The Juicy on Juicing!!!

GREEN JUICE

This isn’t my first rodeo with juicing but it’s definitely different this time around. Mindset really is everything. I turn 37 next month and while my husband says I’m aging like a fine wine haha. I’m really starting to feel the effects of aging. My knees have arthritis and I’m allergic to gluten. My lower pelvis/ lower back area is still damaged from my almost 10 lb baby. All I have to do is look at carbs and they stick to my stomach, thighs and hips. My thyroid hasn’t been right since I became a mother so I’m typically tired every day. Okay you get the point. It’s all heading south over here especially my bra size since I’ve been juicing haha. when 2022 rolled around I knew I wanted to fuel my body and start feeling better! I remembered the benefits of juicing and thought I should do my research again to motivate myself! I hope this post motivates you too!

I was shocked at the results of juicing. I've lost 13 lbs since juicing and I'm feeling great! I have juice about two times a day typically 4-5 days a week. I don’t usually do it on the weekends because we are so busy and off routine. Below are just a few of the awesome benefits of juicing!

BENEFITS

Inflammation

Celery is known for reducing inflammation levels in the body. I'm the girl who can gain 5-8 lbs in a weekend. Although it's not actual fat but water weight aka... inflammation. Being allergic to gluten makes me super sensitive to all the foods that cause bloat and inflammation. One of the first results I noticed was a loss of water weight. I love being able to put my wedding ring on easily and zip my jeans smoothly. Flushing the inflammation from my body feels so good!

Controls Cholesterol

Celery contains a compound that reportedly has lipid-lowering powers. Who doesn't want lower cholesterol? As we age its important we start focusing on our health.

Supports digestion

Constipation has always been a problem I have struggled with. I held my stress in my gut and it was always affecting my digestive system. Since juicing I have seen results in my regularity and i'm feeling great!

Rich in Vitamins and minerals

Celery contains vitamin C, beta carotene, and flavonoids. There are at least 12 additional antioxidants found in one single stalk

Suppress' Appetite

I have lost weight, I have so much energy, my skin has been better, my sleep has improved and I feel less hungry when it comes to the junk. Now believe me I’m a girl who needs real food too so I don’t just juice alone but most days I will juice 2/3 meals because it makes me feel that good! There is something so powerful when the nutrients hit the cells in your body. I really think my body is satisfied and that’s why it doesn’t crave the junk.

ENERGY

That's right! All you mamas need to listen up. Juicing is the new latte. Seriously , you guys I'm not even kidding when I tell you I don't drink an afternoon cup of joe anymore. I go for the juice and it fuels me so much better than espresso. I still drink coffee because I'm obsessed with the whole vibe. but since juicing I cut back on my daily caffeine by 50 percent. When we give the cells in our body the nourishment they need we don't look for it in high carb junk foods.

Weight Loss

Not only is celery a negative calorie food but its filled with all the benefits your body requires to operate efficiently. When you are sleeping better, your digestive system is functioning properly and you are flushing your body of toxins , you can't stop the added benefit of weight loss! Your less likely to reach for junk food when your already satisfied! So instead of looking at this juice like something you have to swallow Change your perspective. Get excited for all the goodness it's bringing your body and be proud of yourself for finally taking care of you!

Kid Approved

What kid wants to eat a whole plate of their vegetables? Not mine. Juicing for the kids is the best way to sneak all the vitamins in without the headache . I give them a straw and 'say suck it up buttercup." As long as I put enough apple in it they enjoy it!

The Details...

Many of you are asking all the things. So here's the deal... it's pretty simple. You need a good quality juicer, your ingredients and to carve some time out to prep your juice! I got lucky and found my juicer from

Target on sale for $79.00 but it’s under 120 now. You can shop it here I https://liketk.it/3B4cp I get a small commission when you purchase it through my link.

