Juice for Life—Drink and Eat Your Vegetables

Juicing is all the rage, and for good reason.  Juicing is a great way to get those much needed 8-10 daily servings of fruits and vegetables that we all too often find hard to consume.   When I was diagnosed 6 years ago, my oncologist recommended juicing, said it is very healing.  Some therapies, such as the Gerson therapy, use juicing as a major component for healing.  For most, however, juicing is just an easy way to meet those daily requirements.

Tried it; don’t like it?  Try a different juice; we all prefer some vegetables more than others, and even find that some vegetables we love, we do not love in our juice.  For me it is beets and cabbage; love to eat them, do not care for them in juice.  Or maybe try a juice bar….there one can find some amazing combinations that are just as delicious as healthy. 

Think buying juice is expensive or decadent? I used to think so too…but shell out several hundred dollars for the juicer, tons for the organic produce, and spend copious amounts of time prepping, juicing and cleaning up, and you have yourself a bargain.  I still make my own occasionally, but mostly, I go to Iggy’s.  Iggy’s is a juice bar run by Ignacio Carrera, located within Vitahealth, a small apothecary where I get all my prescriptions, supplements, and a tremendous amount of advice.  And speaking of Iggy’s, you won’t find conventional produce there like you will in the trendy fad joints.  If your juice bar claims that they use organic and local produce, you can be sure that they are using conventional most of the time, at your expense.  Make sure they use 100% organic produce. Do your research, ask questions.

                   To Juice or not to Juice, that is the question

What I don’t suggest, is going on a fad diet where you only drink juice…especially if you are like me—no food, no mojo (and very cranky) and the toxic blood sugar rushes are not good for anyone. So drink your juice, between meals or with meals, or at least add some protein powder if your juice is to be your meal.  Juice cleanse for a day, okay, but not as a diet.  And remember, limit your fruit juicing as it creates a concentrated source of sugar (carrot juice will do the same).  I am not one to say no fresh orange or pineapple juice, just be sure to have it with a meal that contains fat, protein and/or fiber, all of which will slow the reaction. And, you shouldn’t count on juicing as your sole source of fruits and vegetables as you do lose the fiber as well as the skin, which is full of essential nutrients.   (Remember, if you want to regain some of the lost fiber, you can add it to your muffin batter or stir it into your soup.)

Also, the jury is still out on juicing raw crucifers.  Some feel that they contribute to thyroid problems, others disagree.  However, a daily juice should not pose any issues, and if you vary your juices, all the better.

Still not sold?  You can pack some serious servings in smoothies. I like to make one with an large handful of broccoli sprouts, one avocado, some superfood powers and some water or almond milk; you can also do this with baby spinach or other greens, but I find the sprouts mix in really well and do not make the smoothie bitter.  Experiment with your own;  Iggy makes a fantastic one he calls the Incredible Hulk…pretty funny, but it’s made with juiced cucumber and celery as a base, with kale, spinach and chard, a banana and some protein power mixed in. 

So, if you happen to live or traffic on the UES of Manhattan, stop in and say hello to Iggy; order Iggy’s Greens or a Hulk.  Oh, and don’t forget to ask Iggy to do a magic trick for you….the kids really look forward to it!  And you may even find that juicing encourages you and your kids to eat more fruits and veges.  Also, check out Iggy in Diary of a Social Gal.  That’s Iggy, upper right corner, but scroll down, and you will see One Lucky Duck…scroll down once more and you will see Iggy in his juice bar, at the Vitahealth Apothecary. 

Elyn

 

~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~

 

Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor, certified cancer coach, speaker, president of Elyn Jacobs Consulting, and the Executive Director for the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation.  Elyn is the creator, owner and show host for the Survive and Live Well Radio Show. Elyn empowers women to choose the path for treatment that best fits their own individual needs. She is passionate about helping others move forward into a life of health and wellbeing. Elyn is also on the peer review board of the Natural Standard Database. She lives in New York with her husband and two young boys.

www.elynjacobs.wordpress.com

Twitter@survivelivewell

Facebook @Elyn Jacobs Consulting

LinkedIn @Elyn Jacobs