msondesigns@gmail.com

Essential Juice & Smoothie Recipes

by Leave a Comment

These Juicing & Smoothie Recipes Are Great for Beginners

Before we describe these great juicing and smoothie recipes, just a quick word about juicing equipment.

Blender vs Juicer

Blenders make lousy juicers! A blender and a juicer are two different contraptions with two distinct functions. If you want to separate the juice from the pulp, stems and seeds, you want a juicer.

Simply cut any fruit or veggie into manageable pieces - stems, peels, the whole shebang - and a juicer will extract the liquid and discard the rest. A blender, on the other hand, doesn’t separate anything. Rather, it grinds and mixes everything. It won’t create a juice. Rather, what you get is a thick "smoothie," but you must use a high speed blender to create a smoothie. Using a kitchen-grade blender will result in a lumpy soup especially if you use fibrous or tough vegetables such as beets, carrots or celery.

Delicious Juice Recipes

Now that we're clear about blenders and juicers, lets get down to business: delicious juice recipes. I'll mention several of my favorites, but really the best recipes are the ones you create!

Start with simple recipes using your favorite fruit or veggie. My favorites are blueberry, strawberry, carrot and grape. Or try my favorite vegetable juice for a quick boost of energy: tomato, celery, sweet peppers, and Worcestershire sauce, with a dash of horseradish, sea salt and black pepper. Try wheatgrass with orange or pear. Here's a fabulous favorite: broccoli with melon, apple or pear. If you're adventurous try almonds, corn and milk.

Recipes That Target Health Concerns

Then there are the more involved recipes based upon the nutrients most beneficial to improving a particular health issue such as heart disease, diabetes, or prostate problems. Or maybe you want to increase your energy, boost your memory, lose weight, make those wrinkles disappear, or give your child a nutrient-packed alternative to sugary fruit juices and soft drinks. Consult your local nutritionist, or purchase Juicing & Smoothie Recipes That Heal! available here in the box on the right and for Kindle, Nook and iPad users at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iBooks.All the recipes are based on the latest nutritional research.

Create Your Own Recipes

The best part about creating your own juice recipes is making use of your imagination. Start with your favorite flavor and add something interesting. Blueberry is my favorite flavor, and when I combine it with wheatgrass or cucumber what a wonderful surprise!

Speaking of wheatgrass, this and other greens are the only items you should use in moderation - no more than 1 or 2 ounces at a time - lest you experience some stomach distress.

Let yourself be creative and don’t be concerned about mistakes. Experiment with the tastes you enjoy. Start off with just 2 or 3 different fruits or vegetables such as carrots and apples and celery. You’ll soon have the hang of it. Then broaden your experience with some greens such as kale or wheatgrass – fabulously nutritious foods. Just remember that you really can’t fail when it comes to giving your body a nutritious drink – it just may not taste great at first! Greens are the most nutritious food, but very bitter, so it's best to blend them with sweet vegetables or fruit to kill the bitterness. But whether a juice of greens tastes good or not, you get fabulous benefits for your muscle tissue, glands, and organs.

A Few Quick Tips

So pick some veggies or fruits that you enjoy and juice away! If you're a juicing novice, here are a few tips. First, bananas and avocados will clog a standard juicer, so place these items with your already-juiced mixture in a blender.

Another important point is that you can juice the entirety of many fruits and veggies. An exception is the rind of citrus fruits like grapefruit, tangerines and oranges. But keep as much of that wonderfully nutritious white fleshy pith attached to the rind. Lemons and limes are a great example of citrus that can be entirely juiced, peel and all.

There are more helpful tips in my article on top juicing tips

Recent Posts

Categories

Onion Juice & Smoothie Recipes & Benefits

by Leave a Comment

Onions Are a Powerhouse of Nutrients and Disease-Fighting Compounds!

Historically Speaking

A close relative of garlic, onions have been grown and consumed the world over for millennia, from Asia and the Middle East to Europe and the Mediterranean. Also used in North America by Native Americans, the first colonists discovered wild onions growing nearly everywhere.

Legend has it that the onion was the major source of nutrition for both Plato and his <student Socrates.

Four US states recognize the onion as their official state vegetable - Georgia (the Vidalia), Utah (the Spanish Sweet), Washington (the Walla Walla), and Texas (the Texas Sweet).

Nutritional Highlights

Onions juice lowers blood pressure, inflammation and cholesterol. It is a scientifically proven aphrodisiac. Recent studies discovered anti-cancer compounds. And a new study shows an increase in testosterone levels in rats by over 300%.

Amazing Benefits

Onions are exceptionally low in calories, and contain no cholesterol, sodium or saturated fat. They’re rich in vitamins A, B-9 and C, minerals, phytonutrients and fiber.

Onion juice diminishes constipation, fends off the flu, fever, colds and infection, and boosts circulation. Recent research shows compounds in onions fight osteoporosis.

The vitamins in onions are powerful antioxidants important for healthy vision. They help diminish appetite and thus are a great boon to weight loss efforts. These vitamins also inhibit viruses, lower bad cholesterol, protect against stroke and diminish the risk of cancer.

The minerals in onion juice includes calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, molybdenum, iron, manganese and chromium - essential for maintaining strong bones, teeth, muscles, heart, kidneys and nerves. These minerals also sustain healthy blood pressure, fend off aging and control sugar levels.

Recent studies show that onions are rich in allicin which has anti-cancer properties and is important for diabetics because it reduces blood sugar levels. Other phytonutrients in onions have been shown to reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, decrease depression and anxiety and protect the eyes and skin.

Though raw onion is a difficult taste for most, I include just a thin slice in nearly all my juice and smoothie recipe because of the onion's tremendous disease-fighting power!

Delicious Juice & Smoothie Recipes With Onion!

Carrot Apple Onion
2 Carrots - skin and all!
2 Apples - skin, seeds, core and all!
1 Sweet Potato - with the skin!
Thin slice of a small Onion (1/8')
1/2 thumb of Ginger

Beet Onion Green Dream - Thank You Cassendre Xavier!
2 Beets
2 Carrots
3 Collard Greens
3 Red Cabbage leaves
Thin slice of a small Red Onion

More delicious and powerful recipes can be found in Juicing & Smoothie Recipes That Heal! available here in the box on the right and for Kindle, Nook and iPad users at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iBooks.

Recent Posts

Power Juice Recipes

by

Delicious Power Juice and Smoothie Recipes

Top Energy Producing Foods and The Best Power Juice and Smoothie Recipes

This article introduces a healthy way to turbo-charge your energy by juicing or blending special combinations of fruits and vegetables. Here are the top 10 nutrients that create energy, the fruits and vegetables with the highest concentrations of these power-packed nutrients and 3 of the best power juice recipes to boost your energy.

Top 10 Power-Boosting Nutrients and Foods

Vitamin B12 – a lack of this causes anemia, weight loss, decreased muscle control, and even yellow-blue color blindness. The best natural source of B12 besides meat is spirulina which is dried algae. Spirulina even beats meat in protein content! As you will see below spirulina is packed with other energy nutrients which is why it’s a common ingredient in power juice recipes.

B9 (Folic Acid) – a key ingredient in energizing the body. A lack of this nutrient causes fatigue and sleep problems. The foods most abundant in folic acid are Avocado, Blackberries, Mango, Orange, Papaya, Passion fruit, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Raspberries, Strawberries, Artichoke, Asparagus, Bok choy, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, French beans, Lima beans, Okra, Parsnip, Peas, Potatoes, Spinach, Spirulina and Squash – summer & winter.

B7 (Biotin) – in addition to providing energy, it also plays a fundamental role in growth and development. The produce highest in B7 are as follows, and note that another great source of B7 is nuts, especially peanuts, filberts, almonds and peanut butter. A half cup of peanuts provides more than twice the daily requirement of biotin. Here are the biotin-packed fruits and veggies: Avocados, Bananas, Papayas, Carrots, Sweet potato and Swiss chard.

B5 (Pantothenic Acid) – not only does it provide your system with energy, but it helps the body manage stress. Here are the foods highest in B5: Avocado, Broccoli, Black currants, Brussels sprouts, Grapefruit, Butternut squash, Pomegranate, Corn, Raspberries, French beans, Starfruit, Mushrooms, Watermelon, Okra, Parsnips, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Spirulina, Spaghetti squash, Squash – summer & winter and Sweet potato.


B3 (Niacin) – not only does it pack an energizing wallop, it also helps keep the nervous system and digestive system running smoothly. The following fruits and vegetables are rich in niacin: Avocado, Mango, Nectarine, Peach, Artichoke, Butternut squash, Corn, Mushrooms, Okra, Parsnip, Peas, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Spirulina, Spaghetti squash, Squash – winter and Sweet potato.

B2 (Riboflavin) – it’s essential for blood cell production and the release of energy from the foods you eat. Riboflavin also is an essential ingredient for a healthy nervous system. Here are those fruits and vegetables with the highest content of B2: Avocado, Banana, Grapes, Mango, Pomegranate, Artichoke, Asparagus, Bok choy, Brussels sprouts, Chinese broccoli, Lima beans, Mushrooms, Peas, Pumpkin, French beans, Spirulina, Squash – winter, Sweet potato and Swiss chard.