PowerXL Self Cleaning Juicer

It’s been 10 years since I’ve juiced so obviously the machines have improved their game. This baby is powerful and has a self clean option!! Perfect for the busy mom! It’s dishwasher safe and easy to maneuver! You won’t be disappointed!

Mason Jars

These mason jars from Walmart are the perfect portion. In order to maximize the benefits from the nutrients you need to seal the jar tight so the air doesn’t get in. I typically make enough juice batches for 3 days max. you can grab the mason jars here! https://liketk.it/3B4cp

The Recipe

I’ve never been good at following recipes. I burned the Easter ham once and I typically am known as the worst cook ever. ( I blame my add) So when it comes to exact recipes it’s just not my thing. haha I always buy green apples, pineapples and celery stalks. The fruit sweetens the celery juice and makes it so yummy! Getting a straw is key so you can suck it down while your on the go. Remember that you are going to need a whole lot more veggies and fruit than you think. A lot on goes a little way when it comes to juicing. A typical batch for me is 6-8 large celery stalks, 2-3 pineapples and 1 bag of green apples. That will typically yield 8-10 jars. Rinse, chop and mix it up depending on your desired taste!

I always drink my juice after my coffee and workout as my first meal. The next juice is I drink is around 3:00 when I'm looking for the second wind to get through the night with the kids and all their activities etc.. It really does neutralize my blood sugar levels which feels so good!

"Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food." Genesis 1:29

I want to you leave you with this reminder. God made our bodies. God created veggies, greens and fruits to nourish our bodies and make us feel amazing. This is why you see cancer fighting properties in juices because it's never beens God's will for your body to be full of disease. I know we don't live in the perfect garden of eden anymore due to the fall of creation and sin. But we still have access to the foods God created and we can still yield terrific results when we honor our bodies with the right food. Your gonna love the results.. I promise! Please let me know and share your recipes! I hope this post gets you motivated to start fueling your body with the green goodness it craves and deserves. Your body has been through alot so be kind and gentle to it!

Silent Retreat Review!

Rest Brings Refreshment

The first week in 2022 I went to a silent retreat to unplug from the busy and reconnect with God.

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you-even Jesus” Acts 3:19

This silent retreat meant I could not talk, be on social media or even text for 36 hours. Many of you know because I wasn’t answering your messages. I loved and longed for the quiet. I live a very full life (thank you Jesus) and the last 4 months have been bananas and if I’m being honest, I let excess and busy overcrowd my life leaving me little time for intimacy with Jesus.

Lack of intimacy left me feeling spiritually dehydrated and longing for the refreshment that comes from God’s presence. The first thing I did in my alone time was hit the floor. In tears I confessed my sin for putting everything else above God. You know he calls that an idol, right? Even the blessings of our lives if not given a boundary can take over leaving us frustrated and depleted.

This happens to every one of us in our humanity and God loves us enough to pull us back into alignment with him. It’s his kindness that leads us to repentance -posturing our hearts back on him and before him. And then…. HE COMES in like a flood REFRESHING our empty souls with all the spiritual hydration we need!!

That exactly what happened to me, and I truly feel refreshed and rested for 2022.

We heard a powerful word from Priscilla Shirer in her study called Breathe. She spoke about making room for God and in the last month that’s what I’ve been doing. Making room in my closet, my cabinets, my finances, my schedule, my ministry, family, and my work. Each area of our life must have margin, or we will burn and crash.

As you step into the new year, I encourage you to seek God and his plans for your life. I urge you to put him First trusting that he will provide your every need.

Lastly, I remind you of the verse in Proverbs 3:5-8 “Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your OWN UNDERSTANDING. ACKNOWLEDGE him in ALL you do, and he will direct your paths” I pray that in 2022 you learn to trust God in deeper ways, I declare that you would be intentional in intimacy with Christ. I pray that he would teach you how to LEAN on HIS UNDERSTANDING. Not yours. I pray that God will bless you, keep you and make his face shine on you” Numbers 6:24

A Time To Rest

I said no to all the to do lists on Sunday to make time for God, rest, and my family. The sink was full of dishes, laundry piled so high I couldn't to my bed, lunches weren't packed, deadlines were ringing on my alarm, text messages were buzzing.. The dog was barking, my tooth was throbbing and all I wanted to do was look around and see a clean house, get in a hot bath and go to bed. Anxiety started to kick in and I somehow thought by opening my calendar that my brain would feel less overwhelmed. I looked at my week ahead only to find myself more stressed.

