The Power of Juices: Complete Guide to Juicing, Cleanses, and Healthy Living

Have you tried juicing?

If yes, that’s great, because juicing offers many benefits for your health and well-being.

Juicing can make you feel better in so many ways.

It’s important, however, to understand how juicing works, and this book will help you get started, discuss the best juicers for you, and explain how to avoid the common pitfalls of juicing.

You will also find many juicing recipes, some specifically geared toward addressing certain health concerns.

Your mom probably told you repeatedly, “Eat your vegetables!” Maybe you hid the spinach beneath the mashed potatoes.

Kids do that.

Now, however, you know how important eating more fruits and vegetables is to your optimal health.

They are known to reduce the risk of certain cancers, heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

They are filled with the vitamins and minerals you need to remain healthy and full of energy.

It’s a simple fact that the more fruits and vegetables you eat, the more you enjoy the benefits.

You should be eating more than five servings every day.

That sounds close to impossible, doesn’t it?

This is where juicing comes in.

We can’t always consume all the fruits and vegetables we need.

Juicing concentrates the produce so that one glass can serve as the equivalent of several pieces of fruit and vegetables.

Juicing makes it easier to enjoy the benefits of fruits and vegetables. Here’s how it works:

A juicer extracts all the liquid and discards everything else.

So, what you are left with is highly concentrated fruit and vegetable juice.

A blender mashes the whole fruits or vegetables, but leaves the fiber.

We’ll talk more about the differences between juicing and blending, since both have their benefits.

This book will show you how to incorporate juicing into your healthy lifestyle.

Juices can serve as a vibrant meal replacement, but you also need solid foods.

We’ll discuss why and how to go about a complete juice cleanse.

So let’s get into it…

Juicing vs. Blending

These days, people are becoming more aware of the effects that the foods they consume have on their bodies and entire lives.

This is definitely a step in the right direction.

Every study over the past few decades indicates that many of us are overfed and undernourished.

We are eating all the wrong foods.

As the current juicing craze gains momentum, it’s important to discuss the difference between juicing and blending.

Juicing, as we’ve discussed, separates the juice from fiber, leaving you with a heavy concentration of plant-based nutrients.

Your body gets a heavy shot of vitamins and minerals.

Not surprisingly, you need a juicer to extract juice from fruits and vegetables.

Blending processes the entire fruit or vegetable, simply creating a different form of the same thing.

You blend a carrot, you get a carrot, albeit in a liquid, smoothie form.

It is not concentrated, like juicing.

It does, however, retain all the needed fiber that juicing removes.

Juicing provides more concentrated nutrition.

You use more produce to get that glass of juice, so it’s more expensive.

Blending gives you all the benefits of produce, along with the fiber.

Both have their uses, depending on what you are trying to achieve.

As a general rule of thumb, the amount of fruits and vegetables needed for one glass of juice will provide you with 3 glasses of blended smoothies.

Since blending retains fiber, which slows down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, blending might be an excellent option if you are watching your sugar intake.

When you blend, you can also add different types of foods, such as yogurt or nuts.

Both juicing and blending are excellent ways to consume more fruits and vegetables.

If you’re feeling sneaky, it’s a great opportunity to get some vegetables and fruits into your finicky little eaters.

Actually, if they help with the juicing process, they are likely to become more interested in eating the whole thing.

Juicing and blending let you use up produce that is ready to wilt.

However, one or the other may be better for certain types of fruits and vegetables.

Let’s take a look at what type of produce is best juiced or blended.

Either method will give you some inherent goodness, but there are times when one method is better, even though all fruits and vegetables can be juiced.

For juicing fruits, try papaya, all citrus fruits, apples, pineapples, and grapes.

For blending, less juicy fruits work best, such as avocados, bananas, peaches, all berries, and mangos.

Of course, you can pick more than one for a heavenly blend.

For juicing vegetables, try tomatoes, cucumber, celery, green leafy vegetables, and cabbage.

Use vegetables with lots of fiber for blending, such as kale, spinach, and any squash.

Adding citrus fruit to your kale or spinach can help reduce bitterness.

Whenever you blend, remember to add water, coconut milk or yogurt.

The Science of Juicing

Juicing is one of the quickest-growing and most popular health trends.

We know that fresh vegetables and fruits are necessary for our health.

They contain the vitamins and enzymes that our bodies need to thrive.

Why Our Diet Is Lacking

Fresh juice is an excellent way to counteract our nutrition- challenged Western diet.

Processed sugars and flours, unhealthy fats, and cholesterol-laden foods have turned our once-healthy bodies into weak shadows of their former selves.

Instead of sustaining our health, our modern diet is increasing our vulnerability to disease and depleting us of the energy we need.

When you add lack of exercise and environmental toxins to the equation, juicing certainly provides a much-needed weapon against today’s lifestyle.

Fresh vegetables and fruits can help get our health back on track.

They should be the mainstay of our diet, enjoyed in different ways each day.

We can all benefit from increasing our intake of fresh produce.

The good news is that juicing provides us with concentrated wholesomeness.

We get more health benefits in a glass of juice than we could possibly get by eating an apple or an orange.

What is not immediately evident is that juicing our produce robs them – and us – of the fibers we need to stay healthy.

Nature intended for us to bite into its rich bounty.

Juicing removes fiber from produce.