B1 (Thiamin) – its major task is energy production, especially when the energy comes from carbohydrates. It’s also essential for the function of the nervous system, muscles and heart. These foods are rich in thiamin: Avocado, Grapes, Grapefruit, Mango, Orange, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Watermelon, Asparagus, Brussels sprouts, Butternut squash, Corn, French beans, Lima beans, Okra, Parsnips, Peas, Potatoes, Spirulina and Sweet potato.

Vitamin C – boosts the immune system and provides energy, with the added benefit of assisting in the absorption of another key ingredient in energy production – iron. These fruits and vegetables have an abundance of vitamin C: Grapefruit, Kiwi, Mango, Orange, Papaya, Passion fruit, Pineapple, Strawberries, Bok choy, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Butternut squash, Green pepper, Kale and Swiss chard.

Vitamin E – a potent energy booster as well as antioxidant essential in the healthy function of
the nervous system and muscles. These foods are highest in vitamin E: Avocado, Butternut squash, Blackberries, Parsnip, Blueberries, Potatoes, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Kiwi, Spirulina, Mango, Swiss chard, Nectarine, Papaya, Peach, Pomegranate and Raspberries.

Iron – this mineral plays a role in keeping your energy level high. This is especially important for women of the menstruating age since a deficiency triggers anemia with symptoms that include fatigue, headaches, dizziness and inflammation of the lips. High concentrations of iron are not found in fruits and vegetables, but these will enhance the body’s ability to absorb iron: Cantaloupe, Broccoli, Orange, Brussels sprouts, Grapefruit, Green and red peppers, Strawberries and Potatoes.

My Favorite Power Juice and Smoothie Recipes

Try these tasty recipes for a power boosting juice or smoothie that will zap you with vitality. More energy boosting recipes can be found in Juice & Smoothie Recipes That Heal! in the box at the right.


Jan’s Energizer
5 Carrots, don’t peel them!
2 Beet Greens
4 Broccoli spears
1 cup Cauliflower
1/2 thumb Ginger
1/2 teaspoon Spirulina

Power Plus!
2 Apples, skin and all
4 Carrots, peel only half the surface
1/2 Red Bell Pepper
1/2 handful Parsley
5 leaves of your favorite Leafy Green
1/2 teaspoon Spirulina

Wake Up Call
1 Apple, skin and all
2 Oranges, peeled
2 Pears
4 Strawberries
1/2 thumb Ginger

More delicious and powerful recipes can be found in Juice and Smoothie Recipes That Heal.

Greens in Your Own Back Yard!

by

Pick & Juice Nutritious Edile Greens Growing Naturally Right in Your Own Back Yard!


Editor’s Note: Blanche Cybele Derby is a foraging lecturer, filmmaker and author. She also happens to be my neighbor. Foraging, for those who may be new to the term, is using weeds around your home and community for food. Foraged greens such as ramps and dandelion are commonly used in salads by upscale restaurants. I’m lucky to have had many amazing full-course meals prepared by Cybele and her husband from foraged foods such as berries, shoots, buds, leaves and flowers picked fresh right from our neighborhood. The plants mentioned in this interview are commonly found throughout New England and in other parts of the country. For other edible plants I refer you to Cybele’s wonderful Youtube videos, DVD’s and books available at http://www.tagyerit.com/freefood.htm .

Bob Hannum: Cybele, I’ve wanted to do this for a long time – to interview you for a new chapter on foraging in the next edition of my ebook about juicing, Juicing & Smoothie Recipes That Heal! because in the juicing world greens are superfoods and it’s amazing to me that there are so many edible greens growing as weeds right in our own back yards. You’re a wonderful authority on the subject with 3 books, many popular Youtube videos, and ongoing lectures and walks. This is such a pleasure!

My first question: What’s so special about foraging? Why couldn’t I just go to the store and buy raspberries instead of going off to some special place in town and picking wild ones?

Cybele: First of all: I just love doing it! I love getting outside and riding my bike so I can roam and explore and find new places. Secondly, it’s the ultimate local produce. Most of the edible plants that I forage are no further than a mile from my house. Some are right in my back yard. So it’s fresher than supermarket produce. Another advantage of foraging is that nothing’s been sprayed and fertilized, so I feel that there’s more nutrition in fruits, greens, and roots that I pick. Also I’m not gathering plants from a ‘monoculture’ meaning that it’s not been farmed with acres and acres of the same plants in the same soil year after year. I think foraged food has much more power nutritionally. It gets you out in nature. And it makes you much more aware of the cycles of nature. If you just go to the supermarket and buy something; you can buy raspberries in January. That’s not the way it is in nature. Nature’s cycle is raspberries are ripe in June. They’re there for maybe two weeks and then they’re gone. And then you go and find another berry. That’s what I like – becoming aware of, and following, the cycle of the place I live in. For me, the most important reasons that I forage is to be more aware of nature, and the nutrition from wild plants is so much better than anything cultivated.

B: Is it better than buying organic?

C: I think so. If you buy organic raspberries from California, it takes time for them to get here. This morning, I went out and picked blackberries. That’s certainly much faster.

Wild Blackberries (Rubus spp.)

B: About those raspberries – let’s say they have a two week cycle in nature. And then you go and pick the next thing that’s ready in nature. Is there any special benefit of eating whatever nature has to give you at the time?

C: That’s the way it used to be. Now you can buy things in February from faraway places that would never grow around here. Many people in the foraging field feel that you should only eat what grows around your area. I don’t go that far – I like bananas. But, yes, I think it’s really a good idea to eat what comes along. That’s not easy here in New England in the wintertime. Unless you can your foods which they used to do in years past. They would can and have a root cellar and save these things.

So yes, I feel it’s really important to eat with the seasons. I freeze a lot of the berries because I use those in the winter. It makes me feel that spring is coming soon and summer’s coming soon so I like to have those tastes. But those are things that I went and got and froze. Although I do go to the supermarket, I like to try to get what I need from around here.

B: Now you and Charlie just cooked Bonnie and I this wonderful dinner tonight. And could you talk about some of the ingredients you used and their benefits?

C: That’s what I was doing on my bicycle this morning. I was picking berries, greens, and flowers. The greens were Lamb’s-quarters which is wild spinach. And amaranth which is now considered a super-food, but it’s a weed that grows everywhere around here.

Amaranth (amaranthus ssp.)

B: So if I knew what I was looking for I could easily find amaranth?

C: Yes, but you need to be able to positively identify what you’re looking for, because you don’t want to make a mistake and eat something that will give you a stomach ache or worse.

This being high summer there’s not as many greens available as there are in the springtime. So I picked quite a few flowers: goldenrod, phlox, bee balm, nasturtium, mallow, Rose of Sharon, Johnny jump ups, and bean flowers. Some of the flowers are cultivated. I don’t make a distinction between wild and cultivated because most cultivated flowers were once wild.

Goldenrod (solidago spp.)
Phlox (phlox spp.)
Bean Flower (fabacede family)
Bee Balm (monarda spp.)
Johnny Jump Ups (viola)
Nasturtium (tropaelum spp.)
Rose of Sharon (hibiscus syriacus)

I’m mentioning the common names, but it’s important to know the scientific names because many plants have the same common name yet they’re completely different plants.

B: What was the little white one?

C: Oh, the elder flower. I was surprised to find those because they’re usually gone by now. Elder flowers turn into elderberry by August. Many plants have multiple parts that are useful – sometimes the shoot is good, followed by the bud, then the flower, and then the seed. Milkweed is one of those. There were milkweed buds in our salad and clover blossoms.


Clover (trifolium spp.)
Elder (sambucus spp.)
Milkweed buds (asclepias spp.)

B: I thought milkweed isn’t good for you?

C: Oh no. Milkweed is a forager’s dream because you can be a procrastinator! If you want milkweed shoots but you don’t get around to picking them and it becomes too late for shoots, you can pick another part of this plant. If you’re too late for the buds you can wait another week for the flowers. If you miss the flowers you can wait another week for the small buds we just ate.

Some plants have to be cooked. Some can be eaten raw. Our salad was essentially a raw salad.

B: Do you have to be careful when you’re foraging?

C: Pokeweed is a plant that you can only eat at a certain stage. It’s a popular edible plant down South when the young shoots are two to six inches high. They are gathered in the early Spring for a couple of weeks. The young shoots have to be cooked in multiple waters which meant that you pour boiling water over the shoots, cook them for maybe 10 minutes, drain that water, and then repeat. There’s a compound in pokeweed that upsets the stomach if eaten raw. It won’t kill you, but you’ll get sick.
Pokeweed (phytolacca Americana) – only the shoots are edible.

So I cook poke in multiple waters and [my husband] Charlie loves it. It’s a marvelous spring green. Very tasty. Down South they used to can it. It was so popular it was on the shelves of grocery stores. And there’s even a song called “Poke Salad Annie” by Elvis. It should be “poke sallet” because “sallet” means any cooked green whereas “salad” means any raw green.

However, this past winter I was in Florida and a woman who is an herbalist said that she knew somebody who’s a fourth generation Floridian who eats uncooked poke with no problems. I was shocked because I’ve always been told that you have to do this multiple boiling. Maybe it’s the soil? It’s different in Florida than it is up here in New England. Could soil have something to do with it?

So what I did this spring was eat a few very young raw leaves. One leaf one day. Nothing happened. Two leaves the second day. Nothing happened. Three leaves the next day. Nothing bad happened. But when I lead walks or give talks I still tell people to do the two boil method. I’d rather be conservative. I always tell them, “Whenever you eat anything new, even a new cultivated food, just go easy on it. Don’t over do it.” Everyone’s digestive systems are different.

