Barely Green :: Day 23-30

Howdy!

I just returned from a week long stay in Oklahoma.  It was nice to visit with family and friends, but the weather was unbelievably hot and humid. 

I managed to get my green juice a couple of times. BUT (excuses, excuses, excuses) it was so hot that I didn't really feel like having fruit juice. I mostly drank lots of cold water, limeade, and ... Savignon Blanc.  Hey, it's refreshing!

Daily juice while traveling just wasn't manageable for me.  I had fun along the way, but I have to say that I am glad this daily juice regiment is over.  I love how good I feel when I drink my green juice and I will definitely keep juicing...just not every day.

Thanks for following along! 



psst...

So whats next?  You tell me!  Got any ideas or suggestions for the next 30 day adventure?

Day 22 :: I think I'm turning Green

Today was a good day.  I won a contest for a free week of The Fresh Diet www.thefreshdiet.com  which is pretty awesome.  I get a week of freshly made food, 3 meals and 2 snacks, delivered to my door daily. I hope it's good! 

I actually really like these little glasses of juice.  They look pretty and taste fresh.

Question :: Has anyone tried green juice since I started this blog? 

recipe :: 

1 Small Orange (peeled)
1 Apple (cored)
1/4 Inch Ginger Root (peeled)
8 Leaves Romaine lettuce

Day 21 :: Green Machine

 I am in the final countdown.  Nearing the end.  Still going strong.

Recipe ::

1/2 Orange
1 Apple (peeled)
8 Stalks Romaine
1/4 inch Ginger root (peeled)

I spaced and gulped it down before I took a picture. Here is something pretty to look at instead::

Day 20 :: A Shot of Green

Ok, my glass of juice has turned more into a shot glass of juice.  Today's recipe is very simple and tasty.  This one would be a nice way to start your morning. You could easily swap the Orange for carrots if you are worried about too much acidity.

Recipe ::

1/2 Orange (peeled)
1 Apple (cored)
1/2 Inch Ginger (peeled)
8 Stalks Kale

Day 19 :: Hello? Is anybody out there?

19 Days in and going strong.  This has been easier than I anticipated.  I leave for Oklahoma next week with James.  I will be sans juicer, but the local health food store has a juice bar so I am all set!

Day 18 :: Spicy Green Juice

Considering budgetary constraints, I am reducing the portion size of my daily green juice. The glass is smaller, but it still packs a wallop of nutrient rich goodness.

Recipe ::

1/2 Orange (peeled)
1/2 Peach
8 Stalks Kale
2 Cups Spinach (loosely packed)
1/4 Inch Ginger (peeled)

Day 17 :: This is getting expensive

OK, there is just no way around it...Juicing is expensive.

Even if I didn't buy organic it would still be expensive. Don't get me wrong, I am sticking this out, but for the long term I just don't see daily juicing fitting into my budget.  Of course, the victory garden will help some and maybe I can add an orange tree to my mini-orchard for next year.

Recipe ::

1 Inch Ginger
2 Oranges
1 Bunch Cilantro
8 Stalks Kale
3 Carrots
1 Peach
1 Apricot

Photo ::

Day 16 :: Getting Greener

So I am trying to work out a juicing formula that includes mostly green vegetables, but doesn't taste like liquid spinach.  The recipe for today is an improvement on Mondays concoction.  Adding carrots, an additional orange, and increasing the ginger is a step in the right direction.

I included some photos of the fruit and veggies that went into the juice today.  Yup, only one little glass, which I shared with James because surprisingly enough - he really liked it!

Recipe ::

8 Stalks Kale
1 Bunch Cilantro
10 Stems Spinach
2 Oranges (peeled)
1 1/2 Inch Ginger
2 carrots
1 Peach
2 Apricots

Photos ::

Day 15 :: Really Green Juice

I took Jill's challenge to "drink more chlorophyll". Yuck, I think I am going to have to develop a taste for this one, it was very bitter.

Recipe ::

1 Orange (peeled)
6 Stalks Kale
1 Bunch Cilantro
1 Inch Ginger

Photo ::

Day 14 :: Margarita qualifies as Green, right?

It's the fourth.  My kitchen is bare.  Margarita's have Lime in them and that qualifies them as "green" in my book. 

So yes.  I had my "green" juice for the day.  Happy Fourth!

Victory

We planted a victory garden in honor of the fourth of July Holiday.  Thanks to Don, Frances, and Stephanie for all their help. Now most of my juicing supplies can come straight from the garden!