In effect, it separates all those glorious vitamins and antioxidants from the fiber.

And fiber is an important part of a healthy diet.

The Importance of Fiber

Nature packages the energy and nutrients in fresh foods with fiber.

Fiber plays many important roles in our health:

What role does fiber play in our health?

Quite an important one, as it turns out.

Fiber removes toxic waste from our colon.
It keeps cholesterol from getting into our bloodstream
It makes us feel full after eating, thus helping us eat less and lose weight.
It slows down sugar absorption into our bloodstream, a serious problem for pre-diabetics or diabetics.
It improves overall digestive functions.

So, fruits, vegetables, and fiber are all good things, but juicing separates them.

As a juicer pulverizes the produce into a concentrated juice, it strips away much of the fiber.

In a way, a juicer can “process” produce in much the same way processed foods have their nutrients removed.

Which means the juicer is processing the food instead of our own digestive system.

However, our bodies absorb nutrients much faster without fiber.

Fruit juice, of course, contains fructose, a natural sugar.

However, our body can’t distinguish between natural and unnatural sugars, so a constant craving for sweet juice can actually lead to weight gain instead of weight loss.

There is no denying that juices provide nutrient-dense calories that our bodies crave.

That’s why juicing is so beneficial.

It especially lets us enjoy the benefits of healthy vegetables we otherwise might not touch.

For instance, you may not enjoy the taste of kale or spinach, and thus avoid eating these important vegetables.

However, when they are juiced along with other ingredients, you derive the benefit of these power foods in a very pleasant way.

Blending different fruits and vegetables is very much a part of juicing.

However, unless you are doing a short-term cleanse (we will discuss cleanses in another chapter), be aware that juicing should become part of a healthier, more robust lifestyle.

It should not replace every meal for any length of time.

It’s one of the best ways of getting all the nutrition we need for maximum health and energy.

For example, 2 cups of carrot juice (very doable) has the nutritional equivalence of eight pounds of carrots.

You surely don’t want to eat those eight pounds of carrots in one sitting, whereas you can enjoy two cups easily.

However, you still need fiber when you’re juicing.

That means, along with juicing, you should be eating foods high in fiber, such as whole, fresh fruits and vegetables, oatmeal, and legumes like lentils and beans.

These foods are the perfect complement to your juicing diet.

Juicing is wonderful when used as a “fast food,” a quick, very potent, and nutritious meal.

With all the juicers on the market (we will discuss them in a later chapter), you’ll be juicing it in no time and loving it.

Why Juicing?

Juicing extracts juices from vegetables and fruits.

Instead of eating your produce, you’re left with only liquid to drink.

Remember that little citrus reamer your grandmother used to squeeze you a glass of fresh orange juice?

Grandma was juicing.

Of course, juicers have come a long way since then, although Grandma’s little gadget can still come in handy.

Why is juicing more important today than ever?

Because, unfortunately, a typical Western diet consists of up to 60 percent processed foods.

That’s more than half!

Thirty percent of our diet is meat and dairy, which provides needed protein, but we need more than protein to thrive.

You may notice that leaves exactly 10 percent for fruits and vegetables.

Not nearly enough.

Our bodies lack the proper balance of food.

That may be fine when you’re 12 years old and are made up of pure energy.

But by the time you reach the northern part of your twenties, your body starts paying a heavy price.

How Juicing Helps Your Body

Plant-based foods consist of micronutrients, the vitamins and minerals you need to act and feel your best.

These micronutrients help protect against disease and ward off infections.

Even if you inherited divine genes, you need to maintain them.

Your parents might have handed you sheer gold, but it’ll turn to rust if you don’t give your body the fuel it requires.

Juicing lets you “reboot” to better health.

No matter your condition, the time to start is now.

Juicing is the best way to detox your body, improve your immune system, start losing weight, ease any gut problems, and enjoy more energy than you’d thought possible.

Juicing and Detoxing

Our body detoxes every day when we use the bathroom or sweat.

It knows what to do, but when we don’t give it the fuel it needs, it can’t do its job properly.

Our skin, liver, and kidneys are all tools for eliminating toxins.

But an unhealthy lifestyle can make it difficult.

Pollution, drugs, alcohol, and a poor diet can create an overload of toxins inside of us.

And when our body can’t eliminate toxins naturally, it starts to store them, where they nibble away at our immune system, tissues, and organs, causing serious health problems.

We are natural plant eaters.

Our forefathers gathered whatever plants and berries they could every day.

Hunting down some meat happened a lot less often.

And nothing was processed.

Today, we have turned from a mostly plant-based diet to consuming more and more processed foods, meats, and fats.

Over 30 percent of American men and women suffer from obesity while still lacking vital nutrients.

As we’ve pointed out, they are overfed and undernourished.

We crave sugars and fats, and that’s okay.

We celebrate with cake and commiserate with a pint ice cream.

An occasional slice of cheesecake does no harm.

However, junk food can become such a habit, we don’t even realize it.

We order a pizza because everyone else does.

This leaves our health at serious risk.

Juicing will not only give our bodies a fighting chance, as we get used to the taste of various fruits and vegetable juices, we will start craving them.

We get a similar feeling of satisfaction from drinking delicious juices that we used to get from chomping down on a potato chip.

That’s when we start to feel and look better.

You can start slow.

