I loved this episode! Although all episodes of TMI are fun, this one goes well with my new year's resolution of getting fit and being healthy.

I made my first green smoothy this morning and I felt so much better in the morning than the normal Cheerios and coffee (although i still indulged in coffee). What I especially liked is that the smoothy helped me focus on eating well throughout the day. 

Mary, I tried the recipe from your video. Any more fruity recipes you can share?

Thanks!!... and it doesn't matter to me if blueprint gives you all the juice in the world. Maybe you can do a juice giveaway one of these days and invite the winner to share their experience.

I started the 3 day fruit and veggie jucing fast. I'm a college student. I might as well start now. I'll let you guys know how I feel when I'm done. 

Thanks!

I started juicing  last year, my junior year of high school between coming to school at 6:00 am for NJROTC ,AP classes ,and leaving school at 7:00 pm after tennis pratice and club meetings i was going crazy and kept falling asleep in the middle of class.Now that I juice for breakfest and lunch i have more enegry and a clearer mind.Wow I sound like a chessey tv commerical but hey it does work.

also, unless you're stupid or illiterate, it's pretty easy to understand what the girl's agreement with blueprint is. they recieve free juice (that they personally enjoy and use) in exchange for talking about said juice (which they have all admitted they'd use anyway, even if the product wasn't free). if you don't understand that, or need more clarification, you must not understand how endorsements use. why do you think venus and serena williams always wear reebok? um, because they GET IT FOR FREE. this isn't anything new.

it's laughable to me that many on here keep pointing back to the FDA as if a huge government organization has our indivdual best intrests at heart. the thing that many don't realize is that the FDA, the modern medical community and pharmicutical industry are motivated by the very things that motivate most of us: money and politics.

is your doctor corrupt? is your pharmacist corrupt? is the FDA corrupt? no, that's not what i'm saying. but really people, dig a little deeper than surface level. there are many substances (aspartame being a common one) that are FDA approved but are actually quite harmful to the human physiology. why are they FDA approved? you got it: money and politics. 

educate yourself. two titles i can think of right off the bat are kevin trudeau's "natural cures they don't want you to know about" or the more recently popular "skinny bitch."

Casey, let it go!  Let it go!

Argh!  It is NOT TRUE that you digest more when you sleep. During the day, you're moving around, standing, walking, etc. so your digestive system is happily contracting and working away.  When we go to sleep, our metabolism slows, breathing slows, everything slows down.  Think about it: If our digestive systems were so active at night, you'd be getting up twice per night just to shit.  There's a reason we shit during the waking hours.

Hey i love ur show!
i really love the advice u give and i think its not just for the ladies. its been helpful in my life as well a college guy like me. so just wanted to say if there is a way to incorporate this juice cleanser for a busy college student like me? I would really love to see what i can do to make myself healthier. 
thanks and keep up the good work!

Excellent episode ladies!

Mary - your arms look amazing in that top, I'm green like the juice with envy!  ;-)

Julia - I appreciate you being so personal and open about how the juices have helped you. 

Meghan - I'm afraid I'm not going to the like the taste, but I've been looking for a new fast to try so maybe I'll give this one a shot...

Love you ladies! Keep up the great work, and I hope that the negative comments don't ever get you down.

I can't say that I've considered juicing, but I'm open-minded enough to try something new.  My problem is that I travel - alot.  Unless you check a bag you are not going to be carrying juice with you.

It's obvious that you all travel significantly, so I think readers would appreciate insight as to your travel eating/nutritional/exercise regimens, perhaps as a future topic.

I enjoyed the show!

honestly, juice is just delicious.  i don't view it as a substitute for any food or meal -- there's no compromise with a well-made juice for lunch.  i've never given it a shot for all meals, nor am i inclined to, but it always leaves me feeling energized and more than a little pleased that i just managed to eat 3 beets, a carrot and some ginger painlessly.  

my place:  http://www.yelp.com/biz/maine-squeeze-juice-cafe-portland

Everyone is freaking out because you believe what the media and the fda has told you. I have read a lot about health and fasting. I am a vegetarian. It is natural for animals in the wild to fast for periods of time, especially when they are ill. The point I think the NS girls are making is- we don't eat enough fruits and vegetables- so find a way. Following the typical rules in our culture has gotten us to a horrible state- obesity in young children and adults. Question the mainstream!

