Make Your Own Energy Bars

Sometime last year I saw a video on how to make these energy bars.  I put it on the back burner and let it percolate for a while.  At the time I had found some protein bars that I could buy that really tasted great.  I could get them at an affordable price, so I went on buying them.  Eventually, I was no able to get them at that great price, and I noticed that every time I ate one that I would get really, really thirsty afterwards. I decided that for my pocketbook and for my health, it was probably better to make my own so that I could control the ingredients.

I invite you to take the recipe and make it your own.  Experiment by using different nuts, seeds, dried fruit, etc.  I have stuck to almonds on this one because it’s a nut that no one in our house is allergic to.  I have tried various seeds and dried fruit as they are available and as they go on sale.  Some I like better than others but all have been delicious.  The important thing is that everything is raw, not roasted, unsalted, and no added sugars.

As a side note, I never did see an attribution for this recipe; so I am unable to give credit to the creator.

Almond Berry Energy Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup raw, unsalted almonds
• 1/2 cup dried fruit (berries are best, make sure there is no added sugar)
• 1/3 cup coconut, no sugar added
• 1/4 cup pitted dates
• 1/8 cup raw, unsalted sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chunks or chips (optional)
• salt to taste (optional)

Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line the bottom of an 8X8 baking dish with parchment paper.  Grease the sides with coconut oil.  Believe me, the hardest thing about this recipe is getting it out of the pan!

In a medium size bowl, mix dry ingredients except for the chocolate.  If you like your bars chunky, set aside 1/2 cup of the mixed dry ingredients.

Add the bowl of dry ingredients (except for the chocolate) and the remaining wet ingredients to a food processor.  (I used dried blueberries for my fruit in this one.)  Blend well.

Pull the blade from the food processor and add the chocolate chips and the 1/2 cup of dry ingredients that was set aside.  Stir well.

Place the mixture into the 8X8 baking dish.  Use a spoon to spread and pack well into the dish.  Bak at 350 F. for 25 minutes.  Make sure your bars are well done so that they will stick together.  The edges should be brown and the center should be firm to the touch.

Remove from the oven and let cool for 30 minutes before removing from baking dish.  Go around the edge of your dish with a knife and make sure they are all free from the pan before flipping the bars out onto a cutting board.  Once removed, allow the bars to cool to room temperature before cutting.

Once cooled, cut your bars to the desired size.  I cut mine into 10 bars.  Wrap your bars in foil and store in the fridge.  I keep mine in a gallon ziplock bag so they’re easy to find and I know how many I have left.

These are great before or after a workout.  Sometimes I have 1/2 before a workout and 1/2 after.  They really go great with a glass of nut milk.  They are also easy to take with you.  You can put one in your purse or jacket pocket if you’re out running errands and think you might need a snack while you’re out.

Please tell me about any variations you try.

Enjoy!

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Making my List; Checking it Twice

As I mentioned in my last post, I have begun reflecting on the past year and setting some personal goals for 2017.  I made a list of things I’d like to accomplish this year and how I’d like to get there.  Making the list is easy, but none of these things will happen if I don’t come up with a specific plan on how I’m going to get there.

The exercising part, I feel like I have down.  It’s as addictive as crack cocaine, so once you start doing it, you’re good.  There are those days that I don’t want to do anything.  I’ve had a couple of those days lately.  However, I’ve never had a time that I went for a run or to the gym and later thought, “Gee, I wish I hadn’t done that.”  I know if I make myself just go and do it that I’ll feel better afterwards.

Unfortunately, sugar and carbs are also just as addictive as crack cocaine.  I do not believe that I have a good handle on that part of the equation.  I probably do 75% of the time, but the social gatherings, holidays, and special dinners really blow me out of the water.  There’s been plenty of times with food that I’ve thought, “Gee, I wish I hadn’t done that.” This year I want to come up with a plan so that those times are fewer and fewer, even non-existent.

Below is my list of things to work on for 2017.  This list is not in any particular order.  Some of these things I’m already doing and I just need to continue with.  Some of these things I’ve done in the past, and I need to pick them up again.  Some of these things, like the social events, I need to come up with a plan and keep trying until I find something that works.

What are your goals for 2017?

