.”  Do any of these sound familiar?  These are the types of negative thoughts that work against you and against your best interest.  

• I, personally, “fake it till I make it.”  I start talking to myself in the exact opposite manner, reversing those statements.  Even though I don’t quite believe them at first, I keep going until I start to feel the lift in my spirit.

Step 4:  Take a step back.  Look at how far you've already come!  What a feat!  Whether it’s weight loss, better health, more energy… take a moment to recognize and build yourself up for the progress you've already made.  Remember what it felt like to start your new juicing routine.  Remember how hard that first week was.  Now look at the positive progress!  

• I figure... I've already made it through the first phase... nothing is going to stop me from making it through the next!  I deserve this... and I can't wait to look back and remember what this phase was like.

Try this extra green recipe to kick-start your system!

Uber Green (just chug it)

½ bunch kale

½ bunch rainbow chard

1 large bag of spinach

½ cucumber

½in ginger root

¼ lemon

1 apple

Skin - Clear, Smooth & Bright!

I live in the land of 10,000 lakes... A.K.A. Minnesota.  What that means is that from November through April, my skin is severely neglected.

When I would travel to California for business, I stuck out like a sore-thumb.  My pale,white skin looked ashen and my eyes dull.  It was obvious that my poor skin hadn't seen the sun for months.

To help give my skin a healthy "glow" I tried everything from exfoliating, natural oils, tanning lotions and bronzing powders.  These would give me a temporary boost, but that would wear off within 24 hours.  Doing more isn't always better and I felt like my skin was rubbed raw and then caked full of glittery powders and oils.

So what changed?

I started juicing.  I began to let the micronutrients and live enzymes of fresh juice work through my clogged-up organs.  The juice was literally cleansing me from the inside out.  After only one week of juicing, I started to get comments from friends, and even strangers, on how bright blue my eyes looked and how vibrant my face was.  I was "glowing."  The more I heard these compliments, the more I was motivated to keep going.

After months of experimenting, I have found some key ingredient combinations that will help boost, clear and smooth the skin.  When you heal the body at the molecular level, your peripheral organs and tissues will follow suit.  It is the natural progression of targeting health within our vital organs... including our skin!

Skin boosting:

• One cup of each
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• One cucumber

Skin clearing:

• 2 cucumbers
• 1 granny smith apple
• 1 large handful of spinach
• 1/4 lemon
• 1 pinch of fresh mint

Skin smoothing:

• 1 granny smith apple
• 3 carrots
• 2 stalks celery
• 1 cucumber

So, whether you live in the tundra or on the beaches of Australia, our skin can always use some extra attention.  Why not try to incorporate some of the above ingredients into your regular juicing.  Be proactive  with your juicing and start GLOWING!

Morning Juice - Wake up!

You are rolling out of bed, it's cold outside and all you want to do is pretend the baby isn't crying and that the dog could open the back door by herself.

Well... if your life is anything like mine, my alarm promptly reminds me that I am both a parent, a dog owner and a corporate woman.  That means that there is no sleeping in and there is no pressing snooze.  Time to wake up!

One of my favorite ingredients in my morning juice is grapefruit.  I thoroughly enjoy the bright smells and the not-too-sweet citrus flavor.  I can remember being a child and picking fresh grapefruits from my Gramma's backyard.  I would take the warm fruit and bring it right to my nose, taking in that aroma.  I would peel and eat it like an orange... juice running down my face and hands.

This fruit is a perfect wake-me-up ingredient and it's natural health benefits give you a boost right away in the morning.  Some include...

• High dose of vitamin C which helps to not only reduce inflammation but strengthen the immune system.
• Skin health through high levels of vitamin A.
• Weight loss through fat burning enzymes, apatite suppressants and metabolism boosters.

Tomorrow, why not try this simple morning juice recipe... and make sure to let me know how you feel.

Wake-up!

1 grapefruit (peeled)

1 granny smith apple

3 carrots

Handfull of spinnach

1 in cube of ginger

1/2 lemon

*Juice and drink!

Hope you have a fantastic morning!

Ginger - The World Traveler

Ginger... the smell, the taste and the feeling of ginger as it awakens those senses!

This amazing root is well known across cultures, weaving it's zingy flavor through centuries of food and herbal remedies.  From the mountains of China to the beaches of Greece, across the oceans to the US and the Caribbean, this root has just about hit every continent.

It has been a well loved spice not only in my stove-top cooking but in my juicing regimen as well.  A cube of ginger adds immense flavor and even greater health benefits to my daily routine.  I have grown to almost crave it's bite and the invigorating affect it has on my system.