B: I heard the same about wheat grass. It’s a favorite green for juicers. Very cleansing. A super-food. But too much can upset your stomach. But some people get used to it and drink it straight. They had to work up to that over time.

C: That’s maybe the same for poke. Build your tolerance. I think our food processing is removing bitterness so our digestive system is no longer used to wild foods.

B: What’s your favorite foraged food?

C: That’s like asking which child is your favorite. Well, I love berries. I just love fruit. And they’re so many great greens especially in early Spring when you need more nourishment after winter. You can’t get fresh local greens unless you have a green house. And a lot of wild greens are available much earlier than anything you can cultivate. Stinging nettle is one the best greens — protein, chlorophyl, and vitamin rich.

Stinging Nettle (urtica dioica)

B: When I brush up against that plant on the trail, it stings and itches like hell.

C: Yes, but when you put it in a juicer, the stingers break down. And you’ve got yourself a power drink.

B: Amazing!

C: That’s one green I would definitely recommend. If you’re uptight about the barbs just put a little water over them and simmer for a minute or two. This breaks down the small barbs.

Lamb’s-quarters is another great green. It’s wild spinach. You can get your own quinoa in the seeds from Lamb’s-quarters because they’re related. Quinoa is a South American cousin of Lamb’s-quarters.

Goutweed is another. It’s in the carrot/parsley family. That tastes just like parsley. So again, you can use that instead of parsley. But be careful because it looks like the water hemlock which is among the most deadly of plants. This was the poison used to kill Socrates.

Goutweed (aegopodium podagraria)
Water Hemlock (cicuta maculate)

Garlic mustard is another common edible plant. It’s in the mustard family with a strong garlicky taste. Mix it with milder greens such as Lamb’s-quarters which is very mild. Spring is the best time to find greens. Purslane is a very good summer plant that’s super high in omega 3 fatty acids.

Purslane (portulaca oleracea)

B: Really?

C: Super high. And it’s very respected in every country except ours. In Mexico they call it Verdolaga.

B: I’m really curious about that because I know it’s difficult to find omega-3’s in plants.

C: Yes, and the omega-3 in Purslane is the same one found only in fish and flax seed. It looks like a jade plant and it sprawls. It’s mucilaginous which means a little slimy.

B: It sounds like you just need a little so if you don’t like the taste you can add carrot to it or berries.

C: Yes. The taste of Purslane is very green. That’s something you can find when the weather starts to get hot. I usually mix it in with coleslaw. Mix it in with carrots and cabbage and chop it up real fine for a Purslane slaw.

B: Sometime would you point out some of the edible plants around my house?

C: Oh yes. I bet there are sorrels which are very lemony tasting plants. There are two types of sorrel’s: Oxalis and Rumex, but they both taste the same. Just take the leaves and put them in water and they impart a very lemony flavor. Easiest kind of drink imaginable. And if you drink it you can eat the leaves as your drinking it. I’ve made myself a couple of flower drinks. Just put elder flowers in a glass. Pour in water and let it sit for a couple of hours. The flavor is very subtle; sweet. Do the same with milkweed flowers. You could probably do it with rose petals, too. Some of the fragrant ones. But don’t use any flowers that are sprayed or come from a floral shop.

Milkweed Flowers (asclepias spp.)

 

Sorrel (rumex)

 

Sorrel (oxalis – wood sorrel)

B: But they are some dangers? You mentioned hemlock. Is that something you can come across locally?

C: Yes.

B: No kidding?

C: Unfortunately yes. It’s in the carrot-parsley family so there are a lot of edible members of that family. Water hemlock are poison hemlock are in that family. Some people might mistake those two plants for an edible plant called Queen Anne’s Lace which is essentially a wild carrot. And Queen Anne’s Lace grows everywhere. The hemlocks are not as common. But I have seen them around here. So it’s really important. To stay away from that family.

B: I’m smiling because you hear stories about mushroom experts. It seems that every year some famous mushroom expert dies from mistakenly eating a deadly one.

C: Yes, that has happened.

B: Does that happens in the foraging world, too?

C: No, not as much because most plants are not deadly. The water hemlock and poison hemlock are exceptions. Mushrooms are tricky. Usually when I do walks I don’t show mushrooms, unless it’s a big puffball where there’s no poisonous lookalikes. A lot of plants like dandelion leaves are bitter but if you mix them with milder greens, they’re marvelous juicing material full of vitamins A and C. Stick with plants like dandelion which everybody knows. If you’re new to foraging don’t try to learn every plant at once. Going on walks with a person who knows what they’re doing.

B: Are there any poisonous berries out here?

C: There’re some in the nightshade family. Stick with the rose family which include raspberries and blackberries. Any plants in that family have no poisonous lookalikes. Mulberries and juneberries, too.

Mulberries (morus spp.)

 

Juneberries (amelanchier canadensis)

B: What’s your favorite berry?

C: Juneberry. Most people don’t even know what it is. It looks like a blueberry but it taste like a cherry and an almond. And those trees are all over Northampton.

B: Really?

C: Yes, a lot of landscapers plant them. In the Spring they have beautiful white flowers, and they bloom much earlier than most other trees. They have many flowers and they’re beautiful. Landscapers love them. They’re my favorite berry.

B: I remember you saying once that you keep some of your foraging spots secret.

C: Some yes. I’m like mushroomers, but many of my places are right out in plain sight. One of my favorite trees is right on Main Street, and thousands of people walking by there daily. Usually nobody even asks me what I’m doing which I find very interesting.

B: That makes sense to me since foraging sounds rare.

C: Not any more. When I first started very few people were doing it. Now it seems everybody’s writing a book or making a video or leading walks. Everybody’s foraging for famous chefs. It’s become the latest fad.

B: Could you go to a field that you’ve never been to before and pick something edible?

C: Probably. Actually I’ve done that a month ago. I went to somebody’s house who hired me to walk around their farm and point out what plants were edible. We barely got beyond their front door! There were so many wild edible plants growing all over their yard.

B: That were wild? They hadn’t been planted?

C: That’s right. The fellow was really happy to find out that he had a big stand of lamb’s-quarters which I told him was wild spinach and he said, “Oh, I had trouble growing spinach and now I have it right here. So I’ll use this instead.”

B: Do you do most of your foraging in the open or in the forest?

C: In the open. The forest is too dark. Too many trees. Too much shade. Mushrooming is better in the forest.

B: What about all those forest wildflowers in the spring?

C: There are some edible plants in the forest such as ramps, or wild leek. They appear in mid-April and it’s one of the plants that chefs are crazy about. The leaves are really good. They make a strong juice. I wouldn’t just use ramp leaves in the juice. I’d add stinging nettle and lamb’s-quarters. Wow, what a combination. Ramps also have an edible root. But whenever you forage and gather the root you are essentially killing the plant. So a lot of people who collect ramps just collect the leaves. You want to be a responsible forager. And a plant likes ramps can be over-harvested, especially by foragers selling to stores and chefs. Not the same with invasives which you can forage to your heart’s content.

Ramps (allium tricoccum)

B: When you say selling to stores are you saying that we can buy foraged produce in a local coop?

C: Yes.

B: Can we be confident that these greens or berries have not been sprayed? That they are indeed wild?

C: That’s a good question. You have to trust the person who is picking. One example of things that I’ve seen at Whole Food’s is fiddlehead ostrich ferns. They grow everywhere around here, all along the Connecticut River.

Edible Fiddleheads (matteuccia struthiopteris)

B: Are they edible?

C: Oh yes and one of the best wild foods.

B: So almost anything that’s green is edible?

C: No. I wouldn’t say that. I wouldn’t touch skunk cabbage or false hellebore – their name’s says it all. Jack in the pulpit will make your mouth burn. Just because it’s green or a flower doesn’t mean it’s edible.

B: You really have to know.

C: Yes. Start out with dandelion and clover. Then move on to plants that are not as well known. Sumac is another plant that you can make a wonderful juice from.

B: Poison sumac?

C: No no. See, that’s the problem with common names. Poison sumac is in the same family as edible sumac, but poison sumac only grows in very wet areas, boggy areas, and has white berries. Edible sumac grows in meadows and along roadsides and has red seeds. You can make a wonderful drink out of sumac by putting the seed heads – called “Bobs” – in cold water. Let them sit for an hour or so and you have sumacade. Like pink lemonade. A little sour so add a little sweetener. But again it’s an easy juice to make without any machine. Some people put it in the sun. A lot of folks believe in using the power of the sun to brew teas and juices.

Edible Sumac (rhus typhina)

B: So sumac is good for a sun tea? Anything else you suggest?

C: Linden flowers are marvelous. Just pour cold water and let it steep for an hour. Very soft and subtle flavor.

B: Just the flowers and not the leaves?

C: The leaves are a good sandwich green used like lettuce. In England they call the linden a lime tree, and they have lime leaf sandwiches at tea time.

    Linden (titia spp.)

B: If someone wanted to go on one of your walks, how do they find out about it?

C: On my website or sometimes I advertise it: And usually my walks are free.

B: Cybele, thank you so much. This has been such a pleasure.

C: Let me give you a list of the plants that we mentioned with their scientific names for easier identification.

