Homemade Juice Cleanse

Sometimes we need to hit the reset button. With summer adventures in full swing it’s easy to have one-too-many S’mores, if you know what I’m sayin! How many times have you travelled, made some poor eating choices, and thought “I’m ordering a cleanse when I get home.” I’ve heard it countless times ever since juice cleanses became so popular in the last couple years. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of a juice cleanse, let me be clear that it is in no way a means to lose weight. I like to look at it as a way of reviving your body and mind with nutrients and a mental reminder to focus on what you’re putting in your body. It’s essentially a detox.

Now there are tons and tons of programs where you can order prepared cleanses to your door, but there is something really rewarding about buying all your produce in its original form and then making your own juice. I think you’ll find that you appreciate it a little bit more :)

I’m not an expert at juice cleansing, but I’ve tried it several times and this is the program I’ve enjoyed the most. It’s a 3-day juice cleanse that calls for 5 juices a day. I made so much juice from this recipe that it was actually a challenge to consume it all throughout the course of a day.

Start drinking the first juice early in the morning, and sip one juice every few hours. Hydrate with water in between. You’re supposed to drink the juices in this order: Green Juice, P.A.M, Green Juice, Spicy Lemonade, C.A.R., and Almond Milk. One last warning: you will make a mess. A really really big mess. Remember to empty the back of the juicer befor it gets too full of pulp. And wear an apron so that you don’t stain your clothes with beet juice! Here are the recipes in order!

Green Juice

• 2 large green apples
• 6 stalks of celery
• 1 cucumber
• 1 lemon
• 3-4 large leaves of kale
• 3-4 large leaves of romaine
• Handful of spinach
• Handful of parsley

P.A.M (Pineapple, Apple, Mint)

• 2 large green apples
• 1/3 pineapple
• A few pinches of mint

Spicy Lemonade 

• 16 oz of water
• 2 juiced lemons
• 1 dash of cayenne
• 1 tablespoon honey/agave

C.A.R. (I still don’t know what this acronym actually stands for)

• 2 large green apples
• 2 beets (with the stalks)
• 3 large carrots
• 1.5 tablespoons of ginger
• 1 lemon

Almond Milk

It is possible to make this at home…but man it’s a lot of work. You have to press the almonds. Admittedly, I buy a store-bought version. Not only will it taste better, but by the time you finish all of the other juice you will not be stoked to attempt the almond milk. You can try drinking 10-12 ounces of unsweetened almond milk, or my favorite is Forager “Nuts & Vanilla” drink available at any Safeway.

Tips: 

• Collect mason jars and glasses with lids to store your juice in the fridge!
• Drink lots of water in between the juices! It’s really important to stay hydrated, even though you’re already consuming so much liquid.
• No Coffee. It’s a detox! Green tea is a good alternative.
• Don’t drink alcohol.
• Light exercise is OK…but don’t push yourself.
• Ease in and out of the juice cleanse by switching to greens and fruit the few days before the cleanse, and after.

If you have any juice concoctions or brands of juice that you love, share below!