Juicing! Trendy or for real?

I know what you are thinking (or I'd like to think so): "Really, Hannah? Juicing?". YES! Juicing. I know, I know. It is seen as trendy and has been trending for the past few years. I am usually pretty hesitant before hopping on to some bandwagon, but juicing? Yes please!

Here is my experience: I used to work at a juicing place here in town. People would pay a lot of bucks for these 16oz. bottles of juice. I learned how to chop the produce to get it to fit into the juicer, I learned the order to put the produce in the juicer to get the best and most juice, I learned the difference between a masticating juicer and a centrifugal juicer, AND I learned that juicing doesn't have to be expensive.

Sure, you can go out there and buy the most expensive juicer on the market ($299+). I have a few that I would highly recommend (mostly anything made by Omega). But I am a bargain kind of gal, and didn't want to make too big of an investment before I knew I would be into it or not at home. So, I bought a used Omega masticating Juicer and let me tell you....it is a dream.

Things I love about it:

1) It is super easy to clean

2) It is super easy to use

3) It might be a bit slower than a centrifugal, but retains more nutrients and because its slower, there is less heat so less oxidation--->this leads to being able to keep the juice for longer (up to 72 hours!)

4) it makes delicious juice!

Now please understand, I am not saying that centrifugal juicers aren't beneficial; they totally are! Heck, even a smoothie is helpful. The only downside I see to smoothies is that if you are using a blender with a blade, you are likely destroying some of the nutrients! But for someone who is trying to incorporate more fruits and veggies into their diet, doesn't want to invest time and/or money into a juicer, and wants a convenient way to do this, smoothies are a great option!

But, back to juicing! One of the reasons I think everyone can benefit from juicing is because it is a clean, easy way of getting the vegetables and fruits you may be lacking and all of the helpful enzymes and nutrients they provide!

One of my favorite, and probably really the only juice I have been drinking/making this past year is: spinach/kale, granny smith apples, beets, carrots, parsley, celery, cucumber, ginger, and lemon. What are the benefits of these ingredients you ask? Let me share just a few!:

• Spinach: Improved eyesight, regulated blood pressure, stronger muscles (like Popeye!), aids digestive system, reduces inflammation, anti-cancer effects, protects skin, and is loaded with folate, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, insoluble fiber, niacin, vitamin A, B6, B9, E, C, and K, thiamine, and riboflavin!

• Kale: Super Food: Vitamin A, K, C, B6, Manganese, Calcium, Copper, Potassium, Iron, Magnesium, ALA, high in antioxidants, helps lower cholesterol, anti-cancer effects, eye protection, reduces inflammation, aids digestion, and high in fiber!

• Granny Smith Apples: Contain fiber, Vitamin C, antioxidants, Potassium, helps lower cholesterol, lowers risk of Diabetes Type 2, anti-cancer effects, Vitamin A, fights against aging, helps maintain good blood flow, stabilizes blood sugar, and boosts gum health!

• Beets: Contain fiber, Vitamin C, folate, help lower blood pressure, improve athletic performance, Manganese, copper, Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin B2, antioxidants, anti-cancer effects, anti-inflammatory, increases blood flow, aids digestion, helps improve brain function, boosts immunity, improves eyesight, and wonderful for your liver!

• Carrots: Boosts immune system, improves vision, lowers risk of heart attacks, reduces signs of aging, improves skin, aids digestion, protects your heart, detoxes your body, boosts oral health, contain fiber, Potassium, vitamin K, vitamin c, vitamin B6, antioxidants, niacin, beta carotene, biotin, and are low glycemic!

• Parsley: Contain fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, potassium, zinc, iron, niacin, riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus, thiamin, is rich in antioxidants, supports bone health, anti-cancer effects, promote healthy eyes and vision, improves heart health, antibacterial benefits, anti inflammatory, helps manage diabetes, aids in ingestion and other gastrointestinal issues, boosts immune system, promotes kidney cleanse, and reduces water retention!

• Celery: Contains vitamin A, vitamin B-2, vitamin B-6, vitamin C, folate, potassium, manganese, fiber, rich in antioxidants, anti inflammatory, protects your brain, anti-cancer effects, helps manage cholesterol, helps manage blood pressure, protects your heart, may improve fertility, helps gut health, detoxes the body including your liver, and keeps your body hydrated!

• Cucumber: Contains fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, Magnesium, Potassium, Manganese, rich in antioxidants, keeps your body hydrated, helps lower blood sugar, promotes regularity, supports heart health, protects your brain, protects your skin against aging, fights inflammation, helps regulate diabetes, helps reduce the risk of cancer, helps relieve pain, soothes skin, protects your bones, prevents constipation, aids in digestion, and promotes gut health!

• Ginger: Reduces gas and aids in digestion, relieves nausea, boosts immunity and helps prevent cold and flu, relieves pain, reduces inflammation, protects and supports the heart, reduces the risk of cancer, rich in antioxidants, lowers blood pressure, antibacterial properties, regulates blood sugar, lowers cholesterol, and improves oral health!

• Lemon juice: Super high in vitamin C, lowers stroke risk, helps improve blood pressure, anti-cancer effects, has electrolytes, boosts healthy complexion, aids in iron absorption, cleanses the liver, boosts immune system, improves digestion, increases your metabolic rate, aids in good oral health, prevents kidney stones, is an antiseptic, detoxifying, and it's antibacterial!

These are just some of the few benefits of all of this wonderful, and beautiful produce!

For me: I have a hard time making sure I get all of my veggies in, even being vegan, and I find that this is a really good way to make sure that I do.

Tip: If you do end up juicing, compost your pulp! SAVE THE EARTH!

If you decide to give this a try at home, let me know how it goes! Please feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback.