You are probably familiar with the idea of juicing as we see more and more juice bars or juice trucks popping up right and left. Even Starbucks is getting in on the game. Is it a FAD? Well, I hope it goes the way of facebook and sticks. Yup, I admit, I thought facebook would die out.
I love the idea of having a healthy option that can either be a snack replacement or can accompany a meal. It is the easiest way to get a boat-load of veggies and fruits into your diet (especially for those of you who say you can’t stand vegetables). If you are buying them at your local deli or juice bar, then after a while, you may be thinking this healthy habit is quite expensive. With each cup costing about $5-$10; it sure can add up. Why not make it convenient and do it at home? It is something you can easily incorporate into your lifestyle by juicing once a day, doing a juice cleanse every 6 months or year, or using it to get more nutrients into your husband or kids!
Here are a few key things you’ll need to know in order to get the most out of juicing…
1) What type of Juicer is best for you? – There are different types of juicers. The two main categories include centrifugal juicers and masticating, or pressed juicers. They both have pros and cons, but in summary, a centrifugal juicer is usually more affordable, makes juice faster, and is easier to clean. Breville is a great option if you decide to go this route. A twin-gear masticating juicer allows less oxidation, therefore allowing the juice to retain more nutrients and increases storage time. A pressed juicer they say squeezes more juice from the produce including leafy greens, so over time will make up for the higher cost with reduced grocery bills. Green Star is an example of this type of juicer.
2) What is your goal for juicing? – If you will be doing cleanses or have a large family and would like to make bulk batches, I would consider a pressed juicer in order to retain the most nutrients possible. If you would like to incorporate a juice-a-day into your lifestyle, then a centrifugal juicer would fit the bill and be less of a financial investment. We often find ourselves thinking with the best of intentions that we will start a new healthy habit (yup, think about that treadmill with the clothes drying on it), but some of these new habits may not be the best fit for you. There are other options for getting more plants into your diet. For example, check out the new NutriBullet. This is a great option for those of you wanting more substance (with retained fiber), a quick on-the-go smoothie option that allows more nutrients to be absorbed than a regular blended drink.
3) What types of produce will you be using? – As quoted by Hippocrates himself, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”. Think about types of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices that have known properties that can help heal certain ailments you may be experiencing. Make a juice cocktail with those ingredients and adjust quantities and recipes to make it tasty! Here are a few ideas for great additions and the nutritional benefits they provide in addition to increased energy and balanced pH levels.
Kale – excellent source of vitamin K and calcium for strong bones. Yup, kale has more absorbable calcium than dairy milk. It is also is a rich source of the antioxidant beta-carotene and contains Vitamin C which helps our skin look young and vibrant.
Spinach – when combined with citrus, the iron becomes bioavailable (think useable). Mix spinach with lemon or an orange. Spinach also contains magnesium which helps fight fatigue.
Cucumber – a natural diuretic, cucumber aids in cleansing of the kidney, pancreas and liver.
Celery – adds a slightly salty taste to your juice. Celery contains a host of anti-cancer compounds. It also fights off inflammation.
Parsley and Cilantro (Coriander) – rich sources of chlorophyll, these help detoxify heavy metals out of your body. Parsley also aids in purification of the blood, boosts energy and digestion, and is great for skin.
Apple – great to add to juices that are predominantly made up of leafy greens to help cut the bitterness. Apples also provide water-soluble fibers to aid with the elimination of toxins.
Lemon – an alkalizing (pH balance) addition to your juice. Lemons help rid your body of bad bacteria. They also stimulate the digestive system. I suggest drinking a warm glass of water with lemon and ginger as a great way to start the morning!
Beets – a source of natural sugars for a quick energy boost. Beets cleanse the blood and liver. You can tell its function just by the way it looks!
Carrots – another liver and kidney cleanser along with the beet. Carrots contain beta-carotene, an antioxidant, and are very easily assimilated into the bloodstream.
Ginger – a natural cold-fighter, this powerful root also assists with digestion and inflammation. Use fresh ginger root, not ground ginger powder.
Pineapple – contains the enzyme bromelain, a powerful anti-inflammatory agent and blood thinner. Pineapple also aides digestion.
Garlic - anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-bacterial. When using in a cooked meal, let chopped garlic sit for about 5-10 minutes after cutting to allow the cancer-fighting, alliinase enzymes in garlic to flourish.
Additions to stir in after juicing or to add to a smoothie
Hemp seed, ground flax seed, chia seed – Omega-3 fatty acids
Turmeric – anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer
Maca powder – helps with hormone balance and a natural strength and energy-lifter
While this is a great way to consume a lot of fresh plant-based foods in one sitting, do not underestimate the power of a delicious vegan meal. We can’t live on liquid alone!
Image by Food Thinkers
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