How to be Indestructible Like Popeye, Without Eating Spinach
If you ever worry about your health, I can relate.
At one point in my life, I was afraid to put one unwholesome piece of food in my mouth. My health was failing, and I realized that I had the power to improve my health by changing my diet. Thankfully, just 6 weeks after committing to a strict diet and beginning additional alternative cancer treatments, my “incurable” cancer was “cured”! Although I attribute the rapid turnaround in my health in part to a large increase in vegetable intake, now, 4 years after altering my diet, I’ve slacked off a bit.
Occasional indulgences no longer scare me, because time has given me confidence that my immune system is as strong and indestructible as spinach-crazed Popeye. Probably more often than I should, I have organic ice cream or salted blue chips when I know I should snack on raw veggies (or have nothing at all). But, this doesn’t mean I throw caution to the wind. I still maintain the same general diet (organic, low-salt, unprocessed, veggie-centered), and there’s one food habit I’ve stuck with that gives me peace even on a rather indulgent day. It’s available for anyone to try, it's delicious, and it’s easy and fun!
Sound good to you?
Well, this habit I’m talking about is juicing. And no, I’m not talking about steroids. Popeye didn’t need steroids to stay strong and neither do you.
I’m talking about juicing veggies. Even If you’re the type of person who wants to feel like Popeye but doesn’t want to eat like him, you can still benefit from veggies like spinach by juicing and drinking them (you can add something sweet or tangy like an apple or lemon to make it more palatable). My juicing habit is my excuse when I choose a vanilla ice cream sandwich over an apple, or salted tortilla chips over raw broccoli. Nobody’s perfect! Or maybe you are, in which case you can stop reading… But those ice cream sandwiches are to die for (no pun intended). So at the end of the day, if I haven’t made all the right food choices, at least I know I’ve had my juice and gotten a healthy, delicious dose of revitalizing nutrients that way.
My first juice at the treatment facility in Mexico – it was a little bitter…
If you’re feeling skeptical about jumping on the juicing bandwagon (it’s become quite popular in recent years), my 2-year-old nephew might be able to encourage you. He is a perfect example of someone who doesn’t like to eat vegetables but benefits from drinking their juice (Q’s parents tried everything they could to get him to eat veggies, but he wouldn’t have it). Q rarely eats plant foods other than peanuts and wheat, but LOVES drinking juice of every color and composition. Ever since he could walk, Q has been trying to pull the juicer out of the cupboard and literally jumping at the chance to assist his mommy in the juicing process. He makes his Aunt Bailey so proud, and relieved that at least he gets his nutrients somehow!
On left, Q is juicing at 18 months old; on right, is Q juicing with his brother, an up-and-coming juicing aficionado!
So, if you’re intrigued by this juicing thing and want to know more, I’ve written a Part 2 to “How To Be Indestructible Like Popeye, Without Eating Spinach” (A.K.A. Bailey’s Juicing Guide). In there you’ll find delicious juice recipes, inspirational stories of lives changed by nutrition, helpful tips this juicing fiend has acquired over the years, and much more! Part 2 will be sent out next week, so stay tuned!
Cheers to a very healthy, happy 2015!
Wishing you all the best,
Bailey
