40-Day Juice Feast With Cecelia
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Exclusive interview between Juicing-for-Health.com and Cecelia J. Cook who completed a 40-day juice feast.
Cecelia Cook completed a 40-day juice feast (October 2011) and has kindly consented to do an interview with Juicing-for-Health.com.
Not only is Cecelia familiar with natural healing by nutrition, she is also familiar with emotional healing. She has just published a book on her journey to healing from losing her parents and a grandparent at a young age. All within a space of two years.
Her book: “I Didn’t Slap My Mother Harder” speaks of her grief and how she worked her way to healing.
This lovely lady was very honest in her interview with me and spoke of her struggle with beer, wine and cake! Be inspired with Cecelia’s juice feasting experience here:
Q: Please introduce yourself, what do you do for a living?
I am Cecelia J. Cook, and I am a licensed Vocational Nurse. I’m also Adjunct Faculty with one of the Community College’s Department of Vocational Nursing.
Q: Have you done similar juice feast before this?
I have never done a similar fast to yours, but I thought I’d try it as I need to cleanse my system after going through a rough case of food poisoning.
Q: What inspired you to start the 40-day juice feast?
I was inspired to start the feast after two days of reading the posts of others on your Facebook page, AND your site. Both site and page had the most comprehensive assembly of information, and encouraging people that I’ve had the pleasure of coming across!
Q: Were you personally facing some health issues that you were hoping this juice feast would help address?
I needed help with soothing my hot flashes I was having, due to menopause! After about a week of juice feasting, I experienced a reduction in the severity of my hot flashes.
Q: What kept you motivated to continue the 40-day feast to completion?
Simply, completing a goal that I set for myself was my motivation. What kept me motivated was the occasional glimpse of my renewed reflection in the mirror, how my clothes fit, and how my body felt!
Q: What were some of the challenges you faced throughout the cleanse?
I cheated myself by drinking a beer, a glass of sparkling wine, a piece cake and something else that escapes me at the moment. The very next day, I KNEW I’d made a mistake … my body told me so. Aside from my misstep with the beer, wine and cake, I felt “accomplished”.
Q: Were there days that you felt like ending the juice feast? If so, can you share with us what happened?
I actually never had a day when I felt like ending the fast/feast. It was something with which I felt quite comfortable, being that I love vegetables, fruit and herbs.
Q: Did you experience any healing reactions? If so, can you please tell us about it?
I experienced a fine rash over my chest, and I’m not allergic to anything. Of course my bowel movements were less putrid in smell, compared to when one eats beef and pork. I felt “lighter” on the inside, too, if that makes any sense. I didn’t feel as if I was dragging myself around … even though I weigh a lot.
Q: What are some of the physical changes you experienced at the end of the fast?
I was down about 10lbs, and I may have cheated myself out of FEELING something great at the end of my fast. Thank God I felt great DURING my juice feast!
Q: What were your family members’ reactions when they heard you were going on the extended fast? Were they supportive of you during your 40-day journey?
Family members were fine with my program, but I had no issue with anyone about food, because it’s just me under this roof!
Q: Did you have to turn down lunch/dinner/party invites during this time?
I turned down two functions, but I didn’t miss out on anything, because I wasn’t Gung-Ho about going to them anyway.
Q: What was your feeling at the end of the 40-day feast?
My feeling at the end of the 40-day feast was one of pride, gratitude, and accomplishment. To do something so beneficial to my health and well-being. Well, I smile inside and out for having the desire and sense to do it.
Q: What are your plans beyond 40 days?
Beyond the 40 days, I plan to continue with a periodic fast/feast, and to indulge in turkey or fish added to one meal.
Q: What juicer do you use and why?
I use a juicer that I’ve had a few years, a Hamilton Beach. I have no particular reason for choosing it, other than the affordability and the brand, at the time of purchase.
Q: Can you please describe the program that you follow?
In the morning, I juiced 500ml – 1000ml of juice, drink some and take the rest to work. I’d take a container of fruit and veggies to eat for lunch. In the first two weeks of the fast/feast, I’d make a banana/blueberry smoothie upon arriving home around 3 pm. I did that to refresh myself after coming in from the heat, and to cool off from the hot flashes. I stopped after that because I felt bananas were impeding weight loss. I drank water, and decaf herbal tea throughout the day. Sometimes, dinner consisted of steamed green beans and cauliflower, or cabbage. I also juiced another 1000ml of green juice and drank it by 7 pm.
Q: Please share with us briefly what a typical day would be on a “busy” juice-fasting day?
A typical “busy” juice fast/feast would be the same as above, as my days’ schedule doesn’t vary much. I ended my fast/feast by “offending” it with the beer, cake, wine, etc.!!!!
Q: What are some of the common ingredients used during your juice fasts?
Common ingredients for me were lemon, orange, apple, ginger, celery, romaine lettuce, carrots and beets. I’d say my favorite combination was beets, lemon/orange, apple and romaine lettuce with ginger.
Q: In your opinion, do you think anyone could do the program? Why or why not?
I do believe anyone can do this fast/feast, because if the mind is made up to affect a change in one’s lifestyle, they will do it … cheerfully.
Q: What is your best advice for anyone intending to do an extended juice feast/cleanse like this?
My best advice for someone embarking upon this great adventure is to “DO IT FOR YOURSELF”. The body deserves to be fed well, and of course this impacts one’s mental capabilities too!
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