Thursday, August 8, 2013

Juicing

Back to school for my kids means back on track for mom! 
 
I had a great summer!   A staycation here and there with my hubby and kids.  A girls weekend in Vegas with my sisters to see BeyoncĂ©!  And an amazing trip to Hawaii with my cute fam!  But what do these places all have in common...Food!  And whoa am I feeling the effects!
My good friend, Lara, introduced me to juicing a few months ago and I absolutely LOVE it!  It helps me feel energized, (yes, even more than a Diet Coke), and helps clean out and regulate my system.  I've even noticed a change in my complexion!  So, wanted to share a few recipes that I have found and have enjoyed...
 
This first one I call "Lara" since this is what she had me try, and got me hooked!  Super simple, and my kids love it too!
Lara
 
1 apple
1 carrot
Approx. 1 Cup strawberries
(And sometimes when my kids aren't looking, I'll sneak in some kale or spinach.)
 
Citrus Green Juice
 
6 kale leaves
6 Swiss chard leaves
1/2 cucumber
6 clementines
 
Carrot Apple Ginger Juice
 
3 carrots
2 apples
1" Ginger
 
Green Juice
 
1/2 cucumber
3 celery stalks
1-2 apples
6 kale leaves
1/2 lemon
1" ginger
 
And one more that I am going to try later this afternoon...
 
Sunset Blend Juice
 
1 lg. sweet potato
1 med. carrot
1 red bell pepper
2 lg. red beets
2 Golden delicious apples
1 orange (optional)
 
I like to get creative as well, and add pineapple, mango, spinach, kiwi, etc.
 
There are a lot of juicing cleanses out there.  If you choose to do, for example, a 3 day juice cleanse, prepare your body by drinking a lot of water in the days leading up to your cleanse.  Eat clean. No red meat, soda, sugar, dairy, or caffeine.
 
Personally, I love balance.  I eat 3 healthy meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Each meal includes a lean protein.  And for snacks I drink my juice along with a handful of almonds, or I'll add a little protein powder to the juice to get my protein intake.
 
Happy juicing!!!
 
(And yes, I'm drinking my juice from a Thor cup...Kind of a crush.) :)