By: Elna Botes van Schalkwyk
Juicing Fun: Choose Your Juice
According to Dr. Mercola, there are three main reasons why you will want to consider vegetable juicing:
1) It allows you to absorb all the nutrients from vegetables
2) It allows you to consume an optimal amount of vegetables in an efficient manner
3) It helps you add a variety of vegetables to your diet. Virtually every health authority recommends getting 6-8 servings of vegetables and fruits per day, which very few people actually get.
For detox:
Zooty roots: High-fiber root veggies and fruit keep things moving through the digestive tract, while ginger calms your stomach. Ingredients: Ginger, beet, carrots, apple
Celery Surprise: Beetroot, Parsley, Celery, Apple, Carrot
For Re-fuel:
Naughty Nut Juice: Almonds’ protein helps build and repair muscle. Plus, the potassium (twice as much as you get in two bananas) balances your electrolytes and fluids. Ingredients: Oranges, almonds, sweet potato, apple
For your immune system:
Immune Booster: Ward off colds with this vitamin bomb! The kiwis alone pack nearly twice your daily vitamin C—and the citrus delivers even more of the cold-busting vitamin. Ingredients: Grapefruit, oranges, kiwis.
Heart Beet Immune Booster:
Carrot, Orange, Apple, Beetroot, Lemon.
Zesty Booster:
Apple, Carrot, Ginger, Lemon.
Energy Upper:
Natural fruit sugars give you an instant boost, and electrolyte-loaded coconut water helps keep you hydrated. Ingredients: Lychees , peaches, coconut water.
Natural Energy: Spinach, Banana, Kale, Celery, Coconut water, Cinnamon.
As anti-oxidant:
Antioxidant superstars: red beets contain betalains, compounds that fight inflammation and support your detox by neutralizing toxins and making them water-soluble and easily flushed from the body.
V-8 Anti-Oxidant: Tomato, Celery, Cucumber, Carrot, Spinach.
Antioxidant Supreme: Antioxidants in berries boast potent anti-aging benefits. Ingredients: Blueberries, strawberries, mango
As a general health booster:
Total Health Booster: A swig of this vitamin-packed (A, B, C, E) beverage fuels your whole body. It even fights aging: Lutein plus vitamins A and C up collagen production (for strong bones and younger-looking skin). Ingredients: Apple, pears, cherries
As empowerment:
Power Gulp: This green goodie sneaks in a dose of iron (you need extra during your period and pregnancy), key for healthy blood cell and muscle function. It also delivers more than your daily rec of vitamin K—another must for blood and bone health. Ingredients: Kale, green grapes, cucumber, Granny Smith apple
Breakfast juices:
Refreshing morning juice: combines broccoli, spinach, cucumber, celery, and parsley for a refreshing morning beverage.
For arthritis:
Arthritis soother: Carrot, celery, apple, broccoli, asparagus, parsley, olive oil.
Tips and fun facts:
1) A piece of gingerroot adds a healthy kick and a bit of bite.
2) A pinch of Himalayan salt ads up to your trace element needs.
3) 1 tbsp of CINNAMON has the same amount of antioxidants as 1 cup of pomegranate juice, which has even more than red wine, green tea, blueberries, and asparagus. Antioxidants help keep us youthful, rejuvenated, & alive. Cinnamon is an extremely powerful blood cleanser, as it has some of the best anti-bacterial properties ever seen in such a common spice. In addition, new research results are showing the great benefits cinnamon has on the liver, which too is vital for cleansing the blood. Cinnamon’s scent alone offers empowering effects in concentration /alertness / focus. In one study, researchers found that a loaf of bread that had significant amounts of cinnamon was far slower to mold (as in days) than non-cinnamon counterparts.
4) Carrots are one of the most overlooked vegetables for overall health. They benefit the heart, lungs, skin, eyes and immune system. Carrots contain beta carotene which fights infection. Other orange vegetables such as butternut squash, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes also contain beta carotene as well as vitamin C, another immune boosting nutrient.
5) Fresh juices are a tremendous source of enzymes.
