I'm aware that some of the science is missing (huge gaps is more like it). Removing the fiber from my food may not make sense from a digestive health perspective but I think that will be balanced out by gaining more nutrients. Lack of protein is another potential problem but as the book I have recommends plant-based protein supplements I figure that angle is covered.
I'll start my juice fast on January 2, which will consist of juice four times a day and salad/fruit in between, for five days. After that the real juice fast begins during which I will consume nothing but juice for at least 20 days. I'm strangely excited, and can hardly wait to go shopping tomorrow!
I experimented with making some juice a few days ago to see how my juicer worked. I wanted to know how much hassle it would be. After all, if this proves to be a big fucking nuisance there's a 100% chance that I will fall off the wagon before I even begin. It's important that I work toward making sure I have every chance to succeed.
My Hamilton Beach Big Mouth juicer. Big Mouth, hahaha.
It looked a little daunting, to be honest, but when I took it apart and washed it, I found that it was pretty straightforward. You shove vegetables and fruit in the top, whirly blades chop and press the shit out of it, and the lifeblood of the produce sluices down a trough and into the waiting glass. It's like a miniature game of pitz/virgin sacrifice.
Just like juicing a vegetable.
All I had in the fridge was celery and a few carrots. I figured those were fairly common-or-garden (no pun intended) juicing vegetables so decided I would use them for my first juicing attempt.
My victims.
I had read on several juicing sites that it was a good idea to line the pulp-catcher bucket (not the technical term) with a plastic bag to make for easier cleanup. What a great idea! All I had to do was pluck the bulk of the pulp right out. No muss, no fuss!
Half in the bag.
The juicer was noisy, but I had been warned about that, so it was no surprise. It will be annoying, but it's not a deal-breaker.
Can you hear their agonized screams?
As you can see, four carrots and one stick of celery grinds down into about 1/2 cup of juice. This is going to be an expensive diet, especially a) out of season and b) in Canada, where it's always out of season. Again, nothing I wasn't warned about, but I still anticipate some sticker shock when I run my groceries through the till.
It's messy, but it's not as bad as it looks.
The pulp was pretty dry, which is a good thing.
This is the inside lid of the pulp dealio. As you can see, the plastic bag doesn't shield everything. For what it's worth, cleanup was pretty easy. Everything washed up well. The little grinder thing was a minor nuisance. I thought I got it clean, but the next day I saw shitty little fibers stuck in the grater. Next time I'll have to give it a better go with the wee scrubber the manufacturer so thoughtfully included.
Like a condom, the plastic bag isn't 100% effective.
The juice itself wasn't unpleasant. Taste-wise, it was carrots with a slight bouquet hint of celery. SURPRISE! I think it would be better chilled, with a shot of vodka. ALSO A SURPRISE!
Virgin blood.
For the next few days, this will be the only juice I drink. Happy New Year!
