That post about juicing
Today was a pretty wonderful and normal Tuesday. It’s hard to believe it’s Livi’s last day of being one! We spent it hanging out at home in our jammies, enjoying a walk around Coscto with nana -eating all the samples- and some mini cupcakes.
I have to show you guys a pic of last night’s dinner: the Italian Wonderpot!
(This is why I usually don’t take dinner pictures. Bad kitchen lighting, and it goes from stove to plate to face)
I saw this on Pinterest and was pretty stoked with its simplicity. You grab a pot, add a bunch of ingredients, pasta, broth, boil and boom. It was INSANE.
The ingredients were garlic, onion, tomatoes, spinach, oregano, basil, pasta and broth, topped with goat cheese and red pepper flakes. As the pasta cooked, the sauce thickened and was soaked up by the pasta (so it wasn’t swimming in sauce when it was finished cooking). I made some garlic bread to go along with it, and it was a perfect 15-minute meal. Livi and the Pilot loved it, too.
The best part about this meal was that even with the quick amount of time, it still tasted like something restaurant-quality. It wasn’t the least bit bland with so many bold flavors and aromatics. Initially I thought it would be fun to play around with this recipe and try a new combo in the future, but nope. It’s perfect as is.
Since I’ve been on a huge juice kick for the past couple of months, I’ve had some requests for a juicing post. Please keep in mind that everything I’ve done has been on an experimental basis -aka a whole bell pepper will not make your juice taste delicious- and I’ve learned some tricks along the way.
My juicer is a Jack LaLanne power juicer (<–the newer version), which was gifted to me by my lovely friend HEABy about 4 years ago. She said she didn’t want it anyone and asked it I’d like it, and I’ve been using it ever since! It speaks pretty highly about the quality of the juicer, which I’ve also seen at Costco and Tarjay.
Why juice?
Juicing a great option to get in high levels of nutrients and antioxidants without the added digestion process of fiber. Yes, fiber is more filling (and many Americans don’t get enough fiber), but by juicing, you’re able to consume quite a few fruits and veggies without actually having to chew them. The nutrients are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream through the juice, and can also provide a lovely boost of energy.
Since you’re getting many of the nutrients you’d receive from the whole fruit or veggie, fresh juices can be helpful in boosting the body’s immune system, protecting against cardiovascular disease, reducing inflammation, and guarding against cellular damage (source).
This does not mean you can totally skip out on consuming fruits and vegetables if you enjoy juice 😉 Think of them as an added bonus for nutrient intake instead of depending on them.
Some benefits of juicing:
-It’s customizable. You pick the combos you love!
-It’s can be less expensive than buying juices from the store
-It tastes wonderful
-You’ll get the benefits listed above from increasing the amount of plant-based nutrients in your diet
Livi goes crazy for them; a definite “pro” when she only wants to eat Annie’s Bunnies that day….
Some cons:
-The fiber is removed, along with the nutrient-dense skin. You could always add a little bit of the pulp back into your juice, or use it for cooking. I’ve made some muffins using the carrot pulp, and have also “enjoyed” (ok, it was kind of gnarly) the veggie pulp as a slaw, but in reality, most of it ends up in the garbage disposal. Another reason why I’d love to compost, but alas, our cacti here doesn’t seem to need it 😉
-Cleaning the juicer! I think the thought of cleaning the juicer is worst that the act itself, but usually I have to bribe myself to clean it. I tell myself I can’t have my juice until the juicer is washed, and it works. Reality: cleaning the juicer takes a maximum of two minutes, and I cheat and put some parts in the dishwasher.
-Difficult to make in advance. This is why cold-pressed store-bought juices are convenient, since many homemade juices tend to lose their nutrients quickly. I’ve read in juicing books that it’s advantageous to sip up within 30 minutes of preparing the juice.
-Can be expensive. It’s more economical to juice at home, but sometimes when buying organic produce, it can still be costly. Usually I’ll get our juice produce at the farmer’s market, Trader Joe’s or Costco (<– bulk organic carrots, spinach and apples).
