[This is the second post in the series about my stay at the Hippocrates Health Institute in Florida. The three-week Life Transformation Program is a multi-faceted detox (with raw, vegan food, lectures, treatments, classes and psychotherapy) designed to improve your health overall. Disclaimer: these posts reflect my own impression and opinion of the program; I was not compensated in any way, financial or otherwise, to write these reviews, and I participated as a paying guest just like everyone else there. I hope you enjoy this insider’s look into the program and institute! For the first installment about the place overall and general philosophy, see this post; for the final installment that covers treatments and ultimate results, see this post.]
[Part of the organic garden at Hippocrates, where much of the food is grown on site.]
George Bernard Shaw once wrote, “There is no love sincerer than the love of food.” I always thought that George was talking directly to me (well, until I met The HH and Girls, of course. Now I have a most sincere love for them. . . and food.). But George, a vegetarian for most of his life, clearly knew a thing or two about my human nature.
When I looked back and assessed my eating habits over the years, it became clear that I loved the idea of food more than the food itself. Otherwise, why would I have spent so many years eating things like Little Debbie Swiss Rolls, Pringles, Betty Crocker frostings, “chocolatey” bars or other pseudo-foods? It’s only since I started eating a whole-foods, anti-candida and sugar-free diet that I’ve begun to truly appreciate what good food tastes like.
I think that’s why, given the predominant role that sweet foods have had in my life, I was perhaps a tad apprehensive about adopting the 100% raw, vegan diet for three weeks at Hippocrates (and, if I wanted to really follow the Institute’s directives, the rest of my life). At the least, I assumed it would be challenging.
[How we started each day: lemon (and lime) water.]
As I mentioned last time, I was determined to see if a serious detox like this one would impact my intractable candida symptoms, so there was no question about whether I’d stick with the regimen while there. And besides, with all meals included in the program–and nowhere else to go within walking distance–I was kind of stuck for alternatives in any case.
The Hippocrates diet is designed based on solid scientific research, and it certainly made a lot of sense to me. The diet is 100% raw, vegan, organic. However, for those of you who may already follow great raw blogs, Hippocrates version of “raw” is not quite the same as what you may be used to–or even the same as what may be considered “raw foods” at most raw restaurants in the city (think of the raw blueberry pancakes at Live Food Bar, or raw crepes at Doug McNish’s Open Kitchen).
In fact, from what I gleaned from lectures by Hippocrates’ director Brian Clement, their diet would probably be even more simple (with fewer “fancy” dishes made of combined ingredients) if he had his druthers. But, like Shaw, the folks at Hippocrates understand our taste buds’ love affair with food–as well as the fact that switching to 100% raw is already a huge shift for people–so they accommodate our established tastes and appetites enough that the transition isn’t painful, In fact, it was downright enjoyable.
The Hippocrates Diet: Condensed Version.
In a rush? Here’s the (highly) condensed version:
Wheatgrass juice. Green juice. Sprouts. Green juice. Sprouts. Wheatgrass juice.
Done! That’s it for the day; you can go to sleep now.
The Hippocrates Diet: Expanded Version.
Got a little more time? Here’s the expanded version:
Early morning drink: lemon water (fresh lemon juice squeezed into water)
Morning drink (before 9:30 AM): Wheatgrass juice #1
10:00 AM: Green juice (16 ounces/480 ml)
12:30-2:00 PM (drop in when you can between appointments, lectures, etc): Lunch (consists of a huge buffet of sprouts, vegetables, herbs, dulse chips, olives and one or two “happy dishes”–ie, fancier, mixed raw vegan dishes like Caesar Salad, Nutmeat Tacos, Pizza, Creamy Broccoli-Wasabi Salad [similar to this one] etc.). You’re welcome to pile your plate as high as you like or return for seconds, or thirds, etc.
4:00 PM: Green juice #2 (16 ounces/480 ml)
Late day or early evening: Wheatgrass juice #2 (2 ounces/30 ml)
5:30-7:00 PM: Dinner (same as lunch, with different “happy dishes”).
Throughout the day between meals: tea, water
Okay, now you can go to sleep, too.
[Special treat on fasting day: young raw coconut water.]
