Yes, you read that right.  5 days of juice- only.  What in the world would make me want to do something like this?  Well, my journey with fasting began over 10 years ago, and I continue that journey today as a life and health promoting practice.

I’ve been fascinated with nutrition for years and stumbled upon some information about fasting in 2001.  I learned that most cultures around the world, as well as many religions, follow an annual ritual of fasting or abstaining from foods or certain lifestyle practices.  I was fascinated by this idea, and wondered what this experience would be like for me.

Don’t get me wrong.  The idea of abstaining from food was fairly terrifying for me.  Would I be able to function?  Would I be able to work?  Would I feel sick?  I really had no idea what to expect.  I didn’t know anyone else who was fasting or doing “cleanses”, but I thought, “why not?”.  And so it began.

I have done many fasts and cleanses in the last 10+ years, and tried a variety of ways to support my body in doing what it knows intinctively how to do- come back into balance and harmony.  Fasting offers your body and its organs an opportunity to take the energy and resources that go into digestion, assimilation and elimination, and refocus it on healing, regeneration and renewal.

This time I rather spontaneously decided to fast, not knowing how long I would abstain from solid foods.  I chose to juice and drink freshly pressed fruits and vegetables that I prepared myself at home.  These plant foods contain very high quantities of essential phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals and enzymes; the key ingredients the body needs to sustain health, heal and reverse imbalance.

I’ve felt amazing during these 5 days, and have had tons of energy and a clarity of mind unique to fasting.  I chose to work, something I don’t always do nor recommend for others, as it can be draining and lead to excuses for going off of the fast.  However, because i have felt so fantastic, I knew working for me would not be an issue.  Could I have done this years ago?  Maybe not.  But it felt right this time around.

I will break my fast tomorrow and slowly reintroduce solid food and fiber back into my diet.  Fasting itself does incredible things for the mind, body, emotions and spirit, but it must be done “right” for your body, your life, and your circumstances.  After much experimenting and learning about myself I’ve discovered some things work better than others.  Fresh pressed juices, in particular green juices, work very well for me.

Breaking the fast is the most critical time in the fast itself, and should be done deliberately, and with discipline and guidance.  I won’t be eating everything I was eating before my fast for another 5 days, and I will be reintroducing foods slowly and in a particular order.  Turning the digestion back “on” is a process that is best done over time.  I’ve spent 5 days doing a really great thing for my body- why would I want to create an undue burden on my body now?

If you are curious about cleansing or fasting, I hope you will investigate this amazing life practice for yourself.  And if you have questions or are wanting guidance, you can contact me for more information.  Stay tuned for cleansing workshops and group programs coming soon!