Did you know that when you make juice from raw vegetables, your body absorbs the nutrients within 15 seconds? Talk about an energy shot! No need to buy those sugary and chemical-ish concoctions from your local drug-store or mini mart. Juicing is an all-natural way to boost your energy and feel amazing. When you juice your fruits and veggies, you end up extracting all the water and nutrients from them and leave behind only the plant fibers. By separating the fruit or vegetable from its fiber, we gain access to all of the amazing vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and phytonutrients which are much more easily assimilated by our body than if we were to eat them.
This allows your body to absorb the nutrients more quickly, without having to digest the dense bulk of the plant. You can also fit an amazing amount of veggies into a single glass of juice, making it a great way to use up those extra veggies from your garden or CSA share. PLUS, you will end up with a glass of deliciousness that packs a powerful nutritional punch. Although some would also say that the cost of stocking enough fresh organic vegetables to make daily juices can be somewhat expensive, my feeling is that if you stop buying all of the pre-packaged foods/snacks you were buying, you will end up saving money in the long run on your food AND your doctor bills.
One more thing before I go: while you can control the quality of ingredients when you are making fresh juice at home, always read your labels when it comes to buying store-bought juice. These juices can be high in sugar and have a high glycemic load, which may cause blood sugar imbalances.
Major Antioxidant Juice [Makes 1 serving]
One of the first things I like to do each morning is juice, so I can get fresh nutrients and live enzymes into my body first thing. Here is one of my favorite recipes, packed with beta-carotene and antioxidants to ward off bugs and colds.
1 grapefruit
2 oranges
1 inch ginger root
3 carrots
To juice your grapefruit and oranges, you can try one of 2 methods:
High Speed Juicer: Peel your citrus. Then break them up into segments to fit into your juicer.
Manual Citrus Juicer: Slice your citrus in half between the stem and the flowering ends. Then juice manually.
Wash and peel your ginger. You can easily peel ginger using the edges of a teaspoon. Scrape the edges off until the ginger flesh shows. Rinse the ginger and discard the skin.
Scrub your carrots well to remove any debris. Juice it using a high speed juicer. Next add your peeled ginger. Add your citrus juice to your carrot and ginger juice. Mix thoroughly and enjoy.
Not sure where to begin with juicing? Check out my Beginner’s Juice Cleanse to get you started. It’s FREE and you get my monthly newsletter with loads of tips for a healthier you. So, don’t be afraid to try out the benefits of juicing.
Xoxoxo
Chris Pyne
Your Personal Health Coach