These three colorful vegetable juices are an easy way to make juicing a habit this year.
The aftermath of the holiday season hit me hard; I have just started to rouse from the post-holiday haze.
December is certainly a month of activity; a frenzy of feasts, festivities and family that flies by in a flash. The next thing I knew 2013 had arrived and I was overcome by a desire to hole up, hibernate and recharge.
Frankly, the closest couch and a good nap were in order. Well, that and something fresh and liquid; a respite from the excesses of December.
Whether you are new to juicing, or an old pro, the start of the New Year is certainly the season for it. When you’re feeling a strong urge to eat clean and re-energize, no supplement is a match for the vitamins, minerals and nutrients found in whole foods like vegetables.
One of the most frequently asked questions about juicing is “why not eat your vegetables instead of juicing them?" The problem is that most of us just don’t eat enough of them and juicing is an easy way to increase your intake. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat them, it means you should do both if you can.
Store bought juices are not the same thing; most are laden with added sugars and preservatives, those that aren’t have most likely been pasteurized. Manufacturers pasteurize juices to prevent spoilage, but the process of heating the juice can destroy the availability of some of the vitamins and enzymes so fresh, raw juices are best.
Drinking freshly pressed vegetable juices along with eating a variety of vegetables provides our bodies with an abundance of raw materials and nutrients from which to thrive.
Green juices are king when it comes to juicing as they are both nutrient rich and low in sugar, but if you are hesitant to plunge into green drinks, root based juices are a naturally sweeter alternative that still pack a nutritional punch. Start with carrot juice and gently ease your way over to spinach juice and other leafy greens.
These three colorful juices are an easy way to make juicing a habit this year.
Spinach and Pea Shoot Green Juice
Pea shoots offer vitamins A, C and folate. Spinach is rich in vitamin K, vitamin A, manganese and folate as well. The apple and lemon add a little tartness to the fresh flavors of the spinach and pea shoots.
Ingredients
- 2 oz/56g pea shoots
- 3 oz/85g of baby spinach
- 1 small handful of parsley leaves
- 4 celery stalks
- 1 large lemon, peeled and seeds removed
- ¼ of a large tart green apple, seeds removed
Instructions
- Chop everything into chunks that fit into the juicer chute.
- Pass all the ingredients through the juicer, alternating hard and soft ingredients.
- Strain juice to remove foam if desired.
- Pour juice into ice-filled glasses and serve immediately.
Notes
Gluten Free, Grain Free, Paleo, Vegan, Raw
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 146Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 118mgCarbohydrates: 29gFiber: 6gSugar: 17gProtein: 4g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Beet and Sweet Potato "Roots" Juice
Sweet potatoes and carrots are high in beta-carotene, vitamin C and anti-oxidants. Beets are rich in phytonutrients and have blood pressure lowering properties.
Ingredients
- 1 small beet scrubbed, peeled
- ½ a large sweet potato scrubbed, peeled
- 4 carrots, scrubbed
Instructions
- Chop everything into chunks that fit into the juicer chute.
- Pass all the ingredients through the juicer, alternating ingredients.
- Strain to remove foam if desired.
- Pour juice into ice-filled glasses and serve immediately.
Notes
Gluten Free, Grain Free, Paleo, Vegan, Raw
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
Serves 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 167Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 178mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 9gSugar: 16gProtein: 4g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Carrot Kohlrabi Juice
A unique twist on carrot juice.
Ingredients
- 6 carrots, scrubbed
- 2 small or 1 large kohlrabi, scrubbed and peeled
Instructions
- Chop everything into chunks that fit into the juicer chute.
- Pass all the ingredients through the juicer, alternating ingredients.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove foam if desired.
- Pour juice into ice-filled glasses and serve immediately.
Notes
Gluten Free, Grain Free, Paleo, Vegan, Raw
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 133Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 187mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 13gSugar: 13gProtein: 4g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
Emily says
Those photos with the darker background and the three glasses are just amazing. I wish I could take pictures like that! Beautiful.
Lori @ RecipeGirl says
I really need a juicer! I'm spending far too much money on juice cleanses being delivered. Plus, these look MUCH better!!!
Sylvie says
You should get one Lori! A high end juicer costs probably as much as two 3 day cleanses but you'll get a lot of use out it in the long term. Plus you can make your own juice combos.
Deeba Rajpal (@vindee) says
I began this morning Sylvie, thank you. It was a carrot, tangerine and kohlrabi today.
Yvonne @ bitter baker says
This looks amazing! I love vegetable juices, and making your own is definitely worth it!
najwa kronfel says
Beautiful and healthy! Love the colors, simply lovely.
Sukaina says
Like a mini rainbow Sylvie 🙂 I hate the clean up after using my juicer but that minty green color is tempting me. Now....where to find pea shoots?
Kitchen Belleicious says
if all our juices looked like yours I don't think getting our kids or hubbies to drink their veggies would be a problem. they look to die for and that says alot for a drink!
Jamie says
I've never juiced but those look beautiful! Like jewels! Actually, the pea shoot, spinach and apple sounds lovely and I'd be tempted to serve it for lunch with a dollop of ricotta on top. Your photos are, as always, just beautiful!
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
Gorgeous juices! I love fresh juices like these, but I don't have a juicer anymore. They are so good though, and nothing makes me feel more energized 😀
Aimee @ Simple Bites says
Thanks for the reminder! I have a juicer that I love...and with today's dental surgery I'm off solids for a few days. Looks like I'm juicing tomorrow!