The bevvie lady is coming in hot again. Summer style, today.

A few weeks ago, I was chatting with one my friends about how neither one of us will ever do a juice cleanse again, in our lives.

We died laughing. Nooooope. It’s the worst.

It’s so intense and extreme. And you don’t really feel that great on it, or after. And even if you do feel better– it’s for ONE HOT SECOND. Maybe one day. And it so doesn’t teach you anything about living healthy, in real life.

We both kinda smiled- because truth: at earlier points in our lives, we totally both DID them. We felt like we needed them. To compensate for not really taking care of ourselves like it was a serious job.

(It is).

And, how nice it finally felt to be so over the need for extreme crash visits into healthy land, that don’t do anything except cover up the real issues that are often behind them.

Real issues being: bad or negative relationships to food (swinging wildly back and forth from rigid and on the wagon, to totally off and free-wheeling in whatever-land). To guilt or shame with food.

Or having weird digestive stuff, low grade energy, stress, or any kind of physical bad feeling that comes from not taking care of yourself consistently. Hands raised over here- all of the above have been me at some point.

It’s like taking advil for an headache or slightly inconvenient pain… when the real reason behind it is often deeper inflammation, hormones that are off balance, not being hydrated enough, eating foods that your body doesn’t do well with, or other daily actions, routines or thoughts.

We totally think:  

Mmmm…well that seems like way too big of a problem to actually address….  that means I’d have to change some things…..so let me just take this little thing to cover it up.

You know. The easy way out.

Speaking from my own experience, of course.

That’s exactly when I’d do a juice cleanse, back in the day. For a quick fix… and fine, a little bit of self-punishment too: for being “bad” and not having any willpower to say no to the things I knew I didn’t’ care about, but everyone else was drinking or eating.

To suffer just a little tiny bit, felt better almost.

I say this because, sometimes we think it’s all about the food. Eating perfectly, all the time. Which is great– except if you lead a normal, fun and fulfilling life that isn’t about being perfect all the time.

A life that includes rose at picnics and beautiful cocktails, and bites of great chocolate at the end of the meal, or a burger and fries shared on date night. Little bites of life-giving moments, for sure.

It’s like we think, that if something is good for you, than more of it must be better. EXTREMES. INTENSITY.

Not realizing, this is what’s getting us in trouble to begin with— the mentality even more so than the food itself sometimes.

Like, let’s take fresh juices for example. Organic fresh pressed ones are so good for you. So many nutrients, so much hydration, so many life and energy boosting things about it. But living on only that?

Your body isn’t meant to process massive amounts of it, and it can get your body (and blood sugar) all out of whack.

Same thing with good healthy fat, protein, greens— ANYTHING, really.

It’s why diets suck, and food trends are annoying. Because your body needs a lot of things, casually and low-key and over time. You know, c-a-l-m-l-y. And with a mentality of being in it for the long game, not dumb bursts of hard and fast and intense…..followed by burnout.

So, I think we all need a little more of the mentality of being kind to yourself daily. Full of love, and patience and grace, really.

And eating things that help you do that.

Things that help ground and nourish every part of you, so you can give that back to everyone else around you. Which doesn’t necessarily mean perfection, or intensity, every single time.

And, bonus challenge? Think about this with your thoughts and your actions and your routines too, if you’re up for it. It’s crazy how much the two are related.

Of just eating real food, more often than not. Eating good stuff, as your normal and daily, not in crazy extremes.

And finding more joy in doing exactly that.

So you can be healthy for years and years and years and the rest of your life. Talk about #LIFEGOALS.

So today, I leave you with this mini challenge: what parts of your “healthy” life could you use a little bit less intensity and extremes, and more kindness and consistency instead?

Oo, I can’t wait to hear what they are– leave me a comment or message below, or come tell me on instagram @simplyrealhealth this week.

And to help you get started, how about trying this little diddy out? JUICY OMBRE ICE CUBES.

A little extra hydration and nutrient boost, that you could have fun with daily this summer. Casual juice drinking, at it’s best, and healthiest. And might I say– prettiest too?

JUICY OMBRE ICE CUBES

Makes 24 ice cubes

Notes: You will need at least 12 hours advance warning to make these, so they freeze in layers.

2-3 fresh pressed organic cold juices of your choice in fun colors (I used Juicebox’s cutie ones for this. If you live in Seattle, you have to go!) 

2- 3 silicone ice cube trays (I used this one and this one, both are amazing for healthy cocktail ice cubes and freezing any extra sauces you make throughout the year like pesto or the chimichurri sauce. Hello single serving flavor bombs for any simple meals!)

Directions:

Layer in the first juice, filling 1/3 of the way up in each tray if you are using 3 juices, or 1/2 way up if you are using 2. Freeze for 1-2 hours until solid. Remove from freezer and add second juice, filling another 1/3 or 1/2  way. Freeze for 1-2 hours again until solid. Repeat for the third juice if needed.

When finally frozen, drop cubes to glasses of sparkling water, champagne, or other healthy cocktails of your choice. It’s the best little party trick as it sparkles and dissolves!

Optional to add lemon, lime or orange wedges, ginger, or fresh herbs like mint or basil to garnish. 

If you try this, let me know in the comments below, or over on instagram @simplyrealhealth this week!

Love this recipe? You’d love the cookbook then too. And be sure to check out the seasonal meal plans (or the new easy DINNER ONLY plan)! Wanna know more about this real-food lifestyle made simple I always talk about? Be sure to check out this little podcast workshop I created for you, called: Simply Real FOOD: Real food, finally explained. Check it out here!