12-Step Hero’s Juice Journey

12-Step Hero’s Juice Journey

My husband has been talking a lot lately about the hero’s journey. I’ve been thinking about what kind of food we need to make that journey. We’re all on a journey through life.  Some of us are sick and in the fight of our life. Some of us have a few problems, but nothing major. Others just want to lose some weight and have more energy. No matter where we are, fresh juice and raw foods can help us on our journey.

The 12 stages are:

1. THE ORDINARY WORLD.  The hero, uneasy, uncomfortable or unaware, is introduced sympathetically so the audience can identify with the situation or dilemma.  The hero is shown against a background of environment, heredity, and personal history.  Some kind of polarity in the hero’s life is pulling in different directions and causing stress. Whatever else is pulling you, calling you, live food is calling you too. With it, you can make the journey.
2. THE CALL TO ADVENTURE.  Something shakes up the situation, either from external pressures or from something rising up from deep within, so the hero must face the beginnings of change. Here’s the point where you decide you can’t go on without the LIFE that raw juice gives.
3. REFUSAL OF THE CALL.  The hero feels the fear of the unknown and tries to turn away from the adventure, however briefly.  Alternately, another character may express the uncertainty and danger ahead. Your family may try to persuade you to eat the way you do. They may express concern about not getting enough protein or just have fun and eat the burger or the cake with everyone else.
4. MEETING WITH THE MENTOR.  The hero comes across a seasoned traveler of the worlds who gives him or her training, equipment, or advice that will help on the journey.  Or the hero reaches within to a source of courage and wisdom. I’m here to mentor you. I have many classes you can sign up for. I will lead you on your journey to divine health and to creating the energy you need for your journey.
5. CROSSING THE THRESHOLD. At the end of Act One, the hero commits to leaving the Ordinary World and entering a new region or condition with unfamiliar rules and values. This is your moment to decide you will have a new lifestyle. I will no longer include the old foods. It will be centered around juices, green smoothies, and more raw foods.
6. TESTS, ALLIES, AND ENEMIES.  The hero is tested and sorts out allegiances in the Special World. This is the point where you find a supportive community that wants to eat and juice the way you do. You encourage each other. This may start with one of my groups and the people you meet on Facebook.
7. APPROACH. The hero and newfound allies prepare for the major challenge in the Special world. You prepare for the challenges you will face on getting organic food, healthy juices, eating out and making time to prepare your juices.
8. THE ORDEAL.  Near the middle of the story, the hero enters a central space in the Special World and confronts death or faces his or her greatest fear.  Out of the moment of death comes a new life. This may entail your fight for life if you have a disease such as cancer. Or it may be the death of your old way of life. It’s the point of letting go.
9. THE REWARD.  The hero takes possession of the treasure won by facing death.  There may be celebration, but there is also the danger of losing the treasure again. You find the treasure of good health, more energy or a feeling of high-level well-being. The danger is considering this a cure or a special diet used to achieve a goal. You are tempted then to return to your old lifestyle.
10. THE ROAD BACK.  About three-fourths of the way through the story, the hero is driven to complete the adventure, leaving the Special World to be sure the treasure is brought home.  Often a chase scene signals the urgency and danger of the mission. This is the point where the demons of bad foods chase you down. They want to drag you back to what ages you, makes you sick or steals for energy and living foods that make you feel ALIVE.
11. THE RESURRECTION.  At the climax, the hero is severely tested once more on the threshold of home.  He or she is purified by a last sacrifice, another moment of death and rebirth, but on a higher and more complete level.  By the hero’s action, the polarities that were in conflict at the beginning are finally resolved. YOU FINALLY DEDICATE YOURSELF TO THE JUICING LIFESTYLE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. If you cheat or fall off our course, you get right back on track. You’re a hero.
12. RETURN WITH THE ELIXIR.  The hero returns home or continues the journey, bearing some element of the treasure that has the power to transform the world as the hero has been transformed. YOU RETURN TO YOUR COMMUNITY WITH PASSION ABOUT JUICING AND EATING THE LIFE-GIVING DIET. You are committed to helping others find their path to life. You share your journey with others who need a mentor. YOU ARE DETERMINED TO NEVER, EVER GIVE UP! You are on a mission to help others as well as yourself.

The 12-step journey is adapted from  http://www.thewritersjourney.com/hero%27s_journey.htm

MINTY GREEN DELIGHT

• 1 avocado, peeled, seeded, and cut in quarters
• 1 cup raw spinach
• 1/2 English cucumber, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1/2. cup coconut milk
• 2.Tbsp. fresh lime juice (1 lime, juiced)
• 1 Tbsp. green powder of choice (optional)
• 2–3 Tbsp. ground almonds (optional)

Combine all ingredients except almonds in a blender and blend until smooth. Sprinkle ground almonds on top, as desired. Serves 2.

From Souping is the New Juicing