My Juice Cleanse lifestyle Tips
Initially this post was going to just be about juicing but what I noticed once I started the plan was that it felt as if my whole life came up for review. All the coincidences occurred, from bumping into people from my past, weird dreams and intuitively knowing how to flow with the energy, which at times can be uncomfortable. I feel more clearheaded and happier than I imagined on the other side.
I am a long-term fan of juicing. When I was a child up until the age of about 12 I never ate any vegetables, bar potatoes. I remember being nervous about going to people’s houses because I would have to explain my fear or just try and move things around the plate hoping they wouldn’t notice. When I was about 16 I saw an infomercial for the Jack La Lane Juicer and a little light went off in my head realising that if I couldn’t eat vegetables, maybe I could drink them.
I bought the juicer when I was around 16 and it completely changed my life. I inhaled books on Juicing by the likes of Lesley Kenton and Harvey and Marylin Diamond’s Fit For Life as well as Tony Robbins Awaken The Power Within which all spoke about juicing. I first went on retreat with my mum to Cloona in Westport for a week of fruit, juices and yoga and then after I turned 30 I went on a solo holiday to Jason Vale’s Juicy Oasis, I’ve been back there twice since.
After any of these programs I always noticed a shift not just in my wellbeing and in my life. Circumstances that had been troubling eased or evolved and new people came into my life and some left. Maybe it is due to having the time and mental space to think or maybe the increase in energy leads to being able to tackle things that previously seemed unsurmountable - I’m not sure. This year intuitively I felt I wanted to do my own program at home and taking my years of experience I know what works for me.
I decided to share it online, and I am well aware this is not for everybody, but this is what works so well for me to physically, mentally and emotionally process. I decided on a few days of juicing followed by 4 of healthy foods to re-integrate and I have outlined what I did below. Please note I am not a doctor. I am not a dietician. I am simply sharing what works for me and my body that I have learnt through personal experience.
Dr Jason Fung has some fascinating work and books on the benefits of fasting which are very worthwhile reading to understand the process beforehand. Once you have the Why, the How is generally easier.
A typical Juice Day for me:
I start each cleanse morning with a pint glass of warm water with the juice of half a lemon. I drink this through a metal straw to protect my teeth always.
Make 1 litre of green juice - I keep these as vegetable based as possible and use any greens I can find such as: Cucumber, Celery, Courgette, Spinach and add some lemon and fresh ginger also.
This makes two servings which I have at about 9.30 am and then 12.30pm. I stir in a teaspoon of Spirulina into these which is a great form of vegan protein.
Mid afternoon - same as above. Usually about taken at about 3.30 and 7pm.
Evening time - 2 teaspoons of psyllium husk* and 1/2 teaspoon of activated charcoal** in a pint of water.
Throughout the day I have lots of water - at least 1.5 litres, loads of herbal and green tea and I also add a tablespoon of MCT, or Coconut Oil, to my green tea.
I take this time really gently. During my most recent fast it felt really good to exercise and enjoy the lovely weather but most days I also took a nap and most evenings either a hot shower or bath with Epsom salts.
*Psyllium Husk - Psyllium provides all the same benefits as soluble fibers. It's also a prebiotic fiber, which means it supports the good bacteria in your colon.
**Activated Charcoal - Humans have been using activated charcoal for hundreds of years because of its ability to detoxify the body. Activated charcoal works through the digestive tract by trapping toxins in the gut and preventing them from being absorbed. However charcoal may interfere with the absorption of medications so consult your GP if you are unsure. I believe that charcoal shouldn't be ingested daily or too often, once to twice a month works great for me at the moment outside of a cleanse week.
You will find both in your local health food store.
I also had some birthday vouchers for a spa treatment and a manicure and I saved them for this week which was a lovely distraction.
Making the juices twice a day literally takes me 15 minutes which by comparison is much shorter than cooking a meal. I also bulk shop so I am prepared with everything I need well in advance.
I’ve outlined some tips below that really helped me get the most of the week:
Practice loving kindness to yourself:
Typically I like to be very reliable and say yes to everything that needs to be done and do it with a smile. During this week I gave myself permission to decline what didn’t suit and also exercise boundaries. I realised how I shouldn’t need an excuse to do this normally as it felt like such a relief, and nothing bad happened when I politely declined things. It’s always a pleasant surprise when things like that become apparent.
Self Care is essential:
At the start of the week I bought Epsom salts and seaweed in the pharmacy for some gorgeous baths. Boredom can be a huge factor on a week like this as you realise how much eating, preparing food, or shopping for food punctuates your day. The evenings felt long but having a gorgeous hot bath felt like a lovely use of the extra time. I don’t know why I don’t do this more often. It’s amazing how much you realise being busy for the sake of it shouldn’t be the priority at a sacrifice to taking a few minutes out to recharge. If there’s a series on Netflix you love or a really good book you want to read - save it up for the week - it will help get you through.
Journaling was vital:
I can’t explain why the emotional detox happens alongside the physical but >this< article does a good job. During the week I found my emotions up and down. I reflected on the past a lot and saw things in a different light. Conversations I wish I had had came to my mind at times. I’ve had a lot to deal with over the last 2 years and I thought I was done with it all, but now I know I am. It feels as if everything has worked out the way it was supposed to and bought me to exactly where I need to be. Journaling helped enormously. Some people process through chatting, whether it’s a counsellor or a friend, some need to physically move it through exercise. For me I write and write and write some more. Setting the timer on my phone for 20 minute periods and just letting the words flow onto the page was so helpful. I had strange dreams also but nothing too scary but I wrote them down each morning also.
Detox your wardrobe:
Towards the last few days looking at my wardrobe things felt a bit stagnant and on the Saturday night I played my current favourite album Folklore by Taylor Swift about 3 times and went through my wardrobe piece by piece. I tried on things I had forgotten I owned and also put some pieces up on my Depop and made a pile for donation as well as wiping clean all the drawers and inside of the wardrobe. I felt like I was getting ready to reemerge from a cocoon.
Detox your Skincare:
The, slightly frustrating, thing I have noticed is that the healthier I become, the louder my body speaks to me. Years ago junk food was a treat at the weekend and chocolate and coffee a regular snack throughout the day but after detoxing I can’t tolerate them as easily. I am naturally very sensitive to a lot of things, although technically not allergic. Lately I’ve given up most refined carbohydrates as well as coffee as between feeling bloated and exhausted - I know they don’t suit my body, however delicious they may be. Nothing tastes as good as feeling healthy and energised and I love creating and finding healthier alternatives.
The same applies to beauty and I am so much more conscious about my products. I am a firm believer in using up rather than throwing out but moving forward I won’t be putting anything that’s not natural or ‘clean’ on my face as it broke out in lumps from a thick sunscreen. The Clean Beauty Edit is a super website with so many amazing products I love. Code Holly10 gives you a discount there.
They also sell my favourite Sauna Blanket which I love and use so often.
I am now 5 days off my fast and have readjusted to eating ‘normal’ foods again. What surprised me is how I was craving fresh, healthy and raw food so much towards the end. It’s as if the detox reset my tastebuds also as I now use much less salt and honestly fruit tastes like such sweet treat.
I filmed and created an entire online course if you want to learn more and enjoy some amazing juicing recipes.
Juicing101 course - with everything you need to know included of if you want to join my Vegan Cooking Club it’s included in that too.
See below for all the info:
*Includes €5 donation to animal welfare charity of my choice
Please note that people who should not fast include women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, anyone with a chronic disease, the elderly, and children. Before you go on a new diet, particularly one that involves fasting, ask your doctor if it's a good choice for you.