• Run a 10K:  Sign up, train, just do it!
• October:  There is a destination race that I plan to go to.
• Couch to 5K Group:  Do it again this year with an eye on improving myself and encouraging Cinderella who also wants to do the program.
• Exercise 5-6 days a week:  Schedule (that means put it on the calendar) a run or workout everyday.  Go to the gym if the weather prohibits outdoor running.  Sunday:  walk in the afternoon if nothing else.  Keep a log.
• Get a grip on social events:  Make a written plan to adhere to before the event.  Share it with someone else attending the event that will help keep me on track.  Or consider bringing my own food (salad in a jar?).
• Vacation/holiday:  Create a written menu plan for vacations.
• Quiet time:  First thing everyday.  One verse if nothing else.
• Lose 50 lbs:  Log, log, log everything that goes into my mouth.  Drink lots of juice.  I am already signed up for a 30 day juicing challenge starting January 5.
• Read more books:  No screen time until I have read at least one chapter in a book.
• Less screen time:  Read more books.
• Chi Running:  Work on figuring this thing out.
• Review this list, reassess, and adjust monthly.  Set a calendar reminder.

Reflecting on Hope

As the year comes to a close and we are about to embark on a new year, we often take time to reflect on the past year.  I have only done a little reflecting as there is still time left in the current year–so it seems.  I’m sure the new year will be here before I know it.

I know that I am lighter and stronger than I was this time last year.  I have not lost as much weight as I would have liked, but I feel that the part-time job that I worked for six months was a major derailment to my weight loss and my health.  I am glad to be off that crazy train and back on the road to health and well-being.  Getting stronger was not necessarily a goal or something that I intended; it was something that came about with the training that I’ve done.  It’s a good thing, so I’ll take it.

I spent January and February at the gym and was able to start running again in March.  I ran my first 5K of the year in April and ran a 5K every month except for July this year.  I did the Couch to 5K program again this year, but at a much better athletic ability.  I was able to continue to run until the last few weeks, so I’m spending more time at the gym now instead of outdoors.

My biggest fault in diet are the social gatherings.  I do not have a handle yet on portion control or just saying “no” to those yummy foods that pack on the pounds.  I have made some strides simply because I cannot eat as much as I used to.  This is something I really want to focus on next year.  I would like to go on vacation/holiday without putting on several pounds as well.

This time of year we are celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  His birth, death, and resurrection gives us hope.  I have hope of eternal life and one day being the person He intended me to be.  Hope of one day being reunited with family and loved ones that are severely missed.  Hope of never having to step on a scale again or log every morsel that goes into my mouth.  Hope of holding babies that I never had the opportunity to hold.  I pray that you too may share in the hope that the Savior brings.

Feeling Fabulous

I wrote in a previous post how this past summer had been a stressful one.  I think most of the time we don’t realize how detrimental stress is to our health.

I spent the summer (starting in May, actually) working a part-time job away from home.  I had worked this same job from home for three years.  The company I worked for was sold, and the new owners would not allow me to work from home.  This meant a lot of changes for our household.

Just being absent from home two days out of the week meant that I had seven days of home management to cram into five.  I came up with a schedule of how to get everything done.  It was tough and often meant running late at night.

Still, there were some things that were unavoidable with my absence.  The biggest of these was missing family time with my children and grandchildren.

And then, there was my health.  I spent the summer losing two pounds, gaining two pounds, losing two pounds, and gaining two pounds.  I was not able to exercise as often or at optimal times.  Often, I was running later at night which meant trouble sleeping that night.  There were times that I just didn’t feel up to par or felt that I was not getting the nutrients my body needed.  My last visit to the dentist started out with, “Have you been clenching your teeth again?”

However, it was not a total loss.  I was forced to find more efficient ways to do things around the house.  I found an awesome system for our homeschool that is working fabulously for us.  I also had to figure out how to prepare salads in a jar and other snacks that I could take on the run.

I had absolutely no complaints about my job or the people I worked with.  In fact, it was easy money.  Still, I had to let it go.  It was not something I wanted to do.  The extra income was nice.  I loved the people and the industry I worked in.  However, it was not worth the stress it was causing at home and the time I was missing with my family.

My last day of work was November 26, and I’m already enjoying the benefits.  My home is more relaxed and less stressful, I’m spending more time with my children and grandchildren, I’m running or going to the gym six days a week, I’m drinking lots of juice, the needle on the scale is steadily going down, and I feel fabulous!

305 lbs. True Confessions

As summer comes to an end, I have taken some time to reflect on my accomplishments.  It’s been a rough summer, but it has gone by quickly.