Day 13 : Green Juice

Need to get to the store.  Running out of nutrients. Must make Juice.

recipe ::

1 Orange
1 Cucumber
4 Stalks Celery
1 inch Ginger
1 Cup Watermelon


Photo ::

Day 12 :: I am not on a juice fast

OK.  I am going to say this one more time - I am not on a Juice Fast.  I am eating food. I still drink wine.   I am simply adding green juice to my diet every day for 30 days.  All clear now? Jeez Louise!

Recipe ::
I shared with David today so this makes 2 full glasses

2 Oranges (peeled)
1 Large Cucumber
4 Stalks Celery
1 Inch Ginger
1/4 Cup Blueberries
8 Strawberries

Photo ::

Day 11 : Green Juice

It's late.  Really late.  But it's before midnight so it counts. 

Recipe:

1 Apple (cored)
2 Stalks Celery
1/2 Cucumber
6 Strawberries
1 Orange (peeled)
1 Inch Ginger Root (peeled)

Photo:

Day 10 :: Green and Pink Juice

Day 10 Wooo Whooo!  I am a third of a way there. It's been pretty easy actually and I am happy to keep going.

Some of the things I have learned so far: too much citrus wrecks havoc on my stomach,  celery and lettuce have a diuretic effect, and watermelon and I are not great friends - bloat city.

Are any of you making or buying green juice?

Recipe ::

1 Pint Blueberries
8 Strawberries
2 Stalks celery
1 Romaine Heart
1 Orange (Peeled)

Photo ::

Day 9 :: Greenish Orange Juice

Hey People.  I'm actually doing this!  Amazing, right?

 I have to say that it can be a bit of a chore to buy fresh fruit every couple of days....OK, I can't say that with a  straight face.  I LOVE going to farmers markets and Figueroa produce and whole foods.  It's actually nice to be around fresh food all the time and to have a purpose when I buy my fruit and veggies.

I feel great, my skin looks great, my hair is shiny, and I lost 2 pounds since I started this.  All very nice side effects, but it's the vibrancy I feel inside that makes this worthwhile.

This recipe is simple, easy and makes one glass exactly.

Recipe ::

1 Orange (peeled)
3 Stalks Celery
1 Inch Ginger Root
6 Stalks Romaine
1 Apple (cored)


Photo ::

Work it Out!

Finally made it back to the gym.

A while back I went to boot camp and it was well worth it.  I did two sessions with Von James - Extreme burn!  Doesn't that sound awesome?  Von is really motivating and very informative when it comes to exercise and nutrition.  When you sign up for his class, you get a whole lot more than a tough work out.

Beyond losing 12 inches and 5 pounds in 3 weeks (amazing, right?)  I learned a lot at Extreme Burn. Now when I go to the gym I can push myself beyond what I was ever willing to do before.  I plan on going back for another round of boot camp in the fall once it cools down.  I guess I better give Von James a plug since his work out was so life changing and all!


www.extreme-burn.com

Day 8 :: Green Juice

Another day, another juice.  Still feeling great.

Recipe ::

2 Carrots
2 Celery Stalks
1 Apple (cored)
1 Orange (peeled)
6 Leaves Romaine
2 Inches Ginger Root (peeled)
6 Strawberries
1/2 Cup Watermelon


Photo ::

Day 7 :: Green Juice

I have been at this Juicy Adventure for a week now and I feel great!  David even said I looked skinny, what a smart husband.

James liked this juice a lot!  Which was funny and gross.

Recipe ::

1 Kiwi (peeled)
1 Cup Watermelon
1 Carrot
1/2 Cucumber
8 Romaine Leaves
1 Apple (cored)


Photos ::

Day 6 :: Purple Juice

Feeling better today.  I was feeling like I had a cold coming on yesterday.  Once I had my green juice I felt a million times better.  It was pretty amazing actually. I really do think that all this green juice helped knock out what could have turned into a cold.  Thanks green juice!

Recipe for the day ::

1  Small Beet
1 Nectarine
1/2 Lemon (peeled)
1/2 Cucumber
8 Stalks Kale
6 Strawberries (greens and all)
1 Apple (Cored)
1 Carrot

Photo ::  Ain't she purdy?

Are apple seeds poisonous?

My friend Mary sent me a concerned email regarding the toxicity of apple seeds.  I wasn't too worried about it.  I mean, my centrifugal juicer boasts a wide opening for the sole purpose of juicing whole fruits.  But if someone tells me I might be drinking poison, well I would be a fool not to do a little research. 

Hmmm...Apple seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides.  Apparently, you can off yourself by consuming a large bowl of crushed apple seeds, and even a few seeds can poison a toddler or your pet - good to know. 

I don't think I am consuming enough to poison myself, but since I am juicing daily I think I will be on the safe side and core my apples from now on.  Thanks Mary for looking out for me.  It sure is nice to have friends that keep you from inadvertently poisoning yourself!

