I remember when I first received a juicer as a gift many years ago. I wanted one so badly after reading an online article about a man who, very poetically, wrote about changing his life for the better within weeks of juicing fresh fruits and vegetables. I am not exaggerating when I tell you this article BLEW. MY. MIND! This particular article was also my first introduction to nutrition and holistic health, but I digress. So, needless to say, I was thrilled to receive the juicer and started using it right away. Quickly though, I found the clean-up process to be such a chore and eventually decided to sell the juicer a few years later. Since then, I’ve found an easier way to make fresh juice and I’m excited to share it here. This Classic Green Juice has been on rotation in my life for years now. Every ingredient is incredibly beneficial to the body and overall health. Plus, it tastes great!
(Before the recipe, please be sure to read the benefits of juicing and important tips)
Benefits of fresh juice: Juicing fresh vegetables, fruits and greens provides the body with an amazing array of essential nutrients. These minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients are absorbed quickly and efficiently when drinking fresh juice. This gives you a burst of energy, lots of hydration (hello, radiant skin!), reduces inflammation & boosts immunity. The chlorophyll in green veggies is known to enhance the body’s natural detox process.
I really emphasize *fresh* juice in this post, because it’s important to note that for the body to receive the benefits, the drink must be made and consumed immediately. Bottled juices aren’t the same.
I also MUST advise this major point .. please keep in mind that fresh juice, while wildly healthy, is not a meal! Think of it as a delish liquid vitamin. Juicing is quite low in calories and the process removes the fiber, which is key for satiety. Fresh juices are a beverage and it’s important to eat right after or before you enjoy one. Eating a balanced meal with your juice will help keep your blood sugar stable and provide lasting energy (aka calories) that your body needs to feel full and active throughout the day.
(Please never put your body through a juice fast. I’ve done a few, which I regret. I fell for the hype when they were a trend years ago. Trust me when I say they are not worth it. They are simply starvation diets packaged in a fancy bow. The body NEEDS calories, fiber, protein, etc.)
I like to make a large fresh juice a few times per week. I typically drink them in the morning alongside a hearty breakfast (see my Delicious & Satisfying Brunch post here!). I notice more energy, focus, clarity and brighter skin. This Classic Green Juice is refreshing and has a bit of a kick thanks to the ginger (a superfood all on it’s own! amazing for the immune system and gut microbiome). I also encourage you to experiment in your own kitchen and create a variety of fresh juices to find out which blends you love.
(besides this Classic Green Juice, another blend I like is carrot – orange – microgreens – mint)
Have fun creating your own blends and enjoy the many benefits of freshly made juice!
How to make this classic green juice without a juicer: You will need a quality high-speed blender (like a Ninja or Vitamix), a fine mesh strainer and these foods:
2 celery stalks
large handful of kale leaves, stems removed
large handful of spinach leaves
1 cucumber
1 apple
1 lemon
large thumb of ginger
1/3 cup filtered or spring water (plus more if needed to aid blender)
Wash all produce thoroughly (see tip below)
roughly chop the veggies, apple and ginger and add to blender
slice lemon and add to blender (the peel can be juiced if you’d like, just be sure to wash well & cut into smaller pieces)
Add leafy greens and water to blender
Blend well
Pour blend over fine mesh strainer into a glass (you’ll notice lots of pulp and the strainer will keep it out of the juice)
enjoy!
Tip: A simple and cost effective way to cleanse produce really well is to submerge the veggies, fruits and greens into cold water with a sprinkle of about 1 tsp baking soda (More or less depending on how much produce you’re washing. Keep in mind it doesn’t take much). Swirl produce in the water then let sit for 20 minutes.
