3 Day Juice Cleanse

So I agreed to do a 3-day juice cleanse with my wife to support her.  She participated with me when I did the Ornish program a few years back so it seemed only fair.  Eating normal meals when she is only drinking juice seems mean on top of not being fair.  Granted the cleanse is entirely voluntary, but regardless of that, the "unfairness" perception and feeling is still real.

Anyway, this post will journal the 3-days since I'm pretty sure I'll forget how I felt.

7/13/2020 8:30 AM - Day 1, Juice bottle #1
This one was like drinking almond milk and that makes sense since the main ingredient was almond milk.  It wasn't overly sweet and nutty in flavor.

7/13/2020 10:50 AM - Day 1, Juice bottle #2
This one was perplexing.  It had a strong apple flavor, but other flavors mixed in that I can't place hence the "perplexing" word.  It wasn't bad, but it makes me ponder.  30 minutes later I'm burping cucumber.

7/13/2020 12:50 PM - Day 1, Juice bottle #3
This is another one that makes me go "huh ... that was interesting".  I could taste the apple and maybe the ginger, but couldn't taste the carrot and kale which is probably good considering the second (I'm not a kale fan).  Not feeling any caffeine withdrawal symptoms which I'm thankful for.  Still so far, so good.

7/13/2020 3:40 PM - Day 1, Juice bottle #4
This one is a repeat of juice #2, but this time the "spice" was more noticeable.  I'm still "perplexed" by the taste, but still in the middle of the road with regards to judgement.  I don't dislike it, but don't exactly like it either.

7/13/2020 5:45 PM - Day 1, Juice bottle #5
This one I liked.  It was what I would expect when I hear the word "juice".  Apple, pineapple, and lemon with some mint.  It wasn't overly sweet either, though, I wouldn't have minded it being sweeter.

7/13/2020 8:00 PM - Day 1, Juice bottle #6
This one I liked, too, but not as much as the more fruity bottle #5.  It was a good chocolate shake type drink; not too sweet and not too thick.  I would put this one in the 2nd place slot if I had to rank these juices.

7/14/2020 9:30 AM - Day 2, Juice bottle #1
Today this one seemed a little thicker, but that could be because I shook the bottle a little longer before drinking.  This one is my third favorite one so far and a good way to start the day.

7/14/2020 11:30 AM - Day 2, Juice bottle #2
I could taste the cucumber more this time, but it wasn't very strong, mostly noticeable.  I burped cucumber again and the word "perplexing" is still appropriate.

7/14/2020 2:00 PM - Day 2, Juice bottle #3
I liked this bottle better today than yesterday.  I don't know if it's because I liked the taste more or was hungry.  This one is #4 in my list of juices in this cleanse.

7/14/2020 4:00 PM - Day 2, Juice bottle #4
I didn't particularly like this one today.  I definitely tasted the cucumber and the ginger was very strong.  I gulped it down as fast as I could so I wouldn't taste it as much and get it over with.  Definitely my least favorite of the juices.

7/14/2020 6:00 PM - Day 2, Juice bottle #5
My favorite one hands down.  This one definitely good to end the day on and what I think about when talking about juicing.  Drank this one quickly, too, like the previous juice, but quickly because I really like the taste.

7/14/2020 8:00 PM  - Day 2, Juice bottle #6
Nice way to end the day.  I do enjoy a chocolate milkshake at the end.  It makes the entire day of other juices turnout good.  Yes, it's not really a chocolate shake, but it's close enough to it for me.

7/15/2020 8:00 AM - Day 3, Juice bottle #1
Last day of juices.  I have to say I haven't been dreading the juices like I thought I would.  I'm not looking forward to it per se, but there's not feeling of dread or anxiety with the juices.

7/15/2020 10:00 AM - Day 3, Juice bottle #2
I have to admit I felt some anticipation with this one, in a good way, probably because I know it's the last day and this is the second to the last green juice I have to drink.  It actually isn't too bad, but I still wouldn't say I like it.

7/15/2020 12:00 PM - Day 3, Juice bottle #3
I have to say I decided I like this one rather than just be neutral.  It's drinking carrot juice for the most part and I went past the "got used to it" stage into the "I guess I kinda like it" stage.  Not looking forward to the next one, though.

7/15/2020 2:00 PM - Day 3, Juice bottle #4
It's official, I don't like this particular one.  I think it's the ginger that's included in this juice that I don't like.  Actually, it's the burping cucumber that I really don't like.  *laugh*

7/15/2020 4:15 PM - Day 3, Juice bottle #5
I'm taking my time drinking this one, my favorite one.  I noticed a little bit of tang this time, but that's probably because I'm savoring it.  The other days I drank it quickly because it tasted really good.  Funny how that means I'm always gulping down the juice ... if I don't like the taste it's because I want to get it over with, but if I like the taste it's because I'm wolfing it down.  Well, at least this time I'm taking my time a little bit to enjoy the juice.

7/15/2020 6:30 PM - Day 3, Juice bottle #6
It's chocolate milk time.   It's not really, but it sure tastes like it and I'm enjoying it.  Well, it actually is when I think about it.  Chocolate flavored almond milk is chocolate milk even though it's not regular milk.  This is the last of the juices in this 3-day cleanse and quite a nice way to finish.

Take away
It wasn't a bad experience and I dropped a few pounds, though I didn't really do this for any kind of weight loss.  That loss could very well be water loss which is just fine, too.  It does give me a place to start to get on a portion control habit; not eating until I'm full or sick, but just enough to be comfortable.  Basically, stop eating before I get full and don't go back for seconds or thirds.  No more Hobbit style eating for me.

Thoughts on July 4th

I have to admit that I haven't read up on important figures from American history beyond the most well known ones.  I don't remember when I started reading the Declaration of Independence and Constitution (this one takes a while to get through) along with the Bill of Rights, but this year I started looking at speeches that people made on or about the 4th of July.

I listened to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s July 4th, 1965 speech

I listened to Frederick Douglas' July 5, 1852 speech

I listened to Calvin Coolidge's July 4, 1926 speech


Dr. King called for having the right attitude as we move into the future and denounced any race to be raised above any other.  He said he was convinced that black supremacy was as dangerous as white supremacy.  He did not want one tyranny to be replaced with another.

These speeches talked about the greatness of the American Dream and how much good this country has done.  Of course Frederick Douglas denounced slavery because it was an evil injustice, but one that was taken are of.  He also praised the Founding Fathers for the ideals they had and the direction he wanted things to go.

I admit that I never paid much attention to Calvin Coolidge, but after hearing and reading his speech on the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence I have a new understanding and appreciation for our 30th President and the wisdom he had.

Every year brings new knowledge and every year brings new appreciation for this great country.  Yes, there were problems in the beginning, but I challenge anyone to show me a country that had a perfect start.  A country that starts out perfect only has downhill to go.  The United States of America is not great in and of itself and it is not perfect.  The United States of America is great because of the ideals that were instilled in its creation and the mechanism it has to improve and grow.  And it does grow and mature and improve as long as it remembers its history and those ideals