B: Great!

C: Remember, it’s so important to include the scientific name – genus and species.

Green Tea Juice & Smoothie Recipes & Benefits

by Leave a Comment

The Benefits of Green Tea Are Absolutely Amazing! Add Some to All Your Juice & Smoothie Recipes!

A Little History

Green tea has a lengthy history throughout Asia beginning in China, dating back further than four thousand years ago. It was legendary for its medicinal properties, used to promote digestion, heal wounds, control bleeding and blood sugar, quench thirst, uplift the spirit and regulate body temperature. The Zen Buddhist priest Esai wrote in the twelfth century of its healing powers, including its ability to improve the ‘five vital organs.’ He went on to describe the properties of green tea for medicinal purposes, including assisting digestion, curing disease, maintaining the health of the brain, boosting energy and improving urinary tract function.

Nutritional Highlights

Green tea is one of the most powerful antioxidants on the planet and a natural source of fluoride and caffeine.

Green tea is exceedingly rich in antioxidants as well as vitamins, folic acid, protein and amino acids.

Antioxidants fight skin cancer, premature aging, and skin wrinkling by protecting the body from harmful UV rays. They fight free radicals, act as an anti-inflammatory, defend against colon cancer, detoxify the liver, reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol and enhance heart health.

Green tea increases metabolism thereby enhancing the body’s fat-burning process and greatly assisting with weight loss.

Vitamins in green tea include A, B, C, D and K. Vitamin A lowers appetite, promotes healthy vision, fights bacterial growth, inhibits viruses, decreases the risk of many cancers and protects against stroke. Vitamin B (5, 7 and 9) decreases cholesterol, muscle pain and depression, defends against blood clotting, lowers the risk of birth defects during pregnancy and protects against certain types of anemia. Vitamin C boosts the immune system, promotes the healing of wounds and lowers ‘bad’ cholesterol. Vitamin K is essential for the health of the liver, brain, lungs and heart. Vitamin D is essential for the body’s ability to absorb phosphorus and calcium. Recent research links vitamin D with the prevention of cancer and degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

The 8 essential amino acids are necessary for the body’s manufacture of protein for energy and muscle health. Protein is essential for healthy muscle, cartilage, hair, skin and nails.

Dried powdered green tea is known as matcha and can be brewed or added to your fresh juice. It can be purchased at health food stores. These are my favorite recipes adding matcha:

Green Tea Juice & Smoothie Recipes

Green Tea Pomegranate Spice
2 cups Pomegranate – seeds only
1 thumb Ginger
1 teaspoon Green Tea powder 9matcha)

Green Tea Orange Grape Juice
1 Orange – remove rind
2 cups Grapes – seeds and all! I prefer Concord Grapes
1 teaspoon matcha – this is quite a caffeine kick!

More delicious and powerful recipes can be found in Juicing & Smoothie Recipes That Heal! available here in the box on the right and for Kindle, Nook and iPad users at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iBooks.

Aloe Vera Juice & Smoothie Recipes & Benefits

by Leave a Comment

Aloe Vera Juice Is A Powerhouse of Nutients!

Nutritional Highlights

Aloe vera juice is remarkably rich in nutrients that we are only beginning to understand. Plus, it is the only known plant source of vitamin B12 (mushrooms also have B12 but as fungus, they are technically not plants).

But beware! Research has found that a compound in fresh aloe vera juice known as ‘aloin’ is carcinogenic in large quantities in mice. To avoid aloin, use bottled aloe vera juice found in health food stores marked “purified” or “decolorized” on the label.

A Little History of Aloe Vera

Throughout the ages, dating as far back as ancient Mexican legend, aloe vera has been known for a surprising array of uses, including curative powers. It is popular today as an ingredient in many skin products for the relief of skin irritation, minor burns and sunburn.

A Few Tips

I used to encourage growing a plant in your home and sniping off a ½ inch to throw into your juicer or smoothie machine just as you would add fresh ginger or parsley. Now I use store-bought juice or gel due to the research cited above. Just be sure any store-bought product is pure aloe without any additional ingredients.

Latest Research

Recent nutritional research reveals that aloe vera juice has a multitude of health benefits. It is one of the richest sources of nearly all the ‘building blocks’ necessary for physical health. It’s abundant in essential vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, phytonutrients, simple and complex sugars, fatty acids and compounds which assist in enhancing our body’s well-being and fighting a remarkable number of diseases. Aloe vera is now cited as one of the few known plants whose juice is nutritionally all-encompassing. Let’s review the fascinating nutritional benefits of aloe vera.

Vitamins & Minerals

 

Aloe is rich in vitamins A, C, E, and B (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 12). Aloe is the only plant resource of B-12 presently known. Vitamin A aids in healthy vision and bones, and like vitamin E, acts as a powerful antioxidant. The body’s nervous system is especially assisted by B1, B2, and B6. Cell production relies in part on B12.

The minerals in aloe include several rarely found together in one substance such as potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, chromium, magnesium, selenium, sodium and manganese. These minerals strengthen our bones and teeth, carry oxygen throughout our blood stream, keep our skin and brain and reproductive system healthy and inhibit osteoporosis.

Amino Acids

Aloe vera juice also contains choline which is not technically considered a vitamin or mineral, but is essential for a healthy brain.

The abundance of amino acids in aloe is especially unique. Of the twenty-two amino acids our bodies require, aloe contains twenty. Seven of the eight ‘essential’ amino acids in aloe can only be manufactured from the foods we eat. Others also found in aloe play roles in our health and wellness that we are only beginning to understand.

Amazing Enzymes

The list of enzymes in aloe is equally long and impressive. Each is remarkable for their myriad of health benefits.

Enzymes are required for protein development, assisting the digestive system inbreaking down fats, helping to carry energy to our cells, and increasing the body’s absorption of oxygen. They act as an anti-bacterial, strengthening the immune system, and inhibiting the buildup of excess water. Other important benefits include maintaining healthy tissue throughout the body, especially in our bones, intestines, liver, kidneys and placenta, promoting the digestion of foods, pain relief, wound healing, and reducing inflammation.

Aloe is remarkable for its natural sugars, including mono- and polysaccharides. Energy is delivered through the action of monosaccharides. Polysaccharides provide bone strength, assist digestion, and support healthy levels of cholesterol. Further, polysaccharides boost liver function, help support the immune system, and avert certain diseases in the intestinal system.

How to Make a Delicious Juice or Smoothie

by Leave a Comment

How To Make Fresh Juices & Smoothies Are Easier Than You Think!

Juicing and blending are the simple processes of transforming fresh fruits and vegetables as well as herbs and spices into a delicious drink. The best part is that special juice and smoothie recipes can directly target your nutritional concerns whether it’s weight loss, more energy, healthier skin, a better night’s sleep, more satisfying sex, anti-aging, or a host of illnesses including diabetes, heart disease, cancer, asthma and many many more!

Why A Fresh Juice or Smoothie?

More and more people are turning to juicing and smothies to improve their health. Studies show that drinking fresh juice increases energy and reduces the risk of developing many of the common health problems we face today. And it’s the most convenient way to get all of your daily requirements of fruits and vegetables. I even save money because a glass of fresh juice each day gives me more nutrients than the best vitamin and mineral supplements.

Why Not Just Eat Raw Fruits & Veggies?

There are benefits to drinking your daily recommended serving of veggies and fruits instead of eating them as solid raw foods. Liquids are absorbed by the body more quickly and completely, because absorption of the many vitamins, minerals and other nutrients starts right away as soon as the liquid enters the mouth. Whereas, the same nutrients in the form of solid food take a slower path of absorption through the stomach and intestines.

I Cook Using Fresh Foods – Why Isn’t That Enough?

Cooked food is simply not as nutritious as its raw form. For instance, enzymes play a key role in metabolism and are chiefly found in raw foods, but most are lost when cooked, processed or preserved. This is particularly true for bottled juice which must by law be pasteurized in order to be commercially sold. So many nutrients are destroyed by pasteurization including most enzymes. These are essential for converting food into body tissue and energy. Enzymes are particularly important for those trying to lose weight: they help the body to burn more calories which assists in weight loss.

Amazing Benefits

Increased energy and weight loss are not the only benefits of fresh juices and smoothies. Recent research suggests that drinking fresh juice and smoothies can also delay the effects of aging. Specifically, fresh fruits and vegetables contain compounds known as antioxidants which neutralize free radicals in your body. Free radicals are chiefly responsible not only for aging, but also for many degenerative diseases such as cataracts, high blood pressure and even cancer.

Fight Disease

Let’s explore how juicing and smoothies fight one of our most common and chronic diseases: diabetes. Recent research indicates that raw fruits and vegetables are super foods for diabetics because they nourish the body while stabilizing blood sugar levels in ways that cooked food cannot. In the past, doctors cautioned people with diabetes to stay away from sugar of any kind, even those found in fresh fruits and vegetables. That recommendation has been proven wrong.

Researchers have found that specific nutrients such as vitamins A, B, E and the minerals iron and potassium which are abundant in fresh fruits and vegetables aid in naturally managing this disease. Specifically, vitamin B7 which is found in mangoes, nectarines and peaches aids in digestion and activates enzymes, a key process for diabetics. Additionally, manganese which is found in celery, garlic, carrots, cruciferous vegetables, parsley, spinach and beet greens helps reduce insulin resistance overall and improve the metabolism of sugar.

