Start Your Juice Regimen Out Right
Juicing is definitely one of the most popular health trends to have evolved in recent years and people all over the world have been enjoying the benefits of juicing. The main reason people add juicing to their daily regimen is to make juicing for health a priority in their lives and it is certainly a worthy goal. However, as with any new activity, particularly one that is regarded as trendy, a reality check should be taken before starting out. To ensure you are on track, you should consider things like time, space, people, motivation and money.
Money
Initially you will need to be prepared to make a financial investment in your juicing regimen. In addition to the cost of a juicer, which can range from around $100 to upwards of $1,500, you will need to be prepared for a larger than usual grocery bill. You will of course need to purchase fresh produce, much more than you might be accustomed to.
As you become immersed in the culture of juicing, processed and packaged foods will become less of a priority and you will save money by not buying them. In this way, the cost of juicing will become less over time and even out. You will also likely spend less on health remedies as your overall general health improves.
Space
A juicer takes up space, albeit on a counter-top or stored in a cupboard. You need to think about this if you are cramped for kitchen space. It isn’t just the juicer either because you also need space to store your produce. Buying in bulk is the best way to keep produce costs down but you will somewhere suitable to store it until you are ready to juice it. Some produce will require refrigeration so fridge space is also a consideration.
On a practical level, you will also need somewhere to store miscellaneous juicing equipment such as strainers, knives, chopping boards and peelers. Also, you will need to be able to thoroughly wash produce.
Time
Juicing takes time no matter which way you look at it and it is also necessary to consider that juice should be consumed as soon as possible after it is extracted. It you don’t go to work, you can manage the necessary time however, if you go to work, you need to do some planning. While the juicing itself might not take very long, you need to factor in the time necessary for prepping and chopping as well as cleaning up afterwards.
You will need to decide if you are going to get up earlier or prep the night before. If you are doing a juice fast, you will also need time to prepare bottles or containers for storing your lunchtime juice as well as cleaning and storing them.
Motivation
This is an important consideration as you juicing regimen progresses and your commitment is tested. You need to be clear as to why you are juicing because it will help you to remain focused. It will also help you decide which particular juicing regimen you embark upon. For example, if you want to lose weight, you might decide on a juice fast and this can be difficult sometimes in social situations or it might be that you are feeling food deprived at times. Being clear about why you are juicing will help you stay on track.
Negative feedback from friends or family who do not understand the health benefits of juicing can leave you feeling dispirited and it is this type of situation when your motivation for juicing for health will become meaningful and help you to explain why you are on a juicing regimen.
People
When it comes to juicing, the people you live or spend time with will have an opinion about your juicing regimen. It can affect those around you as you fit juicing into family mealtimes. For example, if you are responsible for cooking family meals, will you be able to maintain a cooking regimen as well as a juicing regimen?
Work can be a little tricky too as you juggle bottles of juice and work travel need to be carefully planned for your juicing endeavors to continue uninterrupted. Do you participate in business lunches? Plan how you will manage them so you do not become caught without a lunch juice..
Rather than creating a bleak picture for a juicing regimen, these considerations are useful in that they can provide a blueprint for success. By planning carefully and fully researching some of the issues that can bode for success or failure, you can actually ensure that your juicing regimen will be a rewarding one. It will also allow you to decide what type of juicing regimen will suit you best, that is, a juice fast, a single meal replacement or just breakfast juicing.