Juicing in Numbers

I took it upon myself to juice each fruit and vegetable separately so I can get an approximation in ounces. Keep in mind the amount will slightly differ depending on the type of juicer used.

Juicer:  Jack LaLanne's Ultimate Power Juicer

• Apples (48oz/3lbs/approx. 11 apples):  26oz ~  31/3cup(s)
• Blueberries (11oz): 4oz ~ 1/2cup
• Cantaloupe (1): 19oz ~ 21/3cup(s)
• Carrots (32oz/2lbs):  14oz ~ 12/3 cup(s) 
• Celery stalk (approx. 11 ribs): 11oz ~ 11/3cup(s)
• Cucumbers (2): 11oz ~ 11/3cup(s)
• Kale (3 leaves): not accurate
• Pears (bartlett): 11oz ~ 11/3cup(s)
• Spinach (9oz): 5oz ~ 2/3cup
• Strawberries (16oz/approx. 19 strawberries): 8oz ~1cup
• Tomatoes (4): 8oz ~1cup

During my short time of juicing, I had to put some of the pulp back in the juicer (ex. kale or parsley) because the blade didn't get them the first time around.  I would suggest juicing leafy vegetables first then adding the other fruits/vegetables.

Soon I will be sharing my first day experience, which was less exciting than the juicing part.

Happy Juicing, till next time!

Juicing 2-2013 Going Shopping part 1

Excited to jump start a new challenge that can lead to a healthier self, I dived right in to purchase fruits and vegetables for my juicing experience. I thought, "Its juicing vegetables and fruits, how hard could that be?" Wrong, it wasn't until the next day (which I will share later) that I realized I needed to be a bit more selective about what I needed to purchase.

Here's my purchase list (Wal-Mart):

personal photo

Whole carrots (32oz/2lbs): $1.48 (x3): $4.44
Celery stalk: $1.68 (x2): $3.36
Cucumber: $0.78 (x2): $1.56
Tomatoes $0.98 per lb: $1.94
Blueberries (11oz.): $2.98
Kale $0.98 per leaf: $2.94
Red apples (48oz/3lbs): $4.97
                                Total (so far): $22.19

With all the excitement bursting inside of me, of course I had to get containers. One for at home and one for the road.

personal Photo

2.5 Gallon:  $7.26

20oz. bottle: $2.74

                    $10.00

The following day (which was day 1), I decided to go to Publix to get a few more items. I was worried the items I purchased the night before wouldn't be enough to fill up to 1 gallon.

personal photo

Cantaloupe: $2.69

Bartlett pear $1.99 per lb: $2.79

Spinach: $2.49

Strawberries: $2.50

         Publix Total: $10.47

Total for all fruits and vegetables: $32.66!

I thought I did awesome and couldn't wait to put my goodies through the juicer until I realized I have to drink this stuff and not eat; then reality hit. Let's just say day 1 wasn't what I expected (nor accomplished!).

Soon I will posting about fruit/vegetable measurements and the reality of day 1.

Happy Juicing!

Juicing? maybe (2013)

I'm so excited about juicing for the next few days! I could never make it further than two days, so if I can juice for at least 3 days I will feel accomplished.

I'm reviewing my written draft from yesterday and as you can see I have made changes. It is day 1 and the whole excitement and motivational "baby talk" is not cutting it. I now remember why I never make it further than two days but I will leave my day 1 experience for another post.

My husband and I purchased a juicer with no intentions of extreme juicing. We just wanted to have one so we can have fresh vegetable and fruit juice at least 3 times a week. Which was a surprise on its own because this was my husbands idea (the carnivore that I have been living with that refuses to eat a piece of fruit or vegetables).

As of yesterday I was saying fortunately but today I'm saying unfortunately a friend of ours who has juiced in the past started a challenge today. I thought, this would be a great way to detox my body and help on my path of a healthier me. Juicing for me should be a way of lifestyle not as a diet. I could never succeed in the past but when the opportunity came to juice with other people I know, I figured a support system is the way to go. This is exactly what I needed in order to make it through. I'm curious as you are to see how many days I can last.

It was only fitting to give a spotlight to the person that has been pushing for us to try juicing. 

Franck C.

When did you start juicing?

I started juicing back in in June of 2012

Why did you start juicing?

