It’s bridal season, and with pending nuptials comes the stress, for many brides, to get into tip-top shape for the big day. And while setting up a great training plan and just exercising more helps, we’re all well aware of the fact that one’s diet is the most important thing. However, as busy people, we’re not making the healthiest and smartest decisions when it comes to all the snacking and late-night dinners. But what if not only brides-to-be but busy hustlers who wanted to clean up their diet could have some healthy meals picked up or delivered? That’s possible with Juice Press.
They company offers one, three and five-day cleanses to help you eat better (along with a massive menu of items you can purchase separately). But the good news is that the food sent to you isn’t solely juice or smoothie-based. I had the opportunity to test the three-day plan last week and was quite impressed with the offerings. To be honest, I was given so much healthy and hearty food, by the end of each day, I was stuffed.
You get five different meals and juices each day, which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner and two juices in between afternoon and evening dishes. On Day 1 of my clean eating plan, I had an 11 oz Mini Glo juice (a grapefruit, lemon, and orange blend) followed by the Soul Garden juice blend (celery, cucumber, lemon, and kale with freshwater algae) as my “snack” juice. For lunch I had a packed protein salad and the Fountain of Youth smoothie (coconut water, banana, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, hemp protein, agave, coconut oil). My second juice “snack” of the day was the Doctor Green (red apple, pineapple, kale, lemon, ginger, proviotic), which was delicious. And for dinner, I was stuffed by the time I had to down the delectable Egyptian red lentil soup and its accompanying raw ravioli salad. Did I mention that was just the first day?
Day 2 and 3 included everything from raw oatmeal (steel cut oat, cashew, date, coconut oil, vanilla, sea salt) for breakfast, roasted veggie salads with squash, cauliflower, carrot, pumpkin seed, kale and more for lunch, butternut squash soup and protein-rich sushi for dinner, and more nourishing smoothies, including Love at First Sight (kale, spinach, lemon, green apple, proviotic) and Greens + Earth (kale, cucumber, celery, pineapple, Swiss chard, lemon, dandelion, parsley, ginger, proviotic, red apple).
The average caloric intake for each day was less than 1510 calories, way under what I allot myself every day. But the best thing about the clean eating plan was the fact that I could end each day knowing for sure that I’d obtained the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables and completely went without processed foods. It’s the perfect option not only for brides, but anyone looking to reset their diet or try out different fasts. And with a blend of soups, salads, puddings and juices/smoothies, you get variety while never going hungry.
And may we add that even the dressings are amazing? You haven’t lived until you’ve had scallion vinaigrette on your salad!
With these plans, a personal concierge helps to customize your daily meals based on your tastes and dietary restrictions. You can arrange to pick up your meals from the very many pickup locations. There are spots all over New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut. And if you’ve really got it, delivery can be arranged.
As for the costs, which I know you’ve been waiting for, a one-day plan is $60, while a three-day plan with five meals for each is $183.98 and a five-day plan is $304.98. I know that might sound like a very high price, but it’s worth investing in for a few days for good health’s sake. Plus, if you buy lunch and dinner in one day, in some cases, that can be more than $60. And for fresh fruits and vegetables made with the finest ingredients, that’s not as bad as you think.
In the end, I can say that sticking to the three-day cleanse was tough (I started my period and just wanted to eat all the sugar and salt I could, child), but it was worthwhile. I walked away feeling lighter, cleaner within, and inspired to include all the veggies I can in my diet. The foods are delicious and hearty, and they push you a step closer to consuming more foods that are actually good for your body. And whether you’re preparing for a wedding or just looking to start fresh to reach a personal goal, a little help from Juice Press can go a long way.
