Green Juicing into the New Year

by Laurie Richardone

After a couple of months of indulging with sugar, many of us might be feeling less-than-stellar. I must admit, it left me feeling a bit foggy, and sluggish.

The great news is, our body is resilient and knows how to heal itself.

I think it important to give ourselves permission to have sweet treats on occasion; however, too much sugar can be harmful to the brain as it affects certain neurotransmitters which can result in sugar addictions.

Studies show that sugar contributes to inflammation in the brain and the body.

I decided to do a juice cleanse and pull my juicer out after living in the dark of my cabinet.

A couple of days of nutritious juicing has made a big difference in how I felt. It interrupted my sugar cravings from all that wonderful indulging I did. Did you know that sugar has an addictive quality?

The more we eat, the more our body craves it. There is a big difference in how our body feels when we feed it the right nutrients. Feeling sluggish, and less than optimal can be a great motivator to do a cleanse.

By drinking juice, the body absorbs nutrients quickly, without having to digest fibers and other components in whole foods. Moreover, it helps us get a larger intake of vitamins and minerals. I have found that juicing for 2-3 days left me with more clarity, and energy. You can go longer if you like.

However, like all things, moderation is pivotal. We can overdo the good things as well. I like to look at all the attributes in ingredients that are considered healthy and check in with my body to see if it feels favorable to me.

For example: Spinach contains oxalates along with raw kale. These compounds are also found in bananas, mangoes, cauliflower, and more. Eating these vegetables raw, in large amounts, can affect thyroid function.

There are many other healthy greens if kale, or spinach aren’t complimentary for you to consume in juicing. If you have a healthy bowel absorption and rotate your foods then there is no reason why you should not consume oxalate foods and enjoy them. Moderation, and rotation of foods is key.

Buying a juicer has converted me from store bought juice, even if it’s organic, to making my own. When you make your own, it’s fresher, and so much more delicious. You also have more control as to where the ingredients are coming from.

There are juicers out there for all budgets, so I hope you will give juicing a try. An alternative is a blender, then place it in a cheese cloth, or fine strainer, to eliminate the pulp.

Here is a brief review of the benefits of the simple ingredients I use in juicing:

Cucumbers: The most vital nutrients in cucumbers are vitamins A, C, D, and K, as well as calcium and magnesium lowering inflammation.

Celery: This is a wonderful source of vitamin K, folate and potassium. Studies have shown that juicing large amounts may act like a multivitamin drink.

Spinach: Drinking spinach juice is a great way to boost your antioxidant intake.

Kale: Kale strengthens the body’s immune system and is a great detoxifier.

Granny Smith Apples: Granny Smith apples are one of the rare fruits allowed on a candida diet, when detoxing from sugar. The skin is the most nutrient dense part of the apple, this is why it’s important to use organic. They also take the edge off the sometimes bitterness of the greens.

Lemons: Lemons are wonderful for digestive issues in the gut.

Much of the bad bacteria in our gut is what makes us feel less than optimal. A diet that’s high in sugar can eliminate the beneficial bacteria in our gut.

The goal is oriented around starving out some of the bad bacteria. I recommend experimenting, using different greens to see what works for your body.

To your good health.

If you are a curious person join me on my Podcast ~ a taste for all seasons

Listen to the latest episode ~ Green Juicing Into The New Year

All episodes are on LaurieRichardone.com ~ or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Laurie Richardone is an inspirational seasonal chef and certified wellness coach.

To work with Laurie, visit LaurieRichardone.com/contact