Delicious Juice & Smoothie Recipes

A great resource for recipes that help you lose weight, boost energy, fight the effects of aging and even target diseases is a new recipe book based on the latest research Juice & Smoothie Recipes That Heal! You can find it in the box on the right.

Juicing and smoothies are a simple way to optimize your health and energy. Plus you can make your own recipes and tweek them to satisfy your specific taste or health needs. What a wonderful way to combat your health challenges by drinking a fresh and all-natural juice or smoothie that you easily made yourself! I also found that the first time I started juicing I discovered entirely new sections of my local supermarket, and produce I had never seen before! So start your juice and smoothie adventure today!

You can easily begin with an inexpensive juicier or blender sold online or at your local kitchen supply store. Any juicier or blender will do, but if you’re interested in what’s best among the hundreds of models available I have some recommendations for you in juicer reviews.

 

How to Juice – Top Tips and Tricks

by

These Top Juicing & Smoothie Tips Make It Quick, Easy & Nutritious

Here are the top tips for the best fresh juice and smoothie. These tips make juicing and smoothies quick and easy, help you avoid costly mistakes, and insure that your juices and  smoothies are healthy and nutrient rich.

Go Organic

Fruits and vegetables absorb whatever chemicals are used to grow them. Thus, if it’s affordable you should use organic fruits and vegetables because they insure that your juice or smoothie is pesticide-free. If you’re on a budget, you only need to go organic with the ‘Dirty Dozen.’

Choose The Right Machine

“Slow” juicers get more juice from your produce, especially greens. Great models are made by Hurom, Omega and Breville. The best smoothie maker is the Vitamix. See my juice and smoothie machine reviews for the best!

Don’t Save It

It’s best to drink your fresh smoothie or juice right away as it will spoil in hours, even less if you juice melon, broccoli, cauliflower or cabbage.

Juicer Vs Blender

Your kitchen blender will make you a great soup but not a juice or smoothie, unless you want a lumpy gritty drink! If you can’t afford a juicer or high speed blender, you can use your kitchen blender and then filter the blend thru a coffee filter.

Go Green

Vegetable are super foods, particularly wheatgrass.  Add just a small handful to all of your juice recipes – more and you are likely to upset your stomach.

Some Don’ts

Avocados and bananas will clog your juicer unless you have a commercial model. Put these in a blender and then add them to your juice. And don’t place really dry or hard parts of fruits and veggies in your juicer or blender such as the skin of the pineapple or pomegranate or large seeds – these won’t add any nutrients.

Use The Skin

The skin of most fruits and vegetables contains the highest amount of nutrients. The problem is that the skin doesn’t taste good. Try adding just a bit of the skin. For instance, I leave 50% of the skin of the carrot in my juice or smoothie it tastes just as sweet.

Use The Pulp

The pulp is a great source of fiber so I put a spoonful or two back into my juice. Or use the pulp for a great mock tuna salad by just adding mayonnaise!

Use The Pith

Juice that white fleshy stuff between the rind and the fruit – it has tons of nutrients!

Be Creative

Make up your own juice recipes. Tailor them to your own taste and health needs. When I first started making fresh juices and smoothies, it was helpful to know what fruits and veggies taste particularly good so I didn’t waste time and money making terrible tasting combinations. A good recipe book can also save you time hunting for special recipes that target particular health concerns, such as low energy, memory loss, diabetes, high blood pressure, weight loss, and asthma to name just a few! My favorite recipe book is not only complete but also costs less than any other recipe book available today, proving that there really are some great bargains! It’s Juicing & Smoothie Recipes That Heal! available in the box on the right. For Kindle, Nook and iPad users you can purchase the book thru Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iBooks.

Before You Buy a Juice or Smoothie Machine

by

It’s Well Worth It To Invest In a Durable Juice or Smoothie Machine

Best Juice & Smoothie Machines

Let’s get right to the point. What’s the best juicer? Interestingly John Kohler from discountjuicers.com whose brief and informative video comparisons are in my opinion the best help when shopping for a juicer or blender, just made a video asking experts what they preferred. To summarize, the best blender is unanimously the VitaMix. The best juicer is a variety of models but ALL are in the category of the ‘slow’ juicers. I review these as well as many others below. The favorite slow juicers were the Breville Crush, Hurom, Omega 8006, OmegaVERT, and the GreenStar.  Why are these such favorites? Primarily because they juice greens so well, and leafy greens and wheatgrass are essential to juice and smoothie recipes for their ‘superfood’ qualities.

Types of Machines

The many juicers reviewed here and alll juice machines in general can be separated into 3 categories:

  • Centrifugal juicers which grind and spin, are least expensive, but don’t do greens well.
  • Slow juicers which squeeze rather than spin for better nutrient content and do nearly all veggies and fruits including greens and wheatgrass.
  • Press juicers which are generally very expensive but produce the best nutrient content. However, they take the most time for preparation and cleaning.

Our Unique Review Process

Be aware that though we have reviewed and summarized hundreds of consumer reviews, a fair number are written by ghost writers for companies that pay them to write favorable reviews. This is why I prefer the side-by-side video comparisons of juice machines such as John Kohler’s many brief Youtube presentations available at his  website so that you can judge for yourself.

My sister who does all the exhaustive research claims that after reading so many reviews she is now able to spot the fakes! Also beware that the most popular brands are not necessarily the best, since popularity is driven by availability, advertising and marketing – none of which insure quality. For instance, one of the very finest juice machines is an expensive appliance manufactured by Norwalk, but a consumer review is rarely found because relatively few people own this machine.

What we have done here includes something that I haven’t seen done anywhere else. First, we list the most popular websites that rate the most popular, highly rated and best selling machines – nothing unusual here. Along with these sites we include their ratings. Next we give you a brief review of all the machines mentioned plus any machine we have heard of – a kind of Wikepedia of juice machines. Finally – and here’s our unique contribution – we summarize the many reviews we have read on each machine. This not only saves you time but also and most importantly provides a more reliable review based upon an ‘average’ of all the reviews we read.

Though it is impossible for anyone to provide a completely unbiased point of view it is important to note that this ‘averaging’ of reviews is the best way we have found to reduce the effects of dishonest and manufacturer-paid reviews. We realize that the strength of any ‘average’ is based on the number of items averaged. Thus every one of our reviews is based upon several that we have viewed including video comparisons, owners manuals and calls to customer service.

After researching many juice appliances we have come to an important conclusion: in the world of juice machines you get what you pay for, meaning that if it is less expensive it is definitely less durably made. This is true for all juice appliances that we have ever seen on an infomercial!

My sister and I receive no compensation from any juice machine manufacturer or advertiser.

How Top Websites Rate Them

http://www.ConsumerResearch.com – Top Juicers: 1. Breville Elite, 2. Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Pro, 3. Breville Juice Fountain, 4. Breville Die-Cast Citrus Press 800 (this only juices citrus), 5. Black & Decker Citrus Mate Plus (citrus only), 6. Green Star GS 2000, 7. Breville Compact Juicer.

http://consumerselect.hubpages.com – Top 10 Juicers: 1. Breville Compact, 2. Hamilton Beach 67650, 3. Breville Ikon, 4. Breville Elite, 5. Hamilton Beach 67601,  6. Breville Juice Fountain Plus, 7. Black & Decker JE2200B, 8. Omega J8006, 9. Omega J8004, 10. Hamilton Beach 67608.

http://www.FindAJuicer.com –  Top 5 Juicers: 1. Sunkist SK860 Masticating Juicer, 2. Vita-Mix Tritan, 3. Breville Ikon, 4. Omega J8005, 5. Breville Juice Fountain Plus.

http://BestJuicerReviews.net/best-juicer-reviews/juicer-reviews-and-best-juicer-to-buy – Top Juicers: 1. Breville juicers – all models, 2. Omega juicers – all models, 3. Champion Juicers, 4. Black & Decker, 5. Hurom 100 Slow Juicer, 6. Magic Bullet, 7. Jack LaLanne – all models, 8. Juiceman – 3 models only, 9. Green Star – all models, 10. Hamilton Beach, 11. Waring, 12. Acme.

http://www.ConsumerReports.org/cro/appliances/kitchen-appliances/juicers/juicer-ratings/ratings-overview.htm: Note: Consumer Reports ratings are based on 1. overall rating by Consumer Reports tests and customer reviews, 2. performance, 3. convenience, and 4. noise. CR does not consider several issues typically important to people who juice regularly such as warranty, quality & durability, ease of cleaning, and customer service. It is not surprising that there is an unusual disappointment with Consumer Reports about the quality of their juicer reviews. This is an important consideration since most consumers rely heavily upon CR reviews. Top Juicers: 1. Juiceman Pro JM503, 2. Hamilton Beach 67650, 3. Breville Elite, 4. Dr. Weill 9816, 5. L’Equip XL 215, 6. Oster 3167, 7. West Bend Performance 7010, 8. Bullet Express BE110, 9. Omega 4000, 10. Waring Pro JEX410, 11. Jack LaLanne Pro E 1189.

http://BestJuicerRatings.org: Best-selling Juicers: 1. Breville Elite, 2. Super Angel 5500, 3. Omega vrt360, 4. Champion Juicer P5-GC7 10/20, 5. Breville Ikon. This site concludes that Breville and Omega are the ‘best juicers’ overall.

http://www.BestJuicerToBuy.org: Best Juicers: 1. Breville Compact, 2. Hamilton Beach 65670, 3. Breville Ikon, 4. Breville Elite.

http://www.FlowingHome.com/juicers/best-juicers-to-buy-reviews: Best Juicers: 1. Breville Compact, 2. Breville Ikon, 3. Breville Elite, 4. Omega J8006, 5. Omega 350HD, 6. Green Star GS-1000.

http://FreshStartJuicers.com/centrifugal-juicer.html: Best Juicers: 1. Breville Elite 2. Breville Ikon, 3. Breville Juice Fountain Plus, 4. L’Equip 110.5, 5. Omega 4000, 6. Omega 330, 7. Waring Pro JEX450.

