Saturday, August 4, 2012

Juicing Is My Self Care When I'm Run Down or Stressed

      
                                            

Why I Juice Instead of Making Smoothies

Juicing  Feels Like Self-Care When My Body Needs Support

Although they’re often grouped together, smoothies and juicing are very different.

Smoothies are made by blending whole fruits and vegetables, which means all the fiber stays in the drink. That fiber is healthy, but it can also be harder on the digestive system, especially if your digestion isn’t at its best.

Juicing, on the other hand, uses a juice extractor to remove the fiber and bulk, leaving behind a clear, light liquid. This allows the vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients to be absorbed almost immediately—no heavy digestion required.

When you’re worn down, stressed, or overwhelmed (which many of us are), that quick nourishment can make a noticeable difference.

And in a world full of processed foods, environmental toxins, and chronic stress, fresh vegetable juice can be a simple, powerful form of daily support.


Free Smoothie Nutrition photo and picture

Juicing Makes Nutrients Easier to Absorb—Especially for Digestive Issues

If you have celiac disease, gluten intolerance, IBS, or other digestive challenges, you may not be fully absorbing nutrients from the foods you eat—even if your diet is healthy.

This is where juicing really shines.

Because the fiber has been removed, the nutrients in fresh vegetable juice are nearly 100% absorbable. Adding just one daily green juice can help support energy, digestion, and overall vitality.

If you’ve been feeling depleted, this small habit may have a surprisingly big payoff.


The #1 Reason People Give Up on Juicing: The Clean-Up

Let’s be honest—the clean-up is what turns most people off.

But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be a big production.

I’ve been juicing for years, and from start to finish—including clean-up—I can make a fresh glass of vegetable juice in about 6 minutes.

My trick? I clean the juicer immediately after using it with a water sprayer. Everything rinses right off, and most of the parts go straight into the dishwasher.

Six minutes is a pretty small investment for the daily health benefits fresh juice provides.


Free Carrot Juice Glasses photo and picture

Raw Vegetables Contain Powerful Enzymes

One of the biggest advantages of fresh juice is the natural enzymes found in raw fruits and vegetables.

These enzymes support digestion and overall health, but they’re fragile. That’s why it’s best to drink your juice right away, while the enzymes are still active and intact.


Here’s Why I Juice

Fresh vegetable juice provides:

  • Antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and natural detoxifiers

  • Nutrients that are easy to digest and quickly absorbed

  • A noticeable boost in energy

  • Immune-supporting compounds

  • Powerful antioxidants that nourish and protect cells

  • Support for the body’s natural detoxification process

And honestly? When I drink a glass of freshly made green juice, it tastes incredibly pure—and it just feels healthy.


A bunch of celery sitting on top of a table

Why Fresh Juice Is Far Better Than Store-Bought Juice

No bottled, frozen, canned, or packaged juice compares to freshly extracted vegetable juice.

Store-bought juices are heated and processed to extend shelf life. That process destroys many vitamins, minerals, and enzymes—the very things we’re drinking juice for in the first place.

Some of the most nourishing juices come from vegetables like:

  • Cucumber

  • Kale

  • Collard greens

  • Romaine lettuce

  • Celery

  • Parsley

  • Carrots

But their benefits are highest only when the juice is fresh and consumed immediately.








How to Make Fresh Juice


There are many juicing machines available on the market that make fresh juice in a matter of minutes.
  • Step 1:  Buy an electric juice extracting machine like a Breville or a Braun

     Juicing extracting machines are available on amazon -  juice extractors
    Prices range from around $50-$300; you can get a decent juicer for about $79-$99
    ( Also check out yard sales; many people get juicers as gifts and try them once or never even open the box. I got a brand new one at a yard sale for $10 from someone who never used it)

  • Step 2:  Read the consumer reviews below each machine before purchasing  a juicer 

  • Once you have a machine,  follow the manufacturer's instructions and make fresh life giving  juice in just minutes

Why I always juice  healthy greens such as romaine lettuce, kale, collard greens and or celery.


I always use organic carrots as my main base and add romaine lettuce, cucumber, celery, 1/2 organic apple. This combination is rich in beta carotene and chlorophyll.

Green juice is not for those that are not accustomed to eating greens. In the beginning you may want to stick to a milder drink of carrots, cucumber, apple, and a little romaine. Dark greens like dandelion greens, collard greens, and kale can be very pungent, so go easy in the beginning. 
You can also add a clove of fresh garlic or ginger if you are under the weather.

A chlorophyll rich drink with carrots, romaine lettuce, dandelion greens, and apple.

