Juicing

I want to share with you some of the things we have learned since we began incorporating juicing into our diets. Let's start with some pros and cons of juicing.

Pros
- Daily Serving = Single Drink vs Large Plate of Fruits/Veggies
- Incorporates Fruits/Veggies You Wouldn't Normally Eat
- Helps Protect from Diseases such as Alzheimer's, Cancer, and Heart Disease
- Easy for the Body to Digest
- Boosts Immune System, Removes Toxins from the Body, and Aids in Weight Loss

Cons
- Raw Foods Harbor Pathogens...Wash Thoroughly!
- Increased Vulnerability to Bacteria when Stored
- Fiber Can Be Lost During Juicing
- Wasted Pulp (Fiber)

Which type of juicer? There is generally 3 types:

Masticating - Operates at a slow speed, chewing the fibers and breaking up the cells of the fruits and veggies to give you more fiber, enzymes, vitamins and minerals. These machines are very versatile. You can make baby foods, sauces, nut butters, sorbets, pasta, and even grind grains into flour.

Centrifugal - Grinds the fruits and veggies and pushes them through a strainer by running at very high speed. They usually yield a little more juice.

Triturating - Works at a low speed with a 2 step process. First it crushes the fruits and veggies then presses the juice. Juicing time is a bit longer. This type also gives you more fiber, enzymes, vitamins and minerals and has the technology to slow down the oxidation process so that you can store your juice for a longer period of time.

We have a masticating juicer. It is easy to use and even easier to clean. There is a separate container for the pulp and all attachments are dishwasher safe. No liners and no mess. 

Recipes?
- We have tried several recipes from our juicing recipe book but we usually just start with a base of kale, carrot, and green apple then experiment with adding additional fruits like frozen cranberries and peeled oranges. Throw in a few ice cubes and a straw. Yum!

Tips
- When choosing a juicer, monitor how much of what goes in is actually coming out as juice.
- Alternate hard and soft fruits/veggies to flush the machine and get the most juice.
- Peel oranges, tangerines, and grapefruits before juicing because they contain oily substances that can cause problems with digestion. Keep the white parts.
- Try to remove all seeds/pits from all fruits/veggies.
- Buy organic since they are pesticide-free.
- Drink immediately to reap the benefits since the antioxidants and nutrients start to break down when they are exposed to light and air.