Green Juicing Diet (9 page)

Antioxidant Ale

This is a terrific juice to start off your day: the antioxidant punch is absolutely out of this world and so is the flavor! The fruit gives you a nice energy pop, too.

• ¼ pound raspberries

• ¼ pound oranges

• ¼ pound strawberries

• 4 mint sprigs, optional

• ¼ pound cucumber

Process all the ingredients in a juicer, and stir well to combine. If using a blender, simply add all the ingredients (be sure to peel the oranges first) and puree until smooth.

Yield: About 8 ounces

Super Shake

Help your body to prevent disease and stay nutrient-strong with “super” ingredients like garlic, kale, beets, and carrots. If you like, feel free to add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper to the mix for an extra antioxidant boost from the capsaicin.

• 1 head garlic, peeled

• ½ pound cabbage

• ½ pound kale leaves

• ½ pound beets

• ½ pound carrots

• ½ pound celery

Process the garlic, cabbage, and kale in a juicer, then the beets and carrots, followed by the celery. Stir well to combine. If using a blender, simply add all the ingredients and puree until smooth.

Yield: About 20 ounces

Thanksgiving in a Glass

This tastes so delicious you won't believe it's good for you, but rest assured — it is! The spices are fantastic antioxidants, and the apples and pumpkin contain all the vitamins necessary for disease prevention. This juice is also excellent for your eyes, so drink up!

• ½ pound green apples

• ½ pound pumpkin

• ½ pound cucumber

• ½ pound carrots

• ½ teaspoon ground cloves

• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Process the apples and pumpkin in a juicer, then the cucumber and carrots. Add the cloves and cinnamon to the juice, and stir well to combine. If using a blender, simply add all the ingredients and puree until smooth.

Yield: About 16 ounces

Arugula Pepper Punch

This zesty drink is packed full of chlorophyll, cancer-fighting antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It also has a light, peppery flavor that's great for lunchtime.

• 1 pound arugula

• ¼ pound watercress

• ½ pound celery

• ½ pound lemongrass

• ¼ pound green bell peppers

• ½ teaspoon prepared horseradish

Process the arugula, watercress, and celery in a juicer, then the lemongrass and bell peppers. Add the horseradish to the juice, and stir well to combine. If using a blender, simply add all the ingredients and puree until smooth.

Yield: About 16 ounces

Rabbit Juice

This juice has a fairly green flavor, but its benefits are top-notch — you may just love it.

• 1 pound carrots

• ½ pound green apples

• ½ pound cucumber

• ½ pound kale leaves

Process all the ingredients in a juicer, and stir well to combine. If using a blender, simply add all the ingredients and puree until smooth.

Yield: About 20 ounces

Healthy Skin

It really is true that we are what we eat, so if you're not eating wholesome, healthy foods, your skin is going to reflect your poor dietary habits. If you'd like to clear up your complexion and have beautiful, glowing skin, these juices are formulated just for you!

Potato Head

Potatoes are often used as an alternative treatment for acne, and the vitamin A in tomatoes really helps your skin to glow. If you like, feel free to throw in some parsley, too.

• 1 pound potatoes

• 6 basil leaves

• 1 pound tomatoes

Process the potatoes and basil in a juicer, then the tomatoes. Stir well to combine. If using a blender, simply add all the ingredients and puree until smooth.

Yield: About 16 ounces

Green with Envy

Adding this drink to your juicing schedule a couple of times per week will have everyone pea green with envy over your beautiful complexion! The chlorophyll, antioxidants, and vitamins A and C in these vegetables will have your skin glowing in no time.

• ¼ pound broccoli florets

• ¼ pound cucumber

• ¼ pound kale leaves

• ¼ pound green bell peppers

• ½ pound tomatoes

• ½ pound celery

Process the broccoli, cucumber, and kale in a juicer, then the bell peppers and tomatoes, followed by the celery. Stir well to combine. If using a blender, simply add all the ingredients and puree until smooth.

Yield: About 16 ounces

See Your Way to Beauty Juice

This juice combines produce that's great for your skin and your eyes. After all, you want to be able to see how great your face looks, right? Plus it tastes great. If you like, toss in some cinnamon for an even more nutritious and flavorful kick!

• ½ pound carrots

• ½ pound cucumber

• ½ pound sweet potatoes

• ½ pound carrot greens

• ¼ pound arugula

• ¼ pound lemongrass

Process the carrots, cucumber, and sweet potatoes in a juicer, then the carrot greens and arugula, followed by the lemongrass. Stir well to combine. If using a blender, simply add all the ingredients and puree until smooth.

Yield: About 20 ounces

CONCLUSION

T
hroughout the pages of this book we've examined what green juices and smoothies are and the differences between the two. We've also touched on reasons why juices can be more beneficial for some purposes while smoothies meet other needs.

When it comes right down to it, both are excellent for your health and offer benefits that you'll start reaping almost immediately. Most people don't eat nearly their daily requirement of fruits and vegetables, and both juices and smoothies are great ways to give your body what it needs to function properly and keep you healthy.

Just to reiterate some of the most important things we've covered, here's a quick list:

• Use only fresh organic fruit whenever possible.

• Wash your produce thoroughly before using it.

• Drink your juice or smoothie immediately if at all possible.

• Eliminate bad habits such as smoking, drinking caffeine, or consuming large amounts of sugar at least two weeks prior to a cleanse.

• Consuming juices and smoothies isn't a diet — it's a habit to develop that helps you enjoy a lifetime of good health!

Now that you have a basic idea of how to make juices or smoothies, it's time to jump in! Remember the guidelines we've discussed for combining flavors, and always keep apples, cucumbers, lemons, and celery on hand to pull potentially disastrous experiments back from the brink. Practice makes perfect: Once you get comfortable throwing produce in the juicer or blender, you'll do just fine.

Cheers to great health!