Can't Beet It Juice

Can't Beet It

Ingredients

• Apples - 2 medium 

• Beet Root - 1 beet

• Carrots - 4 medium

• Celery - 3 stalk, large 

• Cucumber - 1/2 cucumber 

• Ginger Root - 1/2 thumb 

Directions

Process all ingredients in a juicer, shake or stir and serve.

                                                                                                                                                                       

I have had a lot of beet drinks recently and starting to get burned out on them, however, I found this to be a good mixture and would drink it again.

Tropical Green Recipe

Tropical Green

Ingredients

• Ginger Root - 1/2 thumb

• Kale - 4 leaf 

• Mango - 1 fruit without refuse

• Orange - 1 small

• Pineapple - 1 cup

Directions

Process all ingredients in a juicer, shake or stir and serve.

                                                                                                                                                                       

YUM! I very much enjoyed this juice and will be adding it to my favorites. Love the mixture of pineapple and mango. 

Morning Call Recipe

Morning Call

Ingredients

• Broccoli - 1 stalk

• Cabbage - 1/2 head

• Kale - 4 leaf

Directions

Process all ingredients in a juicer, shake or stir and serve.

                                                                                                                                                                       

NASTY!! I will never drink this again! I made it and started drinking the next day. I used red cabbage and when I went to drink the juice it was black. I tried 3 drinks and could not handle it anymore. 

Day 18 - Tired and Sore

And the journey continues. Still juicing and keeping to my plan. I have been amazed that I am not hungry at the end of the day, well starving. I have yet to fall asleep on the couch or even go to bed early. As I was talking to other staff members about our third day one stated it had to be due to juicing that I am handling going back to school so well.

Thanks to juicing I am not as exhausted at the end of the day, not as sore (feet and legs) as in years past. My migraines have dwindled and I feel calmer. I am loving all these things but one thing I wish would have decreased was my acid reflux. My medicine ran out and so I decided to see what was happening. Within a few days I noticed I needed my meds and I went to refill it. This began a bunch of nonsense with my pharmacy, insurance and doctor office. My doctor took another position and so she is no longer at the office. The pharmacy is full of idiots who have rejected my refills in the past due to loosing their information. This has now brought us into the movement of finding a new doctor (no longer with the same office we were with) and pharmacy. In the mean time, tums have become my friend until some over the counter meds arrive from Amazon. I know, who knew amazon sold over the counter medicines.

Hopefully in time the acid reflux will get better and I will no longer be on meds as well as my other ailments. Time will only tell as I travel this journey of juicing.

Stats:
18 days free of caffeine
4 days free of migraines
254: -2 lbs

Day 16 - First Day of School

Today begin the first day back to school with students. If I have not mention before, I teach 8th grade science to about 100 students. The first day back to school, well first week of school, is rough for teachers. Back to the early schedule (I get up at 5:30am), routine of school, standing on your feet all day, short lunch time, etc.

I have to say I did really well. I didn't feel the fatigue until my last class. Came home and cooked supper instead of passing out on the couch (may have happened if I had gotten home earlier). And caught up on my blogs.

Now, I will admit my feet hurt, my legs are achy and I feel my body crashing. My husband likes to joke every year I pass out early and well, I see me going to be soon which is an hour and a half before I usually go to bed. But, when your sleepy your sleepy and you should just go to bed.

Today is my second day being back on two juices a day. Through out the day I am doing very good but I am finding when I get home to be hungry and eating more than I should. This I need to work on. Today I also had a banana in the morning but I need some kind of snack. I had planned to eat nuts (cashews and almonds) but there are two students on my hall who have a severe nut allergy and so I can't keep any at school right now. I am sadden by this but due to my students health I will keep them away.

I am happy to report that I am 16 days strong without caffeine. I am finding things to drink besides water as a treat, for example Sprite and Sierra Mist. These are not things I want to drink all the time but when have a craving can do so. I also had a Caffeine Free Diet Coke but I try to avoid diet due to the aspartame. It is linked to causing migraines which I try to avoid. Speaking of, I am 2 days free of migraines.

