Today's Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner: Lemon Juice and Cayenne and Regret

Like many declarations uttered somewhere between 11:30 and 11:59 last Saturday night, it sure seemed like a great idea at the time to start January with a fruit juice fast. But now, staring at this table of lemons, cayenne pepper, and maple syrup and facing the challenge of a three-day cleansing...

By Terra Sullivan

January 4, 2012

[
        {
          "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
          "component": "16971022",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "15769925",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Rectangle 2x - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782206",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782207",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Like many declarations uttered somewhere between 11:30 and 11:59 last Saturday night, it sure seemed like a great idea at the time to start January with a fruit juice fast.

But now, staring at this table of lemons, cayenne pepper, and maple syrup and facing the challenge of a three-day cleansing fast has me wishing I'd picked something else for my resolution. Like maybe a sunrise jogging regimen like everyone else on Facebook (seriously, I'm not buying your updates unless you upload accompanying photos of your sweaty sneakers in the sand).

But here we are, about to embark on this journey of clean-living, teeth-gnashing, hunger-

panging, sugar-withdrawing madness together. Who's with me?

Over

the next three days, I'll share grocery lists, drink recipes, and tips

and advice on getting by from local health and wellness professionals

experienced in the fasting process.

I hear you: "But this is a food

blog, and what you are referring to is the lack thereof. Can't we get

back to the high-resolution photo spreads of fresh-cut French fries dusted

with truffle salt already?" In time, in time.

While

you will find almost as many arguments for the plan as you will

against, the benefits can include ridding your body of harmful toxins,

increasing your energy levels, increasing your metabolism, eliminating

unusable waste (think of that gum-swallowing habit you had as a kid),

and strengthening your bloodstream. But its greatest benefit might

rest in a better appreciation for real, good food (truffle salt

included) when the three days is up.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of South Florida, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.