Mary, 
You are completely wrong about being about to digest more at night. Your metabolism slows down while you're sleeping and you digest less. 
While it's true that there is nothing wrong with putting a salad in a blender and drinking it, these juices have absolutely no protein. You need protein in your diet. I swear to you, you need it. Proteins are the basic building blocks for cells. You need them for every single organ in your whole body. 
Please consider consulting a nutritionist before giving another "lesson".

I have a two parted comment. First about transparency and Blueprint. And second about the juicing.

I'm confused about your approach toward transparency regarding Blueprint. 

Getting free products to test and review, while still requiring disclosure, is different than getting free products for continual personal use. That is a form of compensation. I understand you've disclosed it here and there in comments and such but that is not the same as disclosing it each time you promote the product, That would be transparency and doing that with every product your receive for free or get some sort of perk from would be transparency. 

Transparency doesn't mean recommending only products you like, it means being upfront and open about which reviews involve deals with the companies, which are wholly uncompensated in every way, which sent you a free sample, which send you a year supply, etc. It means being transparent about that type of "behind the scenes" deals so readers and viewers can judge for themselves how to feel about the review.

Not disclosing this affects people's trust in your brand and *isn't* transparent. 

Saying "trust us we are transparent" just isn't enough. Why not actually *be* transparent and disclose this type of information to your readers. 

I think others have voiced this type of feedback too and I'd really appreciate a response about why this type of transparency, meaning upfront and consistent disclosure about any personal or professional perks you gain in exchange for promoting a product or service, isn't practiced. Or if it is please simply say so. Is there a reason that the issue of disclosure of this kind is not being addressed by NS? 

I ask this as a reader who truly is confused about the way you are using the word transparency and about your why you do not disclose your stake in the promotions you take part in. As others said here, you are getting the juice for free. Why? Obviously because it is a reward, payment if you will, for continually promoting the juice, which we know you like and believe in, on your site. 

Do you think the audience doesn't deserve or have a right to know which products have similar arrangements? No one is doubting that you like the products you promote, the question is simply what are you getting from the promotion and why in the interest of journalistic integrity so to speak are you not disclosing that upfront each and every time? 

I hope this genuine comment is not deleted but responded to. I ask it sincerely and out of a desire to understand the logic behind decisions that do affect readers and viewers of this site. Thank you. With respect. 

On the topic of juices themselves I do agree they can be a great way to get a good intake of fruits and veggies, you can consume much more of them in liquid form than you could in a salad or by eating fruit throughout the day. 

But if they are done as a juice only fast, they are considered harmful by the medical establishment. And Blueprint does say on their site that their juices are meant to be part of a several day fast without eating regular meals during that time so that is not the same as Mary's recommendation of blending the juices (no pun intended) into a regular diet. 

Blueprint is designed to be used as a fast from what I understood from their web site. Of course you could use it differently but the official party line there is different than the message sent out here today about the role of these juices in a regular healthy diet. 

I liked the video on making the juice on Mary's blog and the recipes Mary included more than I care for the prepackaged juice concept. Drinking out of plastic is a major source of toxins in our bodies today since chemicals can and do leach out of the packaging and into the food or beverage.

I much prefer making fresh juice at home since it seems ironic to try to flush out toxins by using something that adds toxins to begin with. 

See #8 in this link about the plastics issue http://www.pressandguide.com/stories/123108/loc_20081231008.shtml

Mary - how do you reconcile this healthy cleansing regimen with injecting chemicals into your face? It seems like these two practices contradict each other. Any thoughts you have would be helpful.

