The reason so many health practitioners recommend juicing…
Many of us have somewhat compromised digestive systems as a result of poor food choices over many years. This limits our bodies’ ability to absorb all the nutrients from the foods we eat, specifically vegetables, and juicing tends to facilitate absorption.
Vegetable and fruit juicing is also a way to get good nutrition in spite of hectic schedules and little time to cook nutritious meals. It makes it possible for you to incorporate healing foods into your diets with little effort (other than shopping for the groceries!).
What Should I Juice?
I would recommend that you only juice ORGANIC fruits and vegetables, since you don’t want to peel the items before juicing them, so as not to lose nutrients in the skins. If that is not possible, then please soak the produce for 10 minutes in a water bath that contains 2 Tbs. of distilled vinegar per quart of water.
There are 12 fruits and vegetables called the dirty dozen which experts say should be purchased exclusively organic if possible. They typically have the highest pesticide residue. The list includes: peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, berries, cherries, pears, imported grapes, spinach, lettuce, and potatoes.
Fruit juicing is certainly good for you, but it has one disadvantage over vegetable juicing: fruit juice tends to increase insulin levels when consumed. The exceptions are apples, pears and berries which have less fructose.
Once you have your fresh fruits and veggies out, simply cut them into manageable pieces, take out any large seeds and pits, and put them in the juicer. There is no need to peel anything or remove stems – the juicer will handle those tasks for you.
It is important to change up your juicing combos, and not have the same one for any length of time. The chances are quite high that if you keep juicing the same vegetables for any significant length of time, you will become allergic to them.
Below are some Juicing recipes recommended as Anti-Cancer combinations.
Start with the simpler 2 – 3 ingredient juices, and add more every few days. Look up your particular health condition and which fruits and veggies are recommended based on the nutrients that will help you most. Get creative! If the flavor of juiced vegetables is not agreeable to you, add an apple or two, or a handful of berries.
Remember that you are losing much of the pulp and hence the fiber of fruits and vegetables you juice. Consider tossing the pulp in stews or baked items!
TIP: Adding Flax-seed oil to your juice is a great way to get Omega-3′s, and Chia seeds will add some of the lost fiber.
All Juicers are NOT Created Equally!
Juicers that use extraction methods using metal blades are NOT recommended for juicing targeted at improving health. The paragraph below from Livestrong’s website aptly describes the 3 main types of juicers:
Juicer Options
The Centrifugal grinds fruits and vegetables and pushes the extract through a strainer at a high-speed. HealthDiaries.com notes that this method is cheaper and easier, though this type leaves a significant amount of juice in the pulp, potentially limiting your enzyme intake.
The Masticating juicer chews the vegetable and breaks apart plant cells, releasing more enzymes and vitamins. Masticating juicers also extract more juice from the same amount of vegetables as the Centrifugal.
Triturating juicers preserve and extract the greatest amount of nutrients in vegetables by using less heat in the machine. These types slowly crush the vegetables before pressing them under extreme pressure. This process breaks apart the toughest plant cells, releasing an even greater amount of nutrients.
Recipes
Asparagus Juice
To make about 4 oz. of juice, place 6 – 8 stalks of organic asparagus in juicer. Drink 4 ounces 2x daily with a straw only, as soon as it has been made. Do not exceed 8 oz. per day.
This juice contains Glutathione. It is also a liver cleanser and is recommended for Kidney, liver, testicular, bladder and pancreatic cancer.
Wheat-grass Juice
Place enough fresh wheat-grass in juicer to make 4 oz. of juice. Do not exceed 8 oz. per day.
This juice cleanses the blood, organs and intestinal tracts, it aids in reducing blood pressure and is recommended for removing toxic metals from the body and nourishing the liver. Is good for all types of cancer, especially of the kidney.
Enzyme Rich Juice
To build up to this ultimate combo slowly by adding 2 new items each day:
Day 1: 1 Granny Smith apple, 1/2 cucumber, 1/2 red beet
Day 2: All the above + 4 asparagus, 1/4 inch piece of ginger
Day 3: Add to above 1 carrot and 1 c. Broccoli
Day 4: Add 1/2″ slice of fresh pineapple and 2 Brussel Sprouts
Day 5: Add 1/4″ piece of daikon radish
Drink through a straw only, within 20 minutes of juicing between meals. Do NOT take supplements for 30 minutes before or after drinking.
This juice combo assists in repairing the body. It is recommended for all Solid Tumors, especially pancreatic.
High Antioxidant Juice
Select combos of organic dark leafy green veggies like Kale, Spinach, Dandelion, Chard and add orange, red and yellow veggies. For milder flavor toss in your favorite Berries or an Apple or a small handful of Grapes.
To add avocado to your juice.. mash the avocado pulp in a non metallic bowl and add to juice mixing with a wooden spoon.
~ In Good Health! ♥
