How is juicing like decluttering?
There’s been a lot of talk about ‘juicing’ lately. Probably because it’s that time of year – we are faced with the aftermath of overindulging during the holidays.
Although it’s been around a long time, I didn’t know much about ‘juicing’. Since there’s been so much buzz around it lately, I decided to look it up. Basically, it’s a form of fasting to cleanse the body. You extract the juice from fruits and vegetables and replace your meals with these drinks over a couple of days or more.
The outcome is your body eliminates the wastes (old or dead cells) while building new tissues. As a result, you look and feel alot better.
It got me thinking that this is very similar to decluttering.
After the excess of the holidays –new gifts, gadgets and treats added to what we already had – many people feel lethargic, anxious, even depressed. A juice cleanse gives us more energy and improves our well-being; clearing the clutter from our homes will do the same. As you eliminate the old stuff, you will make space to enjoy the new.
Starting a juice cleanse takes preparation; not only mental but also physical. You need to go out and get supplies – the celery, cucumber and fennel. And if you don’t have one, you’ll do some research and buy a decent juicer or blender.
So you won’t be able to start a juicing program without some advance planning.
It’s the same with decluttering. You’ll need garbage bags and boxes to sort and discard items. Don’t expect to jump right in. Choose a date to start the decluttering, maybe in a few days or a week, then put aside some time before that date to gather everything you need.
As with any change in our diet, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor for advice before starting a juicing program. With decluttering, seeking the advice and support of a professional organizer will make the process flow more smoothly too. For example, most professional organizers will advise you not to purchase bins, baskets and containers until after the sort and purge – otherwise, these become part of the clutter problem.
The only obstacle left to deal with is fear. With juicing, perhaps it’s “What if I’m starving and I can’t handle it?” With decluttering, it may be “What if I get rid of something I might need later?” Don’t let this fear interfere with your goal.
I’m not going to lie. The process is not easy or comfortable. And it’ll be time consuming. But it’s mind over matter. If you decide you are ready to do this, and you focus on the outcome – how great you are going to feel – you can do it! (I’m talking about decluttering here but I got the same advice about juicing). And if you need some help, don’t be afraid to ask for it.
P.S. Okay, so I haven’t tried juicing yet but I’m working my way towards it. Any advice from those who have tried it?
With juicers, you need to know that there are different kinds. Some use centrifugal force, others are more like pressers like the good old-fashioned meat grinders. You need to know what you’ll want to use one for before deciding what kind to buy. The centrifugal ones are better for the hard fruits & veggies like apples, carrots, beets, etc. (and some are not meant for citrus such as oranges). The Breville line of juicers is amongst the best; they have a citrus press that can be used with their juicer. As for JackLaLane and Juiceman, they don’t even compare. The “press” style ones lend themselves better to leafy greens, etc. If you think you might like to do nut milk such as soy or almond, some will do those too. Also pay attention to the size of ‘feed tube’ ie. where you drop the food in, because if it’s small, you’ll be spending lots of time cutting things up into small pieces. Also, they come in various watt-strength and low wattage isn’t worth it. Take note, though, that some of the more powerful ones can be extremely loud. Look into how they come apart and where the pulp gathers, because you’ll be cleaning it as often as you use it or I should say, you’ll only end up using it if it’s easy enough to clean! Check the length of warranty (1 yr. is not very good).