Some of my favorite juice combos:
(play around with the ratios to see how much you like of each ingredient. I like to go sweeter with fruit first and then my neutral flavors like cucumber and then the veggies)
Carrot, apple, beet, ginger
Green apple, spinach, parsley, lemon
Pear, cucumber, lemon, kale
Pineapple, kale, ginger
Coconut water infusion: juice 1 cup pineapple, 1/2 lime, palmful of fresh mint leaves and add 1 cup fresh coconut water
and store-bought varieties:
Evolution fresh
Suja
Do you juice at home? If so, what’s your favorite combo? Do you notice a difference when you drink fresh juice? I notice that my skin is always has a little more life, and I feel energized from the extra nutrients. My current favorite combo is green apple, spinach, cucumber, carrot, lemon and ginger. Any juices you DIDN’T like? I tried this healthy shot from Whole Foods (lime, garlic, ginger, death) and it was the first thing I consumed that morning. My friend Ashley witnessed the hilarity/sadness that ensued.. nothing could chase that down fast enough. 😉
More:
Have a lovely night!
xoxo
Gina
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Hi Gina,
A juicer is on my birthday wishlist 🙂
I’ve seen other people use the Jack LaLanne brand of juicers, but would you recommend it?
Thanks!
definitely! i’ve also used a breville and loved it, but have had no probs with the jack lalanne
I just tried that one pot Italian pasta a few weeks back after seeing on Pinterest too, and both my husband and I LOVED it! It’s amazing how easy it is. And if anyone hates washing dishes as much as my husband and I do, then the one pot thing is really appreciated! 😉
I would love to try juicing, but just cannot convince myself to buy another appliance for the kitchen! Haha. I feel like we have so many other things, it’s kind of ridiculous. I’m running out of rooooom!
so good, huh?!
i keep mine store in the pantry… we have way too many random appliances too 😉
I love juicing and the combos you posted sound awesome, but do you ever have any issues juicing pineapple since its so soft? I haven’t actually tried but I always assumed it wouldn’t work. Do you use a lower setting?
nope, i add it right in! it works extremely well if you don’t core it. just cut the peel off and cut into chunks
Hey, using my juicer more was one of my New Years resolutions! Thanks for all the nifty suggestions!
yay, hope you find some new faves!
Bahahahaha…. Your description of the Whole Foods shot is crackin me up.
I don’t have a juicer, but I’ve been broadening my smoothie horizons. Lesson #1 I learned: Beets are NOT smoothie-friendly. Delicious in juices, yes, but in smoothie form you will find yourself crunching on raw-potato-like pulp as you make any attempt to gulp it down (while chanting “it’s healthy for you, JUST DO IT LIKE YOU DO SHOTS OF LIQUOR!”)
hahah!! i’ve never had a beet in a smoothie, and thanks to you, never will 😉
they’re best in salads anyway 🙂
xox
I love the carrot, beet & apple combo! I get it from a place by my work. The guy who makes it is really rude but the juice is so good I keep going back!
haha why is the juice guy angry?? you’d think that pulverizing some produce would help him blow off some steam?
I definitely dont think Ill be investing in a juicer any time soon but I just saw a sign go up that a juice shop is opening on the route I take on my daily walk to work. I have a feeling it will be pricey but I’d love to check it out and possibly do a juice one morning a week on the way to work if I like it.
Any tips for juicing greens? I have a Breville, and it seems like most of the greens get chopped and whirled before a lot of the juice comes out, particularly stuff like kale and parsley. I don’t want to spend $ on a new masticating juicer!
i forgot to add this to my post! for greens, it helps if you “sandwich” them in between something firmer, like an apple or cucumber. so i’ll put a chunk of cucumber, a handful of greens, another cucumber chunk and then press it through. works like a charm!
I think the internet is about to become obsessed with the Italian Wonderpot. I saw the recipe yesterday, and literally minutes ago I polished off an entire bowl. It’s definitely one of those simple, delicious meals that you make and wonder how come you have never thought of “inventing” it yourself (I’m from Romania in Central Europe and I always wonder why Romanians didn’t come up with mexican food, since we use the same ingredients to make our meals).