Off to bed for me and hope to report back soon.

Full of Kale-Cium

Full Of Kale-Cium

Ingredients

• Apple - 1 medium
• Carrots - 3 medium 
• Cilantro - 1 handful 
• Collard Greens - 1 cup, chopped 
• Kale - 4 leaf 
• Pepper (sweet red) - 1 medium

Directions

Process all ingredients in a juicer, shake or stir and serve.

                                                                                                                                                                      

Thanks to JuiceRecipes.com I learned that "Kale is rich in vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium and iron. This makes it perfect for juicing!" Awesome, my last blood test showed my iron being low and slightly anemic. I was told to take iron supplements. Even though I am taking the supplements I love that most of the juices I have made contain kale. Hopefully, I will be off the supplements at my next doctors appointment. Speaking of, anyone know of a good one around Concord, North Carolina?

Again there was a twist on my the recipe. I thought I could buy collard greens at Aldi's but  could not find any. Because I had a migraine and knew my family was also tired I did not push it to go to another store. Instead I replaced the collard greens with some spinach I had in the fridge. 

I have not tried this juice. This will be my morning juice tomorrow with another dose of Sunset Blend (made two glasses) for lunch.

Tracee's Green Workout Juice

Tracee's Green Workout Juice

Ingredients

• Apples - 2 medium

• Celery - 2 stalks

• Cucumber - 1/2 cucumber

• Dandelion Greens - 1 cup, chopped

• Kale - 3 leaf 

• Lemon - 1/2 fruit 

Directions

Process all ingredients in a juicer, shake or stir and serve.

                                                                                                                                                                       

First, pay attention to your recipe when making out your grocery list. In my rush (did before we left the house) I managed to not notice this juice called for dandelion greens. I personally have no idea what dandelion greens are or where to buy them. To me I could pick them from my yard, well if we had any and we didn't have a lawn service chemically treating our yard. According to Rebecca Wood they "are the most nutritious leafy vegetable that you can buy". 

Since they do not sell them at Aldi's or Harris Teeter (I think), I did without. The result, a tasty green juice that I would definitely have again. Perfect combination all around. 

Sunset Blend Juice

Sunset Blend

Ingredients

• Apples - 2 medium
• Beet Roots - 2 beet 
• Carrot - 1 large
• Orange - 1 fruit 
• Pepper (sweet red) 
• Sweet Potato - 1 sweet potato

Directions

Process all ingredients in a juicer, shake or stir and serve.

                                                                                                                                                                       

Because I was not a fan of the Beet Nik Juice, I did not think I would be a fan of this juice. To my surprise it was good. I think the sweet potato helps change the texture of the juice and didn't notice the beets. It is a keeper in my book.

Beet Nik Juice

Beet Nik

Ingredients

• Apple - 1 medium

• Beet Root - 1 beet 

• Carrots - 8 medium

• Celery - 2 stalk, large 

• Spinach - 3 cup

Directions

Process all ingredients in a juicer, shake or stir and serve.

                                                                                                                                                                       

NOT A FAN! I am all about finishing my juices even if I don't like it. This one, not happening. I made this on Sunday and had for lunch at school. Did not finish it at school and took it home with me. Had this morning and I nearly got sick. I did not like the juice but I did not waste it and kept forcing. Bad idea! No more of this juice for me.

The Wingman Juice

The Wingman

Ingredients

• Apples - 3 medium
• Celery - 3 stalks
• Cucumber - 1/2 
• Ginger Root - 1/2 thumb 
• Kale - 4 leaf 
• Lemon - 1 fruit 
• Orange (peeled, de-seeded) - 1 large 

Directions

Process all ingredients in a juicer, shake or stir and serve.

                                                                                                                                                                       

Due to making so many juices I don't even remember when I drank this one but I do seem to remember it being good. Honestly, all of them have been pretty good except for one. More on that one later. 

Thanks again to JuiceRecipes.com for the past few weeks juices. 

