Interview by Jen Longtin, PURE Juicer
Our PURE community, made up of vibrant juicers across the globe, are committed to making a difference in their health and the health of others. Our goal is to use these stories as inspiration, and to demonstrate how juicing can help anyone reach new levels of vitality and community.
When we met Erica in 2022, we knew she struggled with auto-immune issues. As a holistic nutritionist who has an inspirational instagram presence (@overcome_autoimmune), she has been quite open about her journey using juicing and raw foods to change her health. We knew that her results had shocked her doctors, but it wasn’t until we did a live with her in October 2022 that we fully understood the role the PURE Juicer had played in the restoration of her health. We are grateful to share her story with you.
Why did you start juicing? Was there a moment in your life or a person in your life that you remember that started your journey with juicing?
After being diagnosed with several autoimmune diseases, my mind began to derail into all the possibilities of death. That became reality when my rheumatologist looked at me and said, “You have the probability of living 6 to 10 more years.”
Depression overcame me: I was now a high-risk patient. Something needed to be done. For years I had suffered from chronic inflammation, flares, swelling, and pain. After being diagnosed with Reynaud’s, irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, polycystic ovarian syndrome, Hashimoto’s, celiac disease, leaky gut, gastritis, erythromelagia, hypermobility, diabetes insipidus, lupus, mixed connective tissue, and suffering from many allergies; I thought I had done everything I could to improve my health. Yet had I?
I began studying and looking more into nutrition.That’s when I stumbled across the ever-so-popular celery juice. That was my first juice!
How long did it take before you noticed the benefits of juicing?
Let me tell you, when I drank that celery juice I felt relief throughout my hands, feet, and face in minutes.
Were there certain juices that have helped you the most when you first started juicing?
Celery juice became a daily requirement for me. I dove in deeper, learning all about juicing and the benefits it had to offer. When we read about carrot juice and green juice, those too became a daily requirement. I continued to struggle with edema, and it wasn’t long before I added cucumber juice to the mix. Then, ginger and turmeric for their anti-inflammatory properties.
How often were you juicing?
I juiced morning and night. My health depended on juice. My body demanded juice.Therefore, I supplied juice.
My husband, Kyle, sacrificed so much of his time, spending hours in the kitchen using our little juicer. I was consuming all kinds of fruits and vegetables, knowing it was the gateway to health. Our refrigerator looked as though it belonged in a juicery!
What led you to try the PURE Juicer?
In 2021, I became scared when I realized my weight had plummeted to 79 pounds. I couldn’t understand–even with all the juicing, I was becoming more and more dehydrated. So I kept juicing.
When my beautiful family friend, Michelle Cunningham, asked me to pay her a visit in Florida and stay a while, she had no idea of my current condition. Once I arrived, she was petrified at my appearance. She then saw how much work I was putting into juicing, day in and out. Kyle wasn’t there to help me, and at the time, I wouldn’t let anyone else help. It was my issue, and therefore, I thought I needed to “pay the price” and get it done. I knew some people thought all that juice was unnecessary, but I knew God was telling me to keep going. So, I did.
Michelle’s heart was filled with compassion as she watched me juice nearly 200 ounces of juice daily on my little juicer. She thought there has to be an easier way. One day, while in Orlando, we walked into a juice bar called Clean Juice and beheld a beautiful sight: a commercial juicer! Michelle quickly inquired about it, but to our disappointment, we learned it was a centrifugal juicer. However, the seed had been planted: she began researching juicers and soon she came across the one and only PURE Juicer!
Joy and excitement filled her soul as she became eager to give the PURE Juicer to me as a gift. Her joy and excitement were contagious, and I cried, I felt so blessed. I thanked her, I thanked God, and I cried. A juicer had been on my prayer list, and this dear friend provided one I never would have imagined receiving. Michelle granted me time, money, and far more nutrients and minerals than what I was getting from the juice I was making with my little juicer.
Soon, the burden of juicing became a joy again.
What was your first impression of the PURE Juicer?
When I made my first glass of juice with the PURE Juicer, I could tell right away I was drinking a higher quality juice. I had hoped the PURE juicer would deliver a higher nutrient value than I was getting from my little juicer, and I could see proof that my hopes were well-founded. I saw the new, radiant color. I tasted the exquisite difference in flavor. I felt an electrical charge as my body took in all the goodness.
This juicer provided me with a larger dose of health. So much in fact, I was able to lower my juice intake because I could feel my body reaching the nutrient criteria it had been thirsting for.
