Quick Tips for Fasting/Feasting

[Aleesha Sattva]

Thought I'd start a thread where we can all add quick tips for fasting/feasting.


~When juicing pineapple, be sure to run the pulp through a nut mylk bag after you are done, you may be surprised how much more juice you get.


~You can freeze fruit juice in small jars and then take it out when needed over the next couple of days. Cuts down on the time spent in the kitchen daily. (have not tried this with veggie juice)


~On super hot days... freeze some water in a jar (filling it only half way) with a squeeze or three of lime or lemon and later take out the jar, fill with water and enjoy!

[RawHeaven]

Hey great idea Aleesha!

Tip#1

Don't worry about being perfect or reaching a magic number of days, just listen to your body and take it one day at a time. Your body will tell you how long to fast.

If you cannot do a longer fast or feast, target 1-3 days a month to fast. Or every other month, whatever suits your fancy and your body. This also applies to those who've completed 21+ day fasts and want to give themselves a tune-up.

I completed a 7 day water fast in July and I wanted to start a 10-15 day master cleanse this Wed. I only lasted 2 days, my body only needed a short fast as I feel great and my system is clearer. I was getting ready to feel discouraged because I wanted to do it for at least 10 days, but I realized this was silly. I'm feeling great and a short cleanse is all my body needed. :)


Tip#2

Get some ketosis sticks.

If you're water fasting or even on an extended juice fast and experience "ketosis" which is the body's efficient way of using dead cells, unnecessary fat etc as fuel there is a great way to measure it. You can purchase disposable ketosis sticks at your nearest pharmacy. You pass it through your urine stream and if it turns dark purple this means you're in the ketosis stage. I used it the last time and it turned light purple about day 6 for me. This tells me I was getting close to it, but not experiencing it yet. Had I fasted for a couple days longer, I would've hit ketosis. Nonetheless it was a great fast. It is not necessary to get the sticks of course, just sharing what worked for me and if you want to know where you are in the process. And definately don't tell the pharmacist you're fasting.

[Aleesha Sattva]

I've been getting lots of emails lately and these are some of the answers to questions I've been asked:

Yes you can only do fruit juice while fasting.

Yes you can only do veggie juice while fasting.

No, coffee is not raw and not recommended on a fast.

Yes you can have tea but if possible... make sun tea! (Put tea in a large jar and place it in the sun... let it brew naturally)

No you cannot do too much juice or too little juice on a fast. Follow what your body wants. Don't limit yourself... you'll be more successful if you just allow yourself all the juice or water you desire.

Colonics, enemas, SWFs... are up to the individual. There is no 'rule' saying you have to do any of these.

[StarFire]

Thought I'd start a thread where we can all add quick tips for fasting/feasting.


~You can freeze fruit juice in small jars and then take it out when needed over the next couple of days. Cuts down on the time spent in the kitchen daily. (have not tried this with veggie juice)




GREAT IDEAS ALEESHA!!! Was it you that posted before that green smoothies and other juices can also be poured into ice cube trays and then pop em out - and put them in a zip loc bag (keep them frozen) for future use!

I looove that idea.. and infact - I like to chew on the cubes (I know chewing ice is not good for the teeth - but when it's juice or frozen smoothies - it's a bit softer! and soo delicious on hot days!! refresssshing!

(great thread Aleesha!)

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/Summer.gif

[Aleesha Sattva]

yup i do that myself. love doing it with wheatgrass shots and adding them to my pineapple juice. saves so much time doing it that way.

come on everyone... doesn't someone else have some ideas... i want to learn from you all!!!

[Raine]

On the suggestion for sun tea - it should ideally be herbal, green or white tea but not black tea as that stirs the appetite and is acidic.

.

[debilana]

I loved the idea of freezing juice in jars so now I have a Sunday ritual- fasting or not, its here in my house to stay. I gather all my greens- chard, kale, spinach, celery and cukes- and I run those through my champion, pouring it into a big pitcher as needed. (when juicing kale/chard stems, run some apple through after every few or else you will have to take it apart and clean it a few times).

I have a bunch of jars- jelly jars, some spag sauce jars, and some bigger quart ones- and I pour in enough green juice to fill each one up 1/3. then I juice some citrus- oranges n pineapple (including pineapple rind) - and fill them up a bit less than 1/3 more. Then come the pears/apples, to fill the jars up.By doing apples last , they scrub the juicer out and its much simpler to clean. Leave a bit of head space in each jar and line em up in your freeezer. yay!

I did extra jars last night because I am trying a 3 day juice fast for the first time in years. I did one once , way before raw, on bottled type juices, and it was great....but everytime I try one now, I get SO HUNGREY. I am sitting here now willing myself not to eat. I know it will pass and I really want to complete this before the holidays.

[Aleesha Sattva]

the rind of pineapple actually is like drinking splinter glass on your mouth and lips - so be careful... the rind should always be completely removed.

[Mordenkainen]

Something I don't quite understand...

In order to get the full benefit of things like wheat grass juice and other juices, don't they have to be consumed within 20 minutes of juicing them or they lose their vitamin/mineral conent or it's GREATELY depreciated as if you cooked it?

What am I missing?

[Aleesha Sattva]

depending on the type of juicer you are using... it varies. but i always consume green juices right away.

if you have a masticating juicer (like a greenstar or champion) then you have 24 hours before they start to degrade. this is because they don't pump air into them like centrifugal juicers. ;)

[RawKnitster]

Thank you all for the great tips. :)

[oai]

enemas!!!

the reusable kind where you put water in it. cost about $16.xx for me, and oh my, it helps with those intense dips during fasting. i think it's the only reason why i've been able to fast for so long compared to my others.