Bounce Back Detox Juice (Gluten-free, Plant-based)

Bounce Back Detox Juice (or Smoothie) — not your average green drink! Its powers are extraordinary, and they go to work from the very first sip!

Bounce Back Green Juice

This post may be longer than my usual, but I was so inspired by the healing power of plants that I wanted to share my personal healing experience with you!

A Drink For All Seasons

Green detox juice renews and restores any time of year.  Not just the four seasons, but the various seasons in life — both the anticipated and the unanticipated. You know those times when you weren’t expecting to get sick?

Speaking of seasons, have you seen my summer?  The last time I saw mine was, oh. . . about mid-June. If you find it, please send it my way. HA!

I began this summer full of anticipation of much-needed R&R with my family. I also hoped I would spend some concentrated time working on my blog and my cookbook. Alas, that was not meant to be.

Fruit and Vegetables

A Pain In (My) Neck

That it was! For several years I have used many non-invasive measures to treat two problematic discs in my neck. But that came to an abrupt end.

For no apparent reason, one of the discs decided it was done, finished, fini. Due to it compressing nerves on my spinal cord I was in severe pain when I tried to do anything: sit, stand, lay down. All I could do without discomfort was walk. I felt like Forrest Gump.

Bounce Back Detox Juice

Fast forward to the beginning of August. I found myself laying in a hospital bed after having had major surgery for the first time in my life. Instead of continuing my mourning over the loss of my summer I decided to focus on what I had to be grateful for:

First, relief! When I awoke after my surgery this amazing procedure brought me immediate relief. No more pressure on my spinal cord.

Second, the capable hands of my surgeon. (Warning for the squeamish: you may want to skip below the picture!) This procedure involves making a two-inch incision in the front of the neck, moving the trachea and esophagus aside, removing the problem disc from the spine and then securing the space between the two vertebrae with a titanium plate and four screws. (Eventually, bone will grow and fuse the two vertebrae together).  I felt better upon waking than I did after having four wisdom teeth removed!

Saved By the Green Detox Juice

After losing my summer I wanted my recovery to go as quickly as possible. I knew that a healthy diet would be integral.

As Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole grains would be the treatment. If you have a huge pile of fruit and vegetables (that you could never consume in one sitting) but want to get all of the nutrients they have to offer, how is that made possible? Juicing, of course!

Green Juice Ingredients

Juicing condenses that large pile into a drinkable glass. We used a masticating juicer. This yielded pure juice with the greatest percentage of nutrients.

Alternately, you can also use a high-speed blender and make a smoothie. This version retains the fiber but isn’t quite as tasty in my opinion.

Since it is very important to continue to consume plant-based fiber, I did this by eating whole fruits and vegetables along with whole grains and legumes. The fast track to recovery!

Bounce Back Detox Juice

Remove Restore Aid Renew

My mother graciously came to take care of me post-surgery, and brought her seasoned juicing skills! Every day I nourished my body with the power of juice. Antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals and plant-based protein all worked harmoniously to heal my body:

• Removing the toxins in my body from anesthesia and pain medication;
• Restoring my tissue cells and nerve function;
• Aiding bone growth;
• And a renewed appreciation for the gift of health that plant-based eating has to offer!

Bounce Back Detox Juice

After just two weeks I was already exceeding the expected pace of  recovery twofold. I am bouncing back faster than I had imagined!

But you don’t have to have surgery to reap the benefits of this nutrient powerhouse. Feeling a little run down?  Going through a stressful time? Just want to refresh your body? This green juice will do the trick!

*Don’t forget to talk to your medical professional before you make any diet modifications*

Bounce Back Detox Juice

If you’d like more nutrient-dense (but sweeter) smoothie options, check out my Strawberry Cheesecake Vegan Smoothie, Piña Colada Smoothie, or Toasted Marshmallow Vegan Smoothie! Enjoy!