The Anytime Cocktail Juice

The Any Time Cocktail

Ingredients

• Apples - 2 medium

• Celery - 2 stalk

• Cucumber - 1 cucumber

• Kale - 5 leaf

• Lemon - 1/2 fruit

• Oranges (peeled) - 2 fruit 

• Parsley - 1 handful

Directions

Process all ingredients in a juicer, shake or stir and serve.

                                                                                                                                                                       

I totally forgot I made this one last week. It was good. The cucumber was not over powering as in some other drinks. 

Heart Beet Juice

Heart Beet

Ingredients

• Apple - 1 medium 

• Beet Root - 1 beet 

• Carrots - 12 medium 

• Lemon - 1/2 fruit 

• Oranges (peeled) - 2 fruit 

Directions

Process all ingredients in a juicer, shake or stir and serve.

                                                                                                                                                                       

When I first saw the ingredients on this recipe I did a double take, 12 carrots. I have had carrot juices and was not a fan and thought this one would not be good. To my surprise it doesn't even have a major carrot taste. Great mixture of ingredients to create this surprising juice.

Beets and Treats Juice

Beets And Treats

Ingredients

• Beet Root - 1 beet 

• Cabbage (red) - 2 leaf

• Carrots - 3 medium 

• Lemon - 1/2 fruit 

• Orange - 1 fruit 

• Pineapple - 1/4 fruit 

• Spinach - 2 handful

Directions

Process all ingredients in a juicer, shake or stir and serve.

                                                                                                                                                                       

To help juice the spinach I wrapped as much as I could in the cabbage leaves. Overall this was not a bad juice. 

The Liver Scrubber Juice

The Liver Scrubber

Ingredients

• Apple - 1 large 
• Beet Greens (optional) - 3 leaf 
• Beet Root - 1 beet 
• Carrots - 4 medium
• Celery - 1 stalk, large 
• Ginger Root - 1/2 thumb 

Directions

Process all ingredients in a juicer, shake or stir and serve.

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I have had beet drinks in the past and not been a big fan, however this one was good. I do think that the more I drink of these juices the more I like their taste, including the beets.

Thanks to meetings Wednesday and Thursday my co-workers have taken notice of the different colors in my cups. One went so far to put a sticky note on my juice with a sticky note with GROSS written on it. If they would only give it a chance they would enjoy it as well.

This juice came from JuiceRecipe.com. Their site is nice for it tells you what each fruit and vegetable in the juice helps your body. 

Turmeric Sunrise Juice

Turmeric Sunrise

• Apples - 2 medium ( 
• Carrots - 3 medium 
• Celery - 3 stalk, large  
• Ginger Root - 1 thumb  
• Lemons (peeled) - 2 fruit 
• Pears - 2 medium 
• Turmeric Root - 6 thumb 

Directions:

Process all ingredients in a juicer, shake or stir and serve.

                                                                                                                                                                                   

I love turmeric and use it when I can. I was not able to find a turmeric root so I sprinkled turmeric on my drink, mixed and enjoyed! This one will make it to my favorites recipe book.

I came across this weeks set of juices from JuiceRecipes.com. They have lots of juices to choose from. I started with the weightloss juices. Even though my goal is to feel better a great bonus would be to loose weight. 

Day 12 - Busy!

As of Monday, Aug. 18th I went back to school to set up my room and start getting things ready for my kids. You would think 5 days at school I would have gotten many things done but honestly my to do list has only grown.

Even though I have been busy getting ready for the 2014-2015 school year I have kept on. I have drank juice for breakfast and lunch Monday-Wednesday and ate a meal at night. This week our girls were at the beach with extended family and so that gave us opportunities for some date nights. Out of the three restaurants, one we will never go back, another is a favorite and will be back but the other is the only one that gave us the best experience, Heirloom. Heirloom is a fine dining restaurant in an unexpected place, an old Mayflower Restaurant. They are all about the food and not customers. By this I mean there was very few tables. Inside you are greeted to a rustic chic atmosphere that is calm and relaxing. The waiters are full of knowledge on all their ingredients. Heirloom sources 97% of its food and drinks from North Carolina. All food is what is in season in our area and is why their menu can change weekly. They grow their own herbs in boxes around the outside of the restaurant and bee hives on their roof. They have a tasting menu and my husband humored me as I worked my way through 7 courses. I had know idea that ricotta and beets tasted good together! Or that sunflower sprouts were edible. Great experience, great food, and highly recommend you check it out when ever you are in Charlotte.

