Wonderful Wednesday

My Juicing Station

I've been drinking vegetable and fruit juices regularly for months now but I rarely did it myself. My daily order at the local Courtyard Cafe or at Puerto Nuevo included green veggies, pineapple and ginger. NUMMY! When I wanted a treat I would go to Simply Wholesome where they add the coconut water for that extra tropical flair. There were days when I juiced all day just to reboot the engine. After the Freeology Seminar on 02/07 I decided to start doing it at home. This allows me to have more control over the flavors and I make sure my boos, Jose and Andy, are getting their green goodies too.

If you do not know where to start with juicing or are new to the idea I suggest you watch  the documentary Fat Sick and Nearly Dead . I have yet to do the 28 day cleanse and my max is usually 3 days. Nonetheless with clean eating and proper nutrition I feel I get the benefits. 

Below is a quick list of some of my favorite veggies and fruits. I do not use oranges, tangerines, or grapefruit due to allergies but I invite you to research for your own blends. We all have different ailments and nutritional needs. Juicing for Health has a lot of good information and recipes. I will also start sharing some of my favorites.

The Base Types are the Vegetables or Fruits that are good starters e.g. green apple and celery. Then I have the add-ons which add a good tasteful punch and are full of nutritional goodies. The boys favorite blend is green apple, celery, carrot, spinach, cilantro, parsley, and mint. I add 1/2 tsp of  manuku medical grade honey. 1 tbs of organic apple cider vinegar and 1 tbs of chia seeds to every morning juice. I was drinking these items daily in a horrible mix and decided to add it to my morning juice instead for a tastier blend.

Here's to happy juicing!

Type	Vegetable/Fruit/Herb	Benefits
Base	Apple	Most of an apple’s nutrients are stored on the skin or just under the skin. There are the phytonutrients: ellagic acid, malic acid, chlorogenic acid, and quercetin. There are many more phytonutrients in an apple, some yet to be discovered and named. These compounds are high in anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.
	Beetroot	Beets are known for their amazing health benefits. They are good for almost every part of the body. It is good for such ailments as anemia, blood pressure and cancer.
Base	Carrot	It is rich with biotin, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, organic sodium and some trace minerals. Good to control blood sugars, vision, acne breakouts and water retention.
Base	Celery	Celery is associated with lowering blood pressure. It is a good post-workout tonic since it replaces lost electrolytes and rehydrates. It is also known for its natural sodium properties.
Add-on	Cilantro	It is a very good source of vitamins A, C, K and traces of the B vitamins.  In the minerals department, it provides high amount of calcium and potassium.  Both of these would have already been helpful for relieving various ailments.  Then there are  iron, manganese and sodium. It has anti-inflammatory properties and helps regulate blood sugars. It is an immune booster and helps with insomnia.
Base	Cucumber	Good for blood pressure control, cooling, fever, inflammation, hair growth and water retention.
Add-on	Ginger	This herb contains essential oils, protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin C, choline, folate, inositol, manganese, panthotenic acid, silicon, and a small amount of vitamin B3.
	Kale	Kale is one of the very few vegetables that contain a decent amount of Omega 3 ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). It is rich in calcium, copper, iron, potassium, and also high in Vitamin B1, B2, C, E and K.
Add-on	Lemon	Good for inflammatory disorders, digestion, gums, asthma, cold and sore throat.
Add-on	Lime	Good for inflammatory disorders, digestion, gums, asthma, cold and sore throat.
Add-on	Parsley	Parsley provides carotenoids and is a nutrition powerhouse of a few known anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients and flavonoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, apiole, rutin and apigenin). It is good before menstruation because it helps prevent bloating and water retention. It is also a good immunity booster.
	Spinach	Spinach is one of the most nutrient-packed vegetables and its raw juice is an excellent source of chlorophyll. It is also a superb source of vitamins A, B complex, C, E, K, carotenes, folate, manganese, calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, some trace elements and many valuable amino acids
	Item	Benefits
	Chia Seeds	High quality protein with Omega-3 fatty acids and improves certain blood markers. This in theory helps lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. They have bone nutrients and can improve your exercise performance as much as a sports drink.
	Manuko Medical Grade Honey	Helps with reducing high cholesterol, reducing inflammation, treating diabetes, eye, ear and sinus infections.
	Organic Apple Cider Vinegar	Helps with sore throats, colds, lower cholesterol, prevent indigestion, clears a stuffy nose, aids with weight loss, boosts energy, and helps control blood sugar.