I lost my job in the spring and started working again in May.  The company I worked for was sold, and at first I was told that the new company was not going to hire me.  After my boss who was one of the partners in the original company quit, the new company did hire me.  I gained a job but lost my biggest cheerleader.

Sometimes you don’t realize what a strain something is until it’s gone.  I’ve grown up having a dog my whole life.  I didn’t realize how much work having a dog was until our dog of 16 years died and we decided not to get another one.  I did not realize how much stress my job brought into my life until it was gone.  Finding the time to run or go to the gym was easy.  The pounds just seemed to fall off.  My stress was definitely at an all-time low.

Going back to work has been very stressful  for my whole family.  I am doing the exact same job that I was before, except that I am no longer allowed to work from home.  That has caused a huge strain on me because I am now trying to cram seven days of home management into five.  My being out of the house two days a week for somewhere in the neighborhood of 13 hours a day has effected everyone in some way.

This summer has been the roller coaster summer–lose two pounds, gain two pounds, lose two pounds, gain two pounds.  I’ve been here before, and it’s frustrating.  I look back at the summer and think of the time that is gone that I cannot get back.  However, I look back at what I’ve done so far–losing 100 pounds and able to do almost anything–and I’m amazed.  I feel like I’ve completed a monumental task.  Did I really do that?

However, I’m not finished yet.  I’ve been looking back so much on what I’ve done that I have lost sight of my goal.  I need to refocus.  I need to quit looking back and turn around and look ahead.   However, when I do look in the right direction, the task ahead seems astronomical. I think that I cannot do it and that I might as well just give up.  Fear sets in.  Fear of failure.

Sometimes I think I’ve gotten too comfortable where I am. Everyone keeps telling me how great I look, so I feel accepted. I feel content and satisified where I am, so there’s no push to change that.  Time is flying by.  I don’t want to waste another minute!

305 lbs. You are . . .

Many people in my neighborhood have gotten accustomed to seeing the old, fat lady trying to run.  While out on a run this morning, a tall, skinny lady was out watering her plants.  She politely waved to me, and I waved back.  She then yelled,

YOU GO GIRL!

Old, fat lady (me), “Thank you.”

Skinny Lady (SL), “I’m a runner too!”

Me, “I’m trying to be one.”

SL, “You’re out here, you’re doing it, you ARE A RUNNER!”

Lifestyle changes such as changing your eating habits and taking up a new sport are difficult.  It may take months or even years before we become experienced and proficient at our new lifestyle.  In the meantime, we often feel as if we’re not really a ________ (fill in the blank) yet.  We’re new at it, we’re struggling, we feel like we’re not there yet.

I was reminded today that if you’re doing it consistently, you are.  If you’re pumping iron regularly and consistently, regardless of how much, you’re a weight lifter.  If you’re out riding your bicycle, you’re a cyclist.  If you’re out running again and again and again, you’re a runner.  If you’re making and drinking juices regularly, you’re a juicer.  If you’re sitting on the couch thinking about doing some of these things, you’re still a couch potato.

I could go on and on with examples.  The bottom line is, you are.  If you don’t like what you are now, decide now to change that.  Once you start your new lifestyle, remember that regardless of how long you’ve been at it or how proficient you are, YOU ARE!

The Silencing of Juicing Radio

Juicing Radio is a free podcast sponsored by Champion Juicers and created and hosted by Shane Whaley and Angela Von Buelow.  Their website says,

Juicing Radio is a podcast aimed at motivating, inspiring and educating people who are interested in starting juicing, sustaining juicing or renewing their interest in juicing.

Anyone you’ve ever heard of in the juicing community has been on Juicing Radio.  Most of them more than once.  A lot of people you’ve never heard of, ordinary people like you and me, have also been on Juicing Radio.  In fact, Shane asked me a few months ago if I would do an interview for the program.  I felt very honored, and I was excited to be able to share my story and what I have learned the last few years.  My eight year old has been asking me all summer, “Mommy, when are you going to be on the radio?”

Juicing Radio’s weekly podcasts have been an encouragement over the last year.  I have looked forward to listening to them, learning, and gleaning from the guests on the program.  I arrive at my part-time job on Friday mornings and refresh my podcast list.  Always there is a new program from Juicing Radio that I add to my “up next” list.  Often after listening to the program I would add it to the “up next” list again so that I could glean even more information.