If you noticed I didn't say Thursday-Friday. I still juiced in the morning but I had two free lunches. Today's lunch had me full and so I will see how much I really eat for dinner.

I have kept to just drinking no water. Tonight I am finding it difficult for I want a carbonated drink but I am keeping to my water.

Besides me being tired (due to going back to school and change in wake up time) I am feeling good. I have recently noticed that I am no longer sleeping with a nasal strip and my husband says I stopped snoring. Now the nasal strip was never for snoring but how congested I would get during the night. It is amazing how be drinking juice I am feeling better.

I am definitely behind in posting the new juices I have tried and hope to get them posted. Some have not been my favorites but I am find the more I drink juice the more I enjoy them.

No Caffeine: 12 days
Migraine: 0, many signs of migraine setting in but no headache as of yet.
Weight: 255 lbs -1lb

Day 8 - I Survived the Weekend

This weekend my family took an overnight trip up to Western North Carolina. I love seeing new things and we did a lot. The Dragon's Tail; Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum in Townsend, Tn; Diner in Gatlinburg, Tn; Scenic Hyw 441 where we saw elk; and the icing on the cake a train ride to the Natahala Gorge on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.

One of the biggest issues with traveling was juicing. I juiced Saturday by preparing two juices the night before to drink. Kale and Orange Juice and Banana and Orange Juice. I brought two frozen juices but did not end up drinking them. One's container broke either in transit or from being in the freezer and so it was a goner. Even with drinking less juice this weekend I found that my appetite was smaller. I split a bbq sandwhich with my husband for lunch and he ate the sides that came with my shrimp tacos (ended up not eating the tortilla's either). By the way, a must in Asheville, Nc is the The Catina. Such great food and is a must stop when we are in the area for lunch or dinner.

Now for the best part, I did not drink any caffeine. It was so hard. Every meal someone got a sweet tea or a soda. At one point I was holding two sodas as my husband and daughter took photos. It was such a temptation to drink especially when I was overheated and wanted something cold with flavor but I stuck to it and now 8 days without caffeine.

Stats:
No Caffeine: 8 days
No Migraines: 3 days (at least for I just thought to start counting this one)
Current Weight: 256 - no change but I feel better!

Day 5 - One Juice Day

You may have seen the recipe I posted of the Celery, Cucumber and Pear Green Juice earlier today. Those who read that post knows that I didn't like it but would push on and drink it. It was 2+ glasses and slow going.

Due to a last lunch with my husband down by his work with our girls before going back to school I ended up eating lunch at a chinese buffet. This is the first time I broke my lunch juice since starting this week. One reason I broke was I had not had chinese in a long time and my husband had told me the buffet place we went to had a wide variety. Sure enough they did. They had two dishes with baby octopuses. I must admit I almost tried it but I didn't want to push myself on that one. I did eat though calamari, crab and veggies. I even got some fruit. Not bad meal I think. However, the main reason for not drinking juice was I didn't know how well it would go over with me and my cup of juice not eat anything their at the restaurant. A sit down restaurant (one with a waitress) is a lot different than drinking in a fast food joint (aka McDonald's).

I did think hey I just won't eat dinner due to eating lunch. Yeah that didn't happen. Wasn't that I was starving for I wasn't but I made bbq chicken (a favorite of mine) and this corn salad (I had never made). I did good and only ate one chicken thigh (what the recipe called for) and the corn salad (no idea on its serving). Yummy and satisfying.

I am happy to report that I am still going strong on no caffeine. Yeah me!

