For the Love of Juicing!!

 Juicing is a great way to get your daily quota of fruits and veggies. For some people, when going through cancer treatments, the taste buds change. Foods may taste different. Some people find it difficult to eat solid foods. Juicing can be a great alternative. One of my favorite juicing recipes is called The Green Lemonade. And although its green, it not only tastes great, it tastes like LEMONADE!

Although, many people have been juicing for decades, the benefits of juicing are now starting to be recongnized by medical doctors as a very beneficial way to incorporate the required fruits and veggies into our eating plan.  There are some people to claim to have not only improved their health, but who have been able to eliminate certain medications and have even been cured of chronic ailments and diseases.  However, diabetics should pay close attention to the amount of fruit used due to the sugar content. 

Juicing is a great way to cleanse the body, provide essential vitamins and nutrients and promote weight loss.  I personally, like to do a juice cleanse 2-3 times a year.  It helps the body eliminate waste and toxins.  If you are new to doing a juice cleanse, I suggest you first consult with your doctor or nutritionist to be sure you will not have any reactions if you are taking medications as well as to monitor your blood pressure, blood sugar, and liver funtions.  Once you have the doctor's approval start with juicing 2-4 days.  Some people choose to adding a juice to an eating plan of only plant based foods while others will choose to only juice for the duration of the cleanse. Whichever option you choose, you will want to pay close attention to how your body reactions.  The first few days you may experience withdrawls such as cravings, headaches, low energy, low patience and irritablity.  These are all very normal as the body is removing toxins.  Be patient with yourself and be strong, this is probably the most difficult part of the cleanse.  But it will be worth it.  You will feel so much better, cleaner, lighter and energized.

If you are looking to purchase a juicer, I suggest you do some research to see which one best fits your needs. I have chosen 2 different juicers for different reasons. I have the Jack LaLane Power Juicer, which has a large opening in which to fit fruits and veggies into the juicer. I use this one if I'm doing more veggies than fruit and want it in a juice. The larger opening doesn't require to cut the food into small pieces. And it cleans up fairly easy. The second juicer is the Montel Williams Living Well Health Master. I like this one for smoothies, sorbet, salad dressings and soups. It's just a matter of preference. I am not suggesting you purchase both juicers. Do your research and determine which one best fits your needs, but you want to make sure you will not have to cut the food in pieces and the the appliance is easy to clean.

Green Lemonade

2-3 bunches of Fresh Kale

1 peeled lemon ( 1/2 lemon if you choose to use it unpeeled)

2 medium Fuji or Gala Apples

Add to juicer in order listed. Pour over ice and enjoy!

Here is another favorite.....

A Powerful Pick Me Up 

1-2 stalks of celery

1 small beet

2 medium Fuji or Gala Apples

2-4 carrots

Add to juicer in order listed.  Pour over ice and Enjoy!!