Oh, who am I kidding.  There’s only one answer here.  JUICE!!!

Ghandi said, “Chew your drink and drink your food.”  What does that mean?  Very simple, take the time to liquefy your food before swallowing, and swish your drink around before swallowing.  Liquid is the way to go for assimilation and elimination.

The only question I ask myself in the morning is this… “Should I use my Champion juicer or my Vitamix today?”  Or use my own teeth!  I first started seriously juicing over two years ago.  When I went “raw” and bought my Champion, I juiced anything I could get my hands on.  Fruits, veggies….mixing whatever I wanted.  My teenager loved taking different colored concoctions to school.  Her friends would always ask, “Did you buy that”?

Here’s one of those easy juice drink recipes:

Veggie/Fruit Drink
Four carrots
Two apples

If your produce is organic, you don’t have to peel, but it’s a good idea to peel non-organic produce.  I don’t even core the apple.  Put all ingredients through your juicer and pour into your drink container and take it to work or school.   You can add anything else to this drink for your own taste. How about some ginger or lemon?  Or how about this for the holidays?   Cranberries, apples and grapes.  Throw them by the handful into your juicer.

We used our juicer every morning.  Then my friend gave me “Green For Life”, by Victoria Boutenko.  She says this about green smoothies…  “Blended green smoothies are a simple and delicious way of accessing the healing properties of greens.  Whether you eat a raw food, vegan, vegetarian or mainstream American diet, regularly drinking green smoothies can significantly improve your health.”

Ok, now I’m onto something. I had never heard of these and I was really getting tired of the whole breakfast drama.  Out came the Vitamix and in went the kale and fruit. That was it!  Kale, water and fruit.  Whatever fruit I had on hand.  My daughter didn’t try these right away.   I waited patiently till one day she said, “I’ll try those things now.”  And so she did and is still drinking them today. We were getting more green in our diet than we were eating cooked or in our salads!  Kale, spinach, collards….any green.

Here’s one of my favorite green smoothie recipes:

Two handfuls of any green on hand.  Spinach is a good starter.
1-2 cups of water
Three strawberries
One banana
Teaspoon Flax oil or crushed flax seed

Place all in your blender.  I use the Vitamix.  It whips it up quickly and there’s no pulp.  I also use frozen fruit or ice cubes to keep the drink cool.

I felt good knowing that if  I couldn’t control everything she ate during the course of the day, that at least I was sending her out of the house with something that to me…was better than the conventional breakfast I grew up with.  And how easy and convenient!  I love green smoothies.   I always have frozen fruit in the freezer, and some sort of green in the fridge.  Summer was great for heading out to the garden and juicing all the leaves of the veggies that were growing.  Yum!

There’s one warning here:  Drinking green smoothies every day can lead to more energy, a better night’s sleep, weight loss, less cravings for cooked or unhealthy processed foods, and an overall clearer picture of life.  Not to mention more cravings for green smoothies.

Donna, yep I juiced that, Bergonzi-Boyle

The holiest day of the Jewish year is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement; a day spent in prayer, penance and among other things, fasting. How grueling it was to me as a child. Of course I rarely made it through and the few times I did I would break fast (no not “breakfast” spellcheck) with something like a cheeseburger and a milkshake. Nowadays it’s become popular for people feeling a bit guilty about their sinful diet to do a little atoning of their own with a variety of juice fasts. Maybe my ancient ancestors were on to something.

Anyway, this fasting is a risky business and really not necessary for those with a healthy diet already. Nonetheless, the benefits are compelling. In addition to getting rid of toxins built up throughout the system from a poor diet it can decrease congestive symptoms; eliminate food allergies and sensitivities; reduces the burden on the digestive system, allowing it to heal; release pesticides, drugs, and other chemicals from stored fat, which can then be eliminated; enhance mental, physical, and spiritual well-being; increase energy and mental clarity; promote glowing skin; prevent chronic diseases caused by poor diet and lifestyle; and clear mucus discharge.

A juice fast is just what it says; a short-term intake of raw vegetable and fruit juice and water ONLY. This is done because juice is an incredible source of vitamins and antioxidants. Fasts typically last for one to three days but some people go longer. I wouldn’t recommend that without some type of medical supervision and monitoring to ensure that nutrient deficiencies don’t result.