My grandma had a Russian juicer that would be passed around depending on who wanted to use it and who had kids, but I haven’t done it in years. Ever since you started posting recipes and talking about juicing I’ve been thinking of getting a juicer, but now I might actually do it!
We got a juicer for our wedding and sadly I STILL haven’t used it! I don’t know why juicing scares me so much, but it does! I need to at least try it soon!
I’m a Jack LaLanne juicer too, and can attest to its greatness! I was going to buy a new one but found a very lightly used one on Kijiji for about half the price and got that instead. My fave combos are made up of mostly green veggies, plus an apple or pear for sweetness, and plenty of ginger. I haven’t met a juice I haven’t liked yet, no matter how green, but that shot you described sounds a little extreme, even for me!
Happy last day of being 1, Livi! Crazy how fast it goes. Two is fun. 2.5 on the other hand is a disaster. 🙂
she said thank you!
and man, oh man.. i’m afraid already haha
Isn’t that wonderpot recipe fantastic? I was skeptical at first also, but blown away with the end result. Now it’s one of my go-to recipes for quick weeknight meals.
Thanks for the info about juicing too. I’ve been reading your blog for awhile and have always wanted to try it – I will make 2014 the year to finally make the jump. Thanks Gina!!
thank you so much!
hope you enjoy your juicing adventures 🙂
One of my favorite juices: butternut squash, honeycrisp apple, topped with cinnamon. It’s like dessert and so simple. I also like savory juices with a little jalapeno added for a spicy bite. The next thing I want to try is adding fresh turmeric which I found at Whole Foods.
you just blew my mind. i had never thought of juicing squash!!!!!
You have to try this: http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2013/07/one-pan-farro-with-tomatoes/
It’s like your one-pot noodle dish, but with farro, which is higher protein and cooks like barley. You can buy the 10 minute type at Trader Joe’s. My husband, who hates healthy, loves this dish. Super tasty.
Also,thanks for using science to backup your claims. I really appreciate it and hope others do too!
oh, i’ll totally try it 🙂
thank you! it means a lot that you guys notice!
xoxo
I haven’t made any juice at home yet, but I do love all the juices I pick up at Whole Foods! So delicious and I feel so vibrant afterwards!
i think they’re so energizing 🙂
Do you have a link to that one pot pasta dish??
I juice every morning! My favorite combo is celery, cucumber, kale, apple, lemon, rainbow chard, and parsley.
http://www.budgetbytes.com/2013/05/italian-wonderpot/
i admire your juicing dedication 🙂 you’ll inspire me tomorrow!
I just made a big batch of green juice last night as it happens 🙂 My favorite combo is cucumber, kale, spinach, green apple, lemon, and ginger. It took me a long time to actually enjoy the flavor of green juices that weren’t loaded with fruits! Now I genuinely like the ‘green’ taste with just a hint of freshness and sweetness from the green apple. One thing I have learned is to never skip on the lemon when making green juice! It makes all the difference for my taste buds! I do love fresh fruit juices but rarely make them. Instead I’ll blend frozen fruit with some coconut water for an easy drink that also gives me a little bit more of a hydration boost 🙂
LOVE that combo, too!
amen to the lemon comment- it helps to cut the bitterness
That is absolute pasta heaven! xo
right?! so dreammmmyyyyy
I really enjoy this juice combo:
spinach, kale, pear,cucumber,apple,lemon and ginger. Deeeelish!
We are finally getting a Whole Foods in my area, literally 6-7 mins away.Yippeee!! I won”t have to drive for an hour anymore.
wahoo!! it’s amazing when that happens 🙂
love that juice combo, too!
have a great night <3
Oven ever juiced but I do have plans to try a green smoothie!
they’re so good!
