By Marika Flatt

 

 

Without being too dramatic, I can honestly say it’s changed my life in a few very important ways. First, I now know that there is a plan that works for my body to lose weight in this almost-40 time of my life. For instance, I can lose 5-7 pounds in a week when I’m being consistent. Second, my eyes have been opened to how hard we are on our bodies and digestive systems. After getting on the Juice Newton wagon, I’ve read books, articles and watched documentaries that shock and frighten me into continuing to juice.

 

For instance, I read “1 Pound a Day” by Dr. Roni DeLuz, RN, ND, founder and director of Martha’s Vineyard Holistic Retreat, during the Thanksgiving break and I didn’t finish it until January. Not because I didn’t love it; because I didn’t want to miss a single word. I was captivated by this book and have told dozens of people about it already.

 

The title is misleading. It’s not really about losing weight. It’s much more about making us aware of what we’re putting in our bodies on a daily basis and the proliferation of toxins all around us, hence needing to detox.

 

1 Pound a Day breaks down the process of nutritional and effective plant-based juicing step-by-step, whether one is a novice, intermediate or experienced juicer. From the pioneer of detoxing, 1 Pound a Day teaches how to properly incorporate juices into one’s diet to not only curb hunger and help with weight loss, but also help ease chronic conditions such as bloating and migraines. So, yes, it does help you get on the juicing bandwagon, whereby losing pounds, but I got so much more from it.

 

My eyes have been opened to the onslaught of pesticides and toxins we put in our mouths on a daily basis and why our bodies need a break, just like when we take a vacation for body/mind/spirit.  I’m looking forward to trying out some of the recipes in the book for new juices, soups and other whole foods. This book has truly changed my life and they way my entire family eats. For more information, visit www.mvdietdetox.com.

 

In “1 Pound a Day,” I read about a documentary called “Fat, Sick & Almost Dead.” After watching this film, you realize that so many Americans are on the verge of poisoning themselves with food and just don’t know it. The documentary follows a truck driver that turns his life around physically, emotionally and relationally through a long-term juicing detox. Of course, it made me think: if he can do it, surely I can, too!

 

What I love about juicing:

• I feel in control of the inner health of my body. I know I’m giving my body exactly what it needs to be successful when I’m juicing.
• I’ve started buying more organic produce for my entire family, from farmers’ markets and stores I didn’t typically shop at, like Sprouts and Whole Foods.
• My entire family is eating healthier because of it and I’m more aware of the environmental toxins that exist in our daily lives, such as plastics for left-overs (throw out any with a 3 or 7 on the bottom), my husband is now juicing on a limited basis to get his cholesterol under control (he comes from a long line of heart disease), and we are setting a great example for our kids to live healthier lives.

 

What I don’t love about juicing:

• I have to commit a few hours a week to the process of making the juice: shopping, cleaning the produce, using the juicer, then cleaning the juicer.
• Sometimes, I just want to chew something instead of consuming my “Shrek juice,” as my kids like to call it.

 

But, as you can see, the good far outweighs the bad. Good wins over evil toxins! My skin is clearer and shinier, I have more energy and I know that when I get home from a press trip laden with fatty foods and cocktails every night, I can get my system back on track with green juice.

 

Besides, everyone is doing it. Get on the juicing peer pressure bandwagon. Around Austin, you can now find fresh-made juice at grocery stores, some restaurants/ coffee shops and even at the mall! To make it even easier for you to commit, I’ve prepared a list of some of my favorite juice-friendly products you can score to make your journey even more enjoyable.

 

Continued: Juicing and Exercise Product Review