Centrifugal Juicers

Aside from the very cheapest citrus presses (that only juice citrus) these are the cheapest juicers, but they are the noisiest and don’t do greens which are absolutely essential to your juice recipes due to their high nutrient content.

Centrifugals are great ‘1st juicers’ for those not yet ready to get serious about juicing. The high rpm’s result in the lowest quality juice in terms of nutrient value due to oxidation produced by the spinning action. Cleanup time tends to be more than slow juicers but much less than presses. But let’s just say that for one reason or another you have your heart set on a centrifugal juicer – which one is the best? Omega has the best warranties, but the Kuving is the most durable.

Omega 1000: durable, dependable, efficient, and relatively quiet & easy to clean (all centrifugal juicers require more work to clean than other types, because the mesh basket and gear have large surfaces). Includes a large capacity bowl. Delivers pulp-free juice. $200-250 with a 10yr warranty. It’s considered the ‘original juicer’ and continues to lead the industry.

Omega 4000: starts at $200 with a 15yr warranty. Automatically ejects pulp which is known as a “continuous action juicer” Durable, dependable, efficient, and easy to use and clean. One of the premiere “pulp ejector” style juicers with a large capacity bowl.

Omega 9000: $220-300, this juicer is the Omega 1000 with a stainless steel top and longer (15-year) warranty. The 1000 and 9000 have been on the market for over 40 years. Durable, dependable, efficient, and relatively quiet. Slightly easier to clean than the 1000 with paper filters for pulp removal. Includes large capacity bowl. Has very loyal following.

Omega BMJ330 Big Mouth Juicer: large feed chute with commercial grade ½ horsepower. Runs quietly and is easy to use and clean. $200-300, includes a 10-year warranty. Constructed of heavy duty stainless steel. Makes an extremely high yield pulp-free juice, and comes with large capacity bowl. Only drawback: reviewers complain that it’s messy to use. Demonstration videos do show splatter from juice spout.

Acme 6001 Supreme Juicerator: $200-360, 10yr limited warranty (motor only), cleanup very easy, claims ‘vibration free’, dishwasher safe parts. Made in USA. Optional attachments for better citrus juicing. Note: high accolades from those who’ve owned the old Acme Juicerator – current version received complaints of high noise and cheaply made since acquired by Waring.

Acme Supreme 5001 Juicerator Juice Extractor (also sold as Waring Pro PJ401: $169-325, 5yr limited warranty (confusion here: some sites say ‘10yr limited warranty’), stainless steel basket, blade, bowl & lid, high yield juice & easy cleanup, vibration free, commercial grade stainless steel motor, polycarbonate housing, dishwasher-safe parts, includes recipes. Made in USA. Optional citrus juice attachment purchased separately $58. Some consumers complain about noise level and not easy to clean.

Big Boss 8123 Juicer: manufactured in China. $66-130, 1yr warranty on defects, dual speed, stainless steel basket, removable pulp collector attaches at back, 3” feed chute, dishwasher safe, includes cleaning brush & recipes (in manual).  Comments recommend this for a 1st juicer, very loud, doesn’t juice fibrous, pulpy, or hard produce, motor stalls often, and internal plastic parts can break and disperse into juice & pulp!

Bullet Express Trio BE110: $120-160, 1yr limited warranty on manufacturer’s defects only, dual speed 3-in-1 system includes juicer, blender & attachment for shredding and mincing, pulp collector attaches at back, purchase includes recipe book. Made in China. Note: comsumer complaints about not juicing greens, quality of juicer, difficult to clean, and difficulty contacting customer support.

Magic Bullet Juicer: $49-100, 1yr limited warranty on manufacturer’s defects only, this 17 piece ‘mixing system’ does not actually juice but only makes smoothies and protein drinks. Made in China. Note: consumer complaints that it will not juice vegetables and many types of fruit, and although it is quite compact the unit overheats rapidly, plastic parts break, and it is difficult to clean.

Cuisinart CJE-1000: $150-270, 3yr limited warranty on manufacturers defects, 5-speeds, body die-cast and stainless steel, 3” feed chute, “exclusive foam management filter disk” reduces foam (although the foam is natural and just fine!), “exclusive anti-drip adjustable flow spout”, dishwasher-safe. Includes 2 liter pulp container, 1qt. juice pitcher, cleaning brush, and recipes. Made in China. Note: most first time juice customers give it high scores compared to cheaper purchases such as the Jack LaLanne line – accolades for cost, noise, and ease of use. Among experienced juicer users the most common complaints are that the lid/latch system is difficult to use and clean-up is time consuming.

Dr. Weil Healthy Kitchen Professional Juice Extractor 9816: $95-125, 1yr limited warranty,  dual-speed, metal housing and locking arm, 3½“ feed chute, stainless steel blade & micromesh basket, pulp & juice sent to separate containers. Country of manufacture unknown and customer support has not yet returned our call. Note: although this juicer appears on a number of top ten juicer lists including ‘Consumer Reports,’ few positive consumer comments. Problems mentioned are short motor life, leakage, and difficult assembly.

Juiceman Express JM1000M Junior Silver Metallic Juice Extractor and Food Processor: $83-130, 2yr limited warranty on defects only, stainless steel & plastic body, high and low speed & pulse control, stainless steel mesh basket, 3” wide circular feed chute & produce pusher, a combined juicer and food processor. Includes 9” cup juice collector ‘workbowl’, large 1.6 liter pulp collector, cleaning brush, and recipe book. Dishwasher safe. Very popular 1st juicer. Juiceman is manufactured in China. There are many Juiceman products now on the market such as the JM300, JM400, JM410, Jr. Elite Pro JM211, Juiceman II Elite JM502 & JM503, JCJ 150S. Only the Juiceman Express JM1000M & 2, and the Juiceman JM480S are currently manufactured. Purchasing other models is not recommended since parts & service may be an issue. The most recent juicer review published by Consumer Reports listed the Pro JM503 among their top rated brands. The original ‘Juiceman II’ was replaced by the Juiceman II Elite ($90-200 with 1yr limited warranty) and the Juiceman Jr. 2-speed JM300 ($35-70 with no warranty). These as mentioned above are no longer manufactured. The Juiceman line of juicers have a devoted following, but there are complaints that parts and motor have a short life. Jim Rubel outright warns to steer clear of Juiceman and other infomercial brands for their short life.

Juiceman JM480S: $80-100, 2yr limited warranty on defects only, dual speed, plastic over stainless steel body, stainless steel basket and pulp collector, feed chute 3”, dishwasher safe. Includes cord storage, skid-free base, juice collector & spout, cleaning brush, 2 produce pushers. Note: very popular but many consumer complaints about durability of machine.

Oster 3167: $69-79, 1yr warranty on everything except accessories, made in China, ‘extra wide feed chute’, stainless steel filter, dishwasher safe. Housing appears plastic, although no info available. Includes 34 oz. juice collector, ‘large capacity’ pulp collector. Note: customers rave about price.

Vita-Mix ‘Tritan’ CIA Professional Series: Not a juicer but a very high speed blender, made in USA, $499-600, 7yr warranty on all parts, frequently reviewed & referred to as juicer, but is actually a food processor in blender form, i.e., pulp is not separated so it creates ‘smoothies’ only. As such it is a very powerful, high-end work horse for nearly all needs, from fruits and veggies to herbs, spices, seeds & nuts. Very few consumer complaints, and the hands-down favorite blender for making smoothies (the juice plus the pulp together) among health food experts.

West Bend Performance 7010 Juice Extractor: $118-150, 1yr limited warranty on defects only. Made in China, all Westbend juicers discontinued this year but still sold online. We do not recommend purchase due to possible problems with warranty and customer service. Dual speed, 3” feed chute, stainless steel, dishwasher safe. Note: besides this juicer no longer made, consumer complaints numerous.

Miracle Ultramatic MJ7000: $230-330, 3yr warranty. The warranty is shorter than most but the construction is extra durable with a stainless steel cutting disc, strainer basket, juice bowl, and juicer body. Includes automatic suction feeder, large pulp ejector, and very large feed chute. Easiest cleanup among centrifugal models. Handles wide range of fruits and veggies including watermelon and berries.

L’Equipe 221: $200-250, 15yr warranty. Reviewers do not recommend this model due to breakage and returns. For instance, John Kohler highly discourages this juicer for ‘quality control’ issues, lack of ease in warranty returns, high cost, and the ‘foot-print’ for your troubles.

