Fat Sick and Nearly Dead

If you are looking for the ultimate inspiration to change your eating habits, add “Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead” to your must see movie list.  I have seen a lot of movies, and documentaries but nothing left an impact like this film.  That is why I added it to the January challenges.  Sure, watching a movie isn’t exactly a challenge but I promise what you do after you watch the movie will be a challenge.  I watched this movie about three months ago and since then my diet has not been the same.

We have had a juicer at home for about a year and used it on occasion but since this movie we have had juice everyday.  Most days my breakfast consists of a green juice and a little oatmeal.  My girls, almost 2 and 4, both enjoy the juices too and they love to help make the juice.  Shortly after watching the film I decided to do a short juice fast.  For three days nothing but water and homemade juice.  It was only a couple weeks before the NYC Marathon so I did not want to push it and do too many days.  But even after three days everything was different.  I was craving fresh fruits and vegetables, my skin was glowing, and the energy I had was unreal.  I’m not going to say it was a walk in the park, but it was not so bad.  Since then for a couple days every month I have started doing juice “reboots”, as they refer to them in the film.

Not only did this movie inspire me to start juicing, but it has changed the way we look at meals and snacks.  This film made me commit to fruits and vegetables for snacks.  I look to food to fuel the body with nutrition and vitamins, not just eating to eat.  This film will change you and the way you eat.  Even if you have no interest in juicing I would encourage you to watch this film.  You will be inspired.  The film is available on Netflix, and you can rent or buy it on Apple’s iTunes.

There are lots of juicers on the market.  But make sure you do the research before buying.  I have an Omega 8006 juicer, which is a non-centrifugal juicer.  Juicers are either centrifugal or non-centrifugal.  Centrifugal is higher powered, and has a large chute so you do not have to cut down fruit before adding it but there are many advantages to getting the non-centrifugal juicer.  The main reason I choose our juicer was the juice would last longer and contain more nutrients than juice from a centrifugal juicer.  Also, many non-centrifugal juicers have attachments for you to make pasta, and nut butter.  Just be sure you look around and do your research before buying.  What might be best for me may not be the best for you.

You can view the trailer on the website.  Below is the movie synopsis, quoted from the Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead website.

100 pounds overweight, loaded up on steroids and suffering from a debilitating autoimmune disease, Joe Cross is at the end of his rope and the end of his hope. In the mirror he saw a 310lb man whose gut was bigger than a beach ball and a path laid out before him that wouldn’t end well— with one foot already in the grave, the other wasn’t far behind. FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD is an inspiring film that chronicles Joe’s personal mission to regain his health.

With doctors and conventional medicines unable to help long- term, Joe turns to the only option left, the body’s ability to heal itself. He trades in the junk food and hits the road with juicer and generator in tow, vowing only to drink fresh fruit and vegetable juice for the next 60 days. Across 3,000 miles Joe has one goal in mind: To get off his pills and achieve a balanced lifestyle.

While talking to more than 500 Americans about food, health and longevity, it’s at a truck stop in Arizona where Joe meets a truck driver who suffers from the same rare condition. Phil Staples is morbidly obese weighing in at 429 lbs; a cheeseburger away from a heart-attack. As Joe is recovering his health, Phil begins his own epic journey to get well.

What emerges is nothing short of amazing – an inspiring tale of healing and human connection.
Part road trip, part self-help manifesto, FAT, SICK & NEARLY DEAD defies the traditional documentary format to present an unconventional and uplifting story of two men from different worlds who each realize that the only person who can save them is themselves.

The film features a green juice called “Mean Green”.  I love it but I changed it a little so that the little taste buds in the house would love it too!  Hope you are able to give it a try!

All of these fruits and vegetables go into our favorite morning juice!

Even little hands can help make the juice!  My girls help every morning.

And here is our morning juice, adapted from the Mean Green Juice featured in the movie!  It’s the most beautiful green juice you’ve ever seen.

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