As the great Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Start your journey by juicing a glass in the morning to go with your breakfast, and eat well for the rest of the day.

When you feel ready, you can have a glass of juice replace an entire meal.

You still need fiber and protein, so don’t rely on juice for all your nutrients, unless you are doing a short-term juice cleanse.

We will discuss that separately.

What If You’re Not Ready To Start Juicing?

Perhaps you don’t feel ready for juicing.

You may like the concept, but you aren’t quite willing to forego the fast-food burger at lunch, the pizza delivery when you get home, and those nachos while watching the game.

That’s okay.

It’s your decision.

However, this is when you might need a glass of juice the most.

While you’re consuming all those toxins, your energy is lagging.

You aren’t feeling as well as you could.

Why not give your body the ammunition it needs and a fighting chance?

With at least one glass of concentrated juice a day, preferably more, the additional nutrition can help counteract some of the toxins.

So, if you must, have that pizza.

Consider having a glass of concentrated juice, as well.

Juice Cleanses

A juice cleanse is a way to detoxify the body by solely consuming juices for up to 10 days.

Solid food is not a part of most juice cleanses.

If you embark on a cleanse for more than three days, check with your doctor first.

A study published in Proceedings of the Nutrition Society found that people consuming five servings of fruit or vegetables in the form of juice concentrate over eight hours did increase their body’s antioxidants and other micronutrients.

However, consuming nothing but juice concentrate can lead to sugar spikes.

Also, such a cleanse lacks fiber and can leave the person feeling perpetually hungry.

A cleanse, of course, lacks any form of animal protein.

Several days of a pure juice cleanse can cause severe fatigue, so limit the total days you consume nothing but pure juice.

Juicing and Gut Health

The advantage of a three-day juice cleanse is improved gut health.

Two thousand years ago, the father of medicine, Hippocrates, said, “All disease begins in the gut.” Modern research shows that he could not have been more correct.

An impaired gut can lead to obesity, chronic fatigue, and other diseases.

The fact is, the connection between body and brain is strong.

When our gut is not functioning properly, it can affect our brain or mood.

Juicing sweeps through a messy gut and tidies it up.

A study at UCLA found that a mere three-day cleanse increases good bacteria and decreases bad bacteria in our gut.

People who go through a juice cleanse report simply, “feeling better.” A cleanse returns the body to its natural state, free of harmful toxins.

Before starting a juice cleanse, check with your doctor. If he or she gives the go-ahead, here’s what you can do to maximize the benefits:

Don’t just jump into a cleanse…

You wouldn’t start a running plan with a marathon schedule, would you? Prepare your body a few days prior to the cleanse:

Start drinking more water.
Reduce the amount of caffeine you usually consume. Use this time to start incorporating green tea into your diet.
For a week or so before your cleanse, include more raw fruits and vegetables in your diet each day. An excellent way to do this is by preparing at least one green smoothie per day.
One or two days prior to your cleanse, eliminate meats and dairy from your diet entirely. If you are used to consuming meat and dairy with every meal, start a few days earlier. This will help your digestive system accept the plant-based cleanse more quickly.
If you’re still consuming processed foods, just stop.

Processed food provides you with no benefits and can be responsible for many health problems.

Start to examine labels.

If you aren’t familiar with an ingredient, the chances are good you shouldn’t be consuming it.

Beware of hidden sugars, even in foods labelled natural.

After preparing for your cleanse…

…decide which cleanse is most suited to your goals. The best and healthiest cleanse will be five days or less.

Kidney Cleanse

All cleanses are beneficial.

But the kidneys’ role is to detoxify our entire body.

If they do not function properly, your health suffers the consequences.

Clean health begins with clean kidneys.

A kidney cleanse removes toxic waste that can accumulate and make you feel sluggish.

If you are on a special diet, consult your doctor about incorporating a kidney cleanse into your lifestyle.

Start your kidney cleanse slowly.

Substitute just one meal with a glass of healing juice.

This will help you determine which ingredients work best for you.

Benefits of a Kidney Cleanse

When toxins remain stored in your kidneys, you can become uncomfortably bloated as they aren’t being flushed out.
Toxins in your kidneys can lead to excessive fatigue. If foods aren’t being processed properly, your body won’t absorb the nutrients. As a result, you’ll have less energy and are more likely to tire quickly.
If the kidneys aren’t flushed properly, you may be susceptible to kidney infections. A good kidney cleanse can help.
Bladder problems result from toxins or bacteria in the urinary tract. The urinary tract is located partially in the kidneys. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection include frequent urination.

This can occur, especially during times of stress or when the immune system is weakened.

The best way to rid your kidneys of toxins is to drink plenty of water.

Cranberry and orange juice are especially helpful in cleaning out the kidneys, as they are naturally unfriendly toward bacteria.

We’ll have several juice recipes that are especially effective in flushing out kidney impurities.

5. By regularly cleansing your kidneys of impurities, you lower the risk of developing kidney stones considerably.

Anti-Aging and Juicing

Aging is a natural part of life.

When we’re 13, we can’t wait to grow older.

When we hit 53, aging starts to look a bit different.

Our skin has begun to sag, we’re fighting wrinkles instead of acne, and our body doesn’t always obey us.

Most of us want to slow the aging process to look and feel better.

