Juicing against physical disease?? What about mental health???

I haven't had chance really to blog at all in these past few weeks as I'm so bogged down in my dissertation and revision with my finals looming! Scary I'll tell you !

But this morning I came across a TED talk by the Juice master that is Jason Vale in Dubai 2011. This was the first thing I did this morning - even before breakfast ! Which I hate to say was not a juice this morning! Mainly because I am due to go back home to Sheffield tomorrow morning and so have NO food in the house!
Anyway, that is beside the point. After watching this video I was sent on a flurry of youtubing other videos about juicing and alkaline living and so on. Basically what Jason was saying is that there is one disease and one solution! This makes so much sense..doesn't it?! I mean, all the drugs out there only treat the symptoms NOT the cause of a disease! How does that make any sense? It doesn't, how can it? I guess its good in the short term, but in the long term these 'treatments' are having a negative effect on us - sometimes even resulting in death.
He brings to light the fact that our bodies are actually alkaline and that to be healthy we need to put in place some protocol to maintain this environment. But many of us don't do this, maybe because we don't know about it. Granted the medical world is a very important place and does GREAT things for millions of people around the world, but perhaps this is a new long term solution.
What is being suggested is that to look after our body which is ultimately our home, we need to start juicing everyday in order to keep that alkaline balance.
So - if this is so great at overcoming many physical diseases like diabetes, asthma, and psoriasis then can't this be  a great way to relieve symptoms of mental illness too?
I don't know of much research about mental illness and diet and alkaline living but this is seriously an area that needs to be looked into. Surely if this is something that is going to even just relieve the symptoms of say depression or bipolar, which is only what the drugs do anyway, then it is a better and safer way to help people?

Take Bipolar, this is most often treated both Lithium, but what is crazy is that we don't even really know why this works only that it does?!!  But what we do know is that by juicing and putting the alkaline foods into your body it builds your hemoglobin levels, increases your energy and so much more, so why isn't this the new line of research for not only physical but mental health too?
Of course I'm not saying that drugs and other medial treatments are a waste of time, becuase they are not - all that im putting out there is the fact that there are alternative treatments options which might be better in the long run but we will never know unless we give them a try and now is the time!!

I think I have just found my new pursuit in life!


More juicing to come!!!!

Victory - Mind over Matter !

I have just completed my first ever 30 day juicing challenge! It really does feel great!. Though there were some difficult days when the juice recipes were not exactly to my taste but you'll never know if you like something if you don't give it a go! 

Here are some of the last few juices I had

Apple, Red Cabbage and Lime 

Cucumber, Pear, Lemon, Carrot, Apple and Ginger 

Beetroot, Carrot and Apple 

This has been a fantastic experience for me and I'm sure for my flatmate too. My eyes have been opened to the wonders and tastes of different vegetable and fruit combinations. My all time favorite, well from the recipes I tired on this challenge, was apple, cabbage and lime. This one is tangy and sweet, surprisingly from the cabbage. This is a vegetable that I would never have chosen to put through my juicer in the morning, but it has proven to be most tasty! 

Mental Health 

Now, I am no expert on this field, or in fact any field of mental health, but I can certainly comment on my own experience which of course will be different from every single one of your's. I began this journey somewhat skeptical about the effects this juicing malarky would have on me, if any. I have read many reports, articles and books which all say that this is a great way to boost your mental clarity, health and general well-being. To begin with I only experienced mild effects, I was able to wake up more easily in the morning without the dread of the day ahead - we all know that feeling, and what a pleasure it was to get rid of it! As the weeks went on I found myself concentrating better in all of my lectures, even the 9am's! I can think more clearly and with more logic. I guess as well I was sleeping much better which is always a bonus. But I'm sure some of you will be saying "Well surely you can concentrate better because you are sleeping better, not because of the juice!! ". I definitely see where you are coming from, as a psychology student I know all too well how naturally it comes to question almost everything we come across in life, we are human at the end of the day - its natural! But I can say personally I believe that the juicing in the morning helped me to expend my energy better throughout the day, concentrate and actually pay attention - steadying my mind, proving a space to think logically and to rest peacefully at night. What a joy it is to place my head on the pillow and not have thoughts racing around in my mind! 

Physical Health 

100% more energy! Absolutely a great addition to my life! That is all there is to say on the matter - more energy more enthusiasm to do stuff - more dedication to go the gym! 

If any of you are considering giving this a go - DO IT! Just remember, if you have any health issues or worried talk to your GP first as they will be able to guide you and provide the relevant support than I obviously can't! 

This is not to say that it is goodbye, there are many more posts to come about new research in the area, health psychology, positive psychology and RAW FOODS! 

Happy Juicing