My Raw Food Journey

40 Day Juice Fast 2023 & 2024

During my study of Herbal Medicine, I under-took several three day juice fasts as a means of cleansing and detoxifying following Dr. John Ray Christopher's cleansing protocol. These three day fasts were very effective in terms of cleansing, yet I always found them to be a challenge, however they were rewarding once completed. With the aim of achieving deeper levels of detoxification I embarked on my first forty day juice fast, starting on the 23-02-2023 (the beginning of Lent). I followed Shane Sterling and became a member of 'Raw Vegan Rising'. His protocol was to consume as much green juice - 'Lemon Ginger Blast' and a separate Citric Juice Blend each day for 40 days. He spoke a lot about Raw Food, it was of interest to me yet I never really gave it much consideration as something that I would undertake in my lifetime.  As I neared the end of the 40 days, I had signed up with Core College to undertake a Vitalistic Nutrition Course which ran alongside the Herbal Medicine. As I entered the the room that first day (which was now day 33 of the fast) everything changed in an instant for me. The smell of basil and fresh herbs filled the room and I was literally transported to what felt like heaven. My senses where so alive and something woke up inside of me that day. I knew, or my body knew that this was the path that I would take, the possibility was made certain having witnessed the variety of raw plant-based meals that were presented. I was so happy to have discovered this knowledge and my body took on an awareness that I had never experienced in the past. Something work up in me and was guiding me to a different way of being. It was an energy that I trusted and for the first time I felt so sure about something, which to others, would seem so extreme. Since that date I have never looked back and have no craving or desire to eat cooked food or return to my previous way of eating. 

In August 2024 I repeated the 40 day juice fast in a further attempt to overcome health challenges and in this instance I completed the fast consuming only green juice. It was a very simple green juice which I consumed for forty days. I lost a significant amount of weight this time round, compared to the first forty day fast so it was important that I stopped at forty days. Through-put the past few years I have always maintained a one day juice fast each week; initially it was in line with the Gerson protocol of carrot juice or carrot and apple juice. I then introduced the lemon ginger blast, water melon juice, until finally I reduced it down to water fasting one day per week. This allows the body to have a break each week and reset the digestive system. Raw foods are then such a priviledge to consume having rest the taste buds. I enjoy a range of fruits in the morning, seeds and berries through-out the day, culminating in a large salad bowl in the evening. I couldn't ask for a better way of living and it is my wish that you might be inspired to give it go or at least incorporate more raw, living food into your life .