That’s perfectly normal and desirable, especially at a time when we are gaining so much knowledge about the harm we do to ourselves by consuming toxins and generally indulging in an unhealthy lifestyle.

Aging is inevitable.

The negative side effects of aging are not.

Here’s the truth: Our lifestyle contributes much more to our own aging process than Father Time.

While a certain Hollywood contingent has clung to youth through surgery and Botox, many have ended up looking like young trout.

Facelifts and injections aren’t the answer to graceful aging.

Reduce the Onset of Aging

Aging has little to do with wrinkles, which are the result of aging, not the cause.

Aging and the related damage are the logical consequences of cellular damage and the body’s inability to counter these changes with sufficient antioxidants.

We simply use up what we have during our lifetime.

This is where a diet filled with antioxidants comes in.

An optimal diet regimen and juicing help combat the onset of sagging skin, hair loss, osteoporosis, and other signs.

It doesn’t stop the aging process, but it can slow down the worst effects and let us enjoy excellent health well into our older years.

Juicing, along with a healthy diet, keeps us more vital for a longer period of time.

Juicing for Boosting Energy

Energy Boosters

One of the most amazing aspects of juicing is how it can boost your energy to new heights.

This is especially important as we grow older.

All those fruits and veggies know how to do their job.

These days, we live in a high-energy world, with many of us trying to fit 26 hours into a 24-hour day.

It’s exhausting.

Many people have developed the habit of consuming toxic so-called energy drinks to get an added energy boost.

We all want to feel more energetic, but at what cost?

The dangerous side effects of these energy drinks are well-known and listed below.

Energy Drinks

Drinking too many caffeinated energy drinks can prove lethal.

These drinks force the heart to work harder, which can lead to serious health problems.

People with chronic heart conditions are especially at risk.

A study revealed that over 4,500 calls were made to poison control centers by people who’d consumed too many of these toxic drinks.

Even at their most benign, studies show that drinking energy drinks affected cardiac rhythm in a significant way.

Drinking energy drinks every day cause migraine headaches due to caffeine withdrawal when the drinker tries to stop this daily habit.

The body becomes addicted to the caffeine.

Large quantities of energy drinks can cause panic attacks and anxiety.

This can lead directly to bad performance and emotional issues.

The purpose of energy drinks is to rev up the brain, which leads to insomnia and other sleep problems.

Sleep deprivation can cause additional problems, such as difficulty in concentrating.

Energy drinks have a high sugar content, which can exacerbate or cause type 2 Diabetes conditions.

An abundance of energy drinks can cause serious dehydration.

Energy drinks deplete the body of needed water rather than replenish it.

Energy drinks can elevate blood pressure to an abnormally high level.

Those who are experiencing high blood pressure are at risk for possible strokes due to the high caffeine content.

More energy is a worthwhile goal, but why rely on toxic energy drinks and suffer the consequences?

Fruit juices provide an abundance of energy by providing the body with the healthy nutrients it needs.

If you are serious about boosting your energy, toss the energy drink and reach for the juice.

Which to Prefer – Homemade or Store-Packed Juices

Okay, perhaps you are convinced that consuming more juice can have a tremendously positive effect on your health.

You’re determined to make juices a daily habit.

That’s great.

But … what about all those beautifully bottled juices lining the shelves at the supermarket?

Why not simply stock up and avoid all the hassle of juicing?

Juices Are Not Created Equal

Yes, those processed juices are certainly convenient.

But they are pasteurized and depleted of nutrients.

Consider this: if you found out carrots were good for you, would you opt for fresh carrots or a chicken pot pie filled with processed carrots?

Bottled juices are processed much like all other processed foods.

This is exactly what fresh juicing is designed to avoid.

Possible Problems with Bottled Juices

The process of bottling these juices can reduce the amount of important nutrients in the juice.
You have no control over the fruits and vegetables being processed. These bottled juices may contain pesticides or other chemicals. For juicing, organic, fresh-off-the-farm is best.
You can’t even be certain that the produce has been cleaned properly.
If you are purchasing fruit concentrates, you may be buying little more than sugar water.
For juices sold in cans, these cans contain acid and other chemicals that can blend into the juices.
Bottled juice loses potency as it sits on the shelf. Exactly how many nutrients are left in that juice that may have been shelved for a month? You simply don’t know.
Since some juice bottlers add artificial flavorings, bottled juice will forever remain “mystery” juice.
Bottled juices are expensive. You’re paying around $3.00 for one helping of juice.

Juices Made In Your Juicer

Compare the above bottled juices with juices prepared fresh in your kitchen:

Homemade juices contain all the natural vitamins and enzymes of the original fruit. Nothing is lost.
You can mix and match fruits and vegetables according to your taste. If you want to add juice to your life, make sure the juice is as fresh and uncontaminated as possible. Buy fresh.

Types of Juicers

Once you’ve decided to incorporate juicing into your life, you’ll need to determine what type of juicer is best for you.

A juicer is a machine that extracts juice from fruits and vegetables.

You’ll want to pick the right one for your needs.

Size and ease of cleaning should be considered.

Juicers can vary in cost, and the initial outlay may be a financial burden.

While you usually get what you pay for, we recommend starting your juice regimen as soon as possible and buying an inexpensive juicer.

Save up for a better, costlier juicer, and you’ll be ready by the time your inexpensive machine falls apart.

