Juicing Art

The next time you visit your local grocery store, see if they have a discount produce area. This is a juicer's secret stash for inexpensive but sweet and ripe fruits and veggies. Often the fruit will be bulked packed and discounted heavily - it may be a little bruised or wrinkly but optimal for juicing. I use a zyliss soft skin peeler when contending with much of the bruised fruit. It aids greatly in the removal of the fruit's soft skin and simultaneously helps to remove most of the surface sprayed pesticides. The peeler has a serrated edge and really grips the skin nicely. The end of the peeler has a pre-sharpened stainless steel scoop that is great for removing apple stems and soft spots. (Stems can go in the juicer, but I would rather remove them prior to juicing to preserve the life of the unit.)  For this particular juice, I was able to score 4 pears and 6 apples for around $2. The watermelon, lime and ginger hunk were left over in the fridge. When mixed together, you are left with a delightful refreshing combination.  Watermelon is great for your complexion, pears are great for sore throats and a massive natural source of energy - the lime and ginger give you a little needed bite to liven up the mixture.

1lb strawberries, 6 oz blueberry, 5 carrots, wedge lime, wedge lemon, 1 navel orange, 1 pear

Due to the wacky weather this year - there is a bumper crop of strawberries that need to be consumed from FL and CA. Take advantage of the low prices and get juicing one of natures sweetest gifts.

Blueberries are good for getting your eyes to adjust to the night - and give you better visual acuity.

The strawberry is really a wonder- it is one of the eight foods most linked to lower rates of cancer (according to a study in NJ with over 1200 elderly people. They are loaded with anticancer compound ellagic acid. Folks in the study who consumed the most strawberries were 3x less likely to develop cancer as those who ate them infrequently! 

This drink will give you a rush so a little goes a long way. Plus if you are having a party - a little rum and ice will have your guests taste buds doing somersaults. 

1 Beet (peeled), 1 Pear, 10 Carrots, 6 radishes, sprig of parsley, 1/3 bunch celery, slice of lemon, slice of lime, piece of ginger

Carrot and beet juice together gives your body phosphorous/sulfur and potassium in a high dose. Vitamin A is also very rich in this mix. All of this equates one of the best natural builder of blood cells - especially the red blood corpuscles.

Peeling the beet is not required but it makes the juice a bit sweeter. Make sure to wash your root veggies well, unless you like eating dirt.

Caution: drinking too much beet juice at one time may cause a cleansing effect of the liver. This can actually cause you to become dizzy. So use plenty of carrots in your juice for balance. Also, beet juice will stain anything it touches including your skin - so pay attention to what you are wearing.