Many of us do not get the required vitamins and nutrients our bodies need in order to maintain optimal health and avoid disease. In our hectic world, we find it difficult to prepare meals from scratch because of time constraints with our jobs, families and busy lives. This leaves us grabbing processed, convenience foods to save time with meal preparation. This practice has been to our detriment. Since the shift from made-from-scratch meals to substantially more processed foods, the incidence of obesity, heart disease and cancers has been on the rise.
Our children are suffering. Childhood diabetes is at levels it has never reached in the past. And, the cause is diet related. It is said that for the first time in history, our children are expected to have a shorter lifespan than their parents. This is a disturbing notion. However, it is within our power to shift this paradigm.
It is so important for us to consume fresh, organic fruits and vegetables – particularly leafy greens. A diet consisting of an abundance of these foods is a good way to ensure that we are protecting ourselves from the illness that is so prevalent today. A good rule of thumb to follow is that 51% of each meal we consume should consist of fresh, organic, preferably raw vegetables such as a large salad with a good mix of veggies. The meat or remaining part of the meal should fill less of your plate and be the accompaniment not the focus of the meal.
One way to ensure that you are squeezing in all of the needed leafy greens and other veggies into your eating day is to consume freshly pressed juices. Investing in a masticating or centrifugal juicer could be the best investment you make for your family. Owning a juicer (and using it!) can help you to consume optimal nutrition for good health.
But how do you choose the best juicer for you? A good way to embark on the world of juicing is to educate yourself of the types juicers available. A good way to do this is to research juicer reviews online. Consulting juicer reviews can help you narrow down the endless choices of juicers available on the market. You can also find the right juicer within your price range and what will provide the best value for your money.
Now that you have invested in a juicer, you may be wondering what you should juice! It is important to use organic produce when making your juice. Buying organic will ensure you are not consuming pesticides that are used on commercially grown fruits and vegetables. You may pay a little more now but you will save a lot later in healthcare costs.
I have created my own recipe for a nutrient packed juice that I enjoy at least 3 times per week. I use my Breville Juice Fountain to make fresh juice and I love the way it works. It is a reliable, powerful machine that was reasonably priced.
Here is my recipe for green juice. All produce I use is organic. This recipe will make two 16 ounce glasses:
- 1 whole cucumber (if it is not organic, peel the skin off)
- 1 Granny Smith apple
- 1 inch piece of ginger
- 1 whole lemon
- 3 carrots
- 3 kale leaves
- 3 collard leaves
- 3 swiss chard leaves
- 1/3 bunch of curly parsley
- 3 stalks of celery
Run all of the produce through your juicer. With the Breville Juice Fountain’s large feeding chute, you can fit a whole small apple down without cutting it up. However, a larger apple may require cutting. All of the other produce can fit through whole. I run the juicer on high speed.
When you have finished, mix the juice with a spoon before pouring into glasses. Enjoy your fresh juice as quickly as possible. Don’t drink it down fast but start to drink it right away. The longer it sits, the more it oxidizes and loses nutrients.
Welcome to the wonderful world of juicing!