Snekcip (a loyal reader) keeps me on my toes here...she reminded me that y'all were waiting to find out my new discovery.
Well, there is a story. All summer I had been having major stomach pain. I was convinced that I had an ulcer or stomach cancer (yes, I can be a hypochondriac). The pain would wake me in the middle of the night. I could not eat. I could NOT get in to see a doctor or a gastroenterologist. It was awful. I finally got an appointment to see a general practitioner who did a blood test for h.pylori (which was negative) and then he handed me a pack of prilosec and told me most Americans are taking it now. As you might suspect, I am not big on drugs, so I decided to take a more natural approach (surprised?). First, I gave up caffeine. That was hard. I LOVE coffee but I had read that it is AWFUL for your stomach. Then, I began reading about juicing.
I considered buying a juicer but I don't LOVE vegetables or fruit so I thought it might be a waste of money. Around this time, we left for the beach. The first thing I saw in Seaside was a raw organic juice bar. I decided right then and there that I would try one everyday on vacation. Each morning Will and I went to the juice bar and I tried a few veggie juices (with an apple or lemon too). Well, I felt GREAT. I had no headaches from caffeine withdrawal. I had more energy than I have had in years. I was in a great mood all week. And my stomach pain COMPLETELY disappeared.
When we returned from Seaside, I immediately bought a juicer and I have been juicing about twice a day. I feel so much better. Here is a list of benefits that I have noticed immedately:
~my skin is better
~the whites of my eyes are brighter
~I am sleeping better
~I have MUCH more energy ( I cannot overstate this one)!
~my moods are more stable (except on the days I did not juice due to being away).
~my stomach feels great
~we don't own a scale but my clothes are looser so I think I am losing some weight.
~I am craving more healthy foods all around. I want salads all the time.
I LOVE my juicer. If anyone has any questions, I will try to answer them but as I have only been doing this about a month, I am not an expert at all.
I want to share a book with you that I LOVE if you are interested in nutrition. It is called Food as Medicine: How to use diet, vitamins, Juices and herbs for a healthier, happier and longer life.
It has very specific suggestions for what to eat, juice and supplements for various illnesses (cancer, diabetes, stomach issues, ulcers, hormonal problems, aging, skin problems, allergies, ADD, asthma, etc). I can not recommend this book highly enough.
Green Goddess Juice
(celery, cucumber, parsley, fresh greens ~I rotate kale, spinach, watercress, red leaf lettuce etc~, an apple and half a lemon)
I just want to end by saying that juicing is a commitment of both time and money. The good juicers are expensive (about $300) and you need to use fresh, organic produce . It takes me about 20-30 minutes to prepare a juice and clean up. It is very worth the time and the money for me...but I want to be very realistic here. There are SO SO many health benefits of juicing. I did not want to go into it all here but you can google "health benefits of juicing" and you will be amazed.
Love it! So glad you found relief. Interesting that you couldn't get in to see a GI doctor. It's not only a problem in places where there is "socialized" medicine. It's happened here too.
ReplyDeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteI'm just getting caught up on my blog reading. Looks like you had a fantastic time at the beach!. I too, use a juicer - but for the kids. Like you, I'm not much on fruit and veg. However, during soccer season, I made a juice for Maddie each morning and sent one along for her pre-practice hydration. Maddie lost about 10 pounds in 4 weeks. I'm sure the running and conditioning that goes along with the season was the main reason, but she had incredible energy! Her skin also cleared up quite a bit. You've reminded me that I need to get back to the juicer - for all of us. Now that I have all this 'healthy, California' produce around, I might as well take advantage! Love to All. Michele
I am so happy that you shared this. I have been considering this. I think it might be great for my family. I have been feeling sluggish, and also am wanting to give up diet sodas. Maybe this would help. Thanks Kim!
ReplyDeleteInteresting! I noticed your juices are mostly veggie juices. What about fruit juices? Like, what if I went to jamba juice and got an 'all fruit' mix - like strawberries, bananas and ice? (No dairy base). I can't seem to find a raw organic juice bar in my area, and would like to try this first for awhile (before investing in a juicer.)
