Vegetables for Juicing

   

      Okay, okay.  I've totally wanted to skip this part.  Which vegetables are the best for juicing.  The thing is I don't think there is a best that can be pointed out.  Every single person is different in their nutritional needs and of course, what they like.  Now, I'm not going to expect every veggie concoction to be wonderful.  In fact, I'm assuming that some of it may be an acquired taste, which is why starting out slowly could be a good thing. 

   One of the first things I noticed is that apple juice is almost always suggested to make things taste just a bit better, or less bitter.  I did find a very extensive list, and it would take a lot of time to investigate each and every vegetable.  Some of these vegetables, maybe since I'm not a die hard juicer yet, seem a bit odd.  For example, artichokes.  They seem to be a bit pricey, so I really would rather eat it than waste the taste on juicing it.  Or alfalfa sprouts.  If I do find time to sprout them, I'd rather throw them in a salad or a sandwich.  So, check out this list and see what you think.  List of juicing vegetables

     Another thing is the beets.  A few websites state to never drink beet juice by itself or it can paralyze your vocal chords.  Yet I see that very thing in Henry's Market and other places.  I didn't see any warnings on the package.  I've seen pro and con on that.  But really, I would wonder just how many beets would you really want in a glass of juice anyway. 

The list is a good starting point, with a lot of information on the nutrients and what each vegetable could help you with.  If there is one in particular that catches your eye I encourage you to do further research on that individual vegetable. 

   As for myself I'm going to just start with what I like.  Okay, so I'd rather have fruit in my juice.  One of my favorite smoothies is Strawberry Banana.  It uses one whole banana, about five strawberries, crushed pineapple with a tad of the juice, (if you do it the unhealthy way like me and get it from a can) and if I have protein powder I'll use a scoop of that.  Oh yeah, don't forget an ounce or two of apple juice.  This I throw in the blender and it makes a nice sweet treat.  Now from there, I can add things that I will never notice.  I like to add a spoonful of flax meal, and a few leaves of some fresh spinach.  Since I know I like this concoction, always have since I was a kid (a very long time ago) so I will just start with those and add in from there.  A tweak here and a tweak there.  For starters, I'm going to add in a carrot.  So now I've got my fruits with two veggies.  It's a start anyway and will have to do until I find a juicer to do all the work.

Does Food Matter To You?

   Does food matter to me?  Yes, yes it does!  The fact is, the way our bodies are designed, it matters alot in order for us to function at optimal levels, to feel good and ward off illness and disease.

   

     I watched the movie Food Matters on Netflix and it was very informative.  It was also very persuasive on the topic of vitamins.  In fact, it did such a good job that my husband was ready to run out and buy vitamins.  If you met my husband, you would know that's amazing, since getting him to take anything by mouth in the form of a pill or vitamin is near impossible.  But on the other hand, he can be persuaded at times more easily than me, ( I hate door to door salespeople) 
   I do believe we need to increase our daily veggie intake.  Also we cannot forget  other nutrients such as trace minerals, enzymes and a host of other things our bodies need.  This movie will get you thinking about it. 
 

     I am not a vegetarian or vegan since I believe we do need to have some of the nutrients that meat delivers to us.  Each persons needs are different.  I may need about 12 ounces of meat, someone else may only need 8 ounces.  I bet most of us pretty much know just based on how we feel.  This website actually had this post this morning which seemed timely to me watching this movie.  CLICK HERE to see this post. 

   

This all seems to come again at an odd time, it wasn't planned at all, with me examining juicing machines.  I'll have to say, it all is starting to make me want that juicer now, today. I'll force myself to continue shopping for a brand with a decent price and good reviews with the features that I want. 

  

Why Would I Want a Juicer?

      Okay, so we all know that I really, really want a juicer.  I haven't entirely decided what brand but I'm leaning towards a Breville.  Yikes, I know, why couldn't I want a different brand.  If I find one on bookoo.com for a good price, then I guess that will be the brand that I get.  I of course will check the reviews before I would make my purchase.

   Really now, why would I want to contemplate another appliance in my kitchen?  I would if I think it would improve my health and make me feel better.  I really think it will do that, and that's because I would be putting more fruits and vegetables into my diet in an easier way.  I do like easier. 

   Eating most vegetables in their raw state is very healthy, but then, they don't always taste very good so we saute them in butter and salt them or pour cheese over them, or mix them into a casserole.  With juicing we can now add a bit of fruit and it will make it, again, easier, to eat drink our veggies.
  Depending on what you put into your juicer will depend on what benefits.  Although I think most of us would be glad just to be getting any veggies into our bodies, it does help to learn which ones do what for us.
   While looking up different things about juicing, I did notice that this can be very extreme for some people, much like the movie I watched.  A total juice diet, but then they all felt a bit ill the first few days.  Yes, their bodies were detoxing big time.  I don't feel that is a necessary thing, and I don't feel that this should be an extreme activity.  A glass or two a day would be fine, along with my normal amount of meals.       Our bodies are constantly detoxing anyway, so this will just be an added detoxifier, along with more vitamins and minerals and increased energy.  I also saw pro and con on many vegetables and why or why not they should be eaten.  You do have to understand, when you eat a vegetable it can take many hours to digest and the nutrients are slowly moving into our bodies.  Where with a juicer, it's almost instantaneous, the juicer already digested the first part.  We also have to remember, our bodies are not used to this many nutrients, this fast, or even this many.  Now I'm not saying this to scare anyone off, but like any "herb" we introduce into our bodies, we should not go overboard, and make sure we start slow.
  Some people think recipes for juicing are stupid, but now that I've learned a bit about juicing and understand the nutrients and how their absorbed, I'm thinking I much prefer recipes.  Plus, last time I tried to make a juice in my blender, I used celery, which is highly recommended, but I hated it.  I'm sure some will not be to my liking, and I'm sure I'll have to get used to some of them.  I'm also sure that I may never like a few of them, and I'll never get used to them.  I'm thinking maybe celery is one of those things.  I might just try it again sometime, but in a smaller ratio.  Which is where a recipe could come in handy.

   There is a ton of information out there, and differing opinions.  I choose to play it on the safer side.  If you go to this website, I think his strategy is the one I like.  Click Here to see that.  I will probably change a few things.  I've already used spinach in my smoothies, and I grow and eat cilantro.  I know those won't bother me.  Of course I'll use small amounts at a time.  The basic idea, start with stuff you already eat and like anyway.  Then move on from there. 

  I plan to investigate a bit on each individual vegetable.  I would have included that here, but I have to get back to my indoor water feature problem.  Plus, too much information can make all of us start having that glazed eye look, or the blank stare.