So here’s a basic outline of a fast although many variations are possible. Do your research and find one that’s right for you. It’s suggested to fast during the warmer months with Spring being the best time of the year for juice fasting. For seven or more days before the fast, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, dairy, wheat, animal meat, fish, and eggs should be reduced or eliminated from the diet. During this time eat mainly organic fruits, vegetables, and beans. During the fast between 32 and 64 ounces of juice is recommended and should be sipped throughout the day. Typical fruits and vegetables include celery, carrot, kale, cabbage, apple, pineapple, cranberry, spinach, beet, and greens. Citrus fruits are often avoided. In addition to the juice roughly 6 glasses of room temperature or warm filtered water is recommended. GO ORGANIC! And if you absolutely, positively cannot, peel the skin off the fruits and vegetables or wash them with a non-toxic produce cleaner like the Cuisine Clean. Fresh juice is a must so the best alternative to juicing at home with a centrifugal juicer and masticating juicer is to buy it from the health food store. Be sure not to skimp on the wheatgrass, green vegetables and sprouts because they contain the chlorophyll, which is especially beneficial during a juice fast. These must be juiced in a masticating juicer. Be sure to combine both fruits and vegetables as they each have their own unique benefits and finally, when you break the fast, return to solid foods gradually.

Certain fruits and vegetables and their parts should not be juiced, like the pits of peaches, apricots, cherries, and other fruits, apple seeds, citrus peels, carrot and rhubarb tops, tough skins (such as kiwi, pineapple, mangoes), and bananas and avocados. Some people can’t handle complete abstinence from solid food so it’s ok if you eat one meal a day in addition to the juice.

Pay attention to your body while you fast. Keep an eye on your weight, symptoms and degree of congestion, tongue coating, degree of hunger, and energy level. If energy level drops for more than one day, if weight becomes too low, or if any symptoms become particularly intense, just break the fast for God’s sake. This isn’t a punishment after all. Please note that a certain amount of tongue coating is normal. It may become thicker or have a more pronounced color (yellow, white, grey) as the body eliminates toxins.

Certain people should not do this. Pregnant or nursing women or children shouldn’t try a juice fast. As well, people with diabetes, low blood sugar, eating disorders, kidney disease, liver disease, malnutrition, addictions, underweight, anemia, impaired immune function, infection, nutritional deficiency, low blood pressure, ulcerative colitis, cancer, terminal illness, epilepsy, or other chronic conditions shouldn’t try a juice fast or should do so only under strict medical supervision. People shouldn’t try a juice fast before or after surgical procedures. Remember, a juice fast can reduce blood proteins and change the way prescription drugs react in the body so people taking prescription medications should consult a health professional skilled in detoxification before trying a juice fast, and should never discontinue or reduce their medications on their own.

Be well,

JuicyJosh

www.877myjuicer.com

Spinach - Cucumber - Celery Juice Recipe

• 2 Cups Packed Spinach (4 Oz)
• 1 Cucumber
• 1 Celery Stalk

Because celery isn’t overpowering, it allows the spinach and cucumber juices to stand out.  Spinach is a great source of calcium, iron and potassium

This makes 10 Ounce with the following Nutritional Facts

• 139 Calories
• 1 Gram of Fat
• 35 Grams of Carbs
• 1 Gram of Protein

Pineapple - Blueberry - Giner Juice Recipe

• 1/4 Pineapple
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 piece fresh ginger (1/4 - 1/2 inch)

Blueberries are rich in antioxidants, which have been shown to fight certain types of cancer. The ginger aids digestion and sets a South Pacific mood when combined with pineapple

This makes 12 Ounces with the following Nutritional Facts

• 80 Calories
• 0 Grams of Fat
• 16 Grams of Carbs
• 7 Grams of Protein

Enjoy!!

Drum Roll Please….we suggest the following unit to juice the above recipes!  The Omega 8005 Juicer is going to be the best for these.  The Omega 8005 does spinach (a regular old joe blow one will not).  The only draw back is on Pineapple.  Any juicer you would have to cut it up but the Omega 8005 does have a smaller chute opening.  I still feel that its the best choice though!

Be Well,

Juicy Josh

www.877myjuicer.com

I’d love to say that my first thought after getting the evacuation notice Monday was, better grab the wheatgrass juicer… but of course I’m not that advanced yet.  And somehow I put more importance on my Dad’s paintings and the photo albums.  Go figure… All kidding aside, it was quite a week down here in southern California and we want to extend our prayers and well wishes to the individuals and families that lost so much during this ordeal.  Obviously in a crisis the safety of our loved ones and the irreplaceable items we treasure take priority but, being suddenly forced of town for a few days gave me the opportunity to keep it healthy when on the road in a pinch.  It’s really not that hard if you have a little time to plan and several key items on hand.

