A great way to detox our children and to pack in much-needed nutrients for their nutritionally-depleted bodies is through juicing fruits and vegetables. As a means to do this, I began researching and talking with friends about juicing. A good friend of mine actually exposed me to a therapy that can actually cure cancer using a heavy juicing protocol! As soon as I started researching Gerson, I realized that there was something 
magical here for my son. I read, read online and was told by another friend that I should watch the documentary ‘fat, sick and nearly dead’ by Joe Cross. I watched the movie and realized how many of us are actually completely deprived of real nutrition which it is the source of most diseases. What blew my mind even more is that by the nutrient dense juice, many many diseases are cureable and preventable!
The reason juicing is such a great way to get nutrients is that the fruits and vegetables from nature are the most bioavailable source for all the vitamins our bodies need. Imagine that by extracting only the juice from a vegetable without any of the fibrous pulp, you can absorb all the nutrients from that piece of produce without any of the energy required for digestion when eaten (or in a smoothie). This makes juice an incredible option as it is literally cell food pumping nutrition directly to the cells. It is completely available to the body…and even cooler – you can absorb crazy volumes! I can drink the 
juice from 2.5 pounds of carrots in one jar!!! Think about that degree of live fuel and energy!
This started me on a physical, mental and spiritual juicing journey. For the past six months I have been juicing heavily for myself. I decided to go on a juice cleanse to try to lose weight. What I gained while juicing was so much more than weight loss – greater mental clarity, energy – a deep vital energy that came from the source. I gained more intention in my life, vibrancy, self-love, radiance. And of course the weight loss – I have lost 60 lbs since embarking on this journey! Everyone comments on how I glow now – and I do, because I’m filling myself with real food – food that cleanses and nourishes the body and soul.
So, what does this all have to do with autism? For me, it is everything. By juicing and connecting with myself in such a deep way, I am more available for my son. And of course, let’s not forget the tremendous nutritional opportunity for our children. While the human body produces certain enzymes, we also need enzymes from foods to help with their complete digestion. Without enzymes, your body and brain wouldn’t function. Enzymes are important for breaking down food and for digesting food. Especially for our children, many of whom require enzyme supplements, one massive benefit of juicing vegetables for ASD kids is that the enzymes contained in the vegetables help to improve both digestion and metabolism.
To get picky eaters hooked on some glorious green juice, start with a handful of spinach and a couple of apples and slowly phase out a lot of the higher sugar fruits for more leafy green vegetables. Before you know it, their taste buds will adapt and they will be craving the green goodness themselves!
Here is a juice I created for my special angel – give it a try and let me know how it goes!
‘The Pleasant Lion’
2 large handfuls of kale
8 carrots
1 zucchini
1 small beet
1 lemon (peeled)
1 ¼ in slice of ginger
Cheers!
~Princess
For more blogs by Princess click here.
You can add almonds if you want a milky-looking smoothie or shake.
This good tasting item can be used as a shredded topping for
sandwiches. It’s like a key and a lock: The key was designed to fit
only one lock.
If you are pregnant and plan on juicing for health, consult with your doctor before you start. Consuming a high concentration of potent vegetables can have some harmful affects on your body, and there is such a thing as overdosing on vitamins. The same rule goes for young children.
This makes me want to start juicing again!! Is it ok to peel & prepare veggies night before? Like the beets, ginger etc. I hv 3 little ones & it’s interesting trying to do it all in the morning. …. Or do the vit/min oxidize??
Yes, it is ok. I usually pick a day and do all my prep work.
Will try this today! Thank you!
I bought a juicer 4 months ago specially for my son with Autism but I haven’t used it yet. I started to think about what a waste it would be to through away all of the important fiber filled pulp and also started think about the expense of all of those fruits and vegetables, half of which I’d be throwing away. You have me re-thinking now. PLus I need to loose a lot of weight.
I am curious do you only use organic fruits and veggies?
It is best to use organic, however this can be expensive. When I can’t find organic I will make sure I use a hydrogen peroxide mix to soak the fruits and veggies in to make sure I get rid of the chemicals and pesticides. In regards to the pulp, sometimes I use mine in bread or cupcake mixes
We have to retrain our thinking though, “fiber” is not as great or beneficial as we have been told by all the so called nutrition authorities. Just like they tell us cholesterol is bad or saturated fat is bad or any fat is bad for that matter. Or that canola oil is ok…
Fiber really does nothing but make fat, dry, bulky poop. For many children especially on the spectrum, too much fiber is a bad bad thing.
check out this great site full of tons of info about why fiber may not be your friend and is quite well your enemy in many cases… http://www.fibermenace.com/
Try:
Baby spinach, baby kale, and baby chard (4 cups)
Ten frozen grapes
One banana
A half cup of frozen pineapple
Water
DELICIOUS!!
Oh my goodness! please be careful with the level of oxalate you might be getting yourself of your little one!!!! Oxalate is a highly reactive toxic molecule present in various levels in different veggies, but spinach is very high and can wreak havoc on the metabolism, specially if you have a leaky gut or poor gut flora!!!!!
You can read more about it on Susan Owen’s yahoo! list trying_low_oxalates or at lowoxalate.info
Patricia
what about high sugar content and yeast overgrowth?
Thanks for the juicing info and the recipe. Time to take my juicer out of the box and give it a whirl!
Does anyone want to plug their favorite Juicer Machine?
I have a vitamix (I know, not a juicer) and love it. Afraid of juicers with all the mess…a recommendation would be great.
Green Star, Champion, or Breville. Nutribullet works well too
If you’re doing greens, use the masticating juicer. We have the Omega 8006, and it is a masticating one. It is sooooooo easy and fast to clean, it’s ridiculous. More expensive, but the cleanup is so great that It’s not a hassle and you use it more.
Here’s a link describing the types:
http://www.harvestessentials.com/whatjuicisri.html
Thanks for the recipe! I recently bought a juicer but only have used it twice – your post is a good kick-in-the butt to haul that thing out:)
My dad’s wife has battled cancer for 15+ years, after many treatments, about a year ago they said they could do no more treatments, medicine had given up on her. She took her health into her own hands, started a raw food diet, and wheatgrass shots with juicing, and when she went back for a checkup 4 months later, her tumor had shrunk by 60%!! Not one doctor had ever mentioned changing her diet in the last 15 years. She is healthy and has lost 100 pounds since going raw. Its not a miracle, its good nutrition!!
Robyn,
is it possible to mention a link to info on your Dad’s wife’s Cancer Diet?
Thank you
I had fun this summer with my juicer! I juiced lots of fruits that I froze for the kids popsicles. Organic cantelope and honeydew were the BEST! So much better than that crap at the grocery!
I love the idea of being more available for my son…and his twin sister! Sounds like something for the whole family. What juicer have you found to be the best? Are you getting your veggies at a farmers market?I image you buy in large quantity….
Great post, thank you for the inspiration.