November 26, 2018
The first time I considered juicing, I couldn’t wrap my head around the thought of drinking what you’re (traditionally) supposed to eat, but my body was so deprived of the nutrients it needed to be healthy and happy. I had spent the better part of my early years consuming foods that I (finally!) found out I was allergic to and now I was at the beginning of what was to become a long and knowledgeable journey to healing. And the first step, juicing. I had no idea where to start other than the aisles of Canadian Tire and I left with a $40 Magic Bullet juicer (as much as I would have loved an Omega juicer, +$300 for my first juicer was out of the question). Next stop, grocery store to stock up on fruits and veggies, then countless hours online spent researching, reading and recipe garnering to find something that I thought would work for me.
It was a long road to say the least, and there were concoctions along the way that ended up feeding my garden rather than my body! But what I learned during that journey I would take with me and teach others. And what, exactly, did I learn? Lots!
Juicing breaks down the food into the most accessible nutrients for maximum absorption.
Yes, fruits and veggies contain lots of fiber that is juiced out. Juicing takes out the body’s need to digest all that fiber (yes, fiber is important too!) and introduces the nutrients directly into the blood stream. Why is this important? Take an inflamed gut for example. All the extra work that the body needs to do to break down the whole food puts strain on an already strained body. Juicing gives you all the nutrients for maximum healing with minimal work on the body’s systems.
Juicing is a great way to eat fruits and veggies you wouldn’t normally eat.
Because we all love kale salads and lemon wedges! This is your chance to eat those leafy greens and detoxifying lemons without chewing, gagging and loading down with dressings!
Fruit and veggie juices retain much of their nutrients.
Many of the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients of the fruits and veggies we consume are stored in the juice. When juicing we are able to extract these essential nutrients and consume them on a more regular basis.
“All disease begins in the gut”
~Hippocrates
We all know of probiotics, but how much do you know about prebiotics– the food that feeds the healthy bacteria in the gut? And did you know that the best source of prebiotics is found in veggies? Our digestive system is the gateway for good health or bad health. Everything we consume must pass through our gut. 75% of our immune system rests in our digestive system, protected only by a thin, cell-thick lining. If that lining becomes damaged or breached, your body can become sick, allergen-ridden or overrun with inflammation.
Juicing is not a healthy food lifestyle on its own!
Remember the fiber we talked about earlier? Our bodies still need that fibre to work properly! While juicing is a great way to get nutrients that you need, it is not a dietary lifestyle that should be solely followed on its own for long periods of time. The body needs other food groups such as fiber, protein and carbohydrates to function at its highest levels!
Green Goddess Juice
- 2 Stalks organic Kale
- 2 Stalks organic Celery
- Handful organic Spinach or mixed greens
- 1/2 organic Lemon
- 1 organic Orange
- 1 organic Green Apple
- 1 small organic Cucumber
Directions
- Juice all ingredients. Pour and enjoy!
Turn into a Green Goddess Smoothie by adding 1/2 avocado and blending until smooth.
Red Gold Juice
Ingredients
- 1 organic Beet
- 1 organic Carrot
- 1/2 organic Lemon
- 1/4 organic Pineapple
- 1 organic Apple (Red for sweeter, green for tangier)
Directions
- Juice all ingredients. Pour and enjoy!