Specific Components of the Diet:
Raw: If you’re familiar with proponents of a raw food diet, you’ve likely heard that raw foods contain enzymes that aid in the food’s digestion. In theory, this would offer our bodies an energy savings, since they wouldn’t have to produce their own enzymes to break the foods down; in that case, the energy the body would have spent on digestion can be directed instead toward maintenance and repair (things like fighting cancer or other toxic invaders).
Hippocrates believes that the healthiest foods are vegan and raw, so that’s what’s served almost exclusively every day. Exceptions are Sunday night dinner (which happens to be the first meal for all new arrivals each week; this way, the transition from cooked to raw is made easier) and very occasionally during the week (such as when we were served steamed artichokes and dolmades, or rice-stuffed grape leaves, as a special holiday meal while I was there). The Institute advocates sprouting or soaking your nuts, seeds, legumes and grains as well (even if you plan to cook them later), in order to render them more easily digestible.
[One of several machines where guests could juice their own wheatgrass shots during the day.]
Wheatgrass: Most of us interested in healthy eating have likely heard that wheatgrass juice is good for you (though it may not always be good for those with celiac–thanks, Shirley, for pointing that out in the last post!). Wheatgrass juice is not only nutrient-packed and a potent alkalizer and detoxifier (it can remove heavy metals from the body), but it also increases red blood cell count and strengthens the immune system. I actually really enjoy the taste of fresh wheatgrass juice (very “green” with a slight sweetness), but I know that some people have trouble with it. In those cases, you can combine it with other veggie juices if necessary.
Hippocrates grows their own organic wheatgrass, which is delivered fresh every few hours to the “Juice Bar,” a small building equipped with five industrial-strength wheatgrass juicers, a large fridge in which to store the grass and containers and utensils so that guests can juice their own whenever it’s convenient for them during the day (and the Institute’s greenhouse manager, Brian Hetrich, provides various tutorials during the week). The juice bar turned out to be a bit of a social hub, too, as conversations about the day’s lectures and events, or how the “implants” (wheatgrass enemas) were going, ensued with whomever happened to be in the building when you arrived to juice your own drink. (Yes, you got that right: people in detox programs end up talking about lots of poop and bum-related topics without any inhibitions at all!)
[The “Juice Bar”–where all the action happened!]
Hippocrates touts their wheatgrass as the sweetest you will run across, and I did find that to be true–so much so that it began to taste a bit too sweet toward the end of the visit. Eventually, I had to combine it with the daily green juices to render it palatable. I was grateful to return to my familiar market-bought brand of the grass when I got home and found that I still like that one as much as I did before I left (yay!). I may try to grow my own at some point, but for now (and given my often less than stellar attempts in the garden), I’ll put that endeavor on hold. In the meantime, I’m buying fresh wheatgrass from my local store and using that.
[Fresh, nutrient-dense green juice delivered twice a day. Drink as much as you like!]
Green Juice: According to Clement, after researching nutritional qualities of all possible raw vegan foods, he included those with the highest nutritional values in the green juice, which is served twice daily. It’s a highly alkalizing, nutritionally balanced drink comprised of sprouts, cucumber and celery and had a surprisingly pleasant, slightly sweet taste that was very satisfying. On many occasions, my afternoon drink could easily have stood in for an entire meal in my mind, and I found myself much less hungry at dinnertime than I was used to.
Lunch/Dinner: As with the juice, sprouts are a cornerstone of the meals at Hippocrates. The lunch and dinner buffets were almost identical, beginning with a huge selection of sprouts (and also, there are more sprouts. Followed by some additional sprouts, alongside a bunch of sprouts and finally, a few more varieties of sprouts); an array of cut fresh veggies; sea vegetables (in the form of rather addictive dulse chips); plus one or two “happy dishes” (special recipes that emulated more familiar cooked fare, like pizza or tacos).
Why are sprouts so integral? It’s been stated that sunflower sprouts are the most nutritious food on the planet, high in protein and containing all essential amino acids as well as almost every other nutrient known to humans. So, it makes sense that juicing these, you’d get not only your vitamins, minerals, Omega fatty acids and fiber, but also a great source of protein. In addition, juice is a concentrated form of nutrition that’s easiest to digest. Combine that juice twice a day with solid food (which includes more sprouts), and your body will be not only well nourished, but also primed to fight illness as well.