I don’t juice, but I do make a lot of smoothies. When I was debating about which to get a while back (a juicer or a blender), I decided that I wanted to go for smoothies to have the fiber and skin with it. I make/eat them all year long!
i think a blender is definitely more functional 🙂
I literally got a juicer YESTERDAY and immediately googled “fitnessista juicing” to see if you had any tips… this post is perfect timing. 🙂 Thanks for the recipe ideas!
wow! happy new juicer to youuuuu 🙂
The universe is telling me to start juicing! I was channel surfing about two weeks ago and came across the documentary of that Aussie guy juicing…”Fat Sick and Nearly Dead”. Then I come across the Jack Lalanne juicer at Costco and wonder if it’s any good… and now your posts! I must try it!
I have seen “Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead” & I love the idea of juicing but not as your only means of nutrients. Here’s my reason why: Last year my whole office of 4 men & 5 women went on a juice cleanse because of that movie. I was the only one who didn’t do it. Everyone lost weight quickly but it was most noticable in their limbs. They were also tired, cranky & mostly talked about how much they missed chewing food. Afterwards they all gained the weight back very quickly. Just thought I would share my observations with you.
Gina, thanks for this post! I’ve looked into buying a Jack LaLanne juicer may times but wondered about how well it worked. Several of my coworkers bought Omega juicers for their cleanses but it costs like $300! I think I will get a LaLanne juicer now! 🙂
yeah, i think that juice should definitely be a SUPPLEMENT to your main meals- not in lieu of them!
i think it’s definitely one of the most economical, yet high quality, options 🙂
xoxo
destiny, haha!
i still haven’t seen that documentary!
I borrowed a friends juicer once but I only used it once. I am still new to juicing and i wasn’t sure what to juice. I may also be a little skeptical because I don’t have a dishwasher! So cleaning the whole thing by hand is not exactly something I am thrilled about doing! I want a self cleaning juicer!
that would be amazing, huh?
I don’t have a juicer but I love making a juice-like smoothie in my vitamix. I just put in all the items you would typically juice & then just add a little coconut water to thin it out. I wonder if an actual juicer creates results that are significantly different flavor & consistency wise…. Hmm, I might have to borrow a juicer from a friend to experiment!
vitamin can blend ANYTHING up! the taste is very similar but the texture is different
The vitamix is amazing! I was so skeptical before I got one & now I can’t believe I lived so long without it.
Oh, and I forgot to ask… Did you use GF pasta for the wonderpot?
seriously! it’s my most-used appliance 🙂
yes, i used brown rice penne. it was amazing
I really need to dust my juicer off because it hasn’t been used in over a year (and sadly was one of my goals for 2013 that I did not achieve). I think my issues is the cleaning it part, mainly because it as SO many parts. Oh well, I should get over that for the benefit of green juices. I want to give my little girl some too!
i hate cleaning it, too… but really, it’s not so terrible and worth it for the amazing juices 🙂
Did you juice when breastfeeding? I want to have juice now, once a day, while breastfeeding my almost 3 month old.
i’d double-check with your doc. i did, but there’s always that tiny concern about bacteria if the juices aren’t pasteurized
I truly am ‘drinking the juice’ too. Replaced my juicer in November and have been at it ever since. Love the combo of mint, ginger, apples, oranges, grapefruit and either spinach or kale. Oh, yeah add some carrots in there too.
yum!! love mint in juices 🙂
I love juicing too. Another trick I have been enjoying lately is steaming veggies and blending them up to make a soup. It is like juicing with all of the fiber. It makes you feel amazing!
yum! i’ll definitely try that
Yum that pasta looks amazing, I have to try it with some kelp noodles, my new obsession! Hopefully they soak up the same! Lots of Love C
oh, kelp noodles would be wonderful! i’d use significantly less broth, though
Drinking vegetable juice as well as coconut water both make me dizzy and sick to my stomach. Anyone else? Or am I a weirdo?
ok I have a Jack LaLanne sitting up in my attic but also got a vitamix Professional Series 750 about a year ago. have you juiced in your vitamix? if so what are your pros and cons compared to using the juicer?
vita mixes make more soups/smoothies than juices. you can put the entire fruit in the vitamix (skin, seeds, etc) but i have yet to do it!
