If you remember, I started a 10 Day Juice Fast for a variety of reasons this past Friday...and I have to say: I feel great! As I mentioned, I have been having a problem with insomnia for more than a year (I usually can't get to bed until at least 2:00am) and my diet has left much to be desired.
After 2 days, I am happy to report that I have been sleeping better (likely because I also gave up all other beverages except water...and yes - that means NO COFFEE!), I have had more energy and I have already lost a few pounds. I have also learned the following:
- I like juicing
- Beets are evil things sent straight from the bowels of the earth
- Giving up coffee was harder than giving up chewing
- Next time I do a juice fast, make sure I stay close to home on Day 2 (more on that later)
So what did I drink?
Day 1 - Breakfast
6 carrots, pinch of fresh ginger
Day 1 - Lunch
6 kale leaves, 4 stalks of celery, 2 Granny Smith apples, 1 cucumber, ½ lemon, piece of ginger. (note: that is the "official recipe for the Phil Staples mean Green from the "Fat Sick & Nearly Dead" movie, but I found it too lemony for my taste. I ended up adding an additional Granny Smith apple and 2 large handfuls of baby spinach and it was PERFECT)
Dinner - Day 1
I made the beet juice recipe from the The Thrifty Mama and just about gagged (I can't stand beets). It didn't hang around long enough for me to take a picture. But I still needed to drink something, and so I made this and it was HEAVEN:
2 gala apples, 2 oranges, 2 generous handfuls cubed butternut squash
More about Day 1 of my 10 Day Juice Fast: I was tired...really tired. I have a feeling that this was more about the fact that it was the first day in more than 2 years that I hadn't had at least 2 cups of coffee. I ended up needing a nap at about 3:00pm (thank goodness Brad was home) and was in bed by 11:30pm.
Day 2
I woke up with no problems at 5:00am Saturday morning. While 5.5 hours of sleep may not sound like much, it was more than I had had in a LONG time. I hopped out of bed and in to the shower and ready to take on the day!
Breakfast - Day 2
6 carrots, 2 gala apples, 2 handfuls spinach, 1 handful cubed butternut squash - this was absolutely delicious!
Lunch - Day 2
Dinner - Day 2
here was my first stumbling block - Brad called on the way home from work and he really wanted to go out to eat. When I reminded him that I was doing my juice fast, he was so apologetic (for forgetting) that I felt bad and said that we should go. We ended up at Applebee's (after 2 other places had at least an hour wait), where I got a house salad, let Brad pick off my croutons (which he always does anyway) and just a smidge of dressing. Then I came home and drank the rest of my Mean Green that I had made for lunch (I made a double batch). Hey - it's my first fast - I'm not perfect!
More thoughts on Day 2: I had heard about the "side effects" of a juice fast, but for some reason, assumed that they would start on Day 1. it turns out, they didn't start until Day 2, and just as I was getting ready to take my son to his basketball game. I spent much of the day shuttling kids to games and bowling parties, always making sure that I was never far from a bathroom (I know - TMI - but if you are considering a juice fast, this is info you NEED!). Additionally, I was in bed again by 11:30pm, which is a major coup for me!
I will be sharing with you my thoughts and what I drank during my my 10 Day Juice Fast and I hope that you find this info helpful!
Please note: nothing that I say in my posts can be considered medical advice. Check with your physician before starting any diet or exercise plan.
