I am very, very new to juicing. Honestly, I used to think that juicing was for people of a certain age, aka old people. Those Jack Lalanne informercials left me terribly misinformed. I am so sorry for ever thinking that and missing out on years of yummy juice. Over the past few months I have realized that a glass of delicious juice is the perfect way to get the day going.
Why Juice?
The purpose of juicing is to extract the most amount of nutrition and live enzymes as possible from fruits and vegetables without activating the body’s digestion. A juicer separates the juice from the fiber. While the fiber is good for us, it is also good to get as many vitamins and mineral as possible without having to making the body work.
Juice vs Smoothies
There is a big difference between juicing and smoothies. Juicing requires a juicer to separate the live enzymes from the fiber. Smoothies are made in a blender and include the entire fruit or vegetable. You are not extracting the enzymes from the fiber when you make a smoothie, you are eating both. Is juicing better than smoothie-ing? Well, yes and no. The goals are very different so it is impossible to compare. The goal of juicing is to get a ton of vitamins and minerals at once without making your body digest the fiber. One isn’t better than the other because they are simply different. Juices and smoothies filled with fruits and vegetables are wonderful, healthy additions to any diet.
Buying a Juicer
There are a bunch of different juicers on the market right now. I was very overwhelmed when I decided to purchase one. Utlimately, I decided to buy a Breville. I bought mine at Bed Bath and Beyond for $150. This is the only juicer I have ever bought so I can’t compare mine to other models but I can say that I love my juicer.
The Process
I made such a mess when I first started juicing. Fruit and vegetable mess ended up all of the kitchen. The floor. The counter. The cabinets. Me. Everywhere. I was clumsy. And awkward. Like everything, there is a definite learning curve to juicing. I make juice every morning and it takes about 20 minutes including clean-up. If you are new to juicing, don’t be discouraged by the clumsy/awkward stage. It passes. You’ll be a pro in no time!
But doesn’t it taste… ya know… gross?!
Absolutely Not! Fresh juice is delicious. Adding a lemon or lime cuts the ‘green’ flavor that can be unpleasant. Use a green apple, stevia, honey, or agave nectar to sweeten any juice. I love sour drinks so I have a lemon with most of my juices without needing fruit but if the sweet tooth is calling, go with sugary fruits. Juice recipes are not set in stone. Experiment a little to find what flavors work for you.
Juice on the Go
Juicing does take some time but don’t let that be your excuse. Here are a couple of tips that I have found to especially helpful.
- Prep your fruits and vegetables. When you get home from the grocery store, wash and cut (if necessary) all of your refrigerated items. Store them in plastic bags or bins. This is a life saver in the morning. I can grab some celery, kale, and carrots without having to wash anything. This also cuts down on the kitchen mess.
- Make juice the night before. Refrigerate. Enjoy the next morning.
- Freezing. Make one huge juice once a week and freeze to use later. I used to use freezer bags but I have heard of putting the juice in ice cube trays. If using the bags, lay them flat to avoid funky shapes and it might be a good idea to use two bags just in case. You can also freeze your juice in a travel bottle –perfect for hot, humid days.
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