Detoxifying Green Ginger Juice + Benefits of Juicing

Now that we're more than halfway into spring (despite the damp cool weather Ontario has been experiencing), this is still a wonderful time to eat and drink more detoxifying foods. Hence the inspiration behind my recipe today, which is also my daily morning ritual: a detoxifying homemade green juice.

I juice everyday because it's a fast way to feel fabulous by infusing your cells with enzymes, vitamins and minerals. The benefits of juicing are many, but may include any or all of the following:

Increased energy, much better than energy-zapping coffee that actually stresses the adrenals and leads to exhaustion in the long-term. Orange juice from a carton is no substitute either, which is a pasteurized, nutrient-void liquid that very quickly elevates blood sugar.

Improved skin due to detoxifying enzymes.

Increased alkalinity (and most people are very acidic due to over-processed foods) from the high level of minerals.

Weight loss and elimination of cravings. This is the personal benefit I've experienced from juicing. I used to have terrible sweet cravings mid-afternoon due to blood sugar imbalances from drinking caffeine in the morning. This led me to eat refined carbs such as cookies for my mid-afternoon snack. Now that I juice, my blood sugar is much more balanced.

Now the sky is really the limit to what kind of juice you create. The key is to keep it varied. Try not to juice the same vegetables week after week. Also, keep in mind some of the suggestions and tips for making the best juice.

If you're new to juicing, then you want to go easy on the bitter greens because you've probably been used to fruit smoothies and everything tasting sweet. Ease into it gradually. You want to aim for mostly vegetables, and some fruit, as a general rule.

Wash all your ingredients really well and aim to buy mostly organic, especially when it comes to the dirty dozen foods.

Recipe after the jump.

Ingredients:

2-4 Swiss chard leaves (including the stalk), or whatever leafy greens you have hand.

4 stalks celery

Half cucumber

2 carrots

1 pear

Thumb sized ginger root

1/2 lemon

Note: Most leafy greens can be a bit bitter such as kale and arugula. Ginger and two to three drops of stevia can limit the bitter taste. Keep in mind this bitter flavour is actually good for your liver and digestion overall.

Method:

Place all your ingredients into your juicer and drink immediately. The above ingredients will give you approximately one to 1.5 cups of fresh juice.

Your cells are going to be smiling with joy!