Juicing has become widely popular over the past few years and the health trend continues to grow. Not only does juicing fresh fruits and vegetables provide your body with vitamins and nutrients, but it’s also a great way to jumpstart your wellness journey to better health.
So what is juicing? Juicing is the process of extracting the juice from whole fruits and vegetables using any number of juicers on the market. Benefits of juicing include, better digestion, glowing skin, increase in energy, reduce inflammation, better sleep, mental clarity, and weight loss. Although juicing helps with weight loss it should never be your sole regimen for losing weight.
What type of juicer do I use? There are two main juicers on the market; the centrifugal and the masticating juicer, also known as a slow juicer. Many start out with centrifugal juicers like the Breville because it is less expensive than slow juicers like the Hurom that can start at $300.
In my own experience with juicing, I started with a Jack LaLanne, and gradually transitioned from two Breville series juicers to now using a Hurom HH Elite Slow Juicer. I highly recommend using a Breville until you become a more experienced juicer to get more familiar how to juice, what to juice, and the overall patience of juicing.
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What is this green juice? Although there are many variations of juice, the Mean Green has been the go-to for many who are beginners to the juicing lifestyle, as well as those who are more advanced. The Mean Green was made popular by Joe Cross from Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead, and has simple ingredients that provide the body with great benefits.
The ingredients in the Mean Green are known to support immune health, digestion, reduce inflammation, help lower cholesterol levels, promote eye health, and reduce the risk of certain cancers. It’s a great source of calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, Vitamins A and B, and antioxidants.
Here is a breakdown of the many benefits that each ingredient provides:
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Ginger
Ginger has been known to boost immunity, aids in digestion, improves respiratory conditions, and is an anti-inflammatory.
Cucumber
Because of its water content cucumbers are hydrating. They also have been known to reduce inflammation and lower cholesterol levels.
Celery
Celery not only contains carotenoids that promote eye health but can also reduce the risk of developing certain cancers.
Kale
Kale is a superfood packedwith vitamins and nutrients that promote overall well-being for the body. Kale is low in calories and high in fiber, it promotes eye and skin health, and contains vitamin A and C, iron, calcium, and potassium.
Apple
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Apples have been known to reduce cholesterol, aid in digestion, and reduce the risk of certain cancers.
Lemon
Lemons aid in digestion, as well as support the immune system. Lemons are an overall great way to start your day.
So let’s get to it! Here is the recipefor the uber-popular Mean Green.
Ingredients:
- 2 cucumbers
- 8 celery stalks
- 4 granny smith apples
- 16 leaves of kale
- 1 lemon
- 2-inch piece of ginger
Directions:
- Thoroughly wash produce.
- Peel the lemon.
- Core the apple.
- Add ingredients to your juicer.
This recipe makes 2 servings of 16-20 ounces of juice. When juicing leafy vegetables follow it with a fruit or vegetable high in water content like celery or cucumber.
If you are a beginner looking to add juicing as a part of your lifestyle, I suggest watching Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead to learn more about the benefits juicing can add to your overall well-being.
Elissa Mirsky, known to most as Elle, is a published author and former editor-in-chief of Bold Magazine. She believes food shouldn’t be boring and every meal should be fashionably edible. Follow her on Instagram @mylifebeingelle where she is documenting her journey to eat well, living life, and love self.