Lequip Mini 110.5: $100-150. A unique, high quality juicer with small, compact design (suited for ‘single user’) and 10yr warranty. Korean made, very user friendly, and easy to clean. Dishwasher safe, includes stainless steel basket, bowl, and blade. It is powerful, delivers high yield, and includes patented pulp ejector. It is considered by reviewers to be the most powerful, quiet, and efficient centrifugal juicer for the price.

Lequip 215XL: $120-160. Identical to the 110.5, except this has a larger (3”) feed chute. 10yr warranty, great price, compact design, and easy to use and clean. The powerful motor again delivers high yield. Includes same dishwasher-safe stainless steel bowl, basket, and blade of the 110.5. Reported by reviews to be remarkably quiet for a centrifugal juicer. Note: one common complaint with L’Eqiup is customer service! However, the 110.5 and 215XL models have few problems and high praise.

Breville BJE200XL Compact Juice Fountain: replaces Breville JE900, $100-150, 1yr warranty on motor only, very loud, All Breville brands and parts made in Italy and China, 3” round feed chute, ‘Breville Assist Plug’ senses overheating and automatically shuts off motor, Breville states that parts are ‘dishwasher safe’, but many consumers comment that the dishwasher heat warps parts & causes breakage. Other comments include time-consuming clean-up, and not great with leafy greens or soft produce. For the record no centrifugal juicer does greens well and few juicers of any kind can handle the soft fruits and veggies such as avocados and bananas.

Breville JE98XL Juice Fountain Plus: $150-230, replaces Breville JE95XL, 1yr warranty on motor only, dual-speed control, plastic housing, stainless steel blades cost extra, dishwasher safe, 3” wide circular feed chute, ‘Breville Assist Plug’. Customers comment that it is loud and clean-up is time-consuming. For the record all centrifugal juicers are loud and take more time to clean than ‘slow’ juicers but not as much time as it takes to clean a high-end juice press.

Breville BJE510 Ikon Juice Extractor: $200-300, 1yr warranty motor only, stainless steel body, 5-speed, base includes rubber feet, stainless steel blade & basket, dishwasher safe, 3 ¼” round feed chute, LCD light display indicates what produce should be juiced at which speed level. Comments: loud; cutting & chopping required despite wide feed chute, not good with leafy greens, plastic-constructed lid cracks if not placed on properly, and clean-up not easy.

Breville Juice Fountain Elite: $290-400, 1yr warranty on motor only, die-cast metal body & motor, stainless steel 3” feed chute parts, dual-speed, Breville Assist Plug’, and dishwasher safe. Comments: noisy, heavy, overpriced, difficult to clean, and does not juice leafy greens well.

Jack LaLanne Juicers: Before reviewing Jack LaLanne juicers, it’s important to mention some notable highlights of the man whose name they bear. Jack LaLanne is best remembered as the father of fitness, health & nutrition. His life spanned from 1914 to 2011, & included many ‘firsts’: among them, LaLanne hosted a TV exercise program from 1951 to 1985 – the longest running of its kind – years before Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons became household names. He was a forerunner in emphasizing the exercise needs of women, people with disabilities, and the elderly. LaLanne authored quite a number of books on fitness and nutrition, opened one of the earliest fitness centers in the US (1939), & invented exercise equipment still in use today. His views on juicing & its benefits were also a first, especially when LaLanne went public, using the infomercial to market his health ideals, & a ‘new’ kitchen item: the juicer.

The early Jack LaLanne juicer infomercial brought new values about health & well-being into homes across the country. It’s no wonder those who’ve owned one for 10 years & longer hold them in such high regard. However, what’s essential is that the early LaLanne juicers & newer models are not the same. Over the past 7 – 9 years, juicers bearing his name have changed and consumer reviews since 2004 have become mixed. Most importantly, the original maker of Jack LaLanne juicers no longer manufactures the Power Juicer series. They are now made in China. Many comments expressing dissatisfaction with customer service and getting replacement parts.

Jack LaLanne Power Juicer Classic: (also referred to as ‘JLPJB Power Juicer’):$99-130, plastic housing, stainless steel blade, 90-day warranty on all parts, wide feed chute. Comments: loud, messy cleanup, does poorly with leafy greens.

Jack LaLanne JLSS Power Juicer Express Deluxe: (also referred to as ‘PJP Electric Juicer Express’): $120-150, ‘limited lifetime’ warranty on motor, stainless steel body, and blade, dishwasher safe. Comments include noisy, cannot handle a host of produce including pulpy fruits, leafy greens, and herb. Motor break-down is a common complaint.

Jack LaLanne PJP Power Juicer Pro (also referred to as ‘PJP Power Juicer Pro Stainless Steel Electric Juicer’): $108-170, 90-day warranty on parts, ‘limited lifetime’ warranty on motor, large round feed chute, stainless steel body and blade. Comments: loud, cleaning neither fast nor easy, poor job juicing leafy greens, and frequent motor failure.

Jack LaLanne 10091 Power Juicer: (also referred to as ‘PJEB or PJEW’ Power Juicer Express’ depending on site). Smaller, cheaper version of the ‘Classic’, $79 (for white plastic housing – $99 for black) – $120, compact version of the ‘classic’. Comments: juice splashes out from spout, creating mess. The Owner’s Manual states that ‘this is normal.’

Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Pro 67650: $50-75, 1yr warranty on manufacturer’s defects only, 3” feed chute, plastic housing, stainless steel micro mesh basket, die-cast metal locking latches, and dishwasher safe. Comments of motor failure soon after purchase, loud, and difficult to clean.

Waring Pro Juice Extractor PJE 401: $165-360, 5yr warranty on motor and 1yr on parts – manufacturer defects only, poly-carbonite plastic motor housing beneath brushed stainless steel, 3 ½” feed chute, stainless steel blade, basket, and juice collector, cover and bowl only dishwasher safe, juicing citrus requires separately purchased attachment, and for softer produce the basket must be lined with paper filters (included). Comments: very loud.

Waring Juicer JEX328: Also sold as Acme Supreme Juicerator 6001, $50-112, 5yr limited on motor – 1yr on all parts, die-cast metal motor housing beneath stainless steel, 3 1/2” feed chute; ‘cushioned feet’, dishwasher safe. Comments: very loud, frequent motor failure, cleanup time consuming, does not juice citrus or leafy greens.

Black & Decker Juice Extractor JE2200B: $35-40, 2yr warranty on motor and parts, made in China, blade and basket stainless steel, dishwasher safe, internal cord storage, ‘non-skid feet.’ Comments: very loud; 1-person juicer only, cheaply made, disassembling parts complicated, cannot juice small fruits (particularly berries).

Kuving Ejection Juicer: $150. In my opinion the best made centrifugal juicer, 3yr warranty on all parts, lightweight yet durable, 2-speed, pulp does not spray out due to superior design, stainless steel and fine mesh basket so you get the least pulp of all centrifugal juicers, and dishwasher safe. As with all centrifugal juicers this does not do greens.

Slow Juicers

For the sake of simplicity I’ve grouped many kinds of juicers into this “slow” category, including masticating and triturating juicers with single or twin augers that slowly grind and strain produce rather than spin as with the above centrifugal juicers. While these juicers are more expensive, they are much better at juicing leafy greens, and their much lower rpm’s mean less heat and oxygen in the juice which means more nutrients. These juicers are also quieter and easier to clean than centrifugals.

Super Angel SAJ 5500 Stainless Steel Living Juice Extractor- Super Heavy Duty Juicer: $1,150-1,200, 10yr warranty, made in South Korea, quiet, includes motor fan cooling system and overheat-sensor to prevent overheating of motor, all stainless steel construction, including parts, ‘anti-bacterial’ twin gears, on/off/reverse, cleans easily, juices all produce including greens and herbs, also makes soy milk, tofu, and seed juice. Most frequent comments involve the high price, filter screens difficult to clean, not good with pulpy produce (a ‘soft fruit’ and ‘nut butter’ attachment can be separately purchased).

Sunkist SK860 Masticating Juicer: produced by Omega (S. Korea) and essentially the same as the Omega single auger 8006. $300 – $400, warranty: some sites and customers claim 15yr, while Customer Service reports 2yr. Dual-stage single auger, housing chrome or white, auger: GE Ultem. Despite info posted on some sites, dimensions appear identical. Note: refer to Omega J8006 for details. While not commonly purchased, of all customer reviews read, only 1 complaint: spout detached during juicing.

Samson 9003-6 (#’s refer to colors): $260-350, 15yr warranty on all parts. Single auger, quiet, durable, very fast, and easier to assemble and clean. Juices everything: fruits, veggies, leafy greens, wheatgrass, even aloe and pine needles. Delivers high yield and drier pulp. Homogenizes. Makes nut butters and frozen sorbets, and minces herbs, spices, meats, and fish.

Omega 8000 series and VERT: these single auger juicers are well made, have the best warranties of any slow juicer, and deliver very high yield with equally dry pulp. $230-300, 10yr warranty on all parts. Ejects pulp and runs at a low (80) rpm. Built to last with powerful motor. Quiet, easy to use and clean, and rated for both home and commercial use. Many experts say the VERT is their favorite of all juicer brands. Most people like the upright single auger juicers (VERT, Hurom, Breville Crush, Kuving Silent) over the horizontal ones (Omega 8000 series, Kuving horizontal, GreenStar) because they process food quicker and are easier to clean. The Omega VERT is John Kohler’s favorite, and I consider John the highest authority on juice machines.