What are some of these benefits?  How can a simple root have such a profound affect?

First off, ginger is in one of the top antioxidant groups.  It's volatile oils (an essential oil having the odor and flavor of the plant from which it comes) are anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic which makes this a "gut's" best friend!

To name just a few digestive benefits related to this root, ginger:

• Reduces inflammation within the digestive system
• Reduces gas
• Increases nutrient absorption
• Soothes the digestive tract
• Induces mobility of the gut
• Helps digest fats by increasing bile production

Other benefits include:

• Fever reduction
• Reduced feelings of nausea, motion sickness and morning sickness
• Mood enhancing aroma therapy 
• Energizing aroma therapy

What more can I say... Ginger root detoxifies, rebuilds and stimulates all at the same time!  Hence my daily use.  

So why not give this zingy root a try in your next batch of juice?  Flavor and health all in one place... Go Ginger!

Coffee and a Pastry?

I don't know if you are anything like me, but I just happen to have a small portion of Scandinavian in my blood.  If you've ever spent a day with a Scandinavian  you will notice that sugar, pastries and cream is a regular part of their morning diet.

I remember spending a weekend at Grandma's and waking up to the smell of fresh coffee.  I'd stumble up from the pull-out couch in the basement guest room to see 'the ladies' enjoying dainty cups of coffee with an elaborate display of pastries, breads, cheeses and jellies.  Grandma's eclectic china plates, ornate silver spoons and hand-painted coffee cups created such a nostalgia around what a happy breakfast was.

I carried this notion of a happy breakfast on through my life, always wanting coffee, cream and sugar, with something sweet on the side.

Now that I juice for breakfast, I've realized just how horrible sweets made me feel in the morning.  Having an apple danish would sit like a rock in my stomach until I'd try and cover it up with a sandwich at lunch and snacks throughout the day.  It was a slippery slope that would leave me feeling bloated with a sour stomach and a fuzzy head.

Starting my day with a giant glass of micro-nutrients and water set me up for a day of successful eating!  I not only felt amazing after a juicing breakfast, I felt clear in the head and less hungry than when I was eating sweets.  My body was telling me that I was more satisfied drinking juice than I was eating sweet foods for breakfast.  My body was telling me that I had everything I needed and therefore did not need more.

Now I wake up, chugging a mixture of greens and reds while racing out the door... rearing to take on the day!

My craving for a sweet pastry every time I smell fresh coffee brewing hasn't completely gone away.  As I've stated in previous posts, I don't deprive myself of this luxury either.  I've just realized that breakfast has a HUGE impact on how the rest of my day goes.

So I choose juice more and sweets less... that is what makes me feel amazing and what keeps me juicing every day!

Do You Ever "Cheat?"

While I was traveling for business this past week (hence my gap in posts... sorry!) I was asked, "Do you ever cheat?"

What a GREAT question!

First, I wanted to address the use of the word "cheat."  The very meaning of the word equates to an act of dishonesty or unfair/immoral behavior in order to gain advantage.  I thought it was so interesting that we use this word in conversations to describe our eating behaviors and trends.  

For instance, after a weekend vacation I may say to a friend, "I cheated this weekend and had a huge piece of chocolate fudge cake for desert!"

After really understanding the meaning of the word "cheat" I thought it was time to change the way I use that word in regards to my own eating regimen.  In fact, I don't engage in any dishonest or immoral behavior in order to gain unfair advantage when I reach for that piece of chocolate fudge cake.  The reality of my story is that I am an exact result of the decisions I make each and every day.  Each day I am making decisions to enhance, deplete or maintain my life... and not with ill-willed intentions.

Instead, I am making the conscious decision to act according to the juicing program that I have set before myself.  I am doing it for one reason and one reason only... it is in my best interest and serves my higher purpose.  There are very few things more powerful than your higher purpose!

So now that I've re-defined and categorized the word "cheat" I can address the real questions, "Do I stray from my juicing program?"  My answer will be and will always be, "No."  

How is that possible you ask?!

This is simple stuff!  I have a simple story with a simple message.  I have created, and follow, a juicing plan that not only works for me but that I can manage.  It fits into my lifestyle, it is able to be customized, changed last minute... it even has a back up plan for the back up plan!  Trust me, I've thought of everything.  No matter what juice or food events come my way, I have a program and a plan to handle it.  Not avoid it, not deprive myself of anything and not to "cheat" it.  I simply have a plan that fits me... all of me, including my life, my spirit and my family.

Though I am not ready to share the plans yet (testing and time!), I will give you some pointers to help you start/excel in your own juicing journey...

