Ash Wednesday Fasting: A good chance to try a vegan juice fast

Published: March 09, 2020

Shrove Tuesday; synonymous with over-indulgence on white flour based pancakes, sugar, syrup, lemon juice and god knows whatever else people decide to lace their flat fritters with.

 

Okay so the big bad day is behind us and traditionally Ash Wednesday sees the start of a fast which ends on Easter Sunday. While many religious types still adhere to the Lenten fast most people only stick to the pancake part before carrying on as normal.

 

If you are serious about trying a fast, perhaps you could ease yourself into it with a raw vegan juice fast.

 

Sounds dreadful you’re thinking; well, think again.

 

One of the healthiest means of weight loss is a juice fast which basically allows your digestive system to relax meaning that your body expels less energy trying to digest food. The great thing about a juice fast is that you can drink as much as you want, and while the idea of living on juice may seem like an unusual or difficult idea, a drink crammed full of broken down fruit and vegetables will give your body all the vitamins and nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

 

To get started on the fast you’ll need a decent food mixer / blender and a good selection of fruit and vegetables.

 

Pineapples make a great breakfast fruit so why not try this recipe to get your day started:

 

• 4 Ice cubes
• ¼ Pineapple (cut into chunks)
• 1 Pear (skinned and cored)
• 8 Mint leaves
• 4 Mint leaves for garnish

 

Blitz the ice cubes then add the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour into a glass, garnish with mint and enjoy.

 

One thing you will need is a good source of iron, so spinach is a must as it provides high levels of that vital element. For lunch try this green smoothie which is both tasty and filling:

 

• 400ml / 15 fl oz rice milk

• 1 Banana
• 1 Teaspoon of macca root powder
• 1 Teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1 Tablespoon of flax seed mixed with cacao
• 2 ‘Handfuls’ of fresh spinach

 

Put all the ingredients into the blender; banana and spinach last, then blitz until smooth. You should have a nice thick drink but if you want it thicker slice the banana and freeze over night. Don’t be put off by the idea of greens and fruit; the spinach has no real flavour and the drink tastes like a banana milk shake.

 

For your evening meal how about another fruit and veg blend? This mango and avocado smoothie is great and full of healthy ingredients:

 

• ½ Avocado (peeled and de-stoned)
• 100g/4oz Mango (peeled and chopped)
• 80g/3.5oz Watercress
• 240ml/8fl.oz. Fruit Juice (your choice although freshly squeezed orange or apple is good for this)
• 2-4 Ice Cubes

 

Blitz the ice then add the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth.

 

There are thousands of recipes for smoothies and they’re very quick and easy to make. The suggested ideas are a good starting point. It should be made clear that if you find yourself getting hungry just drink water or make another smoothie; there’s no need to starve or worry about weight gain.

 

If you’re interested in trying a juice fast but are concerned about how it might affect your health then consult your doctor first. Other than that, good luck with the new health kick.

Let us know if this was helpful by leaving a comment.

Read about detoxing; the raw vegan diet; an introduction to juice fasts; Oprah Winfrey’s vegan adventure and how raw veganism can reverse diseases like cancer and diabetes.

 

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Published March 09, 2020 by Lee in Diets
Tags: diet, juice fast, vegan, weight loss