Welcome to the Wonderful World of Juice!

A few months ago I got a great birthday gift from the boyfriend. He got me a juicer! So since then I have been experimenting with many different veggie juice combos, and reading a lot about juicing and how beneficial it is for detoxing the body.

Drinking veggie juice may take a little getting used to at first, so if you're new to juicing I suggest starting with a base juice of beet and/or carrots (they're higher in sugar than other veggies) then add your greens to the base. 

 Although acidic tasting, lemons actually help to alkalize your body. This helps to reduce inflammation. Lemons are also a good source of vitamin C. *

Another staple of my juices is parsley. I actually hate parsley, but I've found that its taste is milder and more tolerable in juice form. Parsley is a decent source of iron and is high in vitamins K and C. As you may know, iron absorption is facilitated by the addition of vitamin C! Bonus! Parsley has awesome detoxifying properties. From what I've read, though, don't go overboard on the parsley juice, it can be toxic in amounts greater than 1/2 cup - 1 cup. This potential toxicity is increased in pregnant women, so if you're preggers maybe just steer clear of the parsley juice. 

Golden beets

Beets are another one of those detoxing powerhouses. Because of their higher sugar content, always mix these with green veggie juice (cucumber, kale, spinach, parsley, etc.) to avoid a blood sugar spike. Beetroot contains high amounts of nitrates, which are converted by the body into nitrites which then act as vasodilaters. This means that beets can increase blood flow (and therefore, oxygen) to areas that need it... like the brain! In addition, beet juice helps to cleanse the liver and gallbladder. 

Parsley-Lemon-Beet Juice

• 1 small to medium-sized beet
• handful of parsley (or about half the bunch)
• 1/2 lemon, peeled (the skin contains oils that might make your juice taste a little funky)
• 1 cucumber, peeled if not organic
• 1-inch chunk of ginger root, peeled (optional)

Put all ingredients through the juicer. Enjoy as soon as possible!

* I am not a medical professional. If you have health conditions (diabetes, gallstones, etc), please consult your doctor before consuming juices. Thanks! *