To juice or not to juice.

Is that REALLY the question? I think NOT!

Whether it was something you read on the internet, a bottle of green juice you found in your local market, or a friend that raved about fresh juice… I’m willing to bet that all this info left you wondering WHY juicing vegetables is good for you in the first place!

Well, that is what we are here to discuss - and so much more, such as:

• What is juicing? 
• Why should I juice? 
• How do I begin juicing? 
• What are the benefits of juicing?
• What are some delicious juicing recipes?

Let’s get started!

What Is Juicing?

Juicing is the process of extracting the juice from fresh fruits and vegetables using a juicer or blender. The juice you get from the whole fruit or vegetable contains most of the vitamins, minerals and plant chemicals (phytonutrients) found in the food.

If you are wondering if juicing is healthy… it CAN be if you follow the following 3 juicing guidelines:

1. Choose ORGANIC (always, I mean it!)
2. Follow the 80/20 rule: 80% veggies, 20% fruits (as a blend)
3. Drink it on an EMPTY stomach

One of the advantages of drinking fresh veggie juice (versus eating the whole veggie) is that the juice is easier for your body to absorb. This provides you with a plethora of nutrients and gives your digestive system a rest because it doesn’t have to work on the fiber.

But wait - can drinking all this juice be dangerous? Once again… it CAN be if:

• You juice non-organic produce, because it floods your body with pesticides and chemicals
• You use TOO much fruit and overload your body with fructose (a form of sugar)

Juicing vegetables can be absolutely GREAT for you and help remove toxins from your body, aid digestion, reduce your risk of cancer, boost your immune system and help you lose weight.

Let’s take a closer look at WHY you should juice.

Why only eat one serving of veggies at breakfast when you can EASILY get nearly a day’s worth in one glass?

That is EXACTLY why you must juice veggies! Each cup of green veggie juice may offer:

• Easily digestible and highly bioavailable nutrients
• A simple means of getting your daily requirements of fruits and vegetables
• A healthy spectrum of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals
• Help in filling in the “gaps” in your nutrition

11 Benefits Of Juicing

If an apple a day keeps the doctor away…then a green drink a day puts that doctor out of a job!

Think of each and every glass of green juice as the absolute BEST and highest quality multi vitamin around.

Check out these impressive health perks:

#1. It may help your body absorb MORE nutrients

Juicing doesn’t require your body to process fiber, because the juicing process leaves the “pulp” and fiber behind. DRINKING vegetables may allow you to take in more veggies without stuffing yourself with too much fiber, which can otherwise cause digestive upset. Overall, juicing may allow you to consume vegetables more efficiently

#2. It helps you reduce cravings and lose weight

Cravings for sweets or processed food may get reduced, because green juice loads every cell with detoxifying minerals and gives your body what it needs to stay healthy, recover and reduce your risk of illness. Your body may not be be lacking vitamins and minerals.It may help with weight loss, because you may not be eating or craving the foods that make you gain weight!

#3. Drinking fresh juice may enhance your energy

Drinking juice may flood your body with nutrients, which are rapidly absorbed by your body. It may give you an instant energy boost within moments of drinking it.

#4. Juicing vegetables may supercharge your immune system

The abundance of nutrients in cold pressed juice may provide your body with a plethora of GOOD bacteria. It may help suppress pathogenic “bad” bacteria. It may supercharge your body with concentrated phytochemicals.

#5. Veggie juice makes it easy to consume a VARIETY of vegetables

Juicing may make it easy to add and eat a variety of vegetables, because you can add 6, 7, 8 or MORE different veggies to 1 juice. A diverse variety of vegetables means your body gets a diverse variety of nutrients.

#6. Detox, detox, detox!

Stress, lack of exercise and poor food choices may take a toll on your body, making it necessary for you to detox. Detoxing by juicing vegetables may rid your body of the toxins that accumulate while giving your body the vitamins and minerals it needs to be well and vibrant. Green veggies are a high source of chlorophyll, which purifies your bloodstream and cleanses your liver and kidneys.

#7. May lower your cholesterol with fresh juice

Juicing may help you consume MORE vegetables that help lower cholesterol, such as dark greens, ginger, lemon, cucumber and celery. It may also be equally as important to avoid cholesterol-raising foods such as fried and fatty dishes.

#8. Get glowing and healthy skin

The saying “you are what you eat” also applies to your skin! Greasy junk food may equal oily skin with acne. Juicing vegetables may equal glowing and clear skin. Fresh juice may provide the nutrients your skin requires to be bright and breakout-free.

#9. It enhances your exercise sessions

Adding BEET to your juice recipe  may help to improve oxygen and blood circulation inside your muscles, which improves muscle endurance. May help boost your abilities in running, weight lifting and more.

#10. It is a satisfying snack 

Drinking green juice may help to “turn off” your appetite . Green juice may provide what your body NEEDS to be at its best . Instead of feeling sluggish and weak from eating junk food with empty calories, green juice may leave you feeling revitalized .

#11. It feeds good bacteria in your gut

One-third of your immune system is in your digestive tract! Therefore, a healthy gut is vital to having a healthy body. Eating foods rich in prebiotics may increase the good bacteria in your gut (such as veggies and fruits).

How Do I Begin Juicing?