The quicker and easier the recipe the better! This pasta looks like just thing for me right now as I have little time to make fab meals when I’m studying pretty much 24-7. Thanks for sharing!!
As for juicing, I like to drink Greens 1 from Pressed Juicery on the weekend to cram in some nutrition since I know I usually eat less veggies then.
hope you like it if you try it!
hope you like soli beat, too 🙂
xoxo
I just got a new juicer for xmas. I love it but I hate the clean up. Watermelon, pineapple celery and cucumber is my fave!
DUDE. that sounds amazing!
I just ordered the Ninja Ultima – can not WAIT to start juicing!! I loved it when I was on my vacation in NYC and could grab my fresh juice every morning form a bar near our hotel. I tried making juices with the Magic Bullet – fail.
haha! oh no. hope you love the new juicer!
I don’t juice but do enjoy occasionally buying a premade juice on the go. I also loovvveee smoothies in the summer to get in some extra servings.
same! always love smoothies 🙂
As I am reading this I am watching Good Morning America and they are talking about a juicer on sale. I think this is a sign I need one now.
it’s juice fate haha
This is a great post! There’s so many pros and cons which you nailed. I juice and usually have:
beet (depending on size, but usually a half of a huge one)
1 apple
little bit of lemon
little nugget of ginger
1/2 cucumber
2 carrots
I have the Hurom so it’s a slow pressed. For me, the slow pressing and the quality of the juice you get from those types of juicers (and minimum loss of juice) was worth the price. I haven’t stopped using it so I think it’s worth it. For those types, juices can hold for up to three days in the fridge (aka less cleaning! 🙂
i looked into hurom juicers, but the cost deterred me. good to know it’s worth it! i’ll definitely try your juice combo too 🙂
I do juice at home (have the older Jack LaLane model) and really like. I enjoy the fresh taste of the juice. My favorite combo is beets, carrots and blackberries. Yummy!
that sounds like a wonderful combo! i’ll have to try it
I “juice” in my Vitamix. I know a lot of people have texture issues… but I don’t mind that it’s a bit thicker than regular juice. I get the fiber and it’s not nearly as tricky to clean. I also like that I’m not throwing any food away. My favorite combo is kale, apple, lemon, ginger & mint.
To make juice in the Vitamix, you can take any juicing recipe and add a half cup of water.
Thanks for the additional combos to try!
I’m making the italian wonderpot tomorrow night for dinner! I see its making its way around Pinterest haha. Glad to hear its so delicious. I wanted to make it with some shrimp or calamari, but my Fukushima research during naptime the other day convinced me otherwise. womp wooooomp.
I’ve been juicing a lot lately too. Its a good way to get in veggies when they aren’t appetizing in whole form. Hopefully this part is over soon and I can go back to my salad eating ways. 🙂
Happy Birthday Miss Olivia! Tripp can’t wait to play with you this summer!
My husband really wants a juicer. It just isn’t in the budget right now.
When you made the wonder pot, did you reduce the broth since you used GF pasta (that I assume isn’t starchy)? I want to try it with WW pasta but am afraid of it being a big fail.
I do love my Breville juicer! I seem to go in and out of juicing phases. The one negative is when I’m juicing often my grocery bill increases A LOT. The new year definitely inspires a desire for fresh juice!
I have the same juicing rule as you. NO drinking until the juicer is clean! It makes for much speedier clean-up as I stare at that glass of deliciousness 🙂
My mother in law gave us a juicer that she didn’t want anymore and I still have yet to use it! I’ve been trolling for good recipes but the cost of buying tons of produce is holding me back.
We had the Jack LaLanne juicer and just ‘upgraded’ to the Omega VRT350 for Christmas. We heard (read and researched) that the slower (cold press) juicers keep 40% more if the nutrients from the fruits and veggies, versus the fast juicers that heat up and break down the fruits and veggies. Who knows if it’s really true, but if nothing else you do get about 30% more juice from the fruits and veggies!out favorite combo is; red apple, green apple, lemon, cucumber, kale and spinach. 🙂