As an alternative to a full-sized juicer, many less expensive travel-size juicers are available, such as the Magic Bullet.

This is an excellent machine that makes 1 cup of juice at a time.

We’ll discuss it in detail later.

First, understand that a juicer and a blender are two different machines.

As we’ve discussed, a juicer extracts juice while removing fiber, while a blender creates a pulp-like smoothie with all the original ingredients intact.

Both machines have their uses.

Centrifugal Juicers:

These are one of the less expensive type juicers and perhaps do less than an optimal job.

They process the produce by disposing of the pulp and straining the juice.

They are relatively fast, but they don’t always get all the juice, thus making for moister pulp.

It may not be the best juicer-type for low-liquid fruits like bananas and avocados.

Hurom H-AE Slow Juicer

Definitely one of the most expensive juicers at just under $700.00.

What makes the Hurom H-AE unique is its slowness.

The juicer rotates slowly, much like Grandma’s orange squeezer, thus getting all the pure flavor.

It gets every drop of juice from the produce and leaves nothing but the extra-dry pulp.

It has an internal brush for self-cleaning.

Breville BJE430SIL The Juice Fountain Cold

This is a top-of-the-line centrifugal juicer at under $200.00.

It does have some great features that other centrifugal juicers do not, and its legion of fans swear by it.

The Breville BJE420SIL has a low and a high speed.

Its super-wide 3-inch chute lets you insert large chunks of produce without chopping.

Best of all, it makes up to 70 ounces of juice.

Its handy juice jug can store juice in the refrigerator for up to three days.

This means you get more juice in less time, since you do not need to juice as often.

Breville JE98XL Juice Fountain Plus 850-Watt Juice Extractor

This little powerhouse costs under $150.00.

It has a wide feeding chute, stainless steel cutting blades, and will get you eight ounces of juice in five seconds.

It provides more than 30 percent juice than most other centrifugal juicers.

It comes with a cup and a cleaning brush.

Gourmia GJ750 Wide Mouth Fruit Centrifugal Juicer 850 Watts Juice Extractor

The Gourmia GJ750 has an extra-wide opening for larger pieces of fruit and vegetables, saving you time on cutting and chopping.

It can make 2 cups of juice at once and is very easy to clean.

It comes with a free juicing recipe book.

At under $50.00, it’s an excellent buy.

Masticating Juicers

Masticating juicers, or cold-press juicers, press juice through a strainer.

They run at a lower speed than centrifugal juicers, which allows them to extract more juice and retain more nutrients.

They tend to work better for leafy vegetables.

They are more expensive, but they end up providing more juice, they can save you money in the long run.

Omega J8006 Nutrition Center Masticating Dual-stage Juicer Juice Extractor

This is a slow juicer that yields a high volume of juice.

It’s worth the just under $300 price tag.

The slow speed preserves most of the nutrients and allows you to store the juice for up to three days.

It can also chop nuts into peanut butter, prepare baby food, grind coffee, and make fresh pasta with an attachment.

It’s a hard worker at any price.

Aicok 3 Slow Juicer Extractor

The $159.99 Aicok is compact and easy to store.

It can also be cleaned in the dishwasher.

Its large feeder lets you insert whole fruit, saving you from chopping and cutting.

Really extracts the juice from the fruit and is an excellent buy for the money.

Omega VRT350 Heavy Duty Dual-Stage Vertical Single Auger Low Speed Juicer

Not cheap at over $400.00, the Omega works at a very low speed to retain maximum nutrition.

The pulp is ejected automatically, making the cleanup easier.

Its small size doesn’t take up much counter space.

As a bonus, it juices nuts without a problem.

An excellent way to save money on a juicer is to buy a small, personal juicer.

They are much less expensive than larger juicers, easier to clean, and you can take them on your commute.

Magic Bullet NJB-0801 Juice Bullet

At under $50.00, this little beauty uses a 700-watt motor to create the perfect 8-ounce glass of juice.

With only three parts, it disassembles quickly and cleans easily.

NutriBullet

The NutriBullet is a bit more powerful than the Magic Bullet and costs about $20.00 more.

Juicer or Blender – Decisions, decisions …

Both a juicer and a blender can provide healthy drinks.

But the following two blenders have juicing options, providing you with the best of both worlds.

They are costly but made of top-quality material that will last for years.

Blendtec Total Blender

The Blendtec is available for just under $500.00.

This powerful machine has a juicer option to extract more juice from the produce.

VitaMix A3500

The VitaMix A3500 is a slightly stronger blender and chops produce very finely.

You can strain the small bits through a cheesecloth and end up with perfect juice.

Benefits of Juicing

As we’ve already mentioned, it’s difficult to consume the amount of fruits and vegetables we should to stay healthy.

Juicing provides us with a concentrated burst of power that eating the produce cannot.

It’s a struggle most of us face.

Does anyone really eat three pounds of produce every day?

Let’s see how juicing can fill that gap.