ReplyDeleteWay cool, Kim! I wasn't too familiar with juicing, but you've piqued my interest. Do your kids like it too?
ReplyDeleteGREAT post! I'm not at all surprised by your results, as I watched my father beat cancer through a VERY strict diet and a LOT of juicing. Not to mention, the weight loss, his skin was brighter, the pores were MUCH smaller and he just looked younger!...he was happier, more energetic, etc. Yet the doctors still wanted him to go through kemo and have his lymph nodes removed. But after watching Dr.Lorraine Day's videos and reading her material, he chose to decline and go the "alternative" route. Along with healthy eating and regular juicing, he also went through Bioresonance Therapy. Eventually he purchased his own Rife Machine (google: Dr. Royal Rife) to continue similar treatments at home. It is believed that the combination of those treatments mixed with his strict diet (which included a ton of juicing!)AND his faith in God, is what beat the cancer, and he is now cancer free! NO KEMO whatsoever! And I'm talking about a man who was recommended strict kemo and lymph node removal surgery by the renowned Mayo Clinic! Miracle?...maybe!...but I believe it was a reward for his commitment to change his diet and health around while growing his relationship with the Lord...and now he is reeping the benefits of good health over the age of 50!!
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of a juicer do you have...brand/model?? Do you like it enough that you would purchase the same kind again? Is it easy to clean?? Thanks again for this post. It's clearly near and dear to my heart, and I find natural food benefits to be so intriging!
Hugs,
Tanya
this is a great post, kim. i've been thinking about juicing for quite some time but daniel isn't sure we should invest the money in a juicer. i just keep my eyes out at costco ... i really do think it will help me/us so much. i'll keep you posted.
ReplyDeleteI have to totally agree with you, my mom is big into juicing, the result is the same as yours. I will have to check into the book. Thanks for all your suggestions and being open about your problems.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you're feeling better. Isn't the juice you make at home delicious and there's so many great recipes out there to try. We juiced for years, then stopped (not sure why) and I just found our juicer again a couple of months ago in a box so we can begin juicing again. There are recipes for when you have a fever, sore throats, etc... and we always found they worked. And thank you for posting the book information. I'm going to need to go out and get it.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Linda
Bruce's mom
I too have a juicer and I love it! I have a real hard time eating fruits and veggies but throwing it all in the juicer makes it so much easier!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that you are feeling better.
Very interesting! Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to see long term positive effects too! Plus - the photos are awesome. The taste - did you have trouble getting past the taste of some of these mixes? I am awful with textures and mixed tastes like I assume these would be.
ReplyDeleteHi! My parents bought me a juicer at Christmas & I have been a juicing addict since...I used a bartenders book that I found...they had awesome health juices in the rear of the book and they have been staples here...time is an issue once I go back to teaching next week...20-30 minutes are hard to find! Thanks for listing the book...may need to pick that up...juicing and gluten/dairy free is my main diet right now for health...Lynn-PA
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing. I too have been having stomach issues and I've been told nothing is wrong and to take prilosec etc... Question, do you drink the juices in replacement of breakfast and lunch?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your time and the info. I'm going to get that book today.
Have a great weekend!
Nancy
Hi Kim! This is very interesting and they look good, but do they actually taste good? I'm curious! You mentioned how great you feel but didn't mention the taste...is it an aquired taste because it doesn't sound appealing to combine the veggies you mentioned in a juicer...but then i've never really seen a juicer. i guess i'm thinking a blender which would seem totally gross. i'm so glad you are feeling better though!!
ReplyDeleteyay for you!
ReplyDeletei gave up caffeine about 2 years ago & only have it in the form of hte occasional chocolate!
the juice bar...yum yum
xo
Great post, Kim! Although, you know you already had me convinced weeks ago-lol. I can't wait to get home and start my juicing routine! Are you going to post recipes here? I think you should! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThat's my kind of drink. Thanks for sharing, glad it's helping.