If you are new to juicing, Here is a good juice: 
start out with 3-4 large organic carrots, 1 small organic apple, 2 stalks romaine lettuce in the beginning. As you become accustomed to juicing greens, add dandelion greens, kale or parsley.


Detoxify the Blood Stream with Dark Greens: 
Dark leafy greens contain the pigment chlorophyll, which gives greens their dark green color. This pigment absorbs energy from the sun during photosynthesis and is a wonderful cleanser to help detoxify toxins out of our system. 

With Less Toxins, it is easier to lose fat stores

Because the body holds onto excess fat in an effort to defend itself against toxins, it makes sense that the more dark leafy greens you consume to eliminate toxins, the less fat your body will need to accumulate for protection. 

Boost the Immune System: 

Dark leafy greens provide potent antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals. 

Amino acids: 


The amino acids in greens are the very building blocks needed for the body to make protein, which of course is needed to build strong muscle. 

Aids Digestion: 


Greens also stimulate enzyme production which is needed for proper digestion of foods. If you digest your foods properly, this may help eliminate bloat, puffiness and even allergies related to improper digestion of foods. When you are bloated, puffy and have allergies, you tend to hold onto water weight. 
Start your day with a glass of fresh juice and flood your body with easy to absorb nutrients
                                            A link to a variety of  juice extractors


There are many good books on juicing that might be helpful to find recipes and the specific health benefits of certain vegetables, Here are some suggestions:
Books on Juicing  - This is a full list of books, e-books, and kindle books available online.

Here are some highly rated books to get started.
The Everything Juicing Book

Your Comprehensive Green Juicing Guide

Juicing Life Guide Benefits

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and am not trying to diagnose or treat disease. This website is for educational purposes only. Consult your physician before making any changes in your diet.



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17 comments:

  1. What a wealth of information in such a short space! Great for those who are new to juicing, or just considering it ... :)

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  2. Stopped by from Sunny Simple - I should pull my juicer out. I like making the juice but I hate cleaning the darn machine afterwards.

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  3. Fresh juicing is really delicious. I did it a lot when I was pregnant, but should do it again. Thanks for inspiring! My favorite is carrots, apples, celery and romaine or kale. Watercress is also very healthy, but can be bitter, so I just put a little bit of that in.

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  4. I have read so much about 'juicing' and thought many times of just purchasing a juicer but never have. Maybe it's about time that I did. This is a wonderful post packed full of info! I may just have to break down and buy one this month and give it a try. I know my son would love it!

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  5. I have to admit, I've never juiced veggies, but you're inspiring me to try it out!

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  6. Thank you for this comprehensive and informative blog post. I started juicing in January of this year and am just starting my third 30 day juice fast. Here's what I can tell you about my experience. #1 - I have never felt so good or healthy in my entire life. Energy? It's through the roof! #2 - I have crossed a mental barrier and am now experiencing greater quantities and more variety of vegetables that I have ever eaten in my entire life. #3 - I could easily just juice rather than eat. I could never imagine how juicing would have changed my entire outlook on nutrition and health. If you're considering juicing, give it a few weeks. You'll be glad you did!

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  7. I have to admit, I love my smoothies. However, I am impressed by the nutritional value of juicing. Thank you for the info and thank you for sharing with See Ya In the Gumbo.

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  8. thanks for sharing this. i just got a juicer and was not sure where to start.

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  9. Love this. Thanks for sharing with Simply Delish.

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  10. I got rid of our juicer about 6 months ago and am really regretting it... I will probably get another one if I find it for cheap.

    Thanks for linking up to Healthy 2day Wednesaday. Hope to see you back next Wednesday.

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  11. Do you use this to replace a meal daily or as a supplemental drink? Thanks!

    My uncle had a story of a lady that came to see him at his free clinic complaining that she had been gaining a lot of weight since starting a weight loss drink. He asked her if she was using it as a replacement meal and she said no, that she was having one or two of the meal replacement drinks daily plus her regular meals :).

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  12. I recently got RID of my juicer, and am now regretting it.

    Thanks for linking up to Healthy 2day Wednesaday. Hope to see you back next Wednesday.

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  13. I could use an energy boost. This long hot summer has made me more tired than usual.
    Thanks so much for linking up at I Gotta Create! <3 Christina

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  14. Interesting. I wish I knew someone who had one so I could just taste some of those vegetable juices to see if I liked them before investing in a juicer. I like the easy clean up and your convincing argument for them. :D Thanks for sharing this week.
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  15. This is such an interesting and informative post! Vegetables contain so many nutrients and juicing is a great way to take advantage of that.

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