Year three of my three day juice cleanse complete. How am I feeling? Hungry. So why do I do it? I enjoy a mental and physical challenge and as a Virgo I love controlling things. I consider it a reset and after enjoy all the great benefits and appreciations for delicious food and drinks.

I use the company Squeezed for my juice cleanse. This is my second year and I am a fan. Their delivery is next day, their juices are fresh and the cashew milk is to die for. It is reasonably priced and you can customize your experience to taste more sweet if you don’t like traditional “green juice” taste or spicy flavors to increase metabolism. The bottles are clearly numbered so its easy to follow. Directions are given about how frequent to drink and making sure to still pack in enough water.

Day 1 was the easiest this time. t was helpful to mentally be ready for the next two. I did not miss coffee as much as I thought I would and definitely happy no caffeine headache! However, I did not enjoy the final taste of the “dinner” juice to I opted to switch my lunch and dinner the next day. My energy was still up, but I was felt more bloated than I was before starting the cleanse. Looking forward to day two.

Day 2 was a sleepy day. I tried to keep up with more water today and I was so happy I made the switch for my lunch and dinner. At work we had a meeting catered by Chik-Fil-A, but I toughed it out; wearing a mask helped wean the smell. At night I did get some heartburn from my new dinner juice, but it went away after I drank tons more water. I did go to bed hungry and just started missing chewing and biting foods.

Day 3 is all mental. I wanted to stop for a coffee on the way to work or just start chewing carrots or celery to get my jaw moving, but I stayed strong. My coworker ordered Canes and it was even harder, but I feel skinny- whatever that means. No bloating, no gas, no irritable bowels. Plus, my skin is clear! This is when I start to believe what I did was good. I begin planning what my first meal is going to be: joking about donuts and pizza, but really craving a nice crisp salad or fresh grilled chicken breast.

So yes I may be “off my diet” now, but I dislike the word diet. Life is all about moderation and this yearly reset for me reminds me about how amazing food is and to appreciate all the wonderful things it does for our mind, body and soul. So yes, I will be back in the kitchen ASAP sharing a focaccia recipe and (of course) dessert recipes I have been finalizing. But this was fun and until next year, stay safe stay health, stay juicy.

XoXo Britt

If you are interested in checking out Squeezed please go online and sign up! You can also use my email address for a referral! johnsonbrittjohnson@gmail.com (its my old one, lol)

This week’s blog post was going to be on a completely different topic, but all that has been on my mind, and I’m, sure yours too, is the Corona Virus. Working in the Health Care Industry I have seen, heard and been apart of some things that are worth sharing, or at least remembering years from now. I also want to share what I think is best to do in this time of anxiety, at least what is helping me.

I work in a Skilled Nursing Facility. If you don’t remember my big career change than please go back and read all about it here. It has been 9 month now and boy, have I learned A LOT! This week, though, was was roller coaster. Monday we began asking internally about testing new admissions into the facility. Tuesday I began asking local hospitals if they are testing. Wednesday I received backlash from the hospitals for “Questioning their protocol.” Thursday we implemented: No Out Side Visitors in our facility as well as the hospitals began sharing they are “screening” patients referred to facilities. Friday we are receiving documents sharing the “screening.” Even if it is just my husband that believes it, I like to think I sparked something to #MIH!

I didn’t believe the grocery store hype until I saw it for myself. I am not an expert on toilet paper or why hand soap vs bar soap, but my anxiety did hit seeing the cleared out shelves. Virus or not it is always important to keep staples in your pantry and cases of water and toiletries. But what are we doing to take extra precautions?

Washing hands 1000 times per day creating friction and carrying 60% or more alcohol hand sanitizer. While I wash my hands I like to also “wash off” the day, the moment, the situation, and feel all the negativity running down the drain- try it!
Disinfect surfaces including remotes, light switches, steering wheels with 10% bleach and 90% water solutions. Soil the surface and let it dry for 10 minutes before touching. I learned this from the Director of Housekeeping at our facility.
Bump elbows instead of shaking hands.

But what about local businesses? At Finding Arizona Podcast we are having internal discussions about keeping to our recording schedules and providing great content to our listeners, but how else can we support?

Support local: shop online or buy gift card. Gift cards are perfect because the business gets the money now and you get to use the service later.
Engage online while you’re there anyway. Working from home now? Scrolling though social more? Share more, comment more, post more. Be you and let other’s know that we have each other’s back.
Supporting health care workers at our local level as well. They are working overtime to care for other’s loved ones while their loved ones are not in school or not at work. Whatever this looks like for you- buying their coffee, child care, groceries, or just saying “Thank you.”

Last but NOT least, with all the information out there make sure you are going to CDC.gov to get your real facts. I have no doubt we will overcome this together, but while were here lets separate fact from fiction, emotions from reality and take care of our mental health just as much as the physical one. Be safe out there.

XoXo

Britt.