The Aroma of Life : Juicing into 2015

Happy New Year Y'all! Its crazy to think we are already three weeeks into the year 2015. With all the new year goals and resolutions my husband and I bought a juicer to christen the New Year. Every year our goal is maintain our health and use new and old methods to keep fit and active. I was so excited about my juicer I made three drinks the night he brought it home. So being passionate about juicing and health I wanted to share the benefits of juicing.
First off I am implementing juicing into my daily diet not juicing as a diet. I am not writing about fasting on just juices and using them as substitute for all meals.
Vegetables and fruits are amazing sources of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other nutrients like phytochemicals.Woah hold your horses. What is a phytochemical...well they are biological active substances in plants that are responsible for giving the plants color, flavor and natural disease resistance. These guys are powerful ammunition in the war against cancer. To read more on these guys check out prescription for nutritional healing by Phyllis a balch.
Juicing is used at its best when using a variety of fruits and vegetables because each plant appears to have their own different nutrients,vitamins and phytochemicals. Phyllis A Balch recommends two glasses of live juices daily for health maintenance. Four glasses a day is recommended if you want to speed healing and recovery from illness.
This brings me to my next issue. Live fruit juices made at home verses store bought juices. If you want to get the most out of your juices drink them within 24 hours of juicing. I am not dissing the store bought juices like my favorites made by the Naked brand but studies have shown that many Commercial juices are heat-treated to lengthen shelf life. This process can destroy very important nutrients and in addition companies add preservatives to keep it on the shelf to be sold in the produce department. By buying the best produce,properly preparing it and processing it in your juicer you will get the most nutrients rich drink.

Vegetable and Green juicing
Green juices have a rejuvenating effect and cleanse the body of pollutanats. Green juices are rich in chlorophyll, which purifies the blood build red blood cells and detoxify the body.Green juices are composed of barley grass, alfalfa, cabbage, kale, spinach and other green veggies. Green juices should be consumed in moderation about 10 ounces a day. Vegetables other than greens are known as restorers.These veggies boost the immune system, remove acid waste and alkalize the blood. You can juice a wide range of veggies including carrots, celery, cucumber, kale, beets, spinach are among the favorites. Carrot is the most popular of the juices because of the sweetness but don't let the sweetness full you, carrot juice is packed with beta-carotene, the Vitamin A that helps fight against cancer. Try using small amounts of strong flavored veggies in your juices. Some of these include celery, broccoli, radishes,parsley. For the best health result use a variety of veggies in your juices to give yourself a variety of nutrients.

Fruit Juicing
Fruit juices cleanse the body and nourish it with important nutrients.The best thing about juicing Fruit is its healthy and it tastes amazing! Watermelon is one of the best cleansing juices, other fruits include apples, pears, kiwi, cut us fruits, bananas, berries. Enjoy fresh fruit juice any time of the day a 10 to 12 ounce glass is reccomended. My favorite juices are to combine all three greens, veggies and fruits into one amazing concoction.

Preparing produce
Here are some tips and guidelines when prepping produce
▪Whenever possible buy organic. This prevents chemical residue ending up in your juice.
▪If you can't buy organic use a veggie brush and veggie wash to rinse them throughly.
▪When using organic produce leave the skin on to get more nutrients. Do remove the skin from apricots, grapefruits, kiwis, oranges, papayas, peaches and pineapples.
▪Leave in small seeds except when using apples. Apple seeds contain cyanide, a toxic substance.
▪Juice most produces with steams and leaves except carrots.
▪When using soft produce puree in a blender then add to the juice. Ex . bananas, avocados.