Choosing A Juicer

When it comes to choosing a juicer, there are 2 main types to consider:

Centrifugal - The most common and popular type of home juicer

• Easy to use
• Easy to clean
• Affordable

Masticating - “Cold press” or “slow” juicers

• Best for juicing greens
• Produces the most healthful and nutrient dense juice
• High-end juicers

Here are a few brands to consider:

• Kuvings - Slow juicer, which minimizes nutrient loss
• Juiceroo - The world’s first counter top cold pressed juicer
• Breville Juice Fountain - Best “bang for your buck” juicer

Creating Juice Recipes

Whether you are just starting out or you are an experienced juicer, creating a tasty and enjoyable juice is almost an art form.

Some may find that drinking vegetable juice isn’t palatable, but you can easily balance the strong flavor of greens by mixing in a low fructose fruit, such as lemon.

If you still find the taste too bitter for your liking, add a green apple (which has the lower sugar content of apples). As you get more familiar with the flavor of veggie juice, you can take away these “sweeteners.”

Start making your own juice today by following these tips:

Get a SLOW juicer:

• Gently squeezes the juice from fruits and veggies at a slow speed
• Significantly lowers oxidation, which helps preserve the valuable nutrients

Buy ORGANIC produce:

• Juicing produce gives you a concentrated form of what is inside
• Using organic produce ensures you avoid the harmful pesticides and chemicals conventional produce is sprayed with

Make a MASTER mix:

Use the following guidelines when developing recipes for juicing vegetables:

1. Choose a water-rich green base: cucumber, celery, lettuce
2. Add leafy greens: kale, spinach
3. Add a fruit: apple, pear, orange
4. Add herbs: mint, parsley, cilantro
5. Add citrus and flavor: lemon, lime, ginger
6. Add superfoods: spirulina, turmeric, wheatgrass

Frequently Asked Questions About Juicing

Q. When juicing, can you drink coffee?

A. Yes. But it’s best to keep it to one cup of organic black coffee per day so that you can receive the maximum benefits of the veggie juice.

Q. Should I drink the pulp?

A. You don’t necessarily have to drink it - and certainly don’t throw the pulp away! You can put your juice pulp to good use.

Q. When juicing, what is the foam?

A. The foamy stuff in your juice is a mix of some of the fiber with the juice and is often created when the juicer is spinning too fast (which pushes some of the fiber into the juice as well). It’s SAFE to eat, but if you prefer no foam, use your juicer at a slower speed, clean out the pulp half way through juicing, or skim it off the top.

Q. What is a serving size when juicing?

A. A serving size of juice can be between 8 to 16 ounces.

Q. Do I need to add water?

A. No. But if you prefer to dilute the taste, you can add water or coconut water.

Q. How long is juice good for?

A. Fresh juice should be drunk as soon as possible to receive the MOST nutrients. However, you can store it in an airtight container for up to 72 hours.

Q. Can I make juice the night before I plan on drinking it?

A. Yes, but make sure you store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Q. Can I freeze juice?

A. Yes you can. Fill juice to the top of the container to prevent oxygen and freeze immediately after making it. Thaw in the fridge and consume it within the next 7-10 days.  

Q. Should I peel fruits and vegetables before juicing?

A. It depends on the fruit and your preferences. Fruits and veggies with a thicker skin or peel can be peeled, such as limes, lemons and oranges (leave as much of the white part since it has valuable nutrients like vitamin C). ALWAYS use organic produce and wash before juicing.

Juicing Recipes

Pick one or choose them all! These delicious recipes are designed to get your juicing journey started in a healthy and tasty way (one for each day of the week!):

BEST Veggies Juice

• 1 cup kale
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 cup greens (cabbage, chard, beet greens, spring mix, etc.)
• 1 cup herbs (wheatgrass, mint, parsley, basil, cilantro)
• 2 carrots
• 1 beet
• 1 lemon, rind removed
• 1 cup mixed fruit (green apple, pear, pineapple)
• 1 inch piece ginger root

Pear-y Great Green Juice

• 1 stalk celery
• 1 handful kale
• 1 handful spinach
• 1 green apple
• 1 pear
• 1 cucumber
• ½ lemon

Green Goodness Detox Juice

• 2 stalks fennel
• 1 green apple
• 1 handful mint
• 1 cucumber
• 1 inch ginger root, peeled
• 1 inch turmeric root, peeled

Clean Green Juice

• 1 cup kale, stems removed
• ½ cup spinach
• 2 celery stalks
• 1 cup green grapes, seedless
• 1 cucumber
• 1 green apple
• ½ lime, rind removed
• ½ lemon, rind removed
• ½ cup fresh mint leaves

Simply Beet It Juice

• 2 carrots
• 1 beet
• 1 green apple

Orange Green Juice

• 2 oranges
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 cup kale
• ½ cup parsley
• 1 cucumber
• 1 lemon

Kale & Cucumber Juice

• 5 large kale leaves
• 1 large cucumber
• 1 medium lime, peeled
• 1 green apple

Mean Green Diet Juice

• 1 cucumber
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 cup basil
• 2 green apples
• 1 lime
• ½ cup mint
• 1 inch ginger root

“Congratulations!

Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!” - Dr. Seuss

Grab your veggies, because it’s time to go off and get to juicing!

Juicing is a great way to incorporate a variety of vegetables into your diet that will provide your body with an even wider variety of nutrients.

These nutrients will flood your body with the vitamins and minerals your body requires to not only look great, but FEEL great too!

Starting experimenting with the best veggies for juicing so that YOU can discover your “master mix.”

And as always...

Remember, we’re in this TOGETHER!

No juicer? No problem! Organifi Green Juice is a carefully selected blend of 11 different superfoods including turmeric, spirulina, lemon, mint, moringa and more. It was formulated for busy women and men who are looking for a way to super boost their health and support their lifestyle without spending a lot of time or money in the kitchen. Try it today!