What did it taste like? Was I hungry all the time?
When I first learned about the diet, in all honesty, I was a little concerned. How was this nut butter-loving, raw cacao-eating, smoothie-guzzling, Amy’s chili-slurping gal going to get along eating this way? Wouldn’t I be ravenous all the time?
Well. . . . I have to be honest with y’all. On Wednesdays (when we followed a liquid fast), I did find myself more hungry than usual at dinnertime (when we had soup). But here’s a shocking admission: I did not crave sugar or other sweets at all during the entire three weeks–not once. Seriously. In fact, it was surprisingly easy to stay on the diet (and believe me, I never skimped on my servings)! The food was fresh, flavorful and abundant, and it was a pleasure to eat.
Here are some examples of my meals:
[A sampling of the meals, clockwise from large photo: Avocado Day with some spicy, creamy broccoli salad at front of plate; gorgeous fresh sprouts and sugar snap peas taking the top spot; curried zucchini salad at the left and bright fuschia sauerkraut on the right; pizza night (that’s raw pizza on the right of the plate!); our semi-cooked Greek dinner with stuffed grape leaves, raw hummus and raw corn on the cob (to die for); and a sprout-full plate with just a bit of raw zucchini “pasta” and marinara sauce on the left. ]
The menus also followed proper food combining principles, which can be very useful to improve digestion. If you’re not familiar with food combining, here’s a good review. And while they’re not by any means anti-oil (we were served avocados 2 days a week and nut dishes 2 days a week), the meals were prepared with a minimum of added oils. And dessert? Only once a week, as a special treat on Saturdays (and yes, we all lined up for seconds of those!).
Another reason the food was so enjoyable, I believe, was the relaxed atmosphere during mealtimes. We were encouraged to take our time while dining, to socialize, unwind, converse–all terrific ways to improve digestion and enhance your body’s ability to extract maximum nutrition from the food you eat.
Can you follow this diet for life? Is it practical–or necessary?
What made the diet so easy to follow, of course, was the fact that all the meals were prepared for us by the Hippocrates chef, Ken Blue (another one of the incredible staff at the place), plus the sheer variety of ingredients. I forgot to take a photo of the buffet, but it was a massive table heaped with a dozen (yes, dozen) types of sprouts, including both bean and leafy sprouts like sunflower or pea shoots; platters of raw veggies, from asparagus spears to cucumber slices to radishes to fresh corn on the cob (if you’re never tasted raw corn on the cob, you are truly missing out!); to those yummy dulse chips and olives for a salt hit; and any “happy dishes.” Clearly, I’m not able to prepare that many items, or that varied a menu, at home.
I’ve been trying to maintain a diet of 70% raw and 30% cooked now that I’m back home, which is eminently doable; knowing some of the restrictions we face in the “real world,” Hippocrates recommends a diet of 80% raw and 20% cooked to many guests (though for guests with serious illness, the recommendation is to remain 100% raw).
[A typical green juice at home. I’m still juicing daily. . . . but it can be a challenge.]
A raw (or mostly raw) diet that continues to follow these principles religiously can be challenging for many people once they return home, especially those of us in a cold climate like Toronto’s winter. For me, though, the greatest challenge isn’t the climate, but the cost factor. My first juice at home, made from organic sunflower sprouts, organic cucumber and organic celery yielded 16 ounces (half the daily recommendation), for a total of $18.25 (and you can bet I consumed every last drop at that price). Unless I grow my own sprouts (not practical at the moment), the cost would be prohibitive (and another reason why I’d love to live in a warmer climate). My compromise for now is to juice other vegetables with fewer sunflower sprouts added while I try to source wholesale ingredients. I do sprout my own seeds and legumes, since those can be done in jars on the kitchen counter.
Is this a weight loss diet?
Hippocrates does not promote their diet as a weight-loss regime; it is a healthy, alkalizing, detoxing diet designed to help people heal. That said, many people did lose weight on the diet.
So. . . did I lose weight? (I know you were dying to ask but were just being polite). While my intention at Hippocrates was not to lose weight, I did end up losing a comfortable seven pounds while on the program (considered a very healthy weight loss at just over two pounds/one kilogram per week). One of my male friends during my stay (who also exercised several times a day) lost 20 pounds in two weeks (incredible, but not optimal). The average resident with whom I spoke lost between nine to ten pounds. But again, it all depends on how much you eat while there.
