You all know me, I’m a big faster. Whether I’m fasting for a week, or 100 days, I always learn a lesson from it. I believe in it, do it regularly, and feel amazing every time!

Why you ask?

It gives my body a little break from constantly having to process and breakdown heavy food, raw or not (yes, I’m still working on chewing better).

But more importantly I feel successful fasting helps you press the reset button. Whenever I am feeling a little grumpy about just “eating raw,” and then decide to do a juice or liquid fast, let me tell you, when it comes time to stop the fast and start eating raw again, I am very grateful for a simple salad. No complaining from me, promise!

I also always have some new revelation about my eating patterns, habits, and how to improve even more for next time. Fasting combined with journaling = key.

Fasting is a moment to pause…

A moment of stillness, presence.

That can be very scary for some people. So many people I chat with in NYC are so used to their busy lives, 9 to 5′s… stillness, whats that? The concept can seem hard to enter into because of all the silly thoughts (fictional stories) that can bounce around in our heads, like:

• What will you find once still? Who are you really?
• Does the thought of that scare you? How do you deal with that fear?
• Are you afraid of not getting enough? Protein, minerals? What else aren’t you getting enough of in life? Love?
• What does it feel like to come back to your core essence? When is the last time you visited? Ever?
• Are you ready to let go of the protection and safety of food? You are perfect and whole without it. Promise.
• What are your priorities? Is your health really first? If not… why? No health, no life. Simple. Make it your priority.
  

Many people have expressed wanting to tackle some sort of fast, but juice alone may not completely work into their schedules. (more on fasting here)

Enter the Liquid Fast!   (dum, dum, dum – “said in deep voice”)

What is a liquid fast? Well… liquids!

• Green Juice (recipes here)
• Fruit Juice (I use mainly grapefruit)
• Spring Water
• Coconut Water
• Kombucha or other probiotic drinks
• Tonic Teas
• Smoothies (recipes here)
• Superfood Smoothies (with superfoods & Sunwarrior Protein added in)
• Blended Soups (recipes here)

This frees you up a bit to have a hearty blended smoothie if your running short on time, or maybe looking to add more into your day, especially if you are actively working out. You can also grab a coconut water or kombucha from the store if your running late, no worries. And when time is more abundant, or you just really feel like a shot of greens, whip up a alkalizing green juice, its all up to you! This can fit to any schedule. Meaning… no excuses. :)

Exercise

Keep on moving too! Just because you maybe enjoying liquids, and life is a bit slower, doesn’t give you permission to be sedentary. Going outside for walks fits perfectly with a liquid fast. It gives you an opportunity to move, feel grounded, be out in nature, breathe deeply, and most importantly, get in some exercise.

If your stuck inside and looking for an amazing exercise, try a rebounder. I bought one of these when I weighed 400 lbs and have loved it every since. I started off only being able to do 5 mins on it, and ended up over time getting to an hour, while jump roping. So amazing. I actually bong my body to breakdown cellulite and fat while on it too. Two birds with one stone and all.

Supplements

I also like to kick up my mineral intake while fasting too. I actively take Blood Sugar Support to keep things regulated, especially if drinking lots of fruit juice. Also Magnesium Oil Spray (#1 deficient mineral), and Fatigue Support if feeling a bit sluggish. (other minerals here)

Today is day 8 for me on my liquid fast. I tend to gravitate towards making the following:

• Spicy Green Juices with lots of cayenne, garlic, and ginger (kill those parasites!)
• Spicy Green Soups with lots of greens, spinach, celery, onion, garlic, carrot, red pepper
• Superfood Smoothies with Sunwarrior Raw Protein, maca, mesquite, tocos, carob

So if you fancy a change, give a liquid fast a whirl and see how it turns out. Its the option that’s in-between eating raw and juicing. Many people find the transition easy, and will prep you for a future juice fast to come.

Time to clean house… meaning your body!

Green mustaches all around,

Philip McCluskey

Ps. I drink my juices and smoothies through a glass straw. It just tastes better, and I’m cool like that. And… so are you! :)