Tomorrow we leave for an overnight trip up in Western North Carolina and this will be a defining moment for me. First I am known to drink more soda on a trip than anywhere. Also, what to do about meals and juicing. Even my husband asked me what I was going to do and have come up with a plan. I made up two juices this evening for tomorrow (one is my husband's favorite and may loose it to him, not a bad problem if it gets him drinking again). I also have 4 to 5 frozen juices in my freezer that I plan to put in a cooler. I am planning on the hotel having a fridge in our room but if not will cover them up in ice when we get there.  I am also bringing cashews and almonds along in case I get snacky (another issue with road trips). Tune back in on Monday to see how I faired on my first mini road trip.

Celery, Cucumber and Pear Green Juice Recipe

Celery, Cucumber and Pear Green Juice

• 1 medium cucumber
• 2 celery stalks
• 2 pears
• 3 handfuls of kale

1. Wash the fruit and veggies.
2. Place through juicer.

Notice I did not state enjoy. I was thinking my taste buds were changing and was opening up to new flavors but no. I am not a fan of this one. If I tasted more pear than verses the cucumber I may. This one will not be making my family cookbook.

Even though I am not a fan I will finish this juice through out the course of the day.

This juice came from Reboot with Joe. Goes to show that even though I have enjoyed many juices from this site not all agree with my taste buds. Find those juices you love and enjoy!

Kale Juice Recipe

Kale Juice 

• 6 Kale leaves
• 3 oranges

1. Wash the kale and oranges.
2. Peel the oranges.
3. Juice and enjoy.

This is a quick and easy recipe that I found at Raw Juice Cleanse Recipes. Its only downfall is that it makes a small glass of juice where as others tend to make more. But I will gladly drink it when I get the chance.

Day 4 - The Turning Point

From the time I woke up this morning I knew I had reached my turning point in the journey. I woke up with energy, no headache, and no pain in my shoulder.

The past three days I only did something if I had to. Today, I did two loads of laundry, picked up and swept our kitchen, made a zucchini pie (tastes just like an apple pie), made vanilla ice cream (love our cusinart!), hung out with friends, made three juices (which one of them my friend enjoyed) and over all great day. Looking forward to tomorrow and see what I accomplish.

Pear Spinach Juice Recipe

Pear Spinach Juice 

• 2 firm pears
• 2 apples (preferably green)
• 2 cups spinach
• a few mint leaves

I was in need of another juice for today and so began the search of another juice. I knew I had some pears and apples and was hoping I could find a recipe to use one of them if not both and anything else I happen to have in our house. I did a google search on pear juice recipes and my first choice was the Healthy Living Hub. Here I found 5 easy recipes that include pears. I only made one today (ran out of the non pear ingredients). Can't wait to try it out for lunch.  

For those who want to get healthy I would check out Healthy Living's website. Lots to offer with juicing and smoothie recipes and information. They also have simple healthy meals (I love simple!), Mind and Body and Healthy Hobbies sections and a store. 

Joe's Mean Green Juice Recipe

Joes's Mean Green Juice

• 16 kale Leaves
• 2 cucumbers
• 8 celery sticks
• 4 apples
• 1 lemon
• 2 in. piece of fresh root ginger

1. Clean all vegetables and fruit.
2. Peel the lemon.
3. Depending on the size of your apples you may need to cut them in half or in thirds to place them in the juicer.
4. Juice and enjoy

This recipe comes from Reboot with Joe. If you didn't know Joe is the star of Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead and has created a website to help others interested in juicing. If you have not seen the documentary, I highly suggest you do. If you have have Netflix, you can watch the documentary there. 

I would like to note that I do majority of my shopping at Aldi's. Those of you not familiar with Aldi's, it is a small grocery store that keeps cost low due to fewer staff and not that many choices as you would have at a chain grocery store (aka Harris Teeter (double coupon up to $2 this week), Hy-Vee, Giant Foods, Wal-mart, etc). Because of Aldi's limited choices they do not sell kale leaves. However, they do sale Kale Greens which is kale in the form of salad. Because I like to save money I buy the Kale Greens and treat one handful as a leaf. Now, I will admit that every handful is not the same. Also, the air from the juicer can send kale greens flying. To help with this issue I have started to stuff the chute with kale greens before I turn on the juicer. I do not push it down to the blades but just down to where the chute ends. Once the chute is filled I turn on the juicer and use the plunger to push the kale down to the blades. To help get the little pieces stuck in the chute I put in a different vegetable/fruit before putting in more kale. 