As I said, I didn’t find the diet difficult to follow while there, but I’m accustomed to eating a low-sugar diet (they didn’t allow fruit for most people on the program). And the health results? I’ll get into that next time!
Now, over to you. . . .
What’s your experience with a raw, vegan diet, or detoxing in general? Have you ever had a hard time giving up fruit or sugars? Share your experiences in the comments! And if you’re considering a stay at Hippocrates, feel free to email me at ricki@rickiheller.com and I’ll be happy to chat more about my experience, too.
Looking to clean up your diet? I’m currently working on guidelines for a kitchen “sugar flush”–how to make the transition from sugar-filled to sugar-free, with natural and healthier sweeteners, in your kitchen. So stay tuned!
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I’ve never had wheatgrass – the idea has always seemed weird – which is perhaps weird as I don’t mind spinach in smoothies – but the place does sound quite amazing – I quite like sprouts and the idea of a laden buffet of good food. I did find my jaw hitting the ground when I read how much your smoothie cost at home. I hope you find some good solutions that work for you.
I know, juicing GRASS does seem a bit weird, doesn’t it? 😉 And yes, that’s with tubs of organic sunflower sprouts. I used to buy them all the time, but one tub would last a week–putting two full tubs into one juice was a bit of a shock. And now I also know I need a new juicer–one that works to extract more of that juice!!
Hi there,
Sounds like a great experience! I would love to do this someday. I’m vegan and addicted to sweet ( I don’t bake or cook with white sugar, though) so this would be quite a challenge for me going without,or minimal, fruit. I have a juicer that is about…25 years old. Bought it when my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer and was juicing carrot juice and other veggies. I would be curious to know what you have learned about selecting a juicer and which one extracts juices the best.
thanks
Thanks, Connie! I’m also vegan and addicted to sweet–so if I could do it, you definitely can, too! I’m not too thrilled with my own juicer at the moment (it’s a Hurom slow juicer and totally not equipped for wheatgrass or greens, so it takes forever to juice those and then clean it), but the one I’m after next, and the one most recommended at Hippocrates, is the Omega. I used to have a Greenstar and it was also great! And do let me know if you’re interested in going to Hippocrates–I’d be happy to chat more about the experience with you. 🙂
I am loving these write-ups, Ricki! I have begun juicing just in the past month or so and while I am finding it surprisingly easy and filling, living in Japan means that my ingredients are often … unique. It’s hard to know what’s organic here (I just cross my fingers, wash thoroughly and go!) and I sometimes end up substituting vegetables. (Holy cow is celery pricey here.) Let’s just say that daikon makes one heck of a spicy juice! Can’t wait to read the results/health benefits of your stay. Stumbled across your site last year in a health crisis and it is one I click on DAILY now. Thanks for all you do and share with us!
Thank you so much, Mandy–so glad you’re enjoying the write-ups! I think we all do a variation of what you describe–ie, the best we can. I’m going to have to dry daikon in a juice now, though! 😉
Loving these posts, Ricki! I’ve shared with several friends who have been there or are fighting candida! Well wishes to you!
Thanks so much, Lauren! Glad you’re enjoying the series. And thanks for sharing! 🙂
This is not dissimilar from the diet I was eating during my time as a much higher raw foodie! So yes, I do have some experience.
As far as practicality goes, it’s an interesting question. In my early raw days–the “raw honeymoon,” as I call it–I defined a “practical” diet as something I could prepare and enjoy and feel satisfied with. And for the record, I really *did* feel satisfied by the foods I ate during that time period, always-. Today, however, I define a “practical” diet as one I can make and enjoy and feel satisfied with, but also a diet that I can take out into real life. This means being able to say “yes” to an invitation to sip soy lattes and eat vegan treats at a cafe with a friend, or to go to a party and enjoy whatever’s vegan (be it crudites or pita chips), being able to dine in restaurants without scouring the menu for salad options, and being able to be in romantic relationships and make food that’s fun and exciting for both me and my partner. I couldn’t really sustain the kind of ultra green, ultra raw diet I used to eat while consistently saying “yes” to all of the stuff I just described. So in the end, I don’t deem that diet practical. It’s also worth saying that the almost entirely raw diet (70-90%) didn’t actually make me my healthiest; I felt super energetic, but I had difficulty gaining weight and maintaining a regular menstrual cycle (a common complaint for women on mostly raw diets), and the more I studied nutrition, the more evidence I found to support the notion that strict raw or high raw diets aren’t necessarily ideal.
