Juicing for the new year

Did you score yourself a shiny, new juicing machine for Christmas?

Or, if you have one lying in the back of the cupboard and want to add a new healthy habit in the new year, we’ve done a crash course in juicing.

So, what is the point of juicing?

Juicing can have many benefits, such as adding an infusion of vitamins and minerals to your diet, and can give your digestive system a break after decadent festive season lunches. It’s a convenient way to include extra fruit and veg that you may not eat otherwise.

What’s most important to remember is that juice is not a meal replacement – it lacks essential nutrients such as protein, fats and fibre, consider it as only complementary to your daily diet. You can enjoy just 1 glass of juice a day and feel the benefits of it!

Juicing methods vary, from squeezing fruit by hand to motor-driven juicers.
Two common types of juicer machines include:

• Centrifugal. These juicers grind fruits and vegetables into pulp through a high-speed spinning action with a cutting blade. The spinning also separates the juice from the solids.
• Cold-press. These crush and press fruits and vegetables much more slowly to obtain as much juice as possible.

Purchasing organic produce for your juice:

This one is our top tip for making juice at home- purchasing certified organic ingredients. Conventional produce can contain or be coated in pesticides used from the farming process, as juice machines take as much as possible from both the skins and the flesh of fruit/vegetables, you don’t want to unknowingly add nasty chemicals to your fresh elixir. Be sure to throughly wash your produce, especially if purchasing conventional.

A glass of juice is rich in antioxidants:

Juice is filled with vitamins A, C, and E, which act as antioxidants—a.k.a. substances that counteract pesky molecules in our bodies known as free radicals that can do cell damage. Not to mention juices are a great source of hydration, as many fruits and vegetables are water based, with added electrolytes!

Extra goodies:

You can add extras to your juice to really feel the benefits,

• Chlorophyll powder or liquid, the lifeblood of plants, is a potent source of vitamins and antioxidants
• Nutra Organics Greens powder, because you can always have more greens!
• Blue Spirulina, can help detoxify heavy metals from your body
• Superfeast Masons Mushrooms – a magical blend of mushrooms for total immunity health

Nutra Organics Super Greens Powder via @nutraorganics

The Celery Juice Movement:

A juice made of just one ingredient, you guessed it; celery. It can be an acquired taste but you can add some citrus to it to counteract the bitterness if need be. Closely consider purchasing organic celery as it is high on the ‘dirty dozen’ list and is highly impacted from conventional farming pesticides.

The Celery Juice movement started with Anthony William, a.k.a The Medical Medium, who claims it can assist with symptoms of a multitude of illnesses. It’s important to note that the claims aren’t scientifically backed, but the celery juice fans testify that it works incredibly. You can read more about it here.

In a nutshell:

Making fresh juice is a quick, easy way to absorb rich nutrients and gain hydration, as well as a great excuse to get creative with flavours! Best enjoyed as part of a balanced diet.

Here’s some of our favourite juice recipes:

Summer Refresher Juice

Ginger, Carrot and Grapefruit Juice – Dani Stevens

Simple Green Juice – Loni Jane