Organic Lifestyle | Healthy Juicing Tips

I get a lot of questions about juicing. I started juicing on August 1, 2013 and I've lost 25 lbs. Not only does my body have amazing energy it's also made my mind so clear. There's nothing healthier or sexier than a body that feels good!!

Now onto questions I've been getting...

1. Why juice?

Juicing is an amazing way to get nutrients into your body that you wouldn't ordinarily get. Some of us don't like eating that many veggies, so this is a way to get them into your body in a quick and efficient way.

2. What's the difference between juicing and blending?

Blending just grinding up the fiber and keeps it in the juice which is great if you want to feel full longer. Blending is good if that's all you've got, but juicing is way better for your body. Juicing extracts nutrients and water from vegetables making it easier to ingest. This is better for your digestive system, particularly if you have a sensitive digestive tract. If you want to feel full longer, then I suggest adding chia seeds to your juice after you've used your juicer. You don't want those chia seeds to burn up your juicer.

Warning: If you are juicing you extracting the essential nutrients from a fruit or vegetable and for that reason I recommend only using one fruit in your juice. If you juiced a lot of fruits then that would be a sugar overload for ill patients.

3. What kind of juicer should I buy?

That's the best question to ask. I recommend the Jack LaLanne Power Juicer and Breville juicers. Both are excellent juicers. If you buy a cheap juicer it's apt to die on you in just a few juicings. You need a powerful motor because you'll be juicing like crazy once you see how good your body feels.

4. What do I juice?

I like to juice everything from kale, dandelion greens, collard greens, swiss chard (in any variety), cilantro, carrots, cucumbers (absolutely essential), celery, beets and their greens, parsley, and ONE large apple. Of course, you don't juice all this at once, but I buy all of this for one week of juicing.

Here's a sample recipe:

Ingredients

1 bunch of kale

4 handfuls of baby spinach

5 carrots

1 large cucumber

1 large apple

ginger

Makes 4 c. of juice.

5. What should I buy for one week of juicing?

Here's an example of my shopping list:
7 cucumbers
7 large apples
1 lb. bag of carrots
1 stalk of celery
1 bunch of beets
1 bunch of cilantro
4 bunches of kale
1 bunch of swiss chard
1 lb. baby spinach
hand size of ginger

6. How do I prepare my veggies?

First, clean your veggies. Fill your sink with water. Add 1/3 c. Bragg's Raw Apple Cider Vinegar. Add in your veggies and leave to soak for 10-15 min. Empty the water and then rinse them.

Next, slice the ends of your cucumbers and then down the middle lengthwise. Cut your apple in fours and cut out the seeds. Seeds aren't good for you or your juicer.

7. How do I juice?

Start with the kale or the greens. Gently push it into the juicer, one stalk at a time. If the green is too big, then cut it and put it in. I usually do celery next since the water in that vegetable pushes out the rest of the bits of kale. Then I do the carrots, the apple, and the ginger and then I do the cucumber last. The cucumber will clean out your juicer of all the nutrients that are still lingering in there.

8. Do you have any juicing tips?

I have three very important ones to remember. ONE: JUICE IN THE MORNING BEFORE YOU EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING ELSE. The nutrients get absorbed into your body faster and that's the very best thing you can do for your body. You've already taken the step to learn that juicing is essential for your health, but it's even better if you follow this particular tip.

TWO: ONLY MAKE WHAT YOU THINK YOU'LL DRINK. YOU SHOULDN'T SAVE YOUR JUICE. The nutrients from juicing are on a time frame. You can't put it into your refrigerator and expect it to have the same benefits as it does Right after you juice. Here's more about the topic.

THREE: ONLY BUY ORGANIC. Most people know about genetically modified organisms. There's absolutely no nutrition in them, but some people forget to remind you that conventional produce is almost as bad for you because it contains harmful pesticides that can't be washed off even with the method described in this post. I'm assuming that you're thinking about juicing because it's healthy, but if you're going to juice conventional vegetables then you might as well not juice at all.

9. Do you recommend juicing for weight loss?

Yes and no. Yes, juicing will help you lose weight, but if you're doing it to lose weight then that's not the only reason to do it. My number one reason for juicing was that it made me feel healthier. A smaller waistline will do that, too, but your focus should be on increasing your vitality. Weight loss will come with that goal, too.

10. How many times a week should I juice?

I juice every single morning, but sometimes I even juice twice a day if I feel like my body needs it. There are some that suggest juicing as a detox program at first and that's a good idea if you can do it. Honestly, at first, your body will be full from juicing 4 cups at a time. If you decide to juice for three days then you'll need a lot of vegetables. You'll probably juice three times a day and I suggest eating raw vegetables only to aid in your detox. I haven't done a three day fast yet, but it's next on my list.

Happy juicing, folks. I hope you'll give it a chance. Give it one week and if you don't feel better then at least you've tried it!!!

Eat to Live. Don't live to eat.