Hurom HU-100: single auger, easy to clean, quiet, and well made. About $400 with a 10yr warranty on motor and 1-year on parts. Juicer parts upgraded to GE Ultem fine juicing screen and Ultem auger, meaning, made to last. Hurom juices fruits, veggies, leafy greens, herbs, wheatgrass, and soaked beans. Interestingly, Hurom and Omega are made by the same company with the same design but in separate factories! I own a Hurom and love it, but John Kohler, who in my opinion is the expert on all juicers, prefers the Omega 8003 due to the better warranty. See a great short video produced by RawFoodWorld comparing 2 of the best slow juicers (many say THE best): Hurom and Green Star. What is great about this video is that the people at RawFoodWorld loved the Greenstar and used it for many years until Hurom came on the market, and the video clearly shows the tremendous advantages of the Hurom – quicker, does fruit better, and clogs less. If you are interested in either juicer RawFoodWorld.com offers a 5% discount if you purchase through them.

Champion: $210-300 with a 10yr warranty. Single auger, durable, and dependable. The shaft is stainless steel and the motor runs at a slower 1/3 horsepower. Cleanup time is longer. Many, including Jim Rubel report poor performance with leafy greens and fruits. Others report ‘heating’ of juices. Rubel points out the cumbersome weight (26 lbs). Champion does offer ‘greens’ attachment at an additional $75-90.

L’Equip Omni: single auger and newest edition to L’Equip series. Compared to others in this category, the Omni is compact, $300-400, 10yr warranty, and has a ‘cold press’ feature which reviewers especially like. Reviewers also rave about its ability to extract oil from seeds. Some complaints about lower juice yield, especially from fruits and leafy greens. The Omni claims to have the fastest cleanup. Able to juice aloe and pine needles. Note: John Kohler does not recommend any L’Equip products due to poor customer service.

Solo Star: $190-300, 5yr warranty. Delivers higher yield than Omega’s. Durable (melamine auger), juices all fruits and veggies, leafy greens, wheatgrass, herbs, minces, mills, homogenizes, and makes pasta. Some reviews complain of pulpy juice. There are, however, many more happy campers than not with this one.

Solo Star II: 5yr warranty, $250-300, new longer auger delivers higher yield than its smaller precursor, the Solo Star. Higher yield compared to Omega 8003/5, but a larger, longer machine. Produces more juice and drier pulp. Cleanup is longer due to more parts – about 3 minutes.

Green Power Juice Extractor KPE-1304: $440-550, 10yr warranty on motor and 2yr on parts. Quiet, easy to use, and easiest to clean. Ease of cleaning refers to ‘twin gear presses’ in general, but there are more parts to assemble, and assembly tends to be trickier compared with most juicers, and thus the cleanup time is longer. Higher yield and drier pulp. Magnetic bio-ceramic twin gear press creates juices with some of highest nutrient and enzyme content. Excellent ‘green’ juicer.

Green Life: According to John Kohler, while Green Life is available and has a 5yr warranty, the manufacturer Tribest has discontinued this juicer. Green Star replaced Green Life. Often referred to as the best green juicer, but not great with fruits. Note: the Green Life can still be bought on the internet (like the original Juiceman II), but reviewers caution that it’s important for your investment to buy a juicer that’s in production otherwise replacement parts may be an issue.

Green Star Juice Extractor GS-1000: twin-gear meaning it runs the pulp through the juicing process twice to extract more juice, easy to assemble and clean, durable bio-ceramic magnetic gears, and quiet. $440-500, 5yr warranty. High yield, very dry pulp, lowest horsepower meaning best nutrient value due to lowest heat and oxygen infusion, yet it juices all vegetables, fruits, wheatgrass, herbs, and spices. Multifunction juicer including homogenizes and makes nut butters and mochi. Note: John Kohler recommends Green Star over Green Power and Green Life because Green Star has a longer warranty, is more durable, and is more compact. Please see comments for the Hurom above for more about this juicer. This is the favorite juicing appliance among many (but not all – see the Omega and Hurom review).

Samson Ultra Juicer Kempo KPE 1301: Note: this juicer has been replaced by the Green Power Kempo KPE-1301, which is $400-500 with a 10yr warranty and 5yr on parts. Samson Ultra/Green Power Kempo is easy to clean with bio-ceramic magnetic gears. Adjustable nozzles (‘inlet caps’) allow for the juicing of a wide range of produce. A multifunctional juicer which can juice even grains. Built-in thermostat prevents overheating. Only complaints (not many) were about plastic parts, but otherwise high ratings especially about fast and efficient customer service.

Breville Crush: $300-600 at Amazon. This is a new addition to the upright single auger juicers and virtually identical to the Omega VERT, Hurom, and Kuving Silent – in fact all the major single auger uprights that are now so popular are made by 2 companies in South Korea! One factory makes the Kuving Silent, Fruitstar, and Breville. The other makes the Omega VERT and Hurom. However the parts are not interchangeable. Each new machine has slightly better features than the one that came before it. Thus this being the latest it has an innovative screen that ‘self-cleans’. Also it is soon to have attachments that can be bought separately to do mincing for garlic and nut butters. However, the warranty is not as good as the Omega VERT.

Press Juicers

Some are manual while others are electric. Produce must be prepared resulting in a time consuming process, but resulting juice has the highest nutrient value due to no heat or oxygenation.

Ito Juice Press: $70-100, 30-day warranty. The simplest of manual presses. Sturdy, all metal (aluminum) design. The press plate is much like the cone of glass ‘squeezer’ many of us use at home for citrus fruit. Very portable and weighs very little. As with all in this category, the nutrient value is the best with bone-dry pulp compared to most juicers. But requires more time and effort.

The Norwalk: considered by many reviewers as the best designed manual press, and RawFoodWorld comments that this juicer gives you the least amount of pulp and fiber in the juice. First developed by Dr. Norman Walker in 1993, US made, and combines electric triturating juicer for grinding produce (eliminating prep time) with an hydraulic press which is also electric to eliminate effort required by “manual” presses. Outstanding juice quality, $2000-2500, 12yr warranty, time-consuming cleanup, and as with all manual presses, not fast or easy to use. On the other hand, if you can afford this, the nutrient value of your juice is the best!

Welles Press: $400-500 with a lifetime warranty on frame. The Welles advantage is a hydraulic lever requiring minimal effort to press produce. Much prep work required, but the juice delivered is, again, best quality with driest pulp/highest yield. If time is not an issue, the Welles is considered the best juicer for the price, recommended for years by nutritionist and doctors alike.

K&K: not easy to find because it’s no longer in production, sleek, stainless steel and alloy version of the (white coated metal) Welles, extremely durable, and with a lifetime warranty on everything but the hydraulic handle which can be replaced for $25 and is not likely to fail for a long time. $300-450. The K&K gets very high praise and receives many inquiries as to where it can be purchased.

If you’re interested in a juicer that’s not listed here please let us know and we’ll look into it for you.

Pomegranate Juice & Smoothie Recipe & Benefits

by Leave a Comment

Pomegranate Juice Has Cholesterol-Lowering & Cancer-Fighting Nutrients!

Historical Highlights

Often placed in an order (genus Granateae) of their own, without any close relative, pomegranates are considered unique.

Ancient remains of the fruit have been found in the Middle East dating as far back as the Bronze Age (3300 – 2000 BCE). Early records mention pomegranates from Egypt and Mesopotamia to the Mediterranean.

For millennia, the pomegranate has been used medicinally for a myriad of ailments. The entire fruit is utilized, from the rind and fruit to the seeds and bark of the tree! It’s been traditionally employed to cure intestinal parasites, diarrhea and dysentery, as well as a heart and throat stimulant, to halt gum and nose bleeds, tone the skin, as a remedy for hemorrhoids and a means to balance diets excess in fatty foods. Pomegranates were used in ancient Egypt as a remedy for infections and tapeworm. The rind of the fruit was formed into leather by the early Romans!

Pomegranates are actually considered a berry! They’ve long been a traditional wedding gift of the Chinese, symbolizing fertility. Moses was believed to have received the fruit as a gift epitomizing the fruitfulness of the Promised Land.

Amazing Benefits

Pomegranate juice has no cholesterol or saturated fats, and is rich in fiber. It has only minimally more calories than apples. It’s rich in punicalagin, an antioxidant and high in vitamins C, K and B-complex. Calcium, potassium, copper and manganese are also present.

Vitamin K is important for blood clotting. Pantothenic acid (B-5), and other B-complex vitamins assist the digestive system. Vitamin C boosts the immune system and fights disease and infection. Pomegranates eaten daily work against the development of certain cancerous  agents that cause prostate and colon cancer and lymphoma, as well as diabetes and BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). This fruit also reduces cholesterol.

Delicious Pineapple Juice & Smoothe Recipes

But first here’s a quick video to show you the best method I’ve seen for removing those seeds – quick, easy and no special equipment – just a wooden spoon! Click here.

Pomegranate Cherry Apple Juice

2 Pomegranates – discard skin
10 Cherries – without pits
1 Apple – core, skin and all!

Pomegranate Veggie Juice
3 Pomegranates – discard skin
1 Carrot – with peel
1 stalk Celery
1″ Wheatgrass

More delicious and powerful recipes can be found in Juicing & Smoothie Recipes That Heal! available here in the box on the right and for Kindle, Nook and iPad users at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iBooks.