Juicing Health Benefits

Juicing recipes and tips to help you get the most health benefits

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Why Invest in a Vitamix?

Posted by Christine on May 14th, 2012

The reasons to buy a Vitamix are vast and varied, but here are a few that I think are most important to juicing:

Your fruit & vegetables are pulverized, not strained, providing you with the WHOLE food. Other juicers strain out the pulp, which strains out the fiber.

You eat less with a Vitamix because it takes less food to make the same amount of juice. Because other juicers are extracting the pulp, it takes more food to juice the same glass of juice. (This also means the other juicers will have higher sugar levels in their juices.)

Vitamix is powerful enough to turn your favorite nuts, like almonds, in to milk

Preparing the food for a Vitamix is a cinch! Anything you would eat whole goes in. Simple!

Clean up is even easier. Just add a drop of dish soap with water & blend, rinse, and dry.

A friend of mine was recently critical about my purchase of the Professional Series 500 (photo at the start of this post) because of the $649 price tag. I quickly explained that I have used my Vitamix at least once a day for the last year. I make all my smoothies in my Vitamix, but I also make breakfast frittatas, guacamole, hummus, peanut butter, herb butter, and applesauce! If I divided the cost of my Vitamix by the number of times I’ve used it over this last year, it would easily be under $2/day. That is less than the cost of my latte before work!

All Vitamix machines come with a 7 year warranty. Using the same cost per day calculation as above, brings the cost of my Vitamix to $0.25 per day!

Ready to get your amazing machine to jump start your juicing health? Check out my Vitamix Affiliate page to order the right machine for you!

Get Slim Quick Smoothie!

Posted by Christine on April 23rd, 2012

Maybe you’ve heard of this little site called Pinterest? It seems like everyone is pinning recipes for quick weight loss smoothies, except they are all different smoothies from different sources. Hmmmmm…. is there really such a thing as a weight loss smoothie?

YES! Almost any raw smoothie is a weight loss smoothie! Now, there are some basic rules to remember:

Raw vegetables contain large amounts of nutrients and water for a more filling, yet low calorie meal
Fruits often have a more pleasing taste, but typically have more sugar than vegetable. The good news, is that it is a natural sugar that is easier to metabolize.
Nuts, seeds, and grains are generally a good source of protein, but also fat, which carries a higher caloric value

I’m not a nutritional expert, but I’ve done lots of my own research for personal reasons and can say with confidence that the more raw food and less processed food I eat, the more weight I loose. This thinking has worked for my husband as well….and many, many others who post success stories. The health benefits of weight loss are incredible, since many illnesses are a byproduct of being overweight.

So how do you use these statements above, to get that bikini-ready body in no time? Eat as many vegetables as you can, mixing in as many colors as possible and getting plenty of greens. Then, when you can’t eat any more vegetables, eat some fruit. Again, mixing in as many colors as possible. Then to round out your plate, eat some nuts, seeds or grains. These you’ll want to watch your consumption because they are caloriclly dense.

The easiest way to get all this healthy goodness into your busy schedule is to make a smoothie! I’ve offered many recipes on my site for healthy smoothies, there are more on the internet and infinitely more that you can make up on your own. For beginners, check out my guide to getting started. If you’re looking for the best way to make smoothies, check out my Vitamix affiliate page and find the right machine for you with free shipping. And for you experts out there, share your favorite drinks below!

Here is one of my new favorites:

California Green

1 apple (I prefer gala)
1 banana
1/2 avocado
4 dates
1 handful baby spinach

Blend well in a Vitamix for a creamy, cool smoothie. The avocado adds a large dose of healthy fats that take longer to metabolize, which keeps you full longer. Spinach brings the good green stuff, chlorophyll to power you at a cellular level. The banana, dates and apple add fiber and enough sweetness to help the drink go down deliciously!

Sláinte!

Posted by Christine on March 12th, 2012

Sláinte, an Irish toast to your health, is the perfect way to think about this boisterous holiday. While many of us many indulge in a few other Irish inspired beverages this weekend, but there are a number of healthy drinks we can enjoy to celebrate the land of the shamrock.

If it’s authentic Irish you’re after, cabbage & potatoes come to mind right away. Cabbage is part of the cruciferous family, like kale, broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts. Like the rest of this family, cabbage contains anti-cancer properties, potassium, calcium and vitamin C. While we often think of it’s fibrous benefits, it helps sooth stomachs, including ulcers. Blending it with other fruits and vegetables helps mask the bitter taste. This drink even adds a bit of mint to celebrate in Irish delight.

Bellyful

3 apples
1/4 head white cabbage
1/4 small fennel bulb
1 small bunch fresh mint
If it’s just a fun green drink you’re after, try this greenie with my favorite green additive, spirulina! It adds a powerful punch of anti-oxidants that have been shown to encourage weight loss, purify the liver (which you may need this weekend!), and strengthen your nervous and immune systems.

Green Banana

1 banana
1/2 pineapple
1/4 coconut milk (or other milk)
1 tsp spirulina

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

May you have all the happiness
and luck that life can hold—
And at the end of all your rainbows
may you find a pot of gold.