Here are a couple of sites with information on the toxicity of apple seeds.

www.Juicing-for-health.com


www.whfoods.com

photo courtesy of and available for purchase from ::
www. jessicaroseart.etsy.com

Day 5 :: Green Juice

I was a busy bee today.  James went to the beach with his daddy so I was free to run around and get things done.  I was so busy that I bought my juice today rather than make it.  Whole foods in Pasadena has an amazing juice bar where they make all kinds of green juices and have Kombucha on tap, how cool is that?

I decided to have the Dr. Oz blend green Juice.  Dr. Oz is Oprah's doctor and I think he has his own talk show and a health book , You: The Owner's Manual.   I haven't read it.  Have you?

Recipe ::    Apples, Spinach, Celery, Cucumber, Parsley, Lemon, Lime, Ginger

Photo ::

A little bit of Clarity

I am getting a lot of questions about what it is I am doing exactly.

I am the worst dieter on the planet.  If  I tell myself that I can't - then I freak out.  So rather than restricting my diet, I am supplementing it with green juice. I figure one tiny step in the direction of better health is better than nothing.

Juicing is a great way to add extra nutrients to your diet.   My favorite book on juicing and raw foods is The Raw Food Detox Diet by Natalia Rose. There are also a ton of websites and blogs,  the Juice feasting site is one of many. 

www.Juicefeasting.com

 

Day Four :: June 24, 2010

Maybe those Pinot Grigio's and mini cheeseburgers were a bad idea.  Not feeling my best this morning.  Hopefully the Juice will make it all better! I really like this juice recipe, it tastes clean and refreshing without being too acidic.

Recipe ::

1 Apple (core and all)
7 Stalks Black kale
1 Navel Orange (small, peeled)
1 Lime (small, 1/2 of peel left on)
1 Cucumber
6 Strawberries


Photo ::

Hello, my name is Lacey and I am a glutton.

3 Pinot Grigio's later ... Gluttony won.

Hey, don't judge. I had a mid week baby sitter ( thanks aunt Stephanie!) and I'm a work in progress. What can I say? ouf.

Day Three :: June 23, 2010

Go USA!  What an amazing game, I couldn't believe they clinched it in overage. David and I were hootin' and hollarin' which caused James to melt down.  He's a very sensitive little boy.  He's going to be a mess come football season.

I tried the yoga class at my gym this morning.  It was easily one of the worst yoga classes I have ever attended, but it did teach me that I don't need an instructor to do yoga.  So, maybe I can start practicing more on my own. That could be my next blog adventure, 30 days of Yoga!

I am having my juice a little late today.  I'm going to the Standard for a private party this evening.  My hope is that having my juice late in the day will keep me from over indulging tonight.  I am always at war with my gluttonous tendencies and gluttony usually wins in the end.

Recipe::

2 Navel Oranges
6 Strawberries (greens and all)
5 Stalks of Black Kale
1/2 Bunch Cilantro
2 Stalks Celery
2 Carrots
1 Lime (unpeeled)
1 Apricot

Photo::

Day two :: June 22, 2010

Had 2 cups of coffee this mornin', which makes me a very bad mommy because I am supposed to be cutting back.  I did manage to get to the gym to do my wacky Tracy Anderson Method treadmill workout. After 30 minutes of skipping, hopping, and generally looking ridiculous, I left the gym sweaty and energized. I resisted the in-n-out temptation  opting to come home to make my Juice instead.  But tonight is "Taco Tuesday" so I guess that kind of cancels out all my juicing Do-Goodery.

Recipe for today (not too green) ::

2 Navel oranges (peeled)
1 Lime (1/2 of rind removed)
8 Strawberries (greens and all)
2 Stalks Celery
1/2 Bunch Cilantro
1 apple (core and all)
1 Cucumber

and the photo ::

Day one :: June 21, 2010

Ah, the first day. I love starting new things.  It's the finishing part that I suck at.

Here is the recipe for today:

4 stalks Black Kale
1 Cucumber
 1/2 bunch Cilantro
2 Navel Oranges (peeled)
2 Carrots
1 Lime (left 1/2 of rind on)
2 stalks Celery
1 White Peach

Here is the photo

Begin

Hello!

I started this little blog to document my 30 day adventure with juicing.  My goal is to drink fresh made "green" juice every day for 30 days.  This isn't a diet or cleanse, but rather a personal effort to make a move towards better and more vibrant health.

I have to admit that the main reason (as of now) for this blog is to motivate me to actually do it.  If I know someone is watching then I just might stick to it.  But then again, I might not...who knows! I guess we will just have to wait and see.

So this is me and this is my 30 day juicy adventure.