Thursday, August 1, 2013

Juicing

A few weeks ago when I shared my health journey on my blog, some of you had questions about juicing, which I've been doing almost every day for a couple of months now so I thought I'd answer them in this post : ). I started juicing after watching a documentary called Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead (which is very inspiring, everyone should watch it!) and after reading about all the benefits of juicing. I knew I wasn't getting enough fruits and vegetables in my diet each day and juicing is an easy way to make sure I'm getting the vitamins and nutrients I need in one glass. When you juice, all the enzymes, amino acids, chlorophyll and live energy goes straight to your bloodstream, it's like an instant shot of goodness!

Above are the veggies and fruits I am typically juicing at the moment: beets (including the stems), swiss chard, kale, green apples, lemon, cucumber, carrots and celery. The beets and swiss chard came from D.'s Grandmother's vegetable garden, so they're organic as well as the kale but the rest of the produce isn't. It's best if you use all organic fruits and vegetables but of course that's not in everyone's budget, including mine ; ).

So first I wash and then chop (or peel, if needed) everything up 
so it will fit into the top of my juicer, which is a Breville, below.



Then I juice! It's pretty simple, you feed the fruits and vegetables into the top, and the juice comes out of the spout, into a pitcher (that comes with the juicer) and anything that isn't juiced, shoots into the black container on the side. To see a demo, click here. This juicer cost me $200.00 if you were wondering and I got it on Amazon. It was recommended to me as a ''starter' juicer by my friend who is a Juicing Queen ; ). There are fancier and more expensive juicers out there, but this one works just fine for me, for now.

This is all the pulp that's leftover after you juice. There is fiber in this but all the nutrients are actually in the juice itself. If you feel bad for "wasting food" there are lots of ways to use juicer pulp, like using it in soups or stews, or for making crackers.

Here's what the juice looks like. I love being able to drink my vegetables! I made enough for two servings. Someone asked me how much I spend on juicing per week and it's really hard to say because it depends on what I juice. And sometimes I get my produce from a grocery store, other times I go to a discounted produce market and sometimes I buy organic or I am given a ton of vegetables from D.'s Grandma (which we are grateful for!) but if I had to guesstimate I'd say I'm spending anywhere from $20 to maybe $40-$50.00 juicing for both D. and I, per week, and I juice about 5-6 times a week. Typically it's best to juice in the morning but I drink my super smoothie in the a.m. and juice in the afternoon or early evening when I get home from work. I don't have a lot of time in the morning to juice, for me it takes about 20 minutes to wash, chop, juice and clean up and smoothie-making is less time-consuming!

If you have any questions about juicing, please leave a comment in the comment section below and I'll do my best to answer them!

Oh, and if you live in Edmonton, we are getting our first juice bar in September! Yayyyy! It's called Glow Juicery, you can read all about it here!


 

13 comments:

Annick said...

This is super interesting! I think I would feel bad about the leftovers of juicing - it seems like such a waste. But I could totally see it making delicious veggie crackers, like you suggested!

Great post! Loving these health related posts lately!

Bold Subtlety

Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe said...

This is a great post, Marie. I continue to toy with the idea of buying a juicer, but lately I've been thinking of taking the plunge. I have trouble incorporating enough fruits and veggies into my diet too, and this sounds like a great way to make sure I'm getting all those necessary nutrients. I am also mega excited for Glow Juicery - I had been complaining about the lack of juice bars in Edmonton and was so happy to learn that we're finally getting one. Woot woot! I've heard that H & W Produce is a great place to get good quality, yet cheap produce.

Marie a la Mode said...

Annick: I feel guilty when I look at all the leftover pulp : ( But I'm going to learn how to use it in other ways so it doesn't go to waste!

Amanda: That's where I shop sometimes - H & W Produce! Except I find that you have to use what you buy within a few days or else it goes bad. I think you should get a Juicer! You won't regret it, believe me!

JennaStevie said...

Whoa! We're getting a juicing bar? Yummy! This looks awesome, I really wish I had a juicer, but I definitely eat a ton of fruits and veggies everyday. This is a great way to supplement that!
xJennaD

Joelle From Canada said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Joelle From Canada said...

My husband and I started juicing a month ago and we love it! I too have had numerous health problems and can't live without good eating and my homeopath. http://clothesbutnotquite.blogspot.ca

Adam said...

so healthy

Unknown said...

That's awesome Marie! I am an obsessed juicer as well! It has changed my life. Great post!! That's great Edmonton is getting a juice bar! I can't wait to hear reviews!! Stop by and check out my new lifestyle blog- I talk about juicing as well!

www.olive4juice.com

Kendra

www.beautybykendrac.com

Irena said...

Hi Marie, I recently gave away my juicer after purchasing a Vitamix. It's basically a super powerful blender that can pulverize even the hardest root veggies (beets, carrots etc.). It also liquefies leafy greens. I get all my veggies AND the fibre. I do have to add water to the mix so that the drink is not too thick. It's also, well, an investment. I got mine on the shopping channel so I am paying for it over 6 months or so. I heard that you can get them at Costco too. We've also been making frozen yogurt with it, which is really nice during the summer (add 1 cup plain yogurt, 3 cups frozen fruit, done). Love it!

love jenny xoxo said...

very healthy!!! I'm more of a blender than a juicer because it does feel wasteful but I love that you can use the fibery parts too! Maybe I'll have to try it!

XOXO

Kerri said...

i haven't heard of the film so i gotta check it out- thx!

i couldn't live without my vitamix!!

Lindsey Louise Bales said...

ah, i wish i had a juicer! i always use my blender, which works kind of as well! i love having juices for breakfast.

lindsey louise

hellomrrabbitblog.com

Javids said...

That a informative post. I have a nice juice extractor. It works very nicely.

 
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