Call me crazy; I am on another juice fast! I LOVE how I feel after the fast… but the process can be painful. Day 1 is rough, day 2 is rougher and day 3 is when you start to feel like a person again.

I chose a 7-day juice fast for my first fast. It has been about 6 months since my last fast, so this time I’m only juicing for 3 days.

Remember, I'm not a doctor. If you decide juicing is for you, check with your doctor before you start.

Why I juice fast:

Mainly, I like how I feel after the fast. All of my senses are heightened, especially my taste and smell. After 3 days I stop craving things, and consuming nothing but juice seems normal. The 3-day mark is also where I see a MAJOR energy boost!

Juicing gives your digestive track a break, allowing it to process out anything that has been “hanging out” in there.

Our bodies “detox” through: skin, mucous, and, you guessed it, your digestive track. Part of juicing is taking in TONS of greens. Some of them, like parsley, attract heavy metals and other toxins, and force those toxins out of your body. This is good, but it is also why you may notice some unpleasant effects during the first few days.

Unpleasant detox effects:

Bad breath
Headache (especially if you typically consume a lot of caffeine)
Skin may break out (only for the first 2 days – after which it will GLOW!)
Sweat may smell like grass/spinach
Unpredictable stool / diarrhea
Cravings

When I juice fast:

I try to go on 2 3-day fasts per year. I might throw another third fast in the mix if I’ve been eating poorly or feel sluggish. Juice fasting helps me function better.

How I juice fast:

There are a lot of different ways to do a juice fast. It is best to make your juice and then drink it immediately. However, that doesn’t work for my schedule. I make enough juice for 2 days, seal it into airtight Ball jars, and store it in the fridge. The juice won't last more than 2-3 days. After the second day, my juice is gone and I make more.

What I use to juice

Organic produce
Masticating juicer (I use an Omega brand)
Ball Jars
Pat Crocker’s, The Juicing Bible

How I prep for a juice fast

SBM and I juice together - it is always easier to have a partner to juice with. Before a fast, we make sure that our house is devoid of all perishable food (read, we eat all of the dark chocolate almonds and fro-yo out of the freezer so we won't be tempted). I've been told that it is wise to eat nothing but fruits and veggies for a few days leading up to a fast, as well as for the few days after the fast. I'm sure this is a good practice, but I don't follow it.

Next we head to the Farmer's Market to get some fresh produce! I only get enough for 2 days at a time, this way it is fresh!

This time we bought: