Living in West Michigan we are lucky to be able to enjoy four distinct seasons. After having an especially difficult winter…SPRING has been a welcomed sight. The best thing about SPRING is that everything comes to life in the color green.
My wife took a cue from mother nature herself and decided she could use some renewal after feeling tired and sluggish from our dreary grey winter. She got out our juicer and whipped out this. YUM! Vibrant colors mixed with a rich earthy smell that you can only get from fresh whole foods.
My wife felt so amazing she just kept going. Juicing for two and half straight days. Energized, rested, clear minded, and light were the most noticeable differences she experienced.
So, WHY, Juice?
Juicing is a great way to get a full assortment of fruits and veggies into one glass. Not to mention it’s fast. One of our favorite ways to start the day is with Rainbow Juice because there’s no chopping, peeling, or slicing. Just insert and go. Your body not only is getting rehydrated but it’s a quick energy booster especially when you add simple carbs like apples.
Another added benefit about juicing is it allows you to incorporate fruits and veggies that you normally would run away from…you know like beets or maybe something as nonthreatening as cucumbers.
Lastly, juicing removes insoluble fiber allowing you to receive and utilize all the nutrients more effectively. This simply means that your body will be able to better absorb all the enzymes and phytonutrients found in the vegetables/fruits that you are juicing.
A few facts about Juicing if you are a newbie.
1. Whatever you juice needs to be consumed soon after.
Juicing increases the rate at which oxidation occurs. Not consuming the juice right away not only declines the nutritional value of the juice but it can also be an invitation for bacteria to grow. I recommend drinking the juice within 24 hours of juicing. Be sure to also store in a well sealed glass or plastic container.
2. Clean, Clean and Clean.
To have the freshest healthiest juice be sure to use clean cutting boards and knives. At our house, we have a separate cutting board for meats vs. veggies/fruits. This ensures that we don’t ever have cross contamination of bacteria.
Also, be sure to wash your fruits and vegetables (especially, if they are not organic) with a few drops of nontoxic soap. We use 7th Generation.
3. Do not use juicing as your only nutrient source
While we believe in the power of Rainbow Juice we DO NOT advocate using it as the only source for getting nutrients. Your body was made to eat food not just drink fluids. There are many people that have done juice fasts for long periods of time and have noticed incredible fat loss results.
A juice fast is fine. Sometimes you have to give your digestive system a rest and flood your body with nutrients.
Yet, if you are trying to build muscle and get in amazing physical condition you’ve got to follow a high protein diet.
Juicing is awesome. There are a million great recipes out there to follow. One main thing I tell my clients is 70/30. 70% greens and 30% fruit. If you keep this basic ratio you will have a quality juice.