1. Listen.  Listen to your body, listen to your mind and listen to your spirit.  The very act of listening will tell you what your holistic self wants, needs and can handle.  
2. Course correct.  If something doesn't work, change it.  If something works, keep it.
3. Allow yourself to eat what you love.  I enjoy food in a way that goes beyond the taste buds.  It is one of the many ways I love to experience different cultures and places.  So, I build that into my plan.  An example would be that I love the sweet and spicy flavors of curry.  So instead of making my curry with the heavy coconut milk, cream and sugar that most traditional sauces use, I thin that down by using light coconut milk and juices (ex: pineapple) for sweetness.  The richness of the other ingredients shine through and I've come to like my version so much more!
4. Give yourself realistic boundaries.  I threw the idea of "I can't have" or "No" out the window.  I reclaimed control over my life and took the attitude of "Not now but maybe later," "I choose this instead," or "Yes please!"  What that did was when a friend invited me out for coffee and a pastry.  I would say "Yes please!"  I would then eat every ounce of that pastry and would know that I needed to add and extra green juice to my next meal or needed to give myself a day without white sugar later that week.  The balance became key to me not depriving myself but making choices that were good for me... and quite frankly that I felt good about.
5. Make time for what is important.  YOU are important.  Your health is important.  So take an extra 15 of each day and devote it to YOU!

Try some things out and let me know what you thoughts on this post!

Day Two

I rolled out of bed on day two to find that I was not as hungry as I was when I went to bed.  Oddly enough, I felt great and I was craving water more than anything else.

I marched into the kitchen to face the juicer once more... ready for the yummy goodness it has in store for me.

That day's regimen was to try and fit in six glasses of juice.  All of which consisted of dark green vegetables, lemon and ginger.  The act of throwing the produce into the juicer and hearing it 'wiz' through the process was becoming therapeutic and I quickly learned that the smells emitted were cutting down on my 'wake-up' time.  I'm energized and excited to juice today.

I honestly thought that I would have a more sullen view on this and that I might even have given up by day two.  So I was pleasantly surprised to find that I continued to be motivated and actually enjoyed this experience.

The morning and mid-morning juices were easy to chug.  This combined with a busy morning at work helped me get to my mid-day tea outing in no time!

My sister and I decided to check out some mountain bike paths down in River Falls, WI.  They were amazing... the sun just peaking through the trees, the late summer air smelled fantastic and for the first time in what seemed like forever, my mind was open, clear and not focused on food.

That night, I felt like I was breaking through brick walls of past eating habits and I began to feel a little emotional.  I realized I had held so much emotion within the pounds that I had gained and held onto.

It was time to let go and release this weight.  It no longer served me or my life.

My First Day

For the first three days of my initial fast, I felt as if I was having an out of body experience.  As if I was on the outside looking in, watching this 'juicing thing' happen to me.

Day #1:

I felt anxious and scared, actually.  The idea of not eating anything solid created an unrealistic sense of scarcity within me.  I remember periodically reaching for my 'snack drawer' at work, not even comprehending what I was doing... as if it was a normal as breathing.  I would have the wrapper off of a granola bar before I realized my actions.  Quickly I threw it in the garbage before I had time to smell it's chocolaty goodness.

Noon rolled around and I felt as though my stomach was going to literally implode.  I had drank four glasses of water and 3 glasses of juice.  Logically speaking, I had enough calories built up in body for at least a week, plus I had consumed enough calories to support myself for days with the juice I had just drank.  There was no grounded fear for what I was feeling.  I kept reminding myself that the mind is powerful and that I am literally breaking a habit... my food routine.

Mid-afternoon snack time, or as others might call it, 3:00 pm, rolled around and there was nothing I wanted more than one, salty corn chip.  Even a small nibble of one of the corners would do.  I tried all the techniques, drinking more water, drinking more juice and going for a walk.  Nothing could take my mind off of salt.

I noted that my body was going through the flavors.  First sugar cravings, then salt cravings... the next was fat.  I wanted meat... bacon actually.  I felt nauseous and my head felt fuzzy.  I almost felt as though I had drank a huge glass of wine without the fun part of actually drinking it!

What got me through?  It was actually going back to my sports days when I would train my body for athletic performance.  I learned early on that you can work through difficult physical exercises with the goal that 'it will get easier.'  

I kept that in mind and began to think of ways for me to cheat without actually cheating.  Time to trick the mind!  So, I decided that during my lunch hour every day, I would go into town and 'buy lunch.'  This included the trip to one of my favorite cafés, waiting in line, and physically purchasing and selecting a really yummy cup of tea.  I would go through the process of steeping the tea and then my sister and I would explore walking paths in the area.  We would seek out a new one every day.