The Many Advantages of Juicing

Since juice contains low fiber, it becomes absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly. You feel the effects immediately.
Juicing lets you enjoy greens you’d never eat in a lifetime, like kale, perhaps. By mixing the kale with other vegetables and fruits, such as an apple or an orange (or both!), you can create a palatable juice that suits your taste. Keep in mind that fruit contains a lot of sugar (one of the pitfalls of juicing) and could lead to weight gain. Therefore, try to keep the vegetable-to-fruit ratio around 80 percent to 20 percent. Juicing gives you the opportunity to try out a lot of healthy, exotic vegetables that you’ve probably walked past in the produce aisle of your local market without giving them a glance. Imagine the variety of vegetables you can try. If you juice before every meal using two vegetables, you get six different vegetables on any given day.
Our digestive system needs good bacteria called probiotics. Vegetables and fruits rich in probiotics are leeks, leafy greens, carrots, and bananas. Be sure to include those in your juicing regimen. Ginger isn’t a produce, but it’s definitely gut-friendly, so be sure to add some to your juicer.
Can juicing cure cancer? Studies are still being done, but we know one thing for certain. Juicing can arm the body with enough ammunition to help with the side-effects of chemotherapy. It can deliver that tsunami of nutrients when the body needs it most, since it lets you absorb more nutrition (ammunition for your body) quicker. Keep in mind this is an adjunct to regular cancer treatment and should be discussed with your doctor. We can be reasonably sure that juicing can do much to prevent cancer. The increased nutrients you consume with juicing are your best defense against this terrible disease. The best cancer-fighting foods are leafy greens, asparagus, carrots, beets, and broccoli. One reason juicing is a better way to defend yourself against cancer is that cooking those same vegetables destroys many of the enzymes you need. Think raw.
To lower your cholesterol, you need to consume less meat and fats and increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. Juicing, with its high-density juice content, can provide you with the most fruits and vegetables in the shortest time. Meats and saturated fats should be reduced as a matter of course. At the very least, eat more chicken and nutritious seafood.
Our lives are more stressed and faster-paced than ever. Gone are the days when you went home to a healthy, homemade dinner. Most of us simply don’t have the time or the inclination. This means we rely more on fast foods, take-outs, and delivery. That pizza may taste good, but what is it doing to your health? Drinking more juice and regular juice cleanses can eliminate the daily and accumulated toxins we feed our bodies and revitalize our digestive system.
Our skin needs nutrients, too, to look its best. A diet of junk food can, and probably will, result in acne and dull, lifeless skin. By eating less chips and fried foods and eating more fruits and vegetables, we give our skin what it needs to glow. Incorporating one or two glasses of juice into your day will give you a smoother, healthier complexion.
A glass of juice before your meal will help suppress your appetite. You’ll be consuming less “bad” foods, which is very good for you.

Best Fruits and Vegetables for Juicing

While all fruits and vegetables are good for you, let’s say that some are more equal than others.

There are certain power vegetables you don’t want to miss.

Let’s take a look at the best vegetables and fruits to use in juicing.

You want a good mixture of taste and nutrition.

As a rule of thumb, vegetables add more nutrition, while fruits add the flavor.

Don’t forget the 80 percent/20 percent ratio of vegetables to fruit.

It’s okay to have pure fruit juice, but be careful not to overload on sugar.

Also, you should add water-based vegetables, such as cucumbers, as often as you can.

The produce section at your local market is your oyster.

Best Vegetables for Juicing

1) Cucumber

It has a high-water content, contains potassium, and anti-inflammatory ingredients.

Don’t peel the cucumber before juicing because the skin contains many nutrients.

2) Carrots

In addition to adding color, carrots are rich in vitamins A, C, and D, as well as minerals such as manganese, potassium, and iron.

Great for lowering blood pressure and improving your immune system.

A true powerhouse, carrots also improve eyesight and help you get glowing skin.

3) Broccoli

is another powerhouse known to reduce cholesterol and help prevent some cancers.

It’s bursting with antioxidants and Vitamins D, B, C, and E.

It also contains iron and calcium.

4) Yams

A high vitamin content, iron, magnesium, and a sweet taste make yams the perfect juicing vegetable.

5) Cabbage

Another high-water content vegetable that blends beautifully with apples.

Cabbage is great for weight loss, purifying the digestive system, and boosting a weak immune system.

6) Celery

High in water content and rich in vitamins, folate, and potassium, celery makes a great base for juicing.

It’s wonderfully refreshing and blends well with just about all other produce.

Celery is a source of vitamin C, B1, and B6.

It can help fight cancer and lower blood pressure.

7) Kale

Is high in vitamin K and is loaded with crucial minerals.

Kale is being studied as a possible aid in cancer prevention.

Another powerhouse.

8) Spinach

Contains vitamins A, C, and E, as well as protein, potassium, choline, and iron.

Even if you hate the taste of spinach, you’ll love it blended with sweet carrots and apples.

Best Fruits for Juicing

Apples

“An apple a day keeps ….” – you know the rest.

Apple is the fruit powerhouse, and you should be eating or drinking some every day.

Besides removing toxins from your body, apples can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, cancer, and diabetes, as well as lower your cholesterol.

Most of the nutrients in apples are right beneath the skin, so don’t peel them before juicing.

Pineapples

These have a high sugar content, but just a little goes a long way in brightening up vegetables you might not otherwise use.

Blueberries

These are great for detoxing the digestive system.

It is also thought that blueberries may protect the brain against the onset of Alzheimer’s.

Strawberries

They are high in vitamin C.

Just wash them and juice with the stems.

Citrus fruit

Grapefruit, oranges, and lemons are high in vitamin C and help with iron absorption.

