You may have heard about some the health benefits of drinking the juice of fruits and vegetables and both juices and smoothies are becoming more available on the high street – but where do you start if you want to begin juicing and blending at home and why should you bother?
I began juicing on and off around 15 years ago when I realised I was becoming increasingly intolerant of certain foods and the chemicals used in preserving them. In 2015 I developed more serious health issues following a particularly challenging part of my life that. In my diligent search for answer I came across Medical Medium Anthony William (www.medicalmedium.com). I immediately discerned the information he provided was going to transform my life and it was only than that I really understood the benefits of juicing and the power a plant-based diet could have on well-being. I am extremely grateful to Anthony as the information he provided probably saved my life!
In this blog, I want to share with you my top tips on juicing and blending and answer some FAQ’s on this topic.
What’s the difference between juicing and blending?
Juicing is the extraction of the juice from fresh, raw fruits and vegetables. Juicing devices are used to grind the produce and separate juice from the pulp which is discarded. Blending is the act of blending food, usually whole fruits and vegetables, often with water, into a smoothie for drinking. High speed blenders are used to create smoothies. You can blend juices with whole fruits too and even add health boosting supplements, nuts or powdered veggies for example.
What are the health benefits of juicing?
1. The juice of fresh, raw plants contain very high levels of life supporting vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals as well as enzymes, some proteins, water and calories most often in the form of carbohydrates.
2. Because the pulp is removed, the juice is concentrated and is easy to digest, making it highly nutritious, quick and simple to take.
3. It also palatable and is accepted by most people, even with digestive complaints or sensitivities.
4. It is also deeply hydrating and depending on the juice, can have detoxification effects and may be considered healing.
What are the health benefits of drinking smoothies?
1. Some experts say consuming the whole plant boosts the nutritional quality of the food as you are consuming all parts of the plant which may contain different health boosting qualities
2. Consuming the whole plant adds fibre making it very filling and satisfying
3. By consuming fibrous plant matter it and slows down the absorption of carbohydrates and helps you feel fuller for longer
4. By finely blending whole foods, it is easier for the body to digest
5. Smoothies can be made very palatable so ideal for fussy eaters, children or the unwell.
6. You can add supplements, protein and other foods such as honey or nectar to make a complete, palatable, enjoyable meal
7. They can be made a few hours in advance and taken to work, school or on the road for convenience
Where can I get more information about juicing and eating plant-based?
There are many anecdotal reports on the healing effect of consuming juices and smoothies. Check out www.medicalmedium.com for information on juicing, especially the global celery juice movement: https://www.medicalmedium.com/medical-medium-celery-juice-movement.htm
Jason Vale is very popular in the UK and has many published resources: https://juicemaster.com/
Another favourite resource is Joe Cross – known as the Australian who lost 6 stone and published his journey back to health in the popular documentary ‘Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead’ – available for free here: https://www.rebootwithjoe.com/joes-films/
Which juicer and blender should I buy?
Like many appliances, the more you spend the better they tend to be! Investing in a quality juicer and blender is a great health investment. I recommend you choose a juicer which has the following qualities:
Juicers
Minimal waste – embarking on a juicing programme requires considerable amounts of whole foods – buying a juicer which produces minimal waste will pay in the long run
Quick and easy to clean – select a juicer which is quick to take a part, wash and put back together again. If it is too time consuming, you will be less motivated to juice.
Slow juicer – choose a juicer design which allows for a slower extraction rate which provides more live enzymes and other nutrients
Wide shuts – this means less chopping and more efficient juicing!
Quiet motor – a high wattage (240) and powerful motor should be quiet so you don’t disturb family members or flatmates if you juice before dawn!
Long guarantee – quality juicers should offer a minimum of 5 years domestic warranty on motors, 1 year on parts
BPA free – which is better for you and the environment!
We like the JR Ultra 8000 whole slow juicer from Juicy Retreats: https://www.juicyretreats.com/jr-ultra-8000-s-whole-slow-juicer
Blenders
Smooth blended finish – high torque, industrial grade blenders cost more but provide the best finish – they’re usually also very versatile and can pulverise ice and dry ingredients too
Quiet motor – this really matters if you don’t want to disturb housemates, family or the dog! Quieter motors in my experience are often the best quality too.
Powerful motor – provide the best finish but are quicker too – thus using less power but also keeping the smoothie cool – heat can destroy enzymes and vitamins in fresh food.
Long guarantee – the best full size blenders come with a 10 year guarantee – they cost more but offer a great return on your investment.
We like the JR Touch 3 Quantum Induction Quiet Blender by Juicy Retreats: https://www.juicyretreats.com/jr-ultra-touch-3-commercial-blender
If you want a smaller blender or mobile version, check out the JR x1000 Nutriblender: https://www.juicyretreats.com/jr-x1000-nutriblender
Juicy Retreats often have a sale and offer their products up to 50% off. This code is currently live (as of 16-4-20) and will give you half price off their full range of juicers and blender: LOYAL50
When is the best time to start juicing?
Now! There is no time like the present to introduce new healthy habits and make positive changes to your daily routine. If you don’t want to invest in expensive equipment, you can buy juices and smoothies from high street vendors in most towns and cities. Fresh if best (unpasteurized) but if you can’t make them or buy fresh, try bottled versions from health shops or even supermarkets. Avoid any drinks and smoothies with preservatives (citric acid, potassium sorbate, etc), artificial flavours and added sugar; all of which may be detrimental to your health. Consider the environment when purchasing convenient food and drinks too – avoid plastic and recycle whenever you can!
Should I use organic whole foods?
Organic foods cost more usually but they are grown without harmful agrochemicals which have been linked to cancer: https://www.webmd.com/cancer/herbicide-glyphosate-cancer#1 They also contain more nutrients so are better for you and represent greater value too! I always recommend choosing organic over inorganic but if you aren’t able to use organic produce, wash it thoroughly before juicing or blending and consider peeling the skin and discarding this.
What can you juice and blend?
Most whole fruit and veggies – however some are more easily digested than others and some are more palatable. I recommend you become familiar with and practice simple recipes which make best use of locally available produce. Here are some resources to get you started:
Medical Medium FREE resources (our favourite resource): https://www.medicalmedium.com/medical-medium-101.htm
Juicy Retreat Juice recipes: https://www.juicyretreats.com/recipes
Juicy Retreat Smoothie recipes: https://www.juicyretreats.com/smoothie-recipes
Here is the info on the heavy metal smoothie featured: https://www.medicalmedium.com/mm101/medical-medium-heavy-metal-detox.htm
And here is the link to the information on the celery juice I mentioned earlier (and did I tell you it probably saved my life?): https://www.medicalmedium.com/medical-medium-celery-juice-movement.htm
If you have a go at juicing or blending - let us know how you get on! If you have any questions or would like to schedule a free 30 minute consult - please contact us online here or by phone: 07766 772245, or by email: beccy@holisticreflections.co.uk
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Until next time, stay well!
Beccy Smith CEO & Founder
HeartMath Licensed Coach & Wellness Consultant
Holistic Reflections CIC
balance | connect | evolve
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