How are you doing these days?
I am proud to say that all my weight has now returned (plus some), and I am still getting stronger every day. My husband continues to be my biggest supporter and help. He is everything I could have prayed for. He has helped keep me alive and I would not have been able to get through this without him.
What do you like about using the PURE Juicer?
This juicer has provided more than I could have ever hoped for. It’s the classiest kitchen appliance to place on your counter, it yields more juice and nutrients, it stores your juice longer with less oxidation, it’s fun, and quicker to use. With PURE Juicer, I don’t have to cut my vegetables up into little pieces, I don’t have to put things in one at a time, I don’t have to wait all day for it to be done. I get a quicker return with a cold press. You can’t beat it!
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
If you’re one that is looking to better your health, kick disease out the door, or avoid getting sick all together, buy a juicer and find yourself someone to hold you up and hold you accountable. If you are too weak to juice, be strong enough to ask for help. When my husband wasn’t present in Florida, I finally released my tight reins and allowed Michelle and my mom to jump in. There were moments I was exhausted, with no strength, and they stepped in. Michelle was there for me. She did everything she could do to make what I was going through better. She was an answer to prayer, and she supplied an answer to my prayer, this juicer. If you don’t have someone in your life like this, pray and ask God to send you someone. He will. He will always provide. He did for me, and He will for you. God says in Genesis 1:30 “… I have given every green herb for meat…”
Changing your lifestyle can save your life. Choose PURE Juicer and live pure.
Erica’s Juicing Tips
- PURCHASE PRODUCE OUT OF THE BAG: Don’t get fooled by the fancy labels; if you can purchase a head of romaine or celery out of the bag, do it. It will be cheaper than the name brand.
- BUY IN BULK. Whenever possible, stock up and get the discounts!
- SHOP AT FARMERS’ MARKETS AND WITH LOCAL VENDORS. Buying produce here will also help you save a buck. You may even be able to work out a deal with them if you share your health goal with them and let them know you will be back to see them frequently!
- MAKE A HOME FOR EACH SPECIFIC FRUIT OR VEGETABLE IN YOUR FRIDGE. That way, when you’re running low on certain items, you know quickly what needs to be restocked.
- JUICE THE DAY BEFORE. If you have to be out the door early, or if you have an event you’ll need to prepare for, juice ahead of time and store in an airtight container.
- USE LEMONS, LIMES, AND APPLES. If the taste of certain vegetables is bumming you out, try adding lemons, limes, or apples. These fruits will improve the taste of just about any juice!
- LOOK AT JUICING AS A GIFT TO YOUR BODY AND A TREAT TO YOUR SOUL. It’s true: by juicing regularly, you are giving a gift to your future self and the generations to come.
- NEVER RUSH THE JUICING PROCESS. The moment you rush or put pressure on yourself, you’ll begin to see juicing as an inconvenience and you’ll want to give up. Slow down and allow yourself to enjoy the process. I have come to see juicing as a spiritual connection with a physical gift.
- CHOOSE SOMETHING THAT SETTLES RIGHT ON YOUR SPECIFIC PALLET. Mine is carrot juice! For so long, I was fighting horrible sinusitis and mold toxicity. I started craving carrot juice long before I knew that was the very thing I needed to help flush the bacteria and mold and clear the sinus cavities! For you it may be apple, or celery, or your own concoction!
- HAVE FUN WITH IT! I love to play music and dance while juicing. Embrace the joy of the moment.
- THANK GOD! Be thankful for the strength to juice and access to amazing fruit and vegetables!
Connect with Erica on Instagram at @overcome_autoimmune
Have any tips to add to Erica’s? Share in the comments below.
Interested in sharing your PURE Juicer story? Email Jen at jen@purejuicer.com.
Alejandria says:
Thank you for sharing, Erica! I loved reading about your journey and it was very inspiring. Wishing you love and health!
Victor Hebert says:
I praise God for this testimony. I really liked Genesis 1:29 (for people) and 30 (for animals) references. Then, there was no provision for death at the “beginning.” I have been a Pure juicer since 2016.
PURE Juicer says:
Thanks for your comment. We are so lucky to have every one of you in our community.
Darlene says:
Celery juice is the Medical Medium, Anthony William’s protocol. You can find more healing information through his website http://www.medicalmedium.com and his Instagram page. Celery juice is truly a miracle and you can take your healing even further with his information. It is important to cite the source.