For all of these reasons, my diet has changed. But it’s worth saying that the kinds of foods you describe in this post are still the foods I naturally love and crave, perhaps more than any others! Raw food is the bomb, and it’ll always play a significant role in the way I eat, if for no other reason than that it delights me.
Thanks for sharing, Gena! I knew you didn’t eat 100% raw any longer, but I wasn’t sure how much cooked food you do enjoy now. And I totally agree about the practicality of it (or lack thereof). With my candida diet, I find it’s very similar when I go out with friends or go to social events. I do have to scour th menu for options I can have (and often have to ask for something special). I loved eating 100% raw at Hippocrates, but I do find it a challenge now that I’m back, and I’m not entirely sure that I want my diet to be completely raw. The 70-30 split is working so far, but if that changes, I’m okay with a higher percentage of cooked foods.
I ate 100% raw for nine months, lost over 40 pounds, and never felt better. Alas, as a wife and mother of six meat eating children, real life won and I have gained back most of the weight. I have been cooked vegan to two years but am not seeing the same benefits. I’m still trying to find a balance. As an aside, I have read that wheatgrass shoots are gluten free. Sprouts are not.
http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/everydaymedicalissues/f/Are-Wheat-Grass-And-Barley-Grass-Gluten-Free.htm
Thank you, Kathleen! I know how “real life” can impinge on this kind of thing (and also how easy it is to gain back weight). Did you change the types of ingredients you had when you started eating cooked foods? I’m wondering why you might not see the same benefits with a healthy vegan diet, even if cooked? And thanks for the info re: the shoots vs sprouts–makes good sense! 🙂
Fascinating Ricki. I love sprouts and can thankfully buy them locally grown at our farmer’s market. I do like making them with the kids every now and then, but I make enough every day so it’s nice to outsource sometimes, I am sure you feel the same way since our diets are similar! So you’re not eating many grains then, it sounds like? And have you re-introduced stevia? I’m excited to hear about the health benefits too. Thank you for sharing all of this!
Thanks, Maggie! I can get organic sprouts here at the market, too, but they are almost the same price as at the health food store. I would need about 1.5-2 pounds a day to cover both the juice and the meals–about $30/day just for sprouts. That’s just beyond my budget right now! They do use grains (but sprouted) a couple times a week, but no, I’ve been eating only sprouted quinoa and buckwheat (and not too often). Stevia is Hippocrates-approved, too, so I certainly haven’t given that up! I am finding it a bit hard to come up with the variety I’d like, though. As I said, depending on how I feel, I’ll adjust accordingly. 🙂
Ricki,
I love reading all about your experience. It sounds truly transformational, and just the break that you needed after working so hard on your books (along with everything else you do!). I’m so glad you got to enjoy such a wonderful experience. I feel like I’m living a little vicariously through you!
Glad to know you’re able to have some vicarious satisfaction from this, Kim! 😀
Thanks so much for sharing your experience at Hippocrates, Ricki. It was really interesting to read and gave some new inspiration for veggie dishes! I attended Fresh Start on Vancouver Island and followed a similar raw vegan juicing regime for 5 days. Felt amazing afterwards, we also incorporated salt water cleansing, wheatgrass workshops, daily walks, infrared saunas, etc…I’d love to do it again but they are expensive retreats!
Agreed, Dana! I wish I could go there regularly, but right now that’s not in the cards. I think there’s a lot to be said for that kind of atmosphere in general, as it allows you to examine so many things about your health and life that you simply don’t have time for otherwise. Your retreat sounds great, too!
This is so interesting! I love sunflower sprouts. I’ve tried to go 100% raw a few times, but like you say cost is a huge factor, and I just couldn’t justify spending the amount I would need to. I settle for a nice balance of raw/cooked foods.