This technique worked!  I had something to look forward to and a 'yummy surprise' that helped get me through the latter half of my day.

By the end of Day #1, I was completely exhausted.  How was I going to make it through six days?

Why do I Juice?

So, now that we're getting things started, I thought I'd let you all know the why behind Juice Up Life.

A year ago, my brother recommended a documentary to me, Fat Sick and Nearly Dead.  He claimed that this documentary changed the way he thought about his body and his life.  Though I am a health nut at heart, I was still skeptical of the thought that juice alone can heal, maintain and nourish a body.  In a society where meat, milk and grains are the stable of our existence... not to mention white foods (sugar, flour and other processed foods), I had a hard time buying the concept.

Needless to say, I gave in and watched the documentary.  It was an impressive video and being a knowledge hound, I soaked up the statistics and references like a sponge.  I took the information, processed and researched until late hours of the night.  If you were looking for me the weekend I watched this, you could find me on my iPhone, curled up in a blanket, holding the screen to my face and reading... reading... reading.

My brother asked that each of us family members go with him on a 6 day juice cleanse to reboot the system.  I figured, anyone can do this for 6 days.  What is the worst that will happen...nothing?

He invested in a juicer for my household and that Monday, I went to work with four jars of homemade juice.  I still remember the looks I got when I unscrewed the first jar and chugged it right before going into a presentation I had with my team.  My team knows my views on health, but even this was out there for me.

Little did I know that morning would change my life forever.  My journey is to be continued...

I have come to the conclusion that juicing has come into my life for a distinct purpose.  The past six months have had such a profound impact that I can't help but share this experience.  Through my story, I can only hope that you will come to know the health, joy and vitality that has flourished in my life.

A Lemon's Zesty Benefits

The lemon, such a simple, bright and beautiful fruit.  Just the visual of a lemon brings thoughts of summertime, warmth and sunshine.  The nostrils perk up and our salivary glands start to anticipate the sour tang of its goodness.

Lemon is another staple in our juice programs.  Not just because it makes us all feel 'happy,' but this miraculous fruit adds a nutrient rich punch with just drops of its juice.

In ancient times the lemon was thought to protect individuals against sickness and infection.  Both drinking the juice and using the juice as a topical treatment was a regular practice in fighting off some of the basic diseases that plagued our planet at that time.

These same testimonials reign true to this day!  We are just now able to scientifically prove out the claims this bundle of sunshine brings.  To start:

• It has both antibacterial and antiviral properties... very rare to find both in one source.  
• It is an immune boosting fruit.
• It promotes weight loss through its digestive aid and liver cleansing properties.
• It is an alkaline food and contrary to popular belief it neutralizes the acidic affects within the body.  Thus reducing inflammation and reducing most pain caused by inflammation.

Besides flavor, this zesty fruit packs a nutrient punch as well!  A few of these nutrients are:

• Citric Acid
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Vitamin C
• Bioflavonoids
• Pectin
• Limonene

As if this fruit couldn't do anything more... it comes through to help with:

• Aroma therapy to lift the mood, reduce anxiety and energize the body, mind and spirit!
• A general skin tonic that can help heal almost anything from acne and bug bites to Eczema and other rashes.

This bright, juicy 'power fruit' is a must-have when juicing.  It not only helps to brighten up the flavor of our juice, it has many very important jobs to perform.  Joy and health through juice... is there a better way to accomplish that?  We think not!

Bringing Juice to the Mid-West!

It's time to get started!

Juicing... a word that is flying around faster than you can down a shot of wheat-grass.  It's a concept that became popular early in the 20th century.  Small, local pockets of juicers started to reap the benefits of squeezing the micro-nutrient rich liquid from produce.  Nutrition, refrigeration and juicing 'tools' were the driving forces of this small-scale movement.

Fast forward to the early 21st century... Juicing has a very different vibe.  It's a buzzword, an avenue for meal replacement, a way to cleanse the body, lose weight, increase vitality and energy.  Juicing isn't just for the local hippies anymore, it is bottled up in easy-to-buy, easy-to-drink trendy packages that you can seamlessly integrate into the most urban-chic of lifestyles.

This is taking off on both coasts, spreading like wildfire through New York City and California.  The celebs are talking, the streets are buying and the local markets are reaping the benefits.

It is time to bring this to the Mid-West!  Why should the coasts have all the fun?  That is why my brother, Brian, and myself, Shannon Rose, are starting the ball rolling.  It's time to bring simple, clean and tasty juicing programs to those near and dear.

It starts here!