Juicing Guide: Tips and Recipes
You know you consider it every time: the truly inspired commitment to juicing in the new year as part of a self-care regimen that may or may not involve the spa, foot massages, and signing off social media. Juicing has been a popular method of getting your daily dose of fruits and vegetables in a quick and delicious way — some even want to attribute to juice otherworldly properties that no earthly elixir can have. But the truth is not far from the myth. The density of nutrients — antioxidants and vitamins — in juice is enough to make you feel radiant, especially if you drink it quickly before those properties break down.
Juicing at home is full of freedom and very forgiving. A refreshing, healthful drink is within reach with a juicer and a few simple tips.
Juicing Guide
1. Choose Your Juicer
The two main types of juicers are centrifugal and masticating (also known as cold-press). Centrifugal juicers are less expensive and faster. However, they’re noisy, less efficient at extracting juice (especially from scratchy leafy greens like kale), and their action heats the ingredients slightly. Think of them as a cheaper but blunter tool. Cold-press juicers are quiet and extremely efficient at squeezing out every last drop (and nutrient) but come with a hefty price tag. Think of them as the Rolls-Royce. Choose your juicer according to your budget and use patterns.
2. Buy Organic
If pesticide-free produce is in the scope of your preferences and budget, this is the place to make that choice, as juicing is all about the fruits and veggies. Visit a farmers market for locally grown, in-season produce.
3. Follow the 80/20 Guideline
Well-balanced green juices often include a little sweetness. For equilibrium, aim for 80% veggies and 20% fruit. Equipped with that general ratio, you won’t need to follow specific recipes unless you’d like to, even as a novice juicer. Get comfortable playing around and adjusting as you go.
Fruit & Veggie Juice Combinations
Here are some fabulous combinations to get started.
Sweet and Orange:
- Banana, carrot, kale, orange, strawberry
- Cantaloupe, cucumber, celery, strawberry
- Banana, kale, orange, spinach
- Ginger, lemon, mango, orange
Tart and Refreshingly Green:
- Celery, cucumber, ginger, pear
- Celery, cucumber, green apple
- Green apple, kale, lemon
- Banana, celery, cucumber, green apple, kale, lime, banana
- Kale, cucumber, pineapple, spinach
- Celery, cucumber, fennel, honeydew, lettuce, lime
Earthy and Pink:
- Apple, beet, carrot, ginger
- Beet, rainbow chard, strawberry
Berry Purple:
- Blueberry, kale, spinach
- Blueberry, cucumber, watermelon, jalapeño (Omit the blueberries for something even simpler and ultra-refreshing.)
- Apple, blueberry, fennel
Pro Juicing Tips
1. Spice it up. Add a dash of cinnamon, cardamom, or cayenne pepper to your juice!
2. Don’t forget the citrus and herbs. Lemon and lime are often neglected in juicing but can add tangy verve. Just peel the citrus if you want to avoid extra bitterness. Herbs such as parsley, cilantro, mint, and basil are wonderfully fragrant and full of nutrients.
3. Use the pulp. The insoluble fiber that results from juicing is gold. All that pulp can be used for energy nuggets, dehydrated crackers, and other healthful treats. Just research a few recipes, and you’re off to an extra dose of healthiness.
Looking for more tasty, hydrating concoctions? Check out our recipe for thirst-quenching agua fresca.
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