How does your garden look?

Posted by Christine on March 8th, 2012

March in the Midwest usually means snow banks and longing for sunshine, but this year we’ve had a couple short bursts of warmer weather. The warm sun has inspired me even more to start planning my garden in our new home and getting my seedlings ready. I’m giddy over the thought of growing my own produce for our juices! Until my own vegetable patch is up and running, my neighbor has been generously sharing her kale from their lovely garden. What a pleasant surprise this week when she was able to harvest some kale, collard greens, and brussel sprouts that have survived the mild winter.

My neighbor mentioned wanting to try to grow parsnips this year, which reminded me of a delicious Parsnapple drink that is high in beta-carotene, folic acid, vitamin C, calcium and magnesium. The sulfur in this silky drink helps keep skin radiant while protecting against toxins, radiation, and pollution. Cinnamon has shown to help regulate your blood sugar levels, helping those with Type II Diabetes. It may even be linked to improved cognitive functions and appetite control, leading to weight loss.

Parsnapple
from The Big Book of Juices

3 green apples
2 parsnips
sprinkle of grated nutmeg on top

*If using your vitamix, add 1 cup water to keep the consistency smooth

Fat Tuesday Juices

Posted by Christine on February 21st, 2012

It’s Fat Tuesday and whether you’re still out strolling the streets of New Orleans or just looking for a healthy way to celebrate this last day of Carnival, I’ve got a few juices for you. The official colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold can easily be found in some of our healthiest foods and juices:

Berry Purple Smoothie
1 cup frozen mixed berries
1/2 cup frozen or fresh pineapple
1 banana
1/2 cup water

Packed with antioxidants, Vitamin C, Potassium and a fresh taste, this smoothie will lift your spirits without the spirits

Glowing Green Smoothie (makes 64 oz/ 2-4 servings)
from Kimberly Snyder’s Beauty Detox Program

1 ½- 2 cups very cold, filtered water
6 cups spinach, chopped
5 cups organic romaine lettuce, chopped
2 stalks of organic celery
1 organic apple, cored and chopped
1 organic pear, cored and chopped
1 organic banana
1–2 Tbs. fresh organic lemon juice

Optional Ingredients

Ice cubes (the extra coldness can help newbies with the taste)
1/2 cup of organic cilantro
1/2 cup of organic parsley

Tropical Deluxe

from The Big Book of Juices

2 mangos
2 bananas
juice of a lime
8 tbs guava juice

This decadent smoothie sends you to the streets of Rio along with a heavy dose of beta-carotene, folic acid, vitamins B1, B3, B6, C and E, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and sulfer. Sip and enjoy the healing!

Red Hot Juicing for Valentine’s Day

Posted by Christine on February 8th, 2012

Love is in the air! So let’s make some juices with love that are good for our hearts too. <3

Beets may not be the first thing that pops to mind when you think of love potions (my husband is probably cringing right now), but they are so good for your heart and circulatory system. Beets have shown some encouraging preliminary results for treating inflammation associated with heart disease and even type 2 diabetes. These dark red root vegetables pack a powerful punch of nutrients and antioxidants if you can just get over the “earthy” taste (or “dirt” taste as my husband would say). To help get this dose of good stuff down, try this delicious Hot Pink drink from Raw Food, Real World

Hot Pink
1 medium beet, peeled
1/2 medium pineapple
1/2 pint strawberries, stemmed
1 thumb-size knob fresh ginger

This wonderful book of raw recipes has another great juice called a Honeymoon Healer with heart-healthy cranberries. This drink may have gotten its name from cranberries prevention of urinary tract infections, but these little red gems are also rich in poyphenols which may help alleviate arterial stiffness. Not only is this tart concoction good for you, it taste great and refreshing

Honeymoon Healer
1 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 lime, peeled
1 cups fresh orange juice
1 tbsp raw honey
thin lime slice for garnish

If you’re looking for a more luxurious adult beverage to celebrate your day of love, try this Ruby Yacht cocktail. According to WebMD, “pomegranate juice not only appears to prevent hardening of the arteries by reducing blood vessel damage, but the antioxidant-rich juice may also reverse the progression of this disease.” Perhaps the most daunting part of juicing a pomegranate is getting the seeds out. The Shiksa in the Kitchen is a wonderful site that shows a few methods and includes a video tutorial on getting out all the juicy goodness.

Ruby Yacht
1/2 oz (1 tb) fresh pomegranate juice
1/2 oz (1 tb) simple syrup
4 oz (1/2 cup) chilled Champagne
1 orange twist

Put the pomegranate juice and the syrup in the flute, then top with Champagne. Add orange twist and serve at once. (Serves 1.)

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Jump on the Green Smoothie Bandwagon

Posted by Christine on January 25th, 2012

It’s January alright! Everywhere I look, people are talking about how they are going to stick to those New Year’s resolutions My Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest feeds are packed with healthy recipes, exercise routines, motivational summer outfits and JUICING!

Best of all, there are quite a few people trying new green juices/smoothies. Since kale is a superfood that I’ve been highlighting in January, I thought I would share a couple yummy smoothies to help us all enjoy staying on track for those resolutions.