Speaking of how I juice my kale I have learned that my ginger (dust particles) is flying out after dropping it in the chute. To help with this I am mixing it with other fruits and vegetables so that as much as possible can be contained within my juice and container (for easy cleanup). 

Peaches and Cream Juice Recipe

Peaches and Cream Juice

• 4 peaches
• 4 carrots
• 1/2 lemon

1. Clean the fruit and vegetables
2. Remove the pits from the peaches and peel the lemon.
3. Place all ingredients through the juicer and enjoy.

This recipe is a version of All Peaches and Cream from Juicers Best. This is the first time I have really deterred from a recipe. The reason was I only had 4 peaches and 4 carrots in my fridge. I was suppose to add basil but I forgot it. 

Even with the changes the juice turned out great. I am a fan of peaches and love when they shine. With this juice I taste the peaches more than the carrots even though the juice is very orange.

As I type up this recipe I have watched as the liquid has sunk to the bottom and the pulp has risen to the top. The pulp is really like the cream. I would suggest keeping a spoon or a stirrer with you to mix your juice every so often as you drink it. 

Pine-Lime-Lemon Juice Recipe

Pine-Lime-Lemon Juice

• 1/4 medium pineapple
• 2 celery sticks
• 1 lemon
• 1 inch piece of fresh root ginger

Peel the lemon and remove the outer shell of the pineapple. Add all ingredients to juicer and enjoy.

This recipe is thanks to Reboot with Joe that has plans and recipes that you can print for free. This is a great resource if you are thinking of juicing. Check out the link for the recipe for I have noticed an error on my print out (lime not listed) as well as substitutions you could make for the different fruits and vegetables.

I made the Pine-Lime-Lemon Juice recipe last week and put it in a water bottle that I froze. Yesterday I randomly grabbed the water bottle from the freezer. I let it thaw on its own as my girls and I ran errands. It turned out great. When I had finished my other juice and started on water the Pine-Lime-Lemon Juice had begun to thaw enough for me to drink. One of my daughters thought it was great that I had made my own slushy. When I was drinking it, I didn't think it had the texture of a slushy but it was nice and cold on a summer day. Very refreshing. 

Day 3 - Crossing from horrible to do able.

This morning and I woke up feeling like crap. My right shoulder and up to my head was throbbing. Back to the heating pad for me.

Today was my errand day and the last thing I wanted to do was leave the house but I finally gathered myself and my children up. First I took the maxalt! This is my migraine medicine and thank the lord it started in and took out the headache.

Because we were leaving late and had numerous errands to run I was prepared and brought my juice and a frozen juice with me. This was the best thing ever! I had pre-made some juices a week or so ago and froze them. By the time I finished my first juice and started on water the other was defrosting to start drinking.

To treat my girls I took them to McDonalds for lunch but mostly to play on the playground they have. I walked in with my juice and kept to it. That is right. I didn't eat one french fry, pickle, or drink any soda. This was hard but I am so proud of myself for doing it.

When all was finished my headache was gone but I was tired. I put up all I had to and after that I was down on the couch. My new favorite show is the Wahlburg's. I have now watched 6 episodes this afternoon.

Stats:
No Caffeine - 3 days

Day 2 - Tired and Headache

If you have done any research on juicing you will learn that within the first few days of juicing you may feel like crap. That is me today.

Now there are many different reasons for this.

1. Caffeine Withdrawal: Headaches! I hate headaches and unfortunately suffer from migraines. Detoxing from the caffeine will not be fun but I know that it will be best for me. I have now gone one day with out soda or tea. Let the countdown begin.
2. Weather: Our area has had a cold front that has brought in gray skies and off an on showers. I have learned with my migraines that when the barometric pressure starts dropping my head starts hurting. 
3. Massage: I love massages but since I store my stress in my neck and shoulders plus numerous injuries over the years I am extremely tight. I tried to go as often as I can to get a massage from a friend of mine. This woman is awesome! Without me saying anything she can find all my sore spots. Lately she has been working on my right shoulder which she was able to release. Unfortunately I have felt it tightening back up which I believe is also bringing about this headache (since it is all on the right side). I know what to do and that is do some yoga, hot bath with epsom salt and a massage from my children. 
4. And finally, the dreaded period. I hate my monthly period but it is the life of us women. I due get tired, sometime PMS, and headaches before and during my period. 

