Dear nécessité,
Happy Day. How are you today? How was your week? Are you feeling mentally and physically good or better? I am feeling better. My week, super grateful. I must remain so. When you go through valleys, you go and get deeper with more appreciation and gratitude. At least for me, that is.
I have to share with you my latest favorite drink/dessert other than drinking water and my favorite teas. Ready… HELLOOOOO CARROT JUICE… Yes, carrot juice! So delicious. It is also my dessert and what I look forward to for dessert about 2 hours before bed and after dinner. Carrot juice does my body good, and I mean, pretty darn GOOD! I am speaking for today, of course, things can always change. But in this present moment, it is such a healing, healthy blessing for me. I am drinking it every day. Of course, like everything else in life, I cannot consume it excessively, but for now, I am enjoying it tremendously and often.
I started juicing in the ’90s. I started juicing because as I told you before, I had this horrible disgusting skin rash under both of my armpits and this condition made me aware that I was feeding my system toxins, not only by what I was eating but also by choices I was making. Shaving my arm-pit skin, (which made it super raw) and then applying a heavy load of toxins from the aluminum that was in my deodorant. I was basically sealing my system with dangerous chemicals that my system was begging me to stop.
I just did not know how to listen and pay attention to my body then. This is when I started juicing. I was a ’90s juicer and I am still juicing to present day. Back then, I was juicing wheatgrass and everything green for the most part once a day. A marriage, kids, and no nanny later, juicing was not ruling anymore. It became more about nursing, pumped breast milk in bottles, juice in a box with a straw shared from my toddler. I got in a juice here and there, but I was not doing it every day. I was taking a shower and that was the most time for myself I truly made. (ok a little exaggeration) I did create my own intimate Mommy time of having chamomile tea and just quiet simple moments for me to embrace the day I had and to regroup for the next day.
Juicing is healing. Maybe I shall say, ‘can be healing’. In my case, helpful with my H-E-A-L-I-N- G. It has never failed me. So why carrot Erica? You know I sit still daily and receive guidance from a higher power. One day over and over the voice from above kept telling me it was time to juice carrot. Just carrot. Not mixing it with anything else, just carrots. Receive the healing benefits of carrots, this is the message I was receiving. Carrots have been known to provide us with more than improved eyesight. This root vegetable is known to offer some medicinal properties. It may also be useful to aid in digestion.
It contains the provitamin, B6, beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and falcarinol which is an antioxidant that is known to be so helpful in aiding those with some lung issues (COPD) and even some lung cancers. (Please do your own research). I have heard it can also possibly help those individuals challenged by Chrons. (No guarantees). We are all individuals; therefore, our bodies are going to respond differently and have their own experiences.
I personally have experienced carrots helping a little with certain body pain and assisting in restoring my gut and providing my body with some lost nutrients. I thank Mother Earth every day for her sharing her beautiful carrots with me. I hope wherever these organic carrots are coming from, that the soil is full of proper nutrients because that is key for how our produce are produced. S O I L… We require those nutrients. Those minerals as an example. Did you crave any dirt when you were pregnant? I did… I had a moment of wanting to taste Mother Earth. Looking back on it, I was probably deprived and deficient in minerals. I tell you; our body has a way of speaking to us, and we must respect it and learn to listen.
I juice 2-3 glasses of carrot juice a day. I like to have a glass or a half of glass before going to bed. Not right before bed, but it is the last thing I’ll consume. I like it to be on an empty stomach at bedtime to do its work without other food items requiring digestion and other food possibly causing an interruption. I like the carrots to go to work while I am sleeping and allow them to also help restore my tissues. I truly feel more vibrant and a healthy positive difference having these added nutrients in my diet daily. I eat 3 full meals and have the juice as a snack or before or after a meal.
Be sure to get vibrant carrots in that beautiful orange color. I also suggest, and I highly suggest, invest in organic if you choose to juice. Because you are consuming the carrots raw, you want to avoid having this healthy juice mixed with toxins from pesticides and/or herbicides so go for organic. Right!?
Our bodies were created to be these powerhouses to support and uplift us. They do not turn on us, we turn on them. The human body is special, strong, and truly amazing. They can assimilate the vitamins and minerals from our raw vegetable juices if given the proper time and environment to do so.
I encourage you to drink your fresh juice within the hour of juicing. (Regardless of the fruit or vegetable you decide to juice). I know people may challenge this and not believe it, but juice loses its potency, the enzymes, the nutrients the more it sits open as it is exposed. (Even if you cover it). Oxidation occurs as it is real! Don’t believe me? Cut open an apple and leave it in your refrigerator or on the counter and tell me if it starts to brown at all?
If you still do not believe me, juice a green juice, and let it sit for 2-3 days in your refrigerator, and see if it starts to turn brownish. I encourage you to drink your juice immediately to reap the benefits, after all, then what is the point? I am not the only one that believes this.
What kind of juicer is that your question? I have tried many, many, many. Masticating juicer is great as the machine/blade does not get as heated and makes the fruit or vegetable lose some nutrients because of being heated while juicing.
While I understand this may be new for you, try it and tell me what you think. Remember, it takes time to acquire a new taste.
Helpful Tips for juicing
- Organic. Use all organic because it is going to be consumed raw. I know it is costly, but you are a nécessité!
- Wash your fruits/veggies very well. I like to place the item in a bowl of cold water and spray with a little white vinegar and let sit in the water for 5-10 minutes. Use a vegetable brush and a non-toxic, non- perfume soap. (I like to use a little bit of baby Castille by Dr. Bronners)
- Chop your items up for their debut to be juicer ready
- Food combining. Juice fruit with Fruit and Juice Veggies with Veggies. I do not mix fruit and vegetables. I personally think it can be hard on the digestive system to break down all of those varies of enzymes and mixtures of foods. Food combining is important and can make a difference if you are aware of what you combine to digest.
- Drink Slowly. Relish in the moment with you and your juice from Mother Earth but give thanks first! I thank her first each time and I ask for my body to receive the healing benefits she intended, and then I thank her for all of that as well and the sipping begins.
Here is to juicing and healthier health as we set the intention for achieving our optimal health. Remember, you are worth the investment. You are a nécessité!
Happy Juicing with much patience, nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
Certified Holistic Health Coach
Certified in Gut Health
Author of The Thriving Child, Shut Up and Cook!
Erica Reid, Founder of nécessité