They are also filled with disease-fighting antioxidants.

Cherries

Contain anti-inflammatory and disease-fighting properties.

They also sweeten any vegetable juice.

You do need to pit them before juicing.

They have a high sugar content, so only use a few.

Making Substitutions

Sometimes, you just don’t have the needed ingredients handy.

And you really don’t want to take another trip to the market.

That’s perfectly fine.

Most fruits and vegetables have logical substitutes, so don’t hesitate to use one instead of another.

Juicing is not rigid; instead, its purpose is to help you consume as great a variety of fresh, healthy juices as possible.

Best Substitutions For Juicing

Apples and pears can be substituted for each other.

Coconut or bananas are an excellent substitute for avocado.

Vegetables such as carrots, yams, beets, or radish can provide the same nutrients.

Celery, zucchini, and cucumbers all add water and flavor.

Greens such as kale, spinach, Swiss chard, and arugula are very nutrient-dense.

Watermelon has a high water content, but can be substituted for any other melon.

Add half a cup of sparkling water, if you like.

You can substitute one berry for another.

Tropical fruits such as mango and pineapple can be exchanged.

Citrus vegan can be used in place of mangos.

Go ahead and experiment for the best flavor combinations.

Going Beyond Juicing

Don’t Toss the Pulp!

Let’s talk pulp.

That’s the stuff that the juicer extracts from the juice and is meant to be thrown out.

What a waste of good money and excellent nutrients.

Fresh produce, especially organic, is quite expensive.

Then, think of all the fiber, enzymes, and flavor in that pulp.

Instead of tossing the pulp, there are quite a few ways you can put it to good, healthy, and flavorful use.

How to Use Pulp

Use pulp to make an extraordinary homemade vegetable broth. Toss the pulp into the pot for extra flavor and nutrition.
Use the pulp in vegetable soups, along with your other chopped vegetables.
Most pasta sauces have onions, tomatoes, and green peppers. Blend your homemade or store-bought sauce with some pulp to add an extra flavor boost.
Let the pulp dry and use it to top your salad, as you would croutons or bacon bits. More fiber in your greens.
Simply add the pulp to the greens already in your smoothie.
If you are preparing a veggie burger, you’re likely using mushrooms or a legume as the main ingredient. Add the pulp to bind the burger and add extra flavor.
If your diet is paleo or vegan, you already know how to use veggies for healthy, sugar-free baking.

Pulp can be used in breads (zucchini bread!) and muffins (carrot muffins!).

Juice Add-Ins – Maximum Juicing

Juicing has so many benefits, it’s difficult to believe it can be made even better.

So, get ready for the best news since juicing.

You can add some “superfoods” to your juices to elevate the taste and add powerful health benefits.

So-called superfoods are rich in nutrients and can fight diseases in a bold way.

This is truly taking juicing to another level.

Take care, because just a little of these foods go a long way.

Let’s take a look at some of these superfoods.

Some of them may surprise you.

You can use these add-ins in both a juicer and a blender.

When juicing nuts, soak them overnight prior to juicing.

Acai Berries contain a powerhouse of antioxidants for your immune system. They are difficult to find fresh, so check the freezer section at your local market.
Aloe Vera is known for its skin-soothing properties. It also contains antioxidants to support your immune system. You can purchase aloe vera in juice form.
Apple cider vinegar is known for its ability to detox the gut. Add a tablespoon to any juice to reap the benefits, especially a sweet juice. Your best bet is to buy raw apple cider vinegar.
Avocados are high in fatty omega-3 acids.
Bee pollen is rich in nutrients, including amino acids and vitamins. It will sweeten any juice by simply adding a spoonful.
Cacao nibs are the unrefined seed from the cacao tree and can help against heart disease. (Those chocolate bars with 80 percent or higher cocoa content are good for you!) Cacao nibs come in either nut or powder form. Mix some with your favorite berries.
Cayenne pepper is a known anti-inflammatory spice. It’s very hot, so use just a little. It can give your juices a kick. Experiment for the best taste combination.
Cinnamon is another spice with wonderful health-boosting properties. It can help control blood sugar levels, protect against health diseases, and can fight the onset of cognitive decline. Any fruit can be sweetened with cinnamon.
Coconut oil, filled with antioxidants, is a must-have ingredient for regular blood sugar. Coconut oil is solid, and it’s best to melt it before adding it to a juicer. Coconut oil adds subtle sweetness to your drinks.
Flax seeds, hemp seeds, and chia seeds are not only nutritious, but they are also filled with fiber, which is important when you are drinking fiberless juices. Grind the seeds in a grinder, then stir in a tablespoon of the seeds into your juice. It’ll add a nice, nutty taste.
Goji berries are high in vitamins A and C. Soak them before adding to the juicer. They taste tangy, so are a great addition to sweet juices.
Turmeric powder has lots of antioxidants. Add it to your carrot juice for an exotic flavor.
Nuts in general, and especially almonds and walnuts, provide lots of nutrients. Soak the shelled nuts overnight and add them to the juicer. The above are some of the major powerhouse add-ins for your juices. They add both great flavor and nutrition, so use them as often as you can.

Importance of a Healthy Lifestyle

If you are interested in juicing and having more energy, this book can put you on the right track.

For optimal energy, however, you can go even further.