I agree, Lauren, unless there are mitigating or motivating circumstances (wealth, illness, or you’re a farmer), it can be very challenging! I’m going to see how the grocery budget turns out this month and then reassess. 😉
I’m also really enjoying reading about your Hippocrates experience, Ricki. My issue is genetic early cartilage degeneration of my hips, which I’m not sure can be fixed by diet, but I do notice my health is much better by keeping to a mostly vegan, high raw diet. I did search the Hippocrates site for info & a comment by Dr. Clement seemed to confirm this. Anyway I am loving the inspiration for meal prep. What caught my attention in this post is the ‘creamy broccoli’. Am guessing the chef used a cashew cream……..what do you think? Will be eagerly awaiting the next post:)!
Gail, it’s such a highly detoxifying diet (and alkalizing diet) that it likely improves many conditions! No cashews at Hippocrates–they use macadamia nuts for creamy sauces. 😉
That sounds like such an amazing program! I think you hit the nail on the head though – what is feasible at home? Would love to know any money-saving tips you learn on this journey!
Will let you (and everyone) know, Alisa! I’m sourcing out sprouts at the moment. . . 🙂
I didn’t read through all of the comments, so this may have already been asked and addressed, but why not fruit? I understand your candida issue, but why isn’t fruit offered for most people (curious because I don’t buy into the fruit is evil sugar theory). I’m also surprised at the use of oil and higher fat content of the diet in general. And salt/cured olives?! Interesting…
Growing your own sprouts is insanely easy! It takes maybe 5 minutes a day to have a few trays going – says the person with a brown (black?) thumb! I eat plants; I don’t grow them, but I’ve had great success with sprouting. I think soaking and sprouting nuts, seeds, beans/legumes, lentils, etc takes WAY more time than grown sprouts 🙂
I’m really enjoying your posts regarding your stay at the Institute, especially since I followed your stay on IG 🙂 I would love to visit! But…I think I’d end up frustrated over diet and theory that I don’t agree with 😉
Veronica, there *were* a few people there who had fruit. Even for healthy people, Hippocrates limits fruits, though, partly because of proper food combining (which says you’re not supposed to mix fruit with other foods), and partly because many of their guests have very serious illnesses like cancer, and for a detox, it’s believed that they will get better faster if they avoid all sugars. It’s not a high fat diet by any means, though–most of the dishes are just vegetables. I think the olives were a concession to people’s existing tastes (many of them coming from fast-food diets), since no salt is added to any of the Hippocrates recipes. But that’s just my impression–I can’t speak for the directors of the institute, of course!! 😉
And glad to hear that growing sprouts is quick/easy. I may just give it a try this summer–I so miss those fresh sunflower sprouts!
It’s interesting about Hippocrates, because I think I’m more “moderate” in my real life than I was there (I saw it as a detox diet), but I do know that lots of the people I met there were determined to keep it going after they left. I didn’t find it frustrating, though, as it was so easy to stick with it while there, and everyone was so accepting of dissenting opinions (we had a lot of very lively discussions among the guests). And thanks so much for the comment–so glad that you’re enjoying the series! 🙂
Hi Ricki,
I want to thank you for your very detailed and vivid description of your stay at Hippocrates. As I will probably be going myself soon, this was exactly what I was looking for!
Kind regards,
Stine
Thanks so much, Stine! Best of luck during your own visit there. I hope you get as much out of the experience as I did! 🙂
Thank you very much, Ricki! 🙂 I hope so too – looking to heal my Rheumatoid Arthritis. Do you recall if there were any visitors suffering from RA during your stay? And if yes, did they improve?
Yes, and yes. One woman had long-term pain that literally almost disappeared during her stay. That said, it’s not going to happen for everyone! Some people improved more, some less. But I think everyone benefitted from the experience psychologically no matter what. 🙂
Thanks for the answer! Yeah there’s never any guarantees, but I think so far this is one of the best options we have 🙂 And of course it’ll be an unforgettable experience.
Enjoy it! And come back to let me know how it went! 🙂
Thanks, that’s very sweet of you! I will 😀
This sounds like it was an amazing experience and I, too, would love nothing more than to do this someday. I apologize if this has already been asked, and I’ve just missed it, but I was wondering if you noted what juicers and/or blenders they use down there?
Thanks again for sharing and your account from your experience was absolutely incredible.
