Juicing vegetables

Why is juicing helpful?

Green vegetables can help protect us against cancer and other illnesses. They have alkalising, detoxifying and anti-inflammatory effects and can be helpful with hot flushes. They also contain vital nutrients for health including amino acids, the building blocks for protein.

A green juice is so thirst quenching and cooling. It is particularly beneficial for hot flushes and the high magnesium content is helpful for stress and sleep. Most of us don’t eat enough green vegetables especially in their raw state, so here is a recipe to make a simple and delicious cucumber and celery juice bursting with anti-oxidants, nutrients and enzymes.

Juicing is an easy way to increase your daily intake of raw greens in a refreshing drink. Some people find it difficult to digest cucumber, if you are one of those, then substitute the carrots or beetroot for cucumber.

Equipment

To make a juice you will need a juicer. You can buy an inexpensive, good quality juicer from supermarkets or kitchen stores.

Ingredients (serves one)

1. Half a large cucumber
2. Two sticks of celery
3. If you prefer the juice a little sweeter just add a carrot or a beetroot. The greener it is, the more cooling and alkalising it is.

Method

1. First wash your cucumber and celery.
2. Cut your vegetables into length wise pieces to fit your juicer.
3. Place a glass under the outflow part of the juicer
4. Switch it on and post your veggies through the top.

When to drink your green juice

Always drink your juice immediately to obtain the highest nutrient levels as 50% of the nutrients are lost after 15 minutes. However if you do need to keep it a few hours then put it in the fridge in an airtight container. You can drink this juice any time throughout the day but it’s particularly beneficial as a refreshing breakfast juice to help balance blood sugar and boost energy levels for the whole
day.

 If you cannot face vegetable juice in the morning, have it as an aperitif before lunch or dinner. A green juice before bedtime can help you sleep.