I’m a smoothie girl. I have one for breakfast every day. I really didn’t get the whole juicing trend that everyone has been talking about for a while. It seemed like a lot of work for very little output. Not to mention some of the juicers out there are expensive with lots of parts, which only means more cleanup afterwards – not a fan!
With that said, I am always looking for ways to get more fruits and veggies into my life. As a certified holistic health and nutrition coach I know how powerful and healing nature can be if we allow it.
Here are three reasons why I took the juicing plunge.
- Easier to digest, which helps your body absorb all of the good-for-you nutrients.
- Detoxifies your system from the constant toxin exposure we are subjected to daily.
- Balances the pH in your stomach, which is where 70% of your immune system lives.
I was half-way convinced with the above, but here is the bonus reason that sold me:
4. Juicing with specific fruits, herbs and vegetables can help decrease inflammation in your body.
Although I still consider myself a newbie when it comes to juicing, I now see the light and love the benefits. Here is one of my favorite recipes. I call it the Carrot Kicker:
Ingredients:
3 medium carrots
1 granny smith apple
½ of a medium English cucumber
1 inch ginger
Throw the above ingredients in a juicer and pour over ice. This makes 8-10 ounces, which for me is 1 serving.
One final tip. It seemed like a waste to just throw out the pulp remnants from my juicer so I found some great tips on how to use these leftovers:
- Compost it
- Add it your next smoothie for an added fiber boost
- Freeze it in ice cube trays in water and save it for future recipes that call for veggies such as pasta sauces, soup or baked goods.
For more ideas check out this great resource. Enjoy and tell me why you love to juice in the comments below!