Most would think that juicing on the road is impossible but that’s because so many people think of the big, heavy electric juicer that takes up a ton of space.  There are several light, portable and extremely functional manual juicers available like The Healthy Juicer by Lexen that work well for this type of situation and are so small they will fit nicely in any travel bag along with the rest of your prized possessions.  Because they are masticating juicers, they are perfect for wheatgrass and leafy greens but most are powerful enough to juice apples and carrots and whatever else your heart desires.  So even if wheatgrass is hard to come or you forgot to pack you’re fruits and veggies before you left, you can surely get your hands on something judicable and healthy.

Dried Fruits like figs, prunes, dates and even papaya, mango, apricot, and cranberries are all high in fiber which will keep the digestion rolling and something yummy like banana chips have almost a potato chip-like taste.  If you’re a do it yourself dehydrator you’ll probably already have some of these ready to go.

Raw fruits and vegetables in a cooler are essential not just for juicing but to snack on as you go.  Oranges, bananas, apples, grapes and any other unpeeled fruit will make great munchies as will baby carrots, celery or any sliced veggies.  Make sure you wash everything before you leave home and put anything sliced in a Ziploc or vacuum sealed bag.  It will preserve your snacks a little longer and will make it easier to eat while driving top speed through the inferno.

Food bars, food bars, food bars.  If you’re without them and you’re in need of a snack while gassing up you’ll end up with a half unwrapped Snickers hanging out of your mouth while you drive away… and then the guilt, the shame, the remorse.  It’s just not worth it.  Any health food store will have a plethora available (yeah, I’m thinking of Three Amigos too).  My favorites are made by Organic Food Bar.  There are tons of options, many are vegan and they are all USDA Organic certified.  (And we don’t even sell them so you know I’m not just a pitch man).

So that and several bottles of purified water will get you where you’re going.  Once you’re there lets hope you find a few healthy restaurants or a health food store because this articles long enough already.  Besides, I’ve gotta run…

Be well,

Juicy Josh

I got an email from a member of the Juicy Josh MySpace community earlier this week asking me what I had to do with OJ?  Strange question, I thought…  and not very nice.  Of course the whole thing was a big misunderstanding that we straightened out quickly.  But it got me thinking and I realized that I hadn’t really written anything about this wonderful fruit and its health benefits.  (I don’t really have much to say about the other OJ)  And away we go…

So every year around flu season we get the sniffles and run to the grocery store to slam as much of this stuff as possible because everybody knows it’s fights off colds and flu.  Most of us are aware that it’s choc full ‘o Vitamin C which is vital for a healthy immune system but that’s really just the beginning.  Let’s start there though.  Did you know that just one orange supplies 116.2% of the daily value for Vitamin C?  And not many know this but Vitamin C is the primary water-soluble antioxidant in the body, disarming free radicals and preventing damage in the aqueous environment both inside and outside cells. This, in a nutshell, means it helps fight cancer and inflammatory conditions like asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.  And because it destroys free radicals which oxidize cholesterol and make it stick to the artery walls, Vitamin C can help keep cholesterol low preventing heart attack or stroke.

So what else? Recent studies have shown that the healing properties of oranges is also associated with a wide variety of phytonutrient compounds, most importantly the flavanone molecule herperidin, which is shown to lower high blood pressure as well as cholesterol in animal studies, and to have strong anti-inflammatory properties.  Found primarily in the pulp and peel, this is just another reason to include these when you’re juicing (at least the pulp for God’s sake).

Several studies in the last few years have shown that a diet high in citrus fruit provides a statistically significant protective effect against several types of cancer as well as cardiovascular disease.  One US study even shows that one extra serving a day of citrus can reduce risk of stroke by 19%. This same report includes evidence of positive effects for arthritis, asthma, Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment, Parkinson’s disease, macular degeneration, diabetes, gallstones, multiple sclerosis, cholera, gingivitis, optimal lung function, cataracts, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and obesity.

Compounds in citrus fruits, including oranges, called limonoids have been shown to help fight cancers of the mouth, skin, lung, breast, stomach and colon and to lower cholesterol.  A Compound called polymethoxylated flavones, found in the orange peel have been shown to lower cholesterol as effectively as Statin drugs.

Oranges are a great source of fiber, they’ve been shown to help prevent kidney stones, ulcers and stomach cancer and finally, it’s been shown that Vitamin C supplements don’t provide the same protective benefits as drinking a glass of orange juice.  In one researchers own words, “It appears that vitamin C is not the only chemical responsible for antioxidant protection.” In oranges, vitamin C is part of a matrix involving many beneficial phytochemicals, “But how they are interacting is still anyone’s guess,”

Sweet little balls of sunshine.