Because I feel the way I due today. I do plan to take it easy. I have already iced my head. Took a nap (all before 9am). Anything I do today will be where I do not have to really think. This means no school work, with only a few weeks till school starts is not something I really need to do but in the name of my head and body is wise. 

Stats:

Weight: 256.6

Days without caffeine: 1

3-2-1 Cantaloupe Juice Recipe

3-2-1 Cantaloupe Juice

• 3 cups of watermelon
• 2 cups of cantaloupe
• 1 apple (green or gold)
• 1 inch piece of ginger

Instructions:

• Wash all ingredients.
• De-rine the watermelon and cantaloupe
• Run all ingredients through the juicer

To help use up the watermelon and cantaloupe I had I made this juice. It is very good and have been drinking on it today. However, next time I think I will use my juice machine for the apple and ginger and blend that juice with the watermelon and cantaloupe. I find that when I juice fruit full of moisture (pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe) I don't get all the juice. I also think it is good to get as much nutrients as possible from the fruit.

Thanks to Juicers Best for this recipe. 

Watermelon Smoothie Recipe

Watermelon Smoothie

• 1 cup of strawberries
• 1 cup of cantaloupe
• 1 cup seeded watermelon
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup of low fat vanilla yogurt

Put all ingredients in a blender and mix together. One of my daughters and I loved this recipe. I made up a double batch of it and put some in the freezer for later.

Thank you Juicers Best on Pinterest for this awesome recipe.

Let the Journey Begin - Day 1

Juicing is not new to me. A few months ago my husband and I watched Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead by Joe Cross.

This documentary blew both my husband and I away on how if we changed how we ate our health could totally change and loose weight. This brought us doing a little research, buying a juicer, and beginning our journey. Unfortunately, my husband was not a fan of many of the juices we tried but I continued. 

Now our plan was to juice breakfast and lunch and then eat a healthy dinner. Even though the juice plans we have seen was to juice all day we did not due to our two daughters. We feel it is important to have a sit down dinner as a family. With this sit down dinner I try to cook healthy meals to keep us on the right track.

Now I am a teacher and when we started I was juicing for breakfast and then eating leftovers for lunch. Once school ended I started juicing breakfast and lunch as much as I could. I was doing really good. I felt great! I had fewer migraines and lot more energy. Then I went on vacation. 

Vacation was my downfall. We went on a tour of the midwest to sightsee and see my family who live mostly in Illinois and Missouri. I did bring the juicer but with only a few days at my parents house it didn't get used but a few times. When we cam back home I had trouble getting back to juicing before I headed out again on a week long conference. This travel got extended for I ended up driving back to the midwest for my Grandfather Price's funeral. When I did get back I had 3 guests in my house who are all about eating out. 

So here we are two weeks till school starts and I have decided enough's enough and time to get back on track. My plan is to start juicing again throughout the day and then eat a healthy meal with my family in the evening. I do plan to eats some nuts (cashews and almonds) during the day to get in protein. I love almonds but cashews will be added for I learned from watching Food Matters that eating two handfuls of cashews a day can help beet depression. Since I suffer from this I am all about seeing if getting in my essential vitamins and minerals could turn my depression and other health issues around. 

My Plan: Drink a glass of juice, then glass of water and then continue this rotation until my family sits down for dinner. To meet this goal I am premixing juices and freezing them for future use. I will take many of these to school with me to drink through out the day. Luckily I have access to a fridge close by. 

Day 1: Well, lets call this a lazy day. I didn't get up until noon. Didn't come downstairs until 1ish. Have drank four glasses of water and 2 servings of french bread. I am now getting ready to make a watermelon smoothie.