REST

As I start to question my day that old tape starts playing. “See Clare, this is why you don’t have TIME TO REST, you know that narrative that spreads nasty lies through your mind “Why didn’t you do enough” “how are you still behind?” “Your house is a mess”” Your lazy for resting” I interrupted the noise by going to God in prayer.

“God, you told me to honor you on the sabbath and create rest. You also highlighted to me the word boundary and limit, so I don’t crash and burn. As I look back on my day and week, I obeyed what you’ve ASKED. I said no to many things I was originally going to do and instead I rested in your presence, read your word, prayed, and worshipped. I went to bible study, I fasted, I went to church, I prayed… Why does it feel like I’m still behind? I can’t live in this mess”

“You chose the better things”

Suddenly “you chose the better things” dropped in my spirit. Immediately I was reminded of the story of Mary and Martha. If you’re not familiar go read it in Luke 10:38-42. Martha is doing many things and Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet. I’m paraphrasing the story but essentially Jesus tells Martha she’s worried

about the wrong things and that Mary would be blessed for spending time with him.

He then showed me that I wasn’t even looking at the blessings that I DID receive. Ouch. it’s been so ingrained in me to go, do, and accomplish that even after I did the better things (make room for Jesus and rest) I wasn’t focusing on the reward. I was still stuck on what I DIDN’T DO (tasks of dishes and my cluster of a closet that was all over my bed, food prep etc..)

I was then reminded that the hour I spent in the shower with my face on the floor praying instead of doing my closet was SO MUCH MORE IMPORTANT. It was time for a few more messy mindsets (that had been engraved in my core since I was 5 years old to erupt.)

It was TIME for Jesus to touch my heart and fill me with greater revelations of his LOVE.

Jesus had to reveal and heal parts of my stinking thinking. I then took note of the family TIME that needed to happen. It was a TIME for us to teach and train our children in the ways of the Lord using real- life examples of ways Satan was trying to get in our home through things that are not of God. It was a TIME to pray over our home and do a spiritual deep cleansing. It was a time to repent and renounce agreements that were unknowingly made. It was a time to anoint our children and home with oil and pray for them specifically. It was a TIME to eat, rest and play with our children.

I would tend to say that I’m not an uncommon woman. I believe that many of you reading this have Martha tendencies too. Many of you are task- oriented as well. You love to get things done, cross your lists off and live in a neat, orderly home. Now don’t get me wrong God requires us to be busy in our homes and cultivate a healthy home. BUT there is a TIME for everything.

We must learn as women to be sensitive to The Spirit of God and when he is saying it’s TIME to lay down the less important things to get into his presence.

We don’t want to be woman that miss what God has for us because we didn’t surrender our TIME to him. God doesn’t need us to spend time with him. He loves it and he yearns for it but it’s ALWAYS FOR US. We leave his presence set free, delivered, healed, and empowered to fulfill the plans he has for our lives.

He can’t produce the gold he wants in you if you never sit with the refiner.

His goal is to make you more like Jesus and he can only do that if you invest TIME and yield your heart. Wherever you find yourself today, I encourage you today to make the TIME for Jesus. Honor the sabbath and create pockets of rest in your days so you can focus on the “better thing” JESUS. Join that bible study, join my Monday night prayer meeting, or create a prayer time in your day. Whatever he is nudging you to do…DO IT! He will work the rest out. I promise it will be worth it! "He makes everything Beautiful in its TIME." Ecclesiastes 3: 11