Girls,

I think juicing is a great way to substitute nutrients and vitamins. For someone like me who hates eating veggies I totally prefer to blend some broccoli, beats, carrots and a few fruits.  It is so much easier to down a glass of juice than eat vegetables. 
As far as cleansing I wanted to share a cleanse that I have also done for cleaning my liver. It's helps a lot of women with hormonal disorders, high cholesterol and acne. Please take full caution and inform yourself well before trying it out.

Liver- Gall Flush Recipe
- takes 2 days
Day 1

-am only fruit, toast, jam or just fruit (nothing else)

-lunch only cooked or raw vegetables (no oil, or anything else- cook only with water)

-anytime- water, as desired

-6:00pm 1T Epsom salts in 3/4c water

-8:00pm 1T Epsom salts in 3/4c water


-bedtime (10:00pm or sooner)
1/2c virgin olive oil + 1/2-3/4c grapefruit juice (fresh squeezed)
-shake well, drink*, and go straight to bed- lie on your right side, or your back

Note: do everything you need to do before you drink your juice-oil drink- brush your teeth, make your bed, put on your PJ’s, and anything else you do before bed, because as soon as you drink the mix, you lie down to bed; right away. This is important
Day 2

am, as soon as you wake up; 1T Epsom salts in 3/4c water

2 hours later 1T Epsom salts in 3/4c water

1 hour later eat only some fruit

1 hour later eat as desired, with small portions

source; Hulda Clark, ND, “Cure for all Diseases”, © 1995

www.trainerpack.com/blog

-I feel like juicing and cleansing and colonics have been so overdone on NonSociety.

-I love Julia's outfit, very cute color combo with the matching headband. Very grandmother appropriate and cute.

-Love how Mary kept yanking the bottle of juice out of Julia's hand....

-I don't really like how it's edited in the beginning where Mary introduces the topic and then Julia starts explaining a deep life story before Mary can say more about what the episode is going to be about. Maybe the girl who's episode it is should talk the most in the beginning before the other girls add their two cents. Just a thought.

-The instructional video that Mary made is really helpful and I think I'm going to try it out to see what all the fuss is about. I hope it's actually delish!

To echo the comments below: Blueprint gives you free juice. That juice is worth money. Unless Blueprint is totally stupid and wants to give away free money, they are expecting some sort of endorsement from you in return.

Which means this whole TMI episode is NOT strictly your own personal views, it's endorsed by the company that sells these products. 

Mary, you claim that juicing is a healthy addition to your lifestyle. However, in previous discussions - like the older TMI detox episode - Julia has referred to ONLY drinking juice during a juicing period/cleanse, and you have referred to bullshit 'suit-o' science like colonics and food combining, which simply does not work. You can't backtrack now and claim that the juicing you advocate is merely a supplement to your regular diet. 

Ladies, get yourselves back into a high school science class, stat. The willful ignorance of science you display here is shocking.

I don't understand the difference between this and just eating vegetables... why would I go through all this extra effort when I can just eat a salad?

Mary, Meghan or Julia: can one of you please answer a simple question for me? 

WHY does Blueprint give you their products for free? 

Thank you.

Ladies!  This is a topic that has interested me for a while.  Started a while back with a co-worker doing the "Beyonce Diet" (that lemon, cayenne thing) and then he graduated to BluePrint actually (he's gay and lives in NYC, so I'm really tempted to find out if he reads you guys, but he's quite senior to me, so I've been to shy to...anyway...).  

BluePrint is a little pricey for me, so I'm really happy to see Mary's video about doing it yourself.  I also, in my googling about cleansing/juicing, found this great website with tons of green smoothie recipes (http://vitalself.typepad.com/greensmoothiechallenge/).  Not that you really need a "recipe" per se, I think you can just experiment with whatever you like!

Also, but I can't find the link, I had seen a video on YouTube of a guy juicing with his blender.  Mixes it up, and then strains it.  I think he actually used a paint strainer, but you could also use cheese cloth, if the texture of the smoothie didn't sit well.  I think the trick of adding lots of water helps.

