Juicing Day Numbers 2 and 3

Ok, so I did NOT write on the second day, but it was not for lack of energy. I had said in the previous post that on the days when I work, was going to be the true test of the energy I would receive from juicing. Well......Not only did I have the energy to get through my 5 hour class of 2 year olds, but maintained the energy level. I even, had enough energy, that when I picked up my kiddos from school, I didn't do the usual of fold laundry and watch Dr Phil till time to fix dinner just to get enough of a burst of energy to get through the rest of the evening. No, I came home, took the dog out, and cleaned out my kitchen.

I sort of laughed at myself thinking about how I was acting and wondering when the great crash was going to come.

Today, was another day of energy. We had our classroom Halloween party at school today. I had to dress up (pippi longstalking) and entertain the kids as well as their families. It was a fury of crafts, trick or treating, painting pumpkins, pumpkin bowling and stories about 5 little pumpkins.

It really was a great school day.

I did however visit our local health food store on the way home and was schooled on all things juicing. Did not realize how very important it is to juice with ORGANIC fruits and vegetables. I understand about the idea of no pesticides and how its always good to eat clean, but the idea of taking a pesticide filled and covered cucumber and drinking it, well, there are no words. The pesticides are quickly absorbed into your bloodstream. That absolutely scared the tar out of me. I was also given a number of recipes for some good green juices. I am very excited to try them.

Here are a couple of them, and I will post more.

Green Lemonadeorganic,

1 Green Apple

3 Handfuls of Spinach

6-8 Kale leaves

1/2 Cucumber

4 Celery Stalks

1/2 Lemon

Mean Green

1 bulk of Kale

4 stalks of Celery

1 Cucumber

2 Granny Smith Apples

1/2 Lemon

thumb sized ginger root

I am very excited to try these variations. I learned today that Lemon really aids in detox and that if you are Diabetic (as I am) then you should only juice with a Granny Smith Apple. I have been Diabetic for 21 years, and have never heard this before. It is said that Granny Smith Apples do not have as much sugar in them as the others apples do. Makes total sense when you have had many apples and taste the sweet and tart difference of them. I also learned that the combo of fresh spinach mixed with about 5 strawberries, an apple and about 5 carrots makes for a really yummy drink.

I think tomorrow I will try an Apple-Beet-Carrot recipe.

1 Apple

2Beets (I think I will try just 1)

3 Large Carrots

1 piece of Ginger

bunch of Kale or Spinach

Happy Juicing:)

Juicing Day 2:

So this morning I woke up with excitement to try out a new juice. For my kiddos, I prepared a glass o carrot, orange and apple juice. Oranges and carrots help to build up the immune systems, and we are in a storm of everyone at school and church sick with something. We as a family have made the choice for the past couple of years to vaccinate for the flu, but instead double up on vitamin D3 , a good multi, good hand washing and lots of vitamin c. I feel like I could make this juicing for them in the mornings to sip on the way to school. They were a little hesitant to try it, after seeing the carrots being juiced in it. Surprise!!!! THEY LOVED IT!!!

I was so excited and inspired to let them help me pick out somethings to juice for my morning glass. They chose and orange, an apple, fresh cranberries and about 5 carrots and one more veggie, that really made it fantastic and refreshing.....a cucumber. The combination of cranberry and cucumber was quite surprising to me how great it really was. I started thinking about the numerous benefits of just went in that glass.

Here is MY list....I am sure that there are many more veggies and fruits to juice that have more benefits than I can even imagine, but after 2 hours of looking up all these fruits and veggies to juice this is what I came up with. Please, if you have any recipes or more great info on the benefits, do share.

Apples - acne, cholesterol, obesity

Asparagus - eczema, acne, impotence

Beets - liver cleaner, PMS, cancer

Berries - bladder, infections, high blood pressure, fatigue, colds, sore throat

Broccoli - vitamin A, K, and C - antioxidants

Cabbage - cancer, diabetes, weight loss, ulcers

Carrots - immune system, skin, lungs, intestines

Celery - kidneys, Vitamin E,C,A and B Complex

Cherries - anti aging, headaches, arthritis and gout

Cranberries - urinary tract

Cucumber - liver, dry skin, sunburn, healthy hair and nails

Ginger - stomach and blood sugar levels

Grapes - kidneys, liver, muscle spasms, teeth and hot flashes

Lemons - Vitamin C , cancer

Kale - Vitamin A and C, Calcium and good source of Iron

Oranges - Vitamin C, cold symptoms, immune system builder

Papayas - colon, Vitamin A,B,C flavonoids and digestion

Parsley - blood cleansers, digestion, kidneys and bad breath

Pears - Vitamin C, B2, E and Potassium

Pineapple - wounds, bruises, arthritis, gout, sinuses, varicose veins, hemorrhoids

