Easy and Fast..Liver Mover & Liver Tonic...BEETS

Beets belong to the same family as spinach, chard, and kale. Both the root and leaves are eaten.  The key benefits:  The beet greens are higher in nutritional value than the roots, especially in calcium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin C.  Beet roots have long been used for medicinal purposes, primarily focusing on disorders of the liver.  Beets have also gained recognition for their reported anticancer properties.  Beet juice tends to be irritating to the throat and esophagus if consumed alone so add other veggies or fruits.

Liver Mover:  This drink is called the