Anyhoo, I have yet to try this, but I really want to.  My boyfriend just got a new blender, so I'll have to christen it with the green stuff!

Why does Blueprint give you your juice for free?

Thanks Mary for this great advice. I have been trying to incorporate juices into my diet for health reasons and I found your video below very helpful. However, you should probably mention that it is very important to buy the right blender. Regular  blenders aren't powerful enough to blend up lemon seeds or apple cores. The blender in the video below (Vitamix) is very popular amount Raw foodists, however it is a chunck of change (0). If you use it enough, it's totally worth it. Another comparable blender is the BlendTec.

Mary, Meghan, and Julia,

I want to thank you for all the info that you share to so many of us around the world.

I am new to TMI and have loved a lot of the ideas and pointers that you three have given me.

I also know that they are merely suggestions, and I do not have to follow everything.

Basically, thanks.  Keep it coming.  And you're awesome for replying back to everyone, even if they aren't very nice.

smitha

Assuming what the girls say is true, it is far more accurate for them to say they receive free product than to say they are paid.  If you want to be really picky, maybe the most accurate thing would be to say "we are paid in the form of free product".  Regardless, people are getting hung up on the choice of words.

There is nothing wrong with how these ladies disclose their business relationship with Blueprint.  If you think the nature of their relationship taints their opinions on the subject, fine.  Just listen or read what they say and dismiss it.  But there is no reason to constantly harp on the subject of  "payment".

The health related issues are different.  Obviously this is a controversial subject.  

When the talk of colonics and cleanses first started I was very skeptical and distrurbed.  Even now I worry about these girls because there are hints that some of this is could be prior eating disorders morphing into another form.  However, we are only seeing a small portion of their lives so it is unfair to judge them and draw that conclusion.

Regardless, since the original discussion of this, I went through some life changes for health reasons.  I started eating more healthy and limited my lunches to a strictly vegetarian diet (mostly salads).  After a few months, I started to supplement my diet with at least one vegetable or fruit juice a day (similar to the ones Mary's video describe).  I was shocked to discover that these juices filled me up.  Since these dietary changes, I feel really good and have much more energy.

If people do not agree with the idea of juice cleanse, fine.  But at least consider the broader message that most of us would benefit from a little more fruits and vegetables in our diets.  Don't knock it until you try it.

But Mary, may I add? You do seem to eat regularly, you go to restaurants, you cook for yourself, etc. And you look amazing. You seem to be doing it right -- regular exercise, eating healthy. I would advise you to give up the cleanses and the fasts, though, they are simply unnecessary and what you have been told about them by the people who make money selling them is UNTRUE.

But I totally covet your arms! Keep up with the spinning!

Julia says: "We don't get paid by Blueprint, they don't pay us any money." But then she adds, "They give us free juices." 

But wait, don't those two sentences directly contradict each other?

Um, duh, no. Adds Julia indignantly, "But by the way, if we didn't want the free juice it would be of no use to us." Oh good. That clears it all up. Awesome logic Jules. Enjoy Harvard Business school!

1. Could one episode begin without JA's high-decibel braying guffaw? And how is Meghan not deaf? I have tinnitus just from listening to this.

2. JA, with all due respect, if you are juicing why is it having the opposite desired affect on your weight. Does it occur to you you're screwing up your metabolism?

By the way, ladies? With all due respect, NOTHING you say here is true. Not a word. You don't know what you're talking about, and the FDA and the medical and scientific community would dispute just about everything you're saying here.

And another thing: free juices means you are being paid.

Even though you are not directly paid by Blueprint Cleanse, you receive free products from them. That IS a form of payment and if you don't think it is, I'd be curious to know why. 

This episode comes across as a Blueprint/detox infomercial and is very off putting. Your timing is horrible considering that there was an article in the NY Times today basically debunking all the misinformation you're spewing here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/fashion/22skin.html?ref=fashion

I thought you guys were smarter than that.