The healthy juicing lifestyle goes beyond what you put into your body and includes what you do with your body.

Live More Energetically

Lifestyle is all about the habits we’ve developed – or have failed to develop.

Habits are those little things we do each day that add up to the sum of who we are.

Juicing is a great start and an excellent habit to get into.

Good nutrition is the key to living well.

But, why stop there?

Sit back for a minute and consider how many other habits affect how you look and feel.

When we want to change for the better, sometimes, we need to change our mindset.

You won’t get out of the starting gate if your thoughts revolve around, “Everyone’s going to die at some point, so why go crazy with all that good stuff?” “I’m too old to change.” “I’ll just have a glass of juice.

I’m too busy for other things.” I’m sure you can come up with creative excuses of your own.

Everyone has an Uncle Herbie who smoked like a chimney, ate pizza every other day, never moved from the couch, and lived to see his 99th birthday.

Good for Uncle Herbie.

What about the hundreds of thousands of others who suffered years of chronic ill health before leaving a spouse and children, years before their time?

A healthy lifestyle does more than just add years to your life.

It elevates the quality of your life every single day.

It makes you feel better, happier, and more competent.

You function at an optimal level not only physically but also emotionally and mentally.

Developing Good Habits

It can take willpower to break some bad habits because they have become integral to who we are.

So, if you want to upgrade to a better version of yourself, take it slowly, but get started.

Every step you take counts.

Manage your weight…

to improve your heart health and immune system and lower your cholesterol and blood pressure.

Substituting a glass of concentrated juice for one meal each day will help you reach your weight goal.

Start moving your body…

You don’t have to turn into an athlete or join a gym, although those will certainly help you develop healthier habits.

Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

Walk instead of driving.

Park a few blocks from your destination if you do drive.

Get off your chair and do jumping jacks or toe touches every hour or so.

Staying active isn’t quite the same as exercise.

Exercise is a deliberate routine to strengthen the body.

Staying active means you keep moving.

If you sit behind a desk every day, commute to work and relax in front of the television in the evening, you’re living a sedentary lifestyle even while spending an hour or so at the gym.

Our bodies were designed for movement, so get into the habit of creating movements throughout the day.

Walk to the copier and make your own copies instead of having your assistant do it.

Take hourly breaks for 5 minutes of jumping jacks, knee bends or toe-touches.

If your office doesn’t allow for privacy, use the restroom.

If your office is multi-storied, take the stairs instead of the elevator.

Enjoy a well-balanced diet…

In addition to juices, eat plenty of fresh produce, lean meats, beans, nuts, whole grains, and legumes.

Avoid unhealthy fats and processed foods, including white sugar and flour.

Add a piece of fruit to your diet each day.

Learn to broil or braise instead of frying.

A healthy lifestyle includes a healthy disposition…

Everyone faces challenges in life, but positive people dealt with them and move on.

Negative thoughts do affect how we feel, so strive for positivity that will stimulate your endorphins.

Exercising is an excellent way to improve your mood.

In addition, find an interest that you enjoy pursuing, be more approachable to meeting new people, join a club, and meet others with a mutual interest.

Living in isolation is bad for your physical and mental health.

Poor sleeping habits can cause fatigue and irritability…

Even worse, it can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, and other chronic problems.

For a better night’s sleep, reduce your caffeine intake and develop a bedtime routine at the same time every night.

Don’t nap during the day.

Keep hydrated…

Sure, you’re juicing, but don’t forget to drink eight to ten glasses of water each day.

Lack of fluids can lead to serious fatigue.

Did you know that 80 percent of doctor’s visits are stress-related?

Stress impacts every aspect of our health.

Develop a habit to help you destress.

Tai chi, yoga and/or meditation are proven stress-reducers in hundreds of studies.

Start for a few minutes each day and increase your time until it becomes a habit.

The results will surprise you.

You know smoking threatens your health…

In addition to everything, it saps your energy.

We know it’s a difficult habit to break.

However, if you want more health and energy in your life, you need to try.

Talk to your doctor about various smoking cessation techniques.

Most experts recommend replacing cigarettes with something healthier.

Consider taking a walk, meditating, or grabbing a piece of fruit instead of a cigarette.

You have nothing to gain but your life.

Change is not always easy, and it rarely happens quickly.

You need to start by developing a healthier mindset each day.

The helpful thing about juicing is that, when you juice three times a day before meals, the act of juicing helps keep you more focused on creating a better lifestyle.

It will give you the reminders you need to keep you on track.

So, juice yourself to a healthier you each and every day.

Conclusion

Our body is a miracle of design in its precision and efficiency.

It’s the perfect machine.

Like any other machine, it needs proper lubrication to work.

Imagine pouring sand into your car’s oil tank and expecting it to work.

It just won’t happen.

But we pour the equivalent of sand into our bodies every day.

Then we wonder why we have difficulty functioning at any level, let alone at an optimal one.

We were meant to consume natural foods, and fresh fruits and vegetables are on top of that list.

Juicing provides us with high- quality, concentrated nutrition in a simple liquid form.

Instead of eating pounds of produce every day, we can drink several glasses of juice and get the same benefits.

When we fuel our bodies properly, it will serve us well.

For better physical, emotional, and mental health, juicing is a powerful antidote to the toxins that inhabit our environment.

Try juicing for a month and see how much better you feel and look.