Recipes - Juicing & Green Smoothies

One difference between using a juicer and a blender is that the juice contains no fibre. Therefore when the body has a hard time digesting the fibre in food, juicing is a way to slowly introduce the much needed nutrients. Juicing can contribute to health in specific situations such as a severely weakened immune system. If you notice digestion is a problem as you are transitioning to raw food you may want to try this: drink one or more glasses of juice each day for 2 weeks - then switch to drinking green smoothies once a day for the next 2 weeks. Become aware of how your body feels during this 4 week period. Allow your body time to adjust while the assimilation of nutrients from juicing takes place, and notice how you feel as the intake of fibre from green smoothies begins to eliminate toxic waste accumulations.

JUICING - Be aware that combining starchy vegetables with fruits can cause gas in the intestines - personally the only fruit I add when juicing is an apple.

Carrot Juice

5 medium carrots

Juice through a juicer - simple! Serves 1.

Joint Lubricator Juice

1 bunch celery

2 cucumbers

1 apple (for mild sweetening)

Juice through a juicer and enjoy while fresh. Serves 2.

Carrot Beet Ginger Juice

3-4 medium carrots

1/4 to 1/2 beet, sliced (begin with less)

1/2 to 1" slice of ginger

1 small clove garlic (optional)

Juice together in a juicer and enjoy. Serves 1.

GREEN SMOOTHIES - from the Boutenko Family
Dark leafy greens are the only food group that helps digest other foods through stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes - so greens can be combined with any other foods!

Blue-Green Aloe Smoothie

2 cups water

1 head Romaine lettuce

1 medium Fuji apple

1/4 lime

1/4 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

1 small leaf of Aloe

Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth. NOTE: Great drink for diabetics because blueberries and aloe naturally reduce blood sugar. Serves 2-3.

Minty Thrill

4 ripe pears

4-5 leaves of Kale

1/2 bunch mint

2 cups water

Mix all in blender. Yield: 1 quart of smoothie.

Parsley Passion Smoothie

1 bunch fresh parsley

1 cucumber, peeled

1 Fuji apple

1 ripe banana

1-2 cups water

Mix all in blender. Yield: 2 quarts of smoothie.