# feel good therapy : all you need to know about Juice Cleanses ..

Remember, I told you all about my grape detox a couple of weeks ago.. today we are going to be looking at Juicing, another way for cleansing the body, really trendy and just as efficient, that I have also tried and tested.. So here is some info that you need to read before throwing yourself into juice cleanses…

What does it consist of ? Well, we only consume juices made from raw fruits and veggies for 1,2,3 days or more depending on our needs and goals.. (if it is your first time, you might wanna start gently 😉

How to make a juice fast ? There are two ways.. The DIY version: you’ll need a juice extractor, organic and seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables and plenty of time to prepare your daily juices by yourself.. The easy version (but a little more expensive): we can get our juice detox delivered directly to our door, we don’t need to make anything, and that is so cool;)

What for ? During the juice detox, we basically give our digestion system a break from working so hard to process a large meal.. we allow our organs to rest, which in turn allows the organisms to regenerate and to clean themselves; the liver detoxifies itself with more ease, the stomach cleans itself, and all toxins are eliminated.. (Digestion consumes a huge amount of energy, so the idea of absorbing only liquid nutriments, accelerates the digestive process, and the vitamins and benefits of the fruit and veg are brought a lot more quickly to the organs that need them…

Who is it for ? It is basically for anyone who want or needs a detox break to repair from over indulgence and excess of every day life, or to simply feel healthier in both body and soul.. If you feel off, bloated and sluggish, or dependent on caffeine and junk food cravings, or even breaking out, you definitely should try out juicing.. Depending on your needs, choose the detox that corresponds and suits you the most.. For the sportsmen and women amongst us, a diet which still contains enough vegetal proteins is advised to avoid losing any muscles, for beginners, a light detox is preferable whereas those who have prior experience in this kind of dieting and detoxing can do a much longer and intense detox, using only green vegetables for examples (much more difficult)

When ? During season change, or after an excess (birthdays, holidays, etc.) or simply when we feel the need .. Choose a weekend for example, from Friday till Monday for a bracket detox, knowing that the ideal cure lasts approximately between three and five days .

How long ? There is no defined duration and it is really up to you and your goals and needs.. Some people will do juice fasting one day each week or only from time to time, others will do the juicing for a period of 2 or 3 days, and the juice detox aficionados will choose a more sustained juice cleansing at the beginning of each season which can go on for as long as 10 days or more. Add a minimum of 2 more days to all detox plans, because we plan to eat light 1 day before and 1 day after the cure (meals consisting of fruit, vegetables, no dairy products, meats or food containing starch) and we also have to cut out coffee, tea, alcohol and all other stimulants too…

Is this difficult ? I’m not going to lie, the 1st day is not necessarily easy.. even the first 3 days actually.. especially if it is your first cleanse.. But stay focussed and strong, you can do this ! And once the first phase of détoxination passes (during which we experience headaches, hunger, must chew something now sensation, fatigue, cold, dizziness, body odours, etc.) our energy returns and we feel better.. I noticed that a very hot herbal tea helps to calm and accompany these unpleasant symptoms that the body experiences when cleaning itself…

Accompany your body : during the detox, it is important to accompany and help your body to facilitate it with this task.. Before the diet, take a few days to prepare the body to maximize the benefits of juice cleanse.. Cut off processed food, animal products, caffeine, soda, coffee and alcool.. Eat fresh veggies and fruits, drink more water.. You should also get a colonics one day before the juice fast to make you more comfortable and help you get more out of the cleanse.By doing all of this you will eliminate a potential “healing crisis”and the juice experience will be more pleasant 😉 During the diet avoid sports which require too much energy for the benefit of softer activities like walking, yoga, swimming.. You also need to give yourself enough rest; nap, reading, movie, meditation will all be welcome while our body cleans itself;) ah and during each of my cures, I have treated myself to a slimming massage at Chantal’s Brehin’s which favours the elimination of toxins and water retention thanks to shiatsu and manual drainage.. A steam room session can also help to evacuate toxins. After the diet: start slowly to eating solid foods again (fruit, vergers, juice, smoothies) and consume small quantities, you’ll get full very easily. Go slowly, and see how your body reacts.

Benefits ? There are many and the longer the cure, the more we feel the effects. In short: detox, well-being and weight loss.. We feel lighter, in our body but also in our mind, our skin is more beautiful, brighter, our stomach is very flat which is great for those who often have stomach or intestinal problems, and you will see a real difference.. The same goes for those who have stout, cellulite or water retention problems.. Juice detoxes (even if it is not really to lose weight) does help you to lose some, and you will see a rapid improvement in terms of weight loss and eradication of that pimply cellulite appearance… It is basically a perfect way to regain control and to refocus on a healthier lifestyle, because this weight loss is encouraging, however do be careful, the purpose in post detox phase is to restart a balanced and healthy diet while taking special care not to gain it all back quickly 🙂

Personally I have become quite adept at this practise because I find that it really does make me feel good, and my entire body feels better and reacts both internally and externally.. I really feel a new zest and energy for life and it is really effective for staying healthy and keeping trim.

=>Having done your first detox of 2, 3, 5 days (or +), and to keep the benefits of this cleaning process, It is ideal to do regular cleanses.. As a result, I have adopted this good routine since my grape detox, and I really notice improvements on my skin, body, and mind etc…So I now have one healthy day a week, either a monodiet (1 food of my choice a day: banana, grape, apple, carrot, rice, soup etc). .. Or a juice detox, depending on how I’m feeling at the time.

To conclude, everyone has to find their own balance, rhythm and routine which suits them, and in my next article, i’ll give you my top 5 to popular Juice cleanses that I am in the process of testing with my love..
Kisses