Juicing- 2013

January 2013, 20 pounds less.

When I say "Juicing", I mean the act of removing all liquids from fruits and vegetables, creating a fantastic drink rich with vitamins and nutrients. I received a Black and Decker juicer for Christmas, and I absolutely love it.

 I've started this experiment as my breakfast in the morning. Often times using the same ingredients, though I will admit to adding a few variations for the sake of my taste buds.

It is important to note that fruit and vegetable juice has very little protein by itself and virtually no fat, so alone it is not really a complete food. It should be used in addition to your regular meals not in place of it, or with the addition of a high source of protein like Greek Yogurt. 

In conjunction with my own list, which you will find below, you can also add a quarter to half a lemon or a lime (leaving much of the white rind on) or you can add some cranberries if you enjoy them. Researchers have discovered that cranberries have five times the antioxidant content of broccoli, which means they may protect against cancer, stroke and heart disease. They are full of phyto-nutrients which can help women avoid urinary tract infections. Limit the cranberries to about 4 ounces per pint of juice.

Fresh ginger  is an excellent flavor enhancer if you can tolerate it. It gives your juice a little kick. Researchers have found that ginger can have dramatic effects on cardiovascular health, including preventing atherosclerosis, lowering cholesterol levels, and preventing the oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL).

20 lbs too heavy, just before finding out we were having our second child.

 Here's what I've been doing:

Day 1:

• 1 apple
• 1 cutie mandarin orange
• 1/4 cup baby carrots
• 1 cup raw spinach leaves
• 1 inch ginger root
• 1 dash dried cinnamon
• 2 tbsp Greek yogurt.

Day 2:

• 1 apple
• 1/2 grapefruit
• 1/4 cup baby carrots
• 1 kiwi
• 1/2 orange
• 2 tbsp Greek yogurt

Day 3:

• 1/2 cup wild grapes
• 1/4 cup blueberries
• 1 apple
• 1/2 orange
• 1/4 banana
• 2 tbsp Greek yogurt

Any combination of these ingredients is a win win. I simply adore the ginger and cinnamon addition, it sweetens the bitter grapefruit or spinach. In the end, my breakfasts are loaded up with fruits and veg, and are under 250 calories. On a day where I would like to have an alternative to juice ( hence the 3 day juice option plan and not 7), I eat 1/2 cup Greek yogurt with a tablespoon of dried cranberries, or two pieces of Winco's Hytop whole wheat bread ( 90 calories for 2 slices) and sugar free jam, sometimes with a few whole almonds. Always with tea. I use this in combination with my salad for lunch regimen, Zumba classes and weight lifting, and a reasonable dinner.

I am currently eating in this fashion Monday through Friday and relaxing a little on the weekends. It means two slices of pizza, not 4 or 1 cookie and a glass of Fat Free milk at bedtime, not the whole box of cookies.

A diet is only a diet if you feel you can't stick with it forever. Losing weight and being healthy is a life change. Find foods that you love, and enjoy them. Treating yourself only in moderation. After a while, you might just find that you don't crave sweets any more at all. :)