The sad news about Jess‘s passing left me perplexed and turned my beliefs upside down. She was one of the people I really admired and from which I learned a lot. When I first became interested in a natural way of living, I found so much inspiration on her site, “The Wellness Warrior”. Moments like these leave you confused, and so many questions start bouncing into your head trying to get an answer.
There is no answer, this is the truth. There isn’t one single way for everyone to follow, and there isn’t one single piece of advice to give to everyone. Life can be cruel sometimes, and the only way you can defy this is simply to live it to the maximum; to listen to yourself and what you really need; to be flexible, non-judgmental, and to never say “never”; to treat and pamper yourself whenever you need to or feel like doing it. No one is perfect, and no one knows the absolute truth. We should learn from each lesson that life gives us. Jason Wachob’s 39 lessons he learned about life in 39 years are some of the most honest, true, and straightforward words I’ve ever read, and I’m sure you’ll identify many of your own experiences here too.
Every time I feel tired, troubled, or when I tend to lean toward the pessimistic side, and also when seasons and energies change, a quick detox is what puts me back on track. A few years ago, I used to go on drastic detox diets based on juices only, but my body doesn’t stand for this kind of approach anymore. For me, a detox means providing more super-power nutrients to help the body adjust its natural detox function, to eliminate chocolate and animal protein for a period, to add more fresh vegetables to my diet, and to focus on seasonal ingredients.
During the last several years, maybe because I learned to know myself better, to listen to my own needs and understand my body and mind, I have tended to be easier on myself. I don’t torture my body anymore with crazy diets and radical detox, and I don’t torment my mind if I don’t do them. I try to adjust things and take it easy, one step at a time.
This spring, I’m focusing on seasonal nutrients. Pretty soon, the farmers markets’ stalls will be loaded with the first little plants of the season – nettles, ramsons, watercress, spinach – all these nutrient powerhouses, designed to restore our bodies, to nourish and energize after winter. And then there will be the fruits – berries, cherries, strawberries – all tones of red and pink announcing their antioxidant load. Relying on fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, replenishing with their vibrating energy, smiling to the warming sun and thinking positively – this is the real spring detox for me.
I start my mornings with a fresh juice, to energize and restore. I try to vary the ingredients, to provide my body a wide array of nutrients. Here are my favorites:
MORNING HARMONY
- 6 spring carrots
- 1 lemon, juice only
- 1 organic apple
- 3-4 mint leaves
- 1 inch ginger piece, peeled
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- Juice the fruits, mint and ginger, add turmeric and cayenne, mix to combine and drink right away.
HEALING GREEN
- 2 celery stalks
- 4 small cucumbers
- 2 green apples
- 2 limes, juice only
- 1 handful fresh nettles,
- 1 handful fresh spinach leaves
- 1 small bunch parsley
- Juice all ingredients and drink right away.
BERRY SUNRISE
- 1 cup fresh strawberries
- 1 red grapefruit
- 2 small beet roots
- 1 lemon, juice only
- 3-4 mint leaves
- Juice all ingredients and drink right away.
March 7, 2015
when you say juice in the instructions do you actually mean blend? I have a juicer and a blender, so I ask this question because it says lemon juice only. If using a juicer that wouldn’t matter if blending that would. Thanks in advance for the clarification.
March 9, 2015
Hi Kelly, these three are made with a juicer.
March 9, 2015
These all look incredible! I was also a super fan of the Wellness Warrior website, so I was sad to hear of the passing of Jess. She inspired so many!
March 9, 2015
Yes Kristie, it was such a terrible news…
March 10, 2015
Can an optimum machine be used to make these super looking drinks?
March 11, 2015
Hi Shirley, you can use pretty much any juicer, but of course a slow juicer with a low-speed mechanism (like Hurom or Kuvings) is always recommended!
December 9, 2015
Love these recipes, Ana! The Healing Green Juice is fabulous. I didn’t have fresh nettle, so I used 1 zucchini instead. Turned out great too!:-) The colors of the juices are yummy-looking!
December 10, 2015
Thank you, dear Susan! Zucchini sounds great, as nettles are only available in spring.