Lululemon is a wonderful company that inspires health and mindfulness in all aspects of life, so I was intrigued when I saw a post about kale in my personal Facebook feed. There is lots of good information about this green veggie, including a delicious smoothie:

Green Kale Smoothie
2-3 leaves of kale
1 banana
1 cup blueberries
1 cup water or unsweetened almond milk
ice (optional)
stevia or 1tsp maple syrup (optional)

Frozen Kale Leaves

I looked at my freezer and found that I had some frozen kale that my neighbor had grown and shared. I didn’t have blueberries on hand at the moment, but I did have some tropical fruit mix. This power packed smoothie has all the benefits of kale and some tasty nutrients to help you stay healthy too! Bananas are well known to provide us with much needed potassium, but they also provide 17% of your daily value of Vitamin C. Strawberries are also high in Vitamin C and calcium, which is great for your bones and teeth. Peaches and Mangos have lovely orange colors that bring high levels of beta carotene to help protect against lung, skin, and digestive problems. This smoothie will boost your immunity and your spirits on a cold winter day.

Tropical Kale Smoothie

Tropical Kale Smoothie
1 cup almond milk
3 or 4 large kale leaves
1 to 2 cups frozen tropical fruit mix (strawberries, mango, peaches, pineapple, banana)

Have You Watched “Fat, Sick And Nearly Dead” Yet?

Posted by Christine on January 11th, 2012

Need even more inspiration to start your juicing year off right? Watch Fat, Sick And Nearly Dead and you will be scared, amazed and inspired! This documentary of a man, Joe Cross, at a pivotal point in his life where he is heavily medicated for an autoimmune disease decides to live healthy, dumping years of bad habits for a “mean green” drink. Joe is honest about his struggles to understand how he got to this point in his life, weigh out his choices, and then stick with the plan. Much of the focus could be placed on his weight loss, but it’s his health and will to live that is the real story. It’s really easy for us to look at before & after photos of weight-loss transformations online and miss the hard work that goes in between. Joe’s story is simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming. It also shows how Joe continues to live a healthy lifestyle that includes juicing. Fat, Sick And Nearly Dead is easily available on Netflix streaming. Here is the mean green recipe that Joe used to achieve his amazing results.

Mean Green Juice

The official recipe used by Joe Cross and Phil Staples according to the Reboot Program

6 Kale Leaves
1 Cucumber
4 Celery Stalks
2 Green Apples
1/2 Lemon
1 piece of ginger

Seasonal Eating Guide

Posted by Christine on January 6th, 2012

http://eatseasonably.co.uk/what-to-eat-now/calendar/

Eating seasonally has many benefits to your health and your environment. By eating seasonably, your food is likely more local ~ helping both the environment and your local economy. It also means that your food travels less ~ providing you with more nutrition density and longer shelf life in your kitchen instead of a truck.

Check out this fantastic guide to seasonal fruits and vegetables to help you source the best produce for your juicing. http://eatseasonably.co.uk/what-to-eat-now/calendar/ This chart was put together in the UK, but there are many items that are transferable to wherever you live.

According to this calendar, January’s best foods are kale and carrots. Kale is one of natures powerfoods, full of vitamins A and C, but most notably for it’s anti-cancer properties. Carrots also packed with vitamins, especially antioxidant beta-carotene. This recipe is a favorite of mine when I want to get serious about juicing and cleansing. It is a super detox juice, aides immunity and provides tons of energy.

Carrot Cleanser

3 carrots
1/2 apple
1/2 orange
1/4 beet
1 stick celery
2 large kale leaves

New Year ~ New Resolutions ~ New Juices

Posted by Christine on January 3rd, 2012

Happy New Year! I hope that your new year is off to a healthy and happy start. Do you have any juicing resolutions for 2012? I did a quick look back at some of my juicing and thought I could improve on a few things:

More vegetables, less fruits – I am a huge believer that natural sugar is better than any processed type or sugar replacement, however, it’s still sugar. Many of my staple juices and smoothies from 2011 were high in sugar and I saw my energy levels spike more rapidly than I would like. For 2012 I resolve to drink more veggies!
Grow 25% of my own produce – The garden has been dug & prepped under a beautiful blanket of snow. Growing up, my family ate most of our own vegetables out of the garden. As an adult, I’m never quite satisfied with the taste of store bought produce because it is either treated or genetically altered. This summer, I hope to enjoy tasty juices and food grown with my family!
Use my Vitamix daily – My juicer is a wonderful tool, but as I’ve posted quite a bit, the Vitamix is incredibly easier to use, clean and store. Juices and smoothies in the Vitamix are healthier because you can puree the food, keeping the fiber and keeping you full longer. Besides, when I add ice & my smoothie has a desert texture, it feels like an indulgent treat.
Post more often! – Getting this site up and running was a big accomplishment for me last year, but for the upcoming year I resolve to bring you more juicing recipes, more tips and more healthy fun!

What are some of your resolutions? Want to juice more often? Want to add a new food into your diet? Want to live raw? No matter what your goals are, you can get there in a healthy way!