Why I love Juicing!

Juicing has become more and more popular in recent years, mainly thanks to the fantastic Jason Vale in the UK and to the wonderful Joe Cross (initially from the Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead documentary) which has been screened all over the World.  Personally, I became aware of juicing initially through Harvey and Marilyn Diamond, who’s book, Fit For Life back in 1985, completely transformed the way I still eat today.  Although they talked about food combining – and I did briefly try that way of eating 25 years ago – it was their thoughts on why juicing and eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, could be the best thing you could do for your overall longevity, that really gelled with me.  I’ve never particularly been one to count calories, and for sure my way of eating changes over time to reflect things I learn about, and how different foods make me feel.  I mention in my About Me page, that I need to understand the science and research behind the latest ‘new best thing’ to increase your chances of longevity, and that if something sounds interesting to me, then I may play around with adding or deleting some foods from my regular eating patterns.

I have never tried Atkins or Paleo or anything which seemed extreme to me.  I realize that juicing can seem extreme to some people – but that’s the point really for me.  Sometimes I come across those who have quite outspoken views on what you ‘should’ and ‘shouldn’t’ eat.  Meaning – what seems extreme to one person, may not seem extreme to another.  For me, what matters most is how I feel after whatever it is I am eating.  That doesn’t mean to say I always avoid the things that make me feel bloated, headachy, tired or moody!  I know what makes me feel good and what doesn’t, but sometimes, I just want to eat the cheese, the chocolate and have the cocktail – and I do!  I know that I always have a choice, and I can eat whatever I want, whenever I want.  And to be in a position to actually have that choice – what a wonderful thing.  In general, people tend to become immediately concerned (not to mention an expert in nutrition) if I am juicing for a week, or even a month straight.  ‘Where do you get your protein?’ (ugh – that old chestnut!), ‘I prefer to keep the fiber in my diet’ (there is plenty of soluble fiber in juice, by the way, in the form of pectin), ‘I could never deprive myself’ (neither could I!), ‘the juicer takes so long to clean’ (really?) – and if they learn I don’t eat meat at all – even more concern, and more questions….

I used to get upset about it and would have my comebacks prepared – “I just managed a 50 mile bike ride with 2500ft elevation” or “I did four trail runs, each with over 900ft elevation this week” after I had been juicing for 3 weeks straight.  And on concerns that I don’t eat meat? – “I haven’t eaten the traditional meat and 2 veg diet for over 20 years, and I haven’t had a cold in all that time!”, or, “my children are adults and never ate meat and they are completely healthy”.  Initially, when my children were small, I did do  my research and studied nutrition to find out just how much protein and calcium they needed, and I ensured they had those recommended levels every single day.  I even went further than that, studying all the micronutrients they needed – and made sure they had those too.  I’m pretty sure I put a lot more thought into their diets than many people  – who, just because they ate meat, assumed their diets must provide everything they need,  yes?  Nowadays, I merely smile when people show concern, or tell me that what I am doing is ‘dangerous’.  Sometimes, though, I do have to bite my lip when someone asks me these types of questions after they have just eaten at McDonalds, or chomped their way through a processed deli ‘meat’ sandwich with Doritos and Gatorade for lunch.  Ok, Ok, enough of that already …

JUICING!  Yes – I love the fact that I can consume heaps and heaps of antioxidants and vitamins and minerals easily.  They taste fantastic to me, and I feel incredible.  My energy is through the roof, my mental clarity is amazing, and I get so much more done during the day.  I love to mix up what goes in my juices – there is a huge variety of greens available – not just kale and spinach – but dandelion, chard, bok choy, Tatsoi, collards, beet and turnip greens, broccoli, spinach, wheatgrass, sprouts, herbs – and it’s so easy to grab a few different types every time you shop.  Asian supermarkets have a huge variety of more unusual greens you can try.  Ginger is an amazing addition to beet and carrot juices.  Avocados can be blended into juices to add more nutrition.  You can add protein powders, fruits, superfoods such as baobab, maca, cacao and a vast array of other add-ins.  As for the clean-up of the juicer and blender?  I’m not even going to answer that one…

Sometimes I get off-track.  I can easily become addicted to sugar again, and then find myself drinking too much alcohol, too regularly.  (That’s a fresh juice mocktail on the right there by the way!) The more I have of both those things, the more I want them.  ‘Everything in moderation’ I hear all too often.  Who first said that, and why does it get repeated so often?  Oh – does the repetition of that phrase mean it’s true then?  For me, that just doesn’t gel.  I have difficulty with moderation.  I believe that sugar is addictive – and that would certainly seem to be the case with me.  Maybe that’s just a limiting belief I will change at some point.  Maybe.  All I know right now, is I do eat and drink whatever I want, whenever I want it – and that can end up being a very slippery slope for me at times.

I intend to journal my next juice fast and you can see how it effects me, both in my health and my general outlook.  I’ll likely wait until I feel my eating has got out of control – that’s when I typically decide to indulge in a juice fast.  Maybe twice a year or so. (I’ll add the link to the fast, here!)    I do tend to include juice in my diet most days though, sometimes just one juice, sometimes 3 – and even up to 5, if that’s all I’m having that day.  Other than that, my regular diet is loads of veggies, fruit, pulses, tofu, tempeh, sea vegetables and fish.   When I occasionally come across a vegetable or fruit I am not a huge fan of – then I opt to find different ways of preparing it, so that I completely change my mind about it, and end up including them in my day to day eating.  Why not – change is a good thing in my world!