My Juice Fast – Recipes

I have to share this with you! I felt so great during my liquid-only / juice fast. This was my intake for seven days.

But first, a quick note on why I chose to do a liquid only / juice fast. Our church did a series on Holy Habits. These are the examples that Jesus set for us. We have to train in these habits (prayer, fasting, solitude, silence, celebration, sabbath) because they do not come naturally for us! And if Jesus practiced these habits, we might want to follow his example!

Well, I’m the kind of person that hears a sermon and tries to figure out a way to apply what I learned. So I prayed and decided to do a 7-day fast. I had not done one since college. But back then, I did not have a juicer or any way to cook broth. So this time, I actually had a plan for my morning, afternoon, and evening liquids so that I had enough in my system for it to feel like a perfect fast, rather than feeling miserable or unbearable.

Of course, there were times throughout the fast that I really wanted to chew something. But I used that time that I would be eating to pray and journal about what God was teaching me that day. I even journaled about the foods I was craving (which was always bread and bagels of some kind!) The whole experience was very therapeutic.

At the same time, I believe it was a sort of physical healing for my body and emotional healing for my mind. Before I started the fast, I was struggling with fears about my health. I didn’t even have any symptoms, really. But I was almost worrying myself into a sickness, stressing and planning for what would happen to my family if I died.

However, as I fasted and spent time in prayer, all of those fears and worries left me and I felt secure and renewed once again.

MORNING AND AFTERNOON

JUICES (MADE WITH JUICING MACHINE)

Fruit and Veggie juice:

4 carrots

3 apples, peeled

1 cucumber, peeled

1 lemon, peeled

1 beet, peeled

1 inch of ginger, peeled

something green, like 1 stalk of celery, spinach, lettuce, or one kale leaf

DELICIOUS!

EVENING

I drank warm chicken broth.

Combine in a large pot, bring to boil, then simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours:

6 pounds chicken pieces (organic, bones OK)

9 cups water

4 stalks celery, chopped, leaves OK

4-6 carrots, chopped

2 onions, chopped into sixths

6 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced in half

3 teaspoons pink salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 or 2 teaspoons dried basil or dried thyme

2 bay leaves

I drank a bowlful of the broth for 7 nights and I saved the chicken and vegetables for future use. If you need two bowls a night, or if you run out of broth, just make more.

OTHER THINGS I DRANK THROUGHOUT THE DAY

herbal tea

coffee

LOTS of water

Other pressed green juice (available at Starbucks. Ask for a cup of ice to go with it.)

OTHER THINGS I TRIED THAT I HATED

What DID NOT settle well? V8, other bottled juices that were full of sugar. Always avoid carbonated beverages, including sparkling water. These are so acidic — your body and teeth will suffer! NOT RECOMMENDED.

What do you think? If you try this juice fast, let me know how it goes! 

xo, Chelsea