I started juicing because I was sick of popping drugs in hopes that it would make me feel better. Guess what!! It didn't work. I suffered from High Blood Pressure and I was one 4 pills a day and a few others things. Did some research come to find out, long term use of those medications aka drugs cause Kidney issue and failures. Well I started having issues my where kidney levels were of range and they were not functions like they were suppose to. Being only 32 years old is a little shocking having to visit the nephrologists every six months to check on status and how they were functioning. It was a little nerve racking having to worry about those issues. I did the whole diet thing and I worked out almost every day with very little results, nothing seemed to have been working for me that well. I saw results but I didn't feel 100 percent great. I am a very strong believer that the body has the way to fix its self. One day my sister sent me a video titled “Fat Sick and Nearly Dead.” The title alone was interesting so I decided to watch it and I did and was just blown away by what Joe Cross said and just spelled out everything that I was having as issues in my life. After watching the video I called my sister and said to her “Hey I think we should try this and see how you feel.” We should do this for 10 days only because I don’t know how it will feel. We started off on the journey and see if we could get better.


What were your results from juicing?
All the medications that I was on before, I am totally off of them today. During the process I got closer with Christ and understood that he sent this information for me to get better and heal my body. I lost a total of 53 lbs. in a months period. Most health nuts would say that I am crazy and I shouldn’t do that but need to do something quick to fix me. I knew what I can and couldn’t do. I learned my body and understood what worked and what didn’t. The communication to all my system of my body was on high alert. Funny story but true; Went to visit my doctor and he asked me “Wow your blood test looks great whatever you are doing keep it up. Keep taking your meds cause your blood pressure looks good” my response to that. “yes doc no problem!".

What's the longest you were able to juice without cheating?
I lasted for 30 whole days!! One the video "Fat, sick and nearly dead", Joe Cross did his for 60 days.

What advice do you have for newbies (people who want to try juicing)?
My advice to newbies is to set a goal. I started off with a goal of 10 days only and if I can make it without cheating I will do the rest of the 20, so I did. Don’t be afraid to try different combo of drinks Join a juicing group because you get to take out your frustration with people who knows how it feels. They will give advice and if something happens you will have a resource team to reply back to you. 


People who want to try juicing? 
Well, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons if you don’t you will stop. Juice because you want to detox your body and mind. People often look at my result of me losing weight but I did that to get health and get off of the medication. Whether I had lost weight or not it wouldn't have mattered to me but I view it as a benefit. The second thing is to go to a health food store like Hoovers, Chamberlin, and Whole Food and try some juices to see if you can deal with it. It’s not that bad. Third, get a good juicer because you don’t want to spend all your time trying to get all the fruits and vegetable in the juicer. Nightmare!!

Thanks Franck!

Well, happy juicing everyone (including moi)!

Baby Talk (the good and bad)

It's amazing how the "baby talk" motivates me to do better with/for myself.  For those of you that personally know me, don't get too excited. I'm not pregnant and we are not trying...yet!

I think being pregnant is a beautiful experience; the little bump growing to the expanding of the nose and swelling of feet up until delivery time. At that moment I have checked out! I love children and they are the cutest and watching them take that first step, word, moment until the thoughts of sleepless nights. That very same cute little being growing up in to a teenager and giving you (the parent) a massive headache.

Well, the point of this post is to point out as frightening the idea may be to me it has also sparked a fire. I have the desire to take better care of myself. I have been a pescetarian (vegetarian who eats fish) on and off.  My off moments are not extreme, I still stay away from red meat. I would occasionally have a slice of turkey or a piece of my husbands chicken. Always for taste, never as a portion on my plate/dish. I have started again and I am motivated to stay on path by asking myself "how am I suppose to raise a little one and teach/live a healthier lifestyle if I can't stay disciplined?".

I love biographies and documentaries but I'm watching more of them and reading more about the environment (which drives my husband crazy at times). For example, I'm using less plastic (which I will discuss further in another post) and being more conscience of how the environment affects my body.

Lastly, I've been open to the idea of juicing. If it's going to benefit my body (detox) and help with being a healthier person, then it's worth a try.

In all, the "baby talk" is nerve wrecking but inspiring all at the same time. So let's see what this leads in to for the 2013 year!!