This last Friday morning there was no new podcast from Juicing Radio.  I was bummed and thought, “What’s up?”  I arrived home Saturday night to find that there was a new podcast released, but it was also Juicing Radio’s last podcast.  This came as  a disappointment as the quality of the podcasts were absolutely excellent, and there is no other podcast out there like it!

The good news is that the podcasts are archived for now and you can listen to them and even download them to listen to later.  Shane says in his final podcast that he does not know how long he will be able to host the podcasts online, so go listen and download now while they’re still there.

Thank you, Shane and Angie for your valuable contributions to the juicing community.  I’m sure you will continue to contribute in other ways.

Keep Getting Up

I just completed one of Jason Vale’s quarterly juice challenges.  This time it was a 7-day juice challenge.  It varies each quarter; and, of course, you can modify the plan to fit your needs.

This quarter’s challenge started on July 4.  This is a big holiday in the US, and we already had big plans with friends visiting from abroad, so I decided to start the challenge on the 5th.

These challenges are a great way to give juicing a try.  They are completely free.  A shopping list for the produce you need is available long before the challenge begins.  Each day you will receive via email the juice recipes for the next day.  You will also receive an encouraging video featuring Jason Vale, the Juice Master.  There’s even a Facebook group that you can join for more community support.

I have mostly maintained my weight the last couple of months, and had decided a few weeks ago that it was time to get serious about weight loss once again.  It was time to buckle down on my diet and to stop those unhealthy habits that were starting to creep in again.  A juice steadfast is always a great springboard to get into or to get back into a healthy lifestyle.

What did I notice?  Right away I noticed that I was feeling fabulous, feeling lighter, and feeling like I had more spring in my step.  I did also lose weight, so I am happy with that as well.  Now that I have infused my body with lots of required nutrients for a week; that is what it wants and is craving–not the processed, sugary food-like substances the we often call food that our body will crave if we make them a part of our diet.

If you have fallen and stumbled and need to get back on track or perhaps have completely fallen into a pit that you need to climb out of, do not be afraid to get up and give it another try.  Do not decide that you are a failure and give up, but instead look back on what made you fall in the first place and learn from it.  Come up with a plan to keep it from happening again.  Each time you get up you will become smarter and stronger.  If the same obstacle makes you fall again, that’s ok, as long as you keep getting up.

Changing the way you live overnight probably isn’t going to happen and trying to do so is most likely going to lead to failure.  Just as anyone with a healthy lifestyle can slowly let the bad creep in and change their life, anyone with an unhealthy lifestyle can slowly bring in the good and let the good change their life.  If you can slowly incorporate healthy habits into your life and keep them there, you will crowd out the unhealthy habits.  This is a lifestyle change, not a “diet.”  A lifestyle change will change your life forever, whereas a “diet” will only change your life for the short-term.

The path you decide to take truly is a case of mind over matter–a decision you have to make.  If you decide to change paths, it will be a decision you will have to make over and over again.  As with anything new, the first time is the hardest.  The important thing is to keep making that decision, and when you fall (and you will) to get up.  When you fall again, get up again.  Rinse, and repeat.

By Lori Camper

Which Juicer is the Best?

This is a common question juicy people have, especially those that are new to juicing.  Often people ask the wrong question, which is the case here.  The question is not “Which juicer is the best?” but rather, “Which juicer is the best for you?”

My first juicer was a high-speed centrifical juicer.  The main thing going for it was that it was fast.  I could put whole fruits and vegetables in it and have juice within seconds.  It also was not expensive as far as juicers go.  Cleanup was ok and it could be rinsed and put in the dishwasher.  The number one negative about this jucier was the noise.  It was loud.  Loud enough that after using it for several months it just sat on the counter because I couldn’t bear the thought of turning it on and listening to it.

I sold that juicer on Craigslist and got most of my money back out of it.  I used that money and added to it to buy a horizontal masticating juicer.  I knew this would be the end of the line for juicers for me.

That juicer was a great juicer, but I was spending a lot more time in the kitchen.  It did not have the three inch feeder chute, so I was spending a lot of time prepping and cutting so everything would fit through it.  It also took a lot more time for the produce to go through the machine.  However, clean up was a snap with only a few, small parts to clean and my juice pulp was much, much dryer so I thought I was getting more juice out of the produce I was buying.

