Do you want to have glowing skin, boundless energy and practically zero washing up? Juicing a rainbow of colourful veggies and 
fruits daily is the key. Nourish and shower your body with protective antioxidants, alkalize your Ph and stock up on all the vitamins and minerals you need in one glass. Juicing unlocks the energizing nutrients in plants and extracts the slow-to-digest fibres, providing you with a humming concoction of vitamins and minerals making you practically glow in the dark.
Our bodies strive daily for that delicate balancing act of acidic versus alkaline. Disease exists and flourishes in acidic environments which means where inflammation occurs. Pretty much anything processed including red meat, dairy, wheat and refined-sugars are all acidifying to the body. Plants (fruits and vegetables) are in general are alkalizing, helping balance and neutralise the acidic state of your Ph.
To juice or to blend?
There are so many options available for juicers and blenders it can be rather overwhelming to know which to choose. A blender purees whole fruits and vegetables. An extracting juicer separates the fibre from the juice. Cold-pressed or slow juicers are masticating juicers designed to process the juice without heating it, therefore preventing the juice from oxidizing much whilst being pressed. These juicers allow more fibre to come through in the juice which is preferable.
Centrifugal or high-speed juicers are fast, efficient and cheaper. The metal blade grinds the veggies and fruit very quickly, which exposes the juice to more oxygen than a slow juicer does. If you can afford it purchase a masticating juicer. The best juicers produce pulp that is nearly dry having maximised the amount of juice from your veggies and fruits. The Lean Green Machine and Skinny Hot Lemonade (see below) are my two favourite juices especially this time of the year. If possible use organic produce otherwise wash and peel before juicing.
Lean Green Machine
Makes 2 glasses
Check out those yogafied yummy-mummies provocatively perched at that uber funky juice bar sporting the latest lululemon apparel, manduka lite mat casually slung over their shoulder and slowly sipping radioactive cold-pressed pond water. Let’s make green synonymous with healthy and yum.
Spinach is chockfull of iron, folic acid and vitamin E. The addition of lemon helps make the iron in spinach more absorbable for our newly ripped, toned bods. Celery helps eliminate toxins from the body. Bye bye cellulite. It is a diuretic and reported to relax the circulatory system in your head, soothing a headache from wearing your Oakley’s indoors. Cukes are low in calories and have no saturated fats or cholesterol. They are high in Vitamin K and the heart-friendly electrolyte potassium which assists in regulating blood pressure. Basil provides restorative benefits to both the mind and body due to its high linalool content. Topically it soothes sore muscles and joints. It promotes healthy respiratory function, mental alertness, lessens anxiety and is frequently prescribed as an herbal antidepressant. Plus it rocks with tomatoes and extra-virgin olive oil.
2 cups fresh spinach
1 medium cucumber
2 sticks celery
½ cup fresh basil
1 apple
½ lemon, peeled
Optional Super boost with one teaspoon of Amazing Grass®Raw Reserve
Juice all ingredients until smooth. Perch your yogafied cheeks on your kitchen stool, slurp and smile smugly behind your Oakley’s.
Skinny Hot Lemonade
Makes 2 glasses
Kick start your digestive system with this antioxidant loaded zinging juice. Keep the doctor away with your apple a day. Keep colds at bay with vitamin C and fight off any nasties with gingers antibacterial properties. Cayenne pepper stimulates the circulatory system and can be used to help regulate blood pressure. So if you are stressed that your facebook update is not getting enough likes, this is the juice for you.
1 lemon, peeled
2 large apples
2 inches fresh ginger
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Juice in order and add a pinch of cayenne at the end. Reach slowly for a spoon. Stir seductively. And sip.
Check out more from Tara-Lee on her magazine page!