Spinach - heart disease, acne, colon, arthritis, constipation

String Beans - blood clotting, colon, diabetes

Tomatoes - liver, PMS, yeast infections, prostate, obesity

Watermelon - cholesterol, blood pressure, weight loss, prostate

Zucchinis - liver

All my info is from various places on the grand ol' Internet. I did find this tidbit of info from a great website called lovelymom.com

It has alot of great information about juicing specifically for kids and some recipes I sure will try soon. Here is a snippet of what she says are the basic benefits of juicing....

The body quickly absorbs large amounts of nutrients from juice than from
solid foods because the process of digestion necessary when you eat whole foods
is bypassed Enzymes in fresh fruits and vegetables play a vital role in
converting food into body tissue and energy Enzymes help to increase
metabolism Juicing ensures a sufficient amount of phytochemicals to help
fight diseaseAntioxidants are immune enhancing properties concentrated in
juice.The concentration of antioxidants in fresh juice will also combat the
damaging effects of free radicals on the skin and contribute to a glowing
complexion.

Ok, now that I have shared all that great info, I still look over all this info and get excited about what combos I can make and what will be the benefits.

I must admit, that though I had a great juice experience this morning, and ran after, (great start to the day) then, well my husband called this afternoon and took me out for greasy, fried, sodium filled Chinese food for lunch. I was NOT able to turn his invitation down. Since that moment I have made not so great choices with my food. Oh well, tomorrow is another day. I do however have to work, so I am curious how my energy level will stay while teaching 10 - 2 year olds. That will be the true test.

We shall see!!!

Juicing day 1:
So Saturday I went to a little garage sale down the street and as I bummed around I saw tables and tables full of junk. As I was just about to leave, I noticed a little piece of equipment.....that little appliance that I have researched and desired????? There she was, all covered in dirt and grime and sitting among tools covered in cobwebs, my juicer. I was so excited and to make it even better, only for $2. I searched through my purse to find two dollars, whether in change or cash, I was going to buy this. I quickly paid the man and grabbed my juicer before he could realize what he was selling.
I went home, cleaned and scrubbed my sweet find and swiftly darted off to the computer to look up all things juicing. I found a million reasons why and all the benefits of why juicing is such a great idea. I am not in poor health by any means, but I am however struggling with some health issues such as Type 1 Diabetes and low Thyroid. I struggle with extreme fatigue and lethargy as well as hormonal issues. There are several little other health things that have found there way to me, but I am determined to fight like hell to keep them at bay.
As I read about the benefits, I thought, "Why have I not done this before and what else can I prevent in the future". Not only were the recipes for different ailments like, bladder, liver, immune boosting, but.....ANTI AGING!!! Oh man I cant wait to try that one too. After cleaning out my new little gift to myself, I cleaned off whatever veggie and fruit I had on hand to try. I cleaned a beet, an apple, a piece of Ginger, and about 4 carrots. I was so excited to see the beautiful juice colors pour out of the machine and into my beautiful glass before me. I took a small sip and them a bigger one. It really was not all that bad. I could for sure taste the earth of the beet, but the aftertaste was very sweet and quite enjoyable.
My goal for juicing and keep this journal is to really see the affects that juicing will have on my body and mind and appearance. I know that I will never be a size 2. I have stretch marks from my two beautiful children, I have hips, I have flaws, but I want to be as healthy as possible with the body and the life that God has blessed me with. My body is the temple of God, and so It is time I start treating myself as such. I don't want to medicate instantly, but rather look to other alternatives for treatment and maybe ward off any other sicknesses and ailments. I want to be around for my beautiful family for a long time and I want to feel and look my best as much as I can. So, here we go......
To sum it all up for now, I have come up with a large list of veggies and fruits and all the specific ailments that they are capable of treating. I will post those at a later date. As I play with and prepare new recipes, I will keep you posted for sure. Tomorrow, orange, carrot and apple juice breakfast before my morning run.