Next, I bought a centrifical slow juicer.  I bought it for two reasons:  it had a three inch feeder chute, and it promised to be whisper quiet.  It was whisper quiet, and I was very happy about that.  I liked not having to prep the produce but I was back to having very wet pulp and thinking that I was not getting as much juice out of my produce as I could.  It also had a lot of parts to clean, even though they could all be rinsed and put in the dishwasher.

Now that the vertical masticating juicers are available, I recently got rid of the centrifical slow juicer and have gone with a vertical masticating juicer.  This juicer is the best of both worlds with a the three inch feeder chute and a vertical auger.  And most of all, it is quiet.  The pulp is very dry with this juicer and cleanup is not a chore.

It has taken me four tries, but the juicers that I have kept and continue to use are the maticating juicers.  They are quiet and give me the quality of juice I am looking for.

The best juicer for YOU is one that you will use.  It’s just like having a treadmill or other exercise equipment in your house that you never use.  It does you no good if it eventually becomes a coat rack.  A juicer will do you no good if eventually you sit and stare at it because you can’t bear to turn it on, to clean it, or go through all of the preparation to use it.

Here are some things to consider when buying a juicer:

• What will you be juicing?  Most juicers do ok with fruits and vegetables, but if you will be juicing a lot of leafy greens, you might want to take that into consideration and look for a juicer that superbly handles leafy greens.
• How much time do you want to spend juicing?  If time is of the essence, consider a juicer with a three inch feeder chute so that you do not have to prep your produce (except for washing).  However, if time is not an issue and you enjoy working in the kitchen, then don’t be concerned about the size of the feeder chute.
• Clean up.  It is important to at least rinse your juicer immediately after using it.  Otherwise, the juice dries like concrete and clogs the screen.  Masticating juicers have fewer parts and are easier and quicker to clean.  If clean up is not your forte, look for a juicer with few parts that has to be cleaned that can be rinsed and put in the dishwasher.
• Noise.  If you are like me and sensitive to noise, a high-speed centrical juicer is not the one for you.  Also, if you are juicing at a time that you have children napping or others in your household sleeping, you will want a quiet juicer.  Think this one through, because it could effect you and your family more than you realize.
• How much do you want to spend?  Many people list this as their first consideration, but I think it should be put last.  It’s easy to want or need a new appliance without realizing the cost involved, so we end up settling for something that doesn’t really work well for our needs.  However, I also realize that cost is an issue and that everyone’s cash is limited.  Buying a new appliance should be thought out and planned.  I think it’s best to first set your sight on the juicer that is right for you.  If it is within your budget, then you can purchase it and move on.  If it is way out of your budget range, then there are ways to start saving and setting goals to purchase it.  If it is going to take quite some time to be able to purchase it, then beg, borrow, or go to the thrift store and find a cheap juicer you can use in the interum.  Save up, do some extra jobs, or even ask for cash for birthdays and Christmas so that you can eventually purchase the right juicer for you.  This appliance can change your health and your life.  Don’t settle.

By Lori Camper

How to Have a Successful Juice Steadfast

Plan to succeed.  We’ve all heard the saying, “failing to plan is planning to fail.”  Taking some time to plan your juice steadfast will immensely increase your odds of success.  These are all things that took me several rounds to learn.  You can get it all here in one scoop!  I’m sure I’ve left something out, so if you have a tip to add, please add it in the comments.

Do your research.  In today’s internet age, we have mounds and mounds of information at our fingertips.  Some of it is accurate, but a lot of it is not.  Do some research and reading on juicing before you begin your juice steadfast.  You will need a juicer.  If you do not have a juicer yet, there are several things to consider before buying one.  (That will be an entirely different post.)  Be discerning about where you get your information and what you choose to believe.  Use reputable sources and be cautious of articles quoting “experts” that don’t back up what they claim.

Plan the length of your steadfast.  The first thing you’ll want to do is to plan the length of your steadfast.  You can always leave it open ended if you want to see how it goes and possibly extend it longer if you’re doing well.  However, you will want to at least set a minimum length.  Think about what your goals are and why you are doing this steadfast.  That will help determine how long it needs to be.