Be Well,

Juicy Josh

Well, it won’t fix your car, bring you love, or raise your kids but it might make all those things easier.  Two glasses of fresh fruit and vegetable juice a day to maintain your health and at least four a day to speed the body’s healing and recovery from illness, making a regular habit of juicing and blending can literally change your life.  Yes, I realize I’m going into infomercial sounding copy (always a peril when you write for a retailer) and for the bulk of this community might be common knowledge but this is important for anyone interested in healthy living.  Not to mention it’s high time I write an article on the benefits of juicing overall.

Raw fruits and vegetables are probably the best source of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, cancer fighting phytochemicals and other nutrients and because more beneficial substances continue to be found in fruits and vegetables all the time, it’s increasingly clear that you cannot substitute supplements for the real thing.  When you juice or blend from raw produce you get the whole plant including all its health promoting components in tact so it’s important to drink it when you make it.  For the newcomer to this world, essentially there are three juicing categories to become familiar with: Green Juices; Vegetable Juices and Fruit Juices.

Green juices are cleansers. They rid the body of pollutants and have and incredible rejuvenating effect because they are rich in chlorophyll which purifies the blood and builds red blood cells.  It detoxifies and heals and produces big boost of energy.  8 to 10 ounces a day is recommended using everything from alfalfa sprouts to wheatgrass.

Vegetable juice restores and builds. It removes excess body fat, boosts the immune system, removes acid wastes and balances the metabolism.  Carrot juice is the most popular not just for its taste but because it is packed with cancer fighting beta-carotene but you can benefit from just about any vegetable you can fit down the juicer spout.

Fruit juices are also cleansers and nourishers of the body. Filled with important nutrients including invaluable cancer fighting antioxidants you can enjoy fruit juices any time of the day.  Berries in particular have a high amount of antioxidants and so with fruits (but I’d suggest it with veggies also) blending up everything, peel, rind  and all will make for great smoothie experimentation and give you the much needed phytochemicals found only in the fiber of produce.

So now you’ve got the overall scoop.  Happy juicing!

Be well,

Juicy Josh

877MyJuicer.com

Here’s just another incredible benefit of juicing as part of a healthy lifestyle. The results of a recent 10-year long study from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine has shown that regular consumption of fruit and vegetable juice (at least 3 times a week) can reduce the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease by 76 percent.

The reason…? Once again we have our little friends the antioxidants to thank. The study shows specifically that polyphenols (a particularly strong antioxidant found in the peel and skin of produce) have the potential to fight off beta-amyloid protein deposits that form in the brain of those with Alzheimer’s. That means if the juice is darker or grainier—if there’s stuff in it—it’s better for you. Juices like blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, (any berry really), pomegranate, red grape, plum, watermelon and many more are all very high in antioxidants. The same goes for dark honey, extra virgin olive oil and most teas (you can use green tea topically to reduce wrinkles you know… but that’s for another article).

As always I urge balance. The tendency we all have to rely on that one “magic” solution should be met with temperance. A consistent, regular consumption of fruit and vegetable juice is most beneficial when matched by an overall diet rich in whole, healthy foods as well as a lifestyle that includes the disciplines of exercise, spirituality as well as loving relationships and laughter. And of course a healthy brain is one that is used, so read and learn and think think think.

Be well,

Juicy Josh

Here are some various smoothie recipies. Hope you enjoy them!

Mango Pop

• 1 mango
• 1 handful strawberries
• 1/4 pineapple
• 6 tablespoons pineapple juice

Arctic Fruits

• 1/2 pineapple, fresh or canned
• 1 handful frozen strawberries
• a few dashes of pineapple juice

Blueberry Bliss

• 1 mango
• 1 handful blueberries
• Juice 1/2 lime
• 1/2 cup apple juice

Peachy Fruit

• 1 1/2 peaches
• 1/2 mango
• 1/2 orange
• 1/2 cup orange juice

Fizzy Fruits

• 2 handfuls blueberries
• 2 handfuls of strawberries
• 4-6 ice cubes
• Sparkling mineral water

Ginger Dream

• 1 mango
• 1/2 grapefruit
• 1/8 grated ginger root
• 1/4 cup apple juice

Watermelon Whiz

• 11oz watermelon
• 2 handfuls raspberries

Tangy Taster

• 1/2 melon
• 2 kiwi fruits
• Juice of a lime
• 4-6 ice cubes
• Sparkling mineral water

Fruitty Vanilla

• 1 mango
• 2 tangerines
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1/2 cup orange juice

Great Grapefruit

• 2 grapefruits
• 2 mangoes
• 6 ice cubes

Go Mango

• 1 mango
• 1 orange
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• 1/2 cup apple juice