Let's talk about JUICE, baby!

.Good Morning Green Crusaders!!

Today's post is all about the JUICE! Leafy green, nature medicine.This "juice"post is dedicated to my daily inspirational hero, Kris Carr. Today she celebrates her decade anniversary of living and thriving with cancer! Go Girl!!! Here's to the next 50!!! So grab some Kale and settle in, we are going on a journey to wellness.

First things first, STOP judging the green stuff. It may look like something only Swamp Thing would drink, but it taste amazing. All that green power, packed into a 16oz Mason Jar, can kick start your day or keep a pesky virus at bay. So put down that soda and say YES! to kale. Your body, mind, and spirit will thank you.

Okay, let's break down the greens that go into making your juice a super amazing powerhouse of antioxidants.

KALE is one of the most potent veggies on the planet. It's packed with fiber and can help lower the risk of certain cancers. Kale has also been recognised as providing optimal support in the detoxification process. It also is a great, and in my opinion, best base for green juices. I recommend getting organic kale, but if your local grocer doesn't have the organic goodness on hand, buy conventional kale and give it a good wash.  A few bunches can reap 32oz of green energy.

CELERY not only provides great health benefits, but it also juices well and adds a good amount of H2O to your drink. They also pack a punch of Vitamin C and pthalides, which have been shown to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Not only is it a great juicing veggie, but it's also a great snack! Pack it with peanut butter and you've got energy on a stick.

CUCUMBERS, in a word, equal radiance. They hydrate the skin and can be used in your body or on your body. These green powerhouses are packed with vitamin B, which will give you a great energy boost. The silicon and sulfur in cucumbers can also help with strong hair growth. So eat them raw or pop them into your juicer.


BROCCOLI has been deemed, "the miracle food", and for good reason. It's like a veggie multi-vitamin, which contains Vitamin C, A, folic acid, calcium, and fiber. Broccoli has been linked to lower cancer rates. The Jolly Green Giant was right, eat your veggies and especially broccoli. When I juice broccoli, I usually juice the stalk and steam the flower.

GREEN APPLES! Yummy, sour, sweet, green apples. These tasty greens are a great way to jazz up your juice and add a little sweetness to your new magic elixir. Not to mention, "an apple a day, keeps the doctor away".  Green apples are a great source of energy. They contain numerous vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, copper, and zinc, which can help to purify the blood. They also help in preventing liver problems and they lower your risk of certain cancers and skin diseases. This small round ball of green goodness, is natures way of saying,"I love you".

GINGER, GINGER, GINGER. Not just a great way to spruce up your sushi. Ginger is a great way to aid digestion and kick start your immune system. Throw this in to your juicer and you have officially created the cherry on a very healthy cake.

Every once in awhile you can get daring and try. . .

{Lacinato Kale}

Now that you have the ingredients, you need something to put them in. Juicers can be expensive, but they don't have to break the bank. You can find a good juicer at Target, that will keep all the goodness in your juice, but also keep some cash in your wallet. Lenny and I chose the Breville Juice Fountain Elite {299.99}. Investment? Yes. Worth it? Abso-freaking-lutely. You have to think of it as an investment in your health. The Breville is a top of the line juicer and we have definitely got our money's worth. But, not everyone has big money to drop on a juicer and that's okay. There are plenty of juicers that are cheaper and work great. If you are looking for a great selection check out Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I found that they have a wide range of juicers from $130.00-400.00.

 

Once you've got your leafy greens and your magic machine, a.k.a, Juicer, all you need is creativity and imagination. Technically you don't need a recipe, but I thought I'd help you out today by giving you one of my favorites. "Make Juice, Not War"green juice. Created by the amazing Kris Carr {a huge inspiration to my life. Check out kriscarr.com for her amazing story and life inspiring tips}.

 

Now get out there and get your creative juices flowing!!! Peace, Love, and JUICE!!! 

 

 

"Make Juice, Not War" Green Juice by Kris Carr from her book CRAZY, SEXY, DIET

 

2 Large cucumbers {peeled if not organic}

4-5 Stalks of Kale

4-5 Romaine Leaves

4 Stalks of Celery

1-2 Big Broccoli Stems

1-2 Pears

1"piece{or less} gingerroot

 

*Juice all ingredients. Other optional greens: parsley, spinach, and dandelion. Add sweet pea or sunflower sprouts when available.

 

And with that. . .

 

 

 

{CHEERS}

 

 

Happy Saving. . .and juicing!!

 

Laura

 

 

Resources:

 

CRAZY, SEXY, DIET by Kris Carr

 

CRAZY, SEXY, KITCHEN by Kris Carr and Chef Chad Sarno