Stop Buying Juice Concentrated, Make Your Own & Reap The Benefits

Investing in a juicer is one of the best life decisions I have ever made. Three years ago, I came across a major health influencer Medical Medium, a total icon in his field. He introduced me to the wide variety of health benefits that come as a result of juicing.

From success stories with weight loss, detoxing from a chronic illness, or preventative care, the art of juicing took on a new meaning for me.

I was immediately hooked on celery juice and religiously consumed my 16oz every single morning before eating. I kept the habit for over a year. I felt more energized and vibrant. The only reason I stopped is because I got tired of the taste of celery juice and wanted to take a break. Sometimes it actually tasted good, and other days I felt like I could barf. I always like to experiment with different morning routines. Then I take note of how they affect my demeanor, productivity, and levels of anxiety. Juicing celery every day for a year was definitely an experience.

I started incorporating different types of juices into my life regularly. It became a simple way to curb my hunger on busy days at university. It helped me meet a higher fruit and veggie intake to help boost my immunity. Most importantly, it helped reduce bloating and kept me regular. It was a huge game-changer in managing my IBS symptoms.

Blender Vs. Juicer

At first, I used a blender for my juices. I was always really big into smoothies. This worked but left me with a chunkier texture. In some ways, this was good. Consuming all the fiber from the foods I was blending kept me fuller longer. When I wanted the smoother, juice-like texture, I used a cheesecloth to thoroughly drain the chunky stuff. While ultra time-consuming, this did the job.

I was inspired to invest in an actual juicer. Finally, for my birthday, I got one! I’m still totally in love with it. It has a permanent home in the middle of my counter, regularly used for OJ, celery, apple juice, and more creative concoctions. My favorite juicer is the Breville, which I purchased from Bed, Bath, and Beyond. It has never failed me and is dishwasher safe. I highly recommend it.

Introduction to Juicing

It’s best to consume juice shortly after juicing to retain the most nutrients. For example, uncovered orange juice loses its vitamin C over time. This is true for all types of juicing, as a lot of nutrients can be lost through oxidation with exposure to air. Preparing juice fresh always results in better taste, anyway. Some people prefer juicing to eating fruits and veggies because it gives the body a break from digesting fiber.

Juicing Vs. Juice Cleanse

Keep in mind that regular juicing and a juice cleanse are two completely different things. Juicing doesn’t have to be done regularly or on a certain schedule. In the beginning, it’s easy to want to juice every morning upon waking because it leaves you feeling so good! Juicing doesn’t take the place of eating, but it may encourage you to opt for healthier choices. Feel free to experiment with different combinations based on your palette. Research different ways to incorporate the leftover pulp into different dishes and baked goods to make it a zero-waste meal.

Committing to a juice cleanse means that you exclusively consume different types of juices throughout a couple of days. Some cleanses recommend a pre-cleanse up to a week before juicing. Shaping up your diet is also a big part of the detox or “reset” process. If you are guilty of the SAD (Standard American Diet,) then eliminating processed and inflammatory foods should be the first order of business to get your health back on track.

Juice cleanses or programs should be carried out with the guidance of a trained professional to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs. There are companies like ProjectJuice and Remedy Organics among others that have specifically designed programs created by nutritionists and dietitians.

Simple Juice Recipes With Easy Ingredients

Apple, Orange, Lemon, Ginger: I love this combination because it gives me an instant boost when I’m feeling low energy. If you don’t have fresh ginger to throw into the juicer, you can use powdered ginger used for cooking. This is hands-down my favorite juice!

Carrots, Orange, Grapefruit, Ginger: Go easy on the grapefruit, it’s fairly bitter. I enjoy the taste in combination with the other fruits.

Apple, Lemon, Ginger, Turmeric: Anti-inflammatory with ingredients proven to reduce inflammation and rate of disease in the body.

Apple, Pineapple, Orange, Lemon with cinnamon and nutmeg: I have one word for this one — ZING!

Pomegranate Seeds, Raw Beets, Aloe Vera Gel: This is more time-consuming and this combo may be an acquired taste for some. Aloe vera leaves are available in most commercial grocery stores. For extra zing, add a dash of black pepper to the top to enhance the anti-inflammatory benefits.

There are so many elaborate juicing recipes saturating the internet. Juicing doesn’t have to be hard. You can start with staples you already have in your house. Once you get comfortable with it, you can become more elaborate with your juicing options and experiment a little bit. Juicing doesn’t have to be complicated OR expensive. Say goodbye to pasteurized juices from concentrate that are devoid of the many nutrients we need to fight illnesses.

I hope you love juicing as much as I do! Once you taste it fresh, there’s no going back. Take control of your health this winter by leveling up with a multitude of antioxidants and essential nutrients.