Look at your calendar.  The next thing you’ll want to do is to look at your calendar and plan when you will have your juice steadfast.  Having your steadfast at a time that you have a lot of outings or family gatherings might not be a good idea.  Look at your calendar and find a time that you don’t have a lot of celebratory functions to attend.  If you do have a few to go to, plan now how you will handle them.  Sometimes carrying around a small plate with a few veggies on it is all you need to do to keep people from noticing that you’re not partaking in the buffet of food offered.

Plan your grocery shopping.  Not having what you’ll need to make your juice is a sure way to fail.  Plan your grocery shopping now.  Try to make a grocery list and purchase three to four days worth of produce for your juices at a time.  When it’s time to shop again, take an inventory and only buy what you need for the next three to four days.   If you’re using a pre-made plan, that plan most likely will provide a shopping list.

Don’t let getting to the store and the time it takes to pick out your produce be an obstacle.  If you have to, find a store that delivers or offers pick up.  This has been a huge time saver and life saver for me many times.  The cost associated with this service is cheaper by far than those impulse purchases that we often make.

Plan your juices.  You’ll want your juices to be as fresh as possible.  Making your juice and immediately drinking it is about as fresh as you can get.  However, most of us are not home all day to make each and every juice when we need it.

If you are in a rush to get out the door in the morning, making your juices the night before might be the way to go.  If you have the time to make your juices in the morning, you can still prep your produce the night before to make it go quicker.  When bottling your juices, try to fill the bottle to the very rim and then seal it tight.  This will help keep your juices fresh and keep out air that causes oxidation.

If you will be traveling during the day, plan how you will take your juices with you.  You will most likely need a small cooler and some ice or ice packs to keep your juices cold.  If you are going to work, store them in the refrigerator as soon as you get there.  I’ve never had to worry about my co-workers drinking my juices!

Plan your family’s meals.  If you are the one that makes most of the meals in your house, the best thing you can do is to pass the baton on to someone else during your juice steadfast.  This will keep you away from all kinds of temptation.  If that’s not possible, plan your family’s meals now.  Planning meals that have the least amount of preparation will give you the least amount of temptation.  Now is not the time to try new dishes that you will also want to taste to see how they come out.  Now is the time to fix food for your family that they like that you don’t.

Pull out the crock pot, dutch oven, casserole dishes, and electric skillet.  Make as many one-pot meals as you can.  Better yet, prepare some dishes ahead of time and put them in the freezer so that all you have to do is heat and serve.  If you can, go to a freezer meals class or make some on your own and have them on stand by if needed.

Get support.  Doing something all alone is tough, but it can be done.  If you can, find at least one person to give you encouragement and support.  All it takes is one person.  When it comes to juicing, finding someone else that you can ask questions or confide in is helpful.  If you don’t know someone personally that you can go to, then look for a group that you can be a part of, whether that be locally or online.  There are formal support groups for everything under the sun.  There are plenty of casual, juicing support groups on social media.  If you want something local and more personal look for something in your area.  If you’re not able to find one, you can always start your own!

As with any lifestyle change, there are a lot of naysayers out there.  Broadcasting to your family and friends that you are doing a juice steadfast will let you know right away just who they are.  The best course of action is to keep quiet.  People will start asking questions once they start seeing a positive change in you.

Plan how you will end your juice steadfast.  This step goes back to research.  In researching your juice steadfast, be sure to research how you will end your juice steadfast.  Going back to your old ways or the standard American diet (SAD), may not agree with you.  Take it slow.  Start off with some soups and vegetables and gradually introduce other foods back into your diet.

Don’t want to plan?  If you don’t want to take the time to do all of the planning, or you are unsure about doing your first juice steadfast on your own; you can look for a group to participate with.  Usually, you register for these groups way ahead of time.  They provide you with a shopping list, daily recipes, when the juice steadfast will take place, and lots of support.  This is a great way to get started and get your first juice steadfast under your belt.  If you cannot find a group that is doing a steadfast at a time you would like, there are still programs that will provide you with all of the above, except that you will not be juicing at the same time as others and will not see their success stories.  Regardless, you will still need to plan your grocery shopping and your family’s meals.

Most importantly of all, don’t be hard on yourself.  If things don’t turn out as you planned, reassess and decide what you can do to get things to work better the next time around.  If you have difficulty making it through the day and end up taking a bite of food, it’s ok.  It doesn’t mean failure.  Continue to march ahead!

Regardless of what path you decide to take, the best time to make a healthy lifestyle change is now!  Don’t delay, go do it!

By Lori Camper