Just Juice

On Saturday night, a friend asked if I'd like to do a juice fast with her. I had set Monday as the day to get serious about ditching a little extra "baggage" (can't really call it baby weight now that he's 13 months old!), so willingly agreed. Just want those jeans to do up!!

I went to the markets on Sunday and stocked up on lots of fresh fruit as veg (as I always do, but this time got lots of leafy greens for my juices as well). Then set about changing from this:

                                         (yeah, I can't understand why the weight won't shift either!)



to this:

                         (The picture is a little fuzzy, but it doesn't really matter- it didn't look any better in real life.)

So in this juice we have kale, silverbeet, beetroot, apple, orange, pink grapefruit and ginger.

Juice fasts are supposed to cleanse your body and soul and help bring you to realisations about food and diet. One drink in, I had made the following realisations:

1. I hate kale
2. I like chewing
3. Beetroot needs to be peeled, the skin is really bitter.

For lunch I had a banana and mixed berry smoothie (couldn't face adding a vegetable and ruining those beautiful beautiful berries). It was lovely, although more like a sorbet- I had to eat it with a spoon.

At this point I was questioning my involvement in this little plan for health.... each day gets colder than the last and juice and smoothies aren't quite at the top of my wish list like they are in Summer. Maybe I could do a soup version?

For dinner, I did cheat a little and have a leafy salad- which is basically what I would have had, but not pureed.... The rest of the family had lasagne and salad, and I am really conscious about food and body image with my kids... I want them to see me fuelling my body with good healthy food, like they do, not obsessing (but that's a whole other post!).

That's when I had my first real food revelation.......

Surely a healthy balanced diet (without all the little treats and indulgences), in combination with regular exercise is what I should be doing?!

I must say, part way through day two, I do feel better for not eating wheat- which is what I usually find. I have an awful headache though, despite all the water I have been drinking (have been peeing like I'm 9 months pregnant!).

I'm starting to doubt the sense of this with four young children to keep up with. I think my body needs more than juice. It needs chicken. Or beef. Or egg. Heck, right now I'd take a plate of mushrooms.

So this is my plan: DITCH THE BEIGE. Stop eating beige things; no white bread, pasta, white rice, biscuits etc. I'd like to completely eliminate processed food from all our diets, over time.... not sure how the kids (or husband!) will go but I'll try baby steps.

I don't think quick fixes are for me. They aren't sustainable, they lack variety and they are not the type of example I want to set for my children. Part of me feels like I am quitting/failing, but the better part of me knows for long term total health, juice alone is not for me.

The rest of my plan is MOVE MORE. I used to walk every morning and do a regular fitness class, and my body misses that. Despite the cold, I need to get out from under the doona and exercise in the mornings- it will be invigorating!!!

I'm going to harness the power of positive thinking and make this happen, in a way that works for me and my family.... I'm going to do it MY WAY.

Who's with me?
What works for you?


Sal