TAKING CARE OF THE SELF
By Diana Gorbea
Photo by Maria Ruch
I want to share with the readers something that I practice very often – juicing for several days in a row. There are several benefits to juice fasting, but in particular, it helps get rid of toxins and helps curbs addictions that you may have to sugar, salt, caffeine, junk food, etc. Moreover, fasting, being still, and prayer have an amazing power to positively influence your body, mind and spirit.
The Benefits of Juice Fasting
According to many naturopathic doctors, our internal body passages are lined with mucous which is a protective barrier between our sensitive cells and the “outside” world. Our air passages and our digestive tract are really considered “external” to our bodies, making us subject to whatever elements may be present. The consistency and thickness of this coating varies. When we are healthy, the mucous remains as a thin protective barrier. However, chronic conditions can leave behind a buildup of mucous which clogs our system, acting as a trap for the waste products, such as dead cells, that would ordinarily have long passed out of our system.
Juice fasting eliminates the usual mucous forming foods from our diet, such as refined flour, sugar, caffeine, or any intoxicant, and stimulates the digestive tract to be normally active, further reducing the presence of the irritating substances and the excess mucus that results. Moreover, juice fasting removes the excess mucous, dead cells and other entrapped foreign material, and also supplies an abundant supply of nutrients which the body immediately utilizes to heal.
Raw juices are extremely rich in alkaline elements and this is highly beneficial in normalizing acid-alkaline balance in the blood and tissues. The juices extracted from raw fruits and vegetables require no digestion and almost all their vital nutrients are assimilated directly in the bloodstream.
How to Juice Fast
I suggest to start a juice fast on a Friday allowing you to take time to be still and watch your mind. It is amazing how we react without poisonous foods in our system and how many times we eat out of boredom, anger or other emotions. I usually tell my clients that the first three days are the most difficult ones because your body is getting rid of toxins. Although you may experience headaches or nausea, hang in there and remember that you are detoxifying.
If you are planning to quit coffee or cigarettes during a juice fast, I suggest that you start reducing your intake of these days prior to your fasting so you don’t go cold turkey. The key is to learn to be gentle with yourself and others, right?
When I start a juice fast, I go to the store and I buy enough supplies to stay at home for five to seven days. You will notice that it is easier if you take it as a retreat and go inwards without dealing with the outside world. But, if you have an office job, you can try doing a one-day fast on a Saturday, or a weekend fast. It is up to you.
Many people who work make their juices and take them to their jobs. I prefer to juice and drink it right away. Again, be flexible with your lifestyle and your schedule. This is meant to help you and not stress you out!
You will need:
- a juicer
- carrots
- apples
- lemons
- kale
You will want to juice six carrots, one apple, some kale and one lemon. You can make this delicious cocktail and drink it every two to three hours. You will want to drink it right away, making sure that you do not eat the pulp because it will make you hungry later.
If this is the first time that you are juice fasting, and you get hungry at night, you may want to eat a raw salad with just lemon (no salt or dressing). You can continue to juice fast the next day.
Make sure that you drink plenty of water and that when you shower that you exfoliate your skin.
It is suggested to juice at every change of the season for three days to keep your body balanced. You can also juice at the first flu symptom to help you get rid of the illness-causing mucous from the root.
Please consult with your doctor before starting any diet modifications.
Diana Gorbea has studied naturopathy, Chinese medicine, auricular medicine, reiki, IET and many forms of holistic healing since 1985. She teaches Dharma in prisons and is the founder of a non-profit called Jangchub Gepel Ling which helps tribes and underprivileged children all over the world. She teaches holistic workshops and conducts energy healings and detox therapies in Mesa, AZ. She is the founder and owner of AZ Center for Ancient Healing Arts which has seen hundreds of graduates.
Tags: health