ReplyDeleteI have heard that juicing is AMAZING.
ReplyDeleteI sooo need to try it first before I would go out and buy one..
Sounds good.... have a great weekend...
Which brand is your juicer and where's a good place to purchase them?
ReplyDeleteVERY interesting post...would LOVE to hear more about this!
ReplyDeleteWe don't have a 'juicer', but I love to make Landree and I smoothies. I usually use coconut water or plain water and about 60% fruit with 40% greens, like spinach. As long as I blend my greens first you can't tell they are mixed with the fruit. If you can get past the color you'll love the taste.
ReplyDeleteThe carrot apple and ginger juice sounds great. I love ginger and it's so good for you. Funny thing is, Kerry does,too. I bought some ginger snap cookies that are loaded with ginger and she is crazy about them.
ReplyDeleteGin =)
very interesting!~ I am so glad you are feeling better. Thank you for sharing. I have often thought we need something similar.
ReplyDeleteOMG I love it!!!! I'll be the first to say though....those drinks are EYE CANDY but when I read the ingredients I was like EWWWWWWWWWWWW!! LOL!!! I can't imagine saying AWWWWWWWWW that spinach, kale, broccoli drink was refreshing! LOL!! I think I'm gonna stay on the safe side and try "fruits" drinks instead!! I don't think it's in the budget for purchasing a juicer just yet, but you gave me a start!!
ReplyDeleteSodas are my 'weakness", I gave them up for over 9mos now and I can definitely tell the difference!
Better skin, better sleep, brighter eyes, and altogether BETTER HEALTH!!! I'm in!!!!!
Good for you, Kim! So glad you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteI have been very seriously thinking about purchasing a juicer and have done some reading (including the book you mention). With my eating/life style change last year, I eat a ton of vegetables and fruits ... I really am curious if the juices would be better though that eating the fresh/organic fruits & veggies I eat? And, I have the issue of tastes! I dispise drinks with 'textures' and not sure if I would gage on the juices - mainly the veggie ones!!
So interesting! Thank you for sharing this info!!!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, I have no energy, my face is broken out and I need to lose 10 lbs...this might be just what I need. Actually, Jeff and I have been talking about a juicer and doing a more vegan diet. Will you share what brand you have and where you get your recipes? Do you do this for b fast and lunch and then do a regular dinner?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info~
I've been thinking of a complete juicing diet for everyone in the mornings. Now you've moved me more into that direction. Thanks for the tidbits!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this post I've been trying to stop myself buying a juicer, but you must be an inspiring lady because I kept on thinking about it and kept thinking about it! So I did some research and tried some juices. I received my juicer today, found a v good one that was £120 reduced to £40! I've just had my first juice and it was lovely! Please could you post more of the recipes you use? Thank you xx
ReplyDeleteMe again! Would you be able to post the quantities for your green goddess juice?
ReplyDeleteI was quite surprised at the amount of pulp leftover from my juice so this morning i did a bit of googling and found a recipe for making muffins. Their in the oven now and smell very nice!
I've copied and pasted the recipe below for you in case you'd like to try it. It says to use pineapple but i used the pulp from my juice today which carrots and a couple of apples.
3.5 cups carrot pulp
1 cup pineapple pulp
3 cups whole-grain flour
1 cup canola oil
1 cup honey
6 egg whites
1 tbsp vanilla
1 tbsp baking soda
2 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 cup crushed nuts
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 deg. Mix up the pulp from carrots and pineapple well. Add egg whites, honey, vanilla and oil to the mix. Sift the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg together and add it gradually to mixture, stirring until it’s blended. Mix in the nuts.
Pour the batter into greased muffin cups making sure to leave some room (about 1/4 from the top) for expansion. Bake for 45 minutes.
This apparently makes a dozen muffins but i've found it makes just under double that!
like Shana please post us recipies!! I am trying to come off caffeine myself and I have with coffee!! yay!!!
ReplyDeleteSODA's are my down fall!
help help help us kim!
We all want to feel so much better!
love and hugs!
Cindy
Look how wonderful you look!