Tired and Run Down? Start juicing for energy!

                              

Green smoothies are great, but if you are feeling tired and run down, you might want to consider vegetable juicing. Smoothies and juicing are entirely different. Smoothies are blended vegetables or fruit that retain the fiber and bulk in the drink. Although very healthy, they also can be taxing on the digestive system. Juicing made with a juice extracting machine ( a juicer)  removes the fiber and bulk leaving you a clear light liquid making the nourishment instantly available for a tired body!  In addition, fresh juice can help rid your body of unwanted toxins.

 In a world where we are bombarded with toxins, subjected to processed foods, and living with stress, juicing can provide some much needed remedy. 

If you are feeling tired and run down, this one addition to your daily diet can make a big improvement in the way you feel. If you have Celiac disease, are gluten intolerant, have IBS, or any other digestive issues, you may not be absorbing all of the nutrients from the foods you eat. The nutrients in juicing are almost 100% absorbable.

# 1 reason people give up on juicing: The clean- up!!
I've been juicing for years, and I find that I can make a healthy glass of vegetable juice in about 6 minutes from start to clean up. I clean up the second I finish juicing and use my water sprayer. Everything comes right off and most of the parts of the juicer can go in the dishwasher. Six minutes is a small investment of my time for the daily health benefits I get from fresh juice. 

Because raw fruits or vegetables provide valuable enzymes, its better to drink your juice right away while the enzymes are still active.
                         
                                  



Here's why I juice: 

• Fresh juice provides antioxidants, vitamins, minerals. enzymes and detoxifiers that only raw vegetables can provide
• The minerals and vitamins in fresh juice are very easily absorbed and digested
• Fresh juice can help increase energy instantly
• Fresh juice can help boost your immune system
• Fresh juice provides powerful antioxidants that nourish and protect the cells
• Fresh juice can help rid the body of toxins that we are exposed to from the environment

When I'm drinking a glass of freshly made vegetable juice, it tastes so pure and feels so healthy.

Why juicing in a juice extractor is far superior to anything juice you can buy in the store. 

Frozen, bottled or canned juice has been heated and processed. This process not only destroys vitamins and minerals, but also destroys many of the enzymes that are needed to aid digestion. Some of the most health giving juices come from juicing vegetables like cucumber, kale, collard greens, romaine lettuce, celery, parsley or carrots.

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How to Make Fresh Juice

There are many juicing machines available on the market that make fresh juice in a matter of minutes.

• Step 1:  Buy an electric juice extracting machine 
  
   Juicing extracting machines are available on amazon -  juice extractors
  Prices range from around $50-$300; you can get a decent juicer for about $79-$99
  ( Also check out yard sales; many people get juicers as gifts and try them once or never even open the box. I got a brand new one at a yard sale for $10 from someone who never used it)
  
  
• Step 2:  Read the consumer reviews below each machine before purchasing  a juicer 
  
  
• Once you have a machine,  follow the manufacturer's instructions and make fresh life giving  juice in just minutes

Why I always juice some healthy greens like romaine lettuce, kale, collard greens or celery.

I always use organic carrots as my main base and add romaine lettuce, cucumber, celery, 1/2 organic apple. This combination is rich in beta carotene and chlorophyll.

Green juice is not for those that are not accustomed to eating greens. In the beginning you may want to stick to a milder drink of carrots, cucumber, apple, and a little romaine. Dark greens like dandelion greens, collard greens, and kale can be very pungent, so go easy in the beginning. 
You can also add a clove of fresh garlic or ginger if you are under the weather.

A chlorophyll rich drink with carrots, romaine lettuce, dandelion greens, and apple.

If you are new to juicing, start out with 3-4 large organic carrots, 1 small organic apple, 2 stalks romaine lettuce in the beginning. As you become accustomed to juicing greens, add dandelion greens, kale or parsley.

The Dark Leafy Greens are helpful to: 

Detoxify the Blood Stream: Dark leafy greens contain the pigment chlorophyll, which gives greens their dark green color. This pigment absorbs energy from the sun during photosynthesis and is a wonderful cleanser to help detoxify toxins out of our system. Because the body holds onto excess fat in an effort to defend itself against toxins, it makes sense that the more dark leafy greens you consume to eliminate toxins, the less fat your body will need to accumulate for protection. 

Boost the Immune System: Dark leafy greens provide potent antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals. 

Amino acids: The amino acids in greens are the very building blocks needed for the body to make protein, which of course is needed to build strong muscle. 

Aid Digestion: Greens also stimulate enzyme production which is needed for proper digestion of foods. If you digest your foods properly, this may help eliminate bloat, puffiness and even allergies related to improper digestion of foods. When you are bloated, puffy and have allergies, you tend to hold onto water weight. 

Start your day with a glass of fresh juice and flood your body with easy to absorb nutrients

                                            A link to a variety of  juice extractors


There are many good books on juicing that might be helpful to find recipes and the specific health benefits of certain vegetables, Here are some suggestions:
Books on Juicing  - This is a full list of books, e-books, and kindle books available online.

Here are some highly rated books to get started.
The Everything Juicing Book

Your Comprehensive Green Juicing Guide

Juicing Life Guide Benefits

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and am not trying to diagnose or treat disease. This website is for educational purposes only. Consult your physician before making any changes in your diet.

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