Warm Regards,
Christine
Hi Christine, Thanks so much! Yes, it was truly a life-changing experience. 🙂 The juicer they recommend is the Omega (I’m not sure which number–but they are all good). They also use a VitaMix blender, which is what I myself have at home. It was a big investment, but I’ve had mine now for over 5 years, and I love it. And their customer service is fabulous (when mine broke, they repaired it for free and they paid for all the shipping, too).
Thanks Ricki!
I plan on getting a Vitamix and I’ve heard great things about Omega juicers, so that is on the list. You said they use Vitamix, so do they use Omega there also?
As far as I know, they do use the Omegas (I never actually saw them preparing the green juices). And the staff all recommend it as well. 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Have a great day!!
I’m reading one of your HHI articles per day, and LOVING the thoroughness of your reviews! I may not wind up with ANY questions by the time I’m done reading!
Reading your posts has got my husband and I even more excited for my upcoming stay at HHI! He wants to go now! But the cost is too much for him to go with me. 🙁
I’m insanely excited about the diet, and not at all nervous – surprisingly enough. Especially after reading what you had to say about it. Ehhh, you know what? Actually, I may be a little nervous about the fasting day, considering that I have some Hypoglycemia symptoms still lingering. But doing intermittent fasting last year actually helped me to relieve a lot of the symptoms – even though fasting it isn’t recommended for Hypoglycemics. I like to push the envelope, though. Hahaha.
Sprouting has been on my “health to-do” list for almost 2 years now, so I think I might try to get started with growing some of my own before I go. I’ll let my hubs research that. Haha. 🙂
Thanks again – I can’t wait to read the final post in this series tomorrow!!!!!!! You’re the bees, Ricki! I’m feeling so motivated and inspired. 🙂 🙂
Glad your questions are being answered, Rachael! 🙂 And re: the fasting, they don’t require people who have blood sugar issues to fast (or skip breakfast). So no worries–they will alter/adapt the diet to suit YOU. I have been sprouting sometimes since I got back, but I’m doing the “easy” kind (legumes/chickpeas, etc) in a special sprouter that makes it really easy. I haven’t ventured to the “grown in soil” type yet, though! 😉
I would love to do this diet as I have just been diagnosed with Candida. Currently I am seeing a nathopath.
I found it very helpful, Renee! Worth the investment, for me. Not everyone has the same results, though–so please do your research first. 🙂
Could this diet help someone with Parkinson’s disease??
Judy, you’d have to ask the folks at Hippocrates. I’d give them a call–they are very kind and helpful!
Hi Ricki,
I enjoyed reading your posts about your stay at HH. You mentioned a broccoli salad with creamy dressing. Did they give you the recipe so that you could make it at home?
Hi Cheryl,This is similar to the recipe I’m referring to. There should have been a link–will add it!
Great article! Thank you. Any chance you have recipes for their mock tuna salad or mock Caesar salad?
Thanks, Teresa! I don’t have their recipes, but I do have these: Mock Tuna (not 100% raw with the chickpeas); Mock Caesar Dressing. Hope those help. 🙂
I have been juicing celery, but it is getting harder to find decent organic celery for under $5. I went back to green leafy juice and carrot juice. I am going to add sunflower sprouts and pea shoots. I am not sure, but I didn’t see fruit mentioned.
Marcy, they don’t use fruit (except lemon/avocado or the occasional berries) at Hippocrates. I generally do include half a green apple in my own green juices. 🙂
Hi Patty, we didn’t have any fruits, really, except berries perhaps once a week. And no, the diet is very low in added fats. I think you might be confusing carbs with sugars–all vegetable matter contains carbohydrates that are converted to sugar in the body, which is used for energy. And almost all foods contain natural fats. So we had nuts once a week, coconut once a week, and mostly vegetables and sprouts the rest of the time. This is sufficient for the body. I wouldn’t personally consume this diet 100% of the time forever, but it was a perfect cleansing, healing and nourishing diet for me while I was there. Hope that helps!
Why does sugar get the blame for everything, the brain runs on sugar. Carbs are godly for the body if you have a strong digestive system.
Not sure where you got the idea that I’m blaming sugar for everything. It didn’t work for me. The entire diet at Hippocrates was composed of almost exclusively, carbs. And I didn’t even have a strong digestive system!