Juice Fasting: Day 2

Christmas Day - I can't believe my kids slept in (which means I also got to)! I'm very low key on the holiday, but apparently Santa stopped by with something small and fun for the kids to play with.

Last night the abdominal massage I did with Marjoram essential oil felt incredible. This morning I got up and did a little extra personal hygiene to go along with the fast: face mask with French green clay, rose hip seed oil, and water followed by a nice long body brushing, and then an essential oil blend of Rose Geranium and Combava in jojoba carrier oil immediately after my shower while still wet. All this with a fresh juice of carrots, apples, orange, lemon and lime for breakfast - what a way to start the day!

I've felt very clean and light all day. Morning yoga and tai chi was smooth and strong, like my muscles were enjoying going extra slow with my mind focused deeply inside.

Even though it is just barely above zero, I've felt a little on the cold side today so have kept most of the juices warm. More tomato with cayenne and flax seed oil, and instead of the leek/watercress broth today I've had plenty of my favorite liver cleansing "tea": 1-2 slices each of organic lemon and lime, a small dollup of maple syrup, covered in just boiled water.

My sister is doing great. I laughed yesterday because after the first juice she started talking about recipes I could cook after we are done. Today she got up early and has been very motivated to organize a lot of stuff. Wow - I'm doing that again too!

One of the biggest things I notice about fasting is that time slows down. It really seems like I always get an incredible amount of things done in a short period of time. I become very aware of how much time is normally spent cooking and eating food. (Passing thought - "wouldn't it be great to juice fast every day, or for a really long time?")

How long will I continue the fast? I'm not sure - this time I planned to feel and listen to my body rather than pre-determining a set amount of time. So far I feel great, clear, light, happy, and as far as hunger goes we've both been very satisfied from the juices. I'll probably go another 2-4 days and then ease lightly back into eating normal again. I like to end a fast by making a rice congee and eating just that for one day, then adding vegetables to it the next day.

Tonight I'll do another abdominal massage, this time with Coriander essential oil. The fast will continue pretty much the same as today. My body will feel hungry again when it's time to be done. Until then, I love juice fasting!!

Juice Fasting: Day 1

It's December 24th, 3 days past solstice, and time for my annual cleansing fast. My sister did this with me last year, and she wants to do it again - yeah! It's more fun with a friend.

Successful fasting takes preparation, intention, and getting into the mindset. I've been saving this time off for over a month, so I'm ready. My intention this time? Internal cleanliness and beauty - a gift to myself this winter season.

I went grocery shopping a few days ago to make sure I had lots of fresh fruits and vegetables to juice and make warm clear broths with. Plus over the last few days I've been eating lighter to prepare my body.

Today I woke up and had a large glass of water because I was thirsty. After running a few quick work related errands, I came home and made the first juice: 5 carrots, 3 green apples, 1/2 lemon, 1 small tangerine (all organic). Delicious!!

After drinking this I put on a special pot of broth that will sit warming all day, and I'll drink some whenever I feel the urge. Take 1 leek washed and cut into large chunks, the other 1/2 of the lemon from the carrot/apple juice, 1 handful fresh parsley, and 1 bunch fresh watercress. Put into a large pot (I used a 4-quart size), cover with water, and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Then turn off and ladle out the clear broth as desired. Reheat as necessary.

I started to incorporate this broth into fasting several years ago whan I read a great book called "French Women Don't Get Fat" by Mireille Guiliano. She basically said that if she noticed her clothes getting a little tight, she would immediately make a leek or watercress broth and drink it for a weekend, thus going back to a trim size where her clothes would fit well again. The broth is a diuretic, but also nourishing. I add parsley for the vitamin C and lemon for a little extra flavor. The leek is great for the lungs during fall/winter. I've recommended it to several clients who have had excess edema they needed to clear and everyone found it to be delicious.

After sipping a few cups of warm broth throughout the afternoon, I just made a second juice from 4 tomatoes, 1 carrot, 1/2 lemon, 3 small cloves garlic, and a chunk of cabbage. I lightly warmed this on the stove (remove from heat before it simmers), added a generous sprinkle of cayenne pepper and a squirt of flax seed oil. MMMMM....This is amazingly satisfying, warming, and tasty!

I'm happy, feel great, and have had an incredible urge to clean house all day. Tonight I'll keep drinking the leek broth and probably make one more juice in a couple of hours - carrot/apple again. I'll also do a special abdominal massage with essential oils before bed - for myself, I'm thinking Marjoram or Coriander oil, both of which will enhance my dream state.