Over the past five days I've experienced many ups and downs in my juicing journey. All has not been a bed of roses. More like a verdant cactus path, at first. But now everything has been smoothed out and I am feeling very optimistic and actually really enjoying myself again! 

The second day was hard. I will not lie. I could not stop thinking about "real food." All kinds of "real food." Even while enjoying my juice! It was ridiculous! This continued on into the third day. It was accompanied by sluggishness and a tad bit of grouchiness. That, however, wasn't that bad...the cravings for "FOOD" were the worst....even though my body felt completely full and I was satisfied whenever I drank my juice! I think it was psychological more than anything else -- driven by emotional attachment to food and boredom, our cultural bond to food and what food signifies to us as a society: comfort, love, warmth, etc. So, whenever I thought about food, I would go on a walk. AND, IF IT GOT REALLY BAD, I WOULD KEEP WALKING! :) Given the fact that I was consuming the right amount of juice and water, I had enough energy to power me on some mighty good, 'food tantrum treks.' 

By day Four I was feeling good! My energy was up, my skin looked better, my sinuses seem to be clearing themselves out, my pain levels are more moderate, and I've noticed (already!?!) my clothes are fitting me differently! This seemed enough incentive to keep me going and already, the 'food tantrum treks' have become a bit of a habit while the thoughts about the food itself have drifted away. Now, what's exciting me is juicing! Veggies! Organic grocery shopping! 

And, man, did I buy some beautiful produce the other day or what?(http://instagram.com/p/Vp0GDGkySv/)  Luckily, I have a great organic grocery store right by my house called Earthwise Organics in Yucca Valley. The girl there yesterday was wonderful and helped me pick our a whole slew of fruits and veggies that would be great to juice, including Meyer Lemon and Blood Oranges! I can't wait to try those! Meanwhile, a neat tip about juicing organic produce compared to non-organic produce: it juices down so that the fiber is drier and is easier to clean up. I don't know what this says about your regular grocery store produce, but for some reason, buying and eating organic, especially when juicing, both taste wise and clean-up wise, just seem like the smart choice...at least for me. Plus, It is so beautiful and delicious, how can you go wrong? 

Now: Day Five: I feel like I am now on a very good path and I am really excited for the next few weeks of juicing. I will be checking in more frequently from now on -- now that I am not so cranky! Below are some of my favorite recipes from the past few days! They were truly delicious straight out of the juicer and into a glass. You can ice them, if that is how you prefer your juice! If anyone has any tips or tricks to share, or any questions for me, please get in touch below in the comments section. Thanks! Live well and be healthy! 

JUICES:
ORANGE BURST
1 orange
 2 yellow bell pepper 
4 carrots
1 lemon
*This juice is Zesty, not quite spicy, but almost! It has a beautiful color!

SPRINGTIME
6 carrots
1 cucumber
2 apples
1″ piece of ginger
fresh mint
1 lemon
*Sweet with a kick of ginger and the lift of mint. Yummy! 

CLOVER
1 cucumber
4 celery stalks
2 apples
6-8 pieces cabbage
1 lemon
1" ginger
*A delicious take on green juice! I loved it! 

Day One Of Juicing

     

 Today kicks off my 30 day juice fast. I, like many people have watched "Fat Sick and Nearly Dead," (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fat,_Sick_and_Nearly_Dead) and am prepaired to finally do something to once and for all end the cycle of my health woes. No, this is not about vanity, although I have glanced at myself in the mirror and have been vain about myself more than once. I have every right to do that, I feel after the truly bumpy road I have been on for the last ten years of pain and misdiagnosis. I have now finally received a clear cut diagnosis of Lupus. It's not that I want this disease. I don't. I just want a way to handle it. If I can manage it through juicing, I will! My fridge is stocked with nothing but veggies and fruit. My doctor has been informed and has given her consent to my 30 days of juicing and nothing else. She is happy that I am trying something to improve my health. It's not just that my autoimmune factors (such as my ANA reactors are triggered by my Lupus when I flair) but my sugar levels are off because my thyroid is responsive, as well. Not enough for me to be put on medication, mind you. And not like I WANT to be put on the medication that they put Lupus patients on! My liver is already unhealthy enough, thanks.  

  I just want to feel better! So I am going to juice. I have found that in juicing today, I have already felt better. The juice tastes delicious! I already knew I was a HUGE fan of green juices. Making them at home for myself has not changed anything. Which is wonderful. I also love making smoothies for myself, so I knew that juicing would not be too foreign of a concept. It is just the whole not eating food part...anyone would have problems with that! Eventually! Today, I focused on making green juices. 

1. broccoli - 1 stalk 
2. ginger - 1 piece depending on your taste buds 
3. orange  - 1 whole orange 
4. apple - 1 whole apple 
5.  kale - handful 

I make the juice fresh and drink it right on the spot, cleaning out the machine right afterwards. For those who compost, the bits leftover are great for composting. I really suggest watching "Fat Sick And Nearly Dead" and going to the http://www.rebootwithjoe.com/ website to explore juicing more thoroughly. I have just begun this journey but I am really excited to see the health benefits I think I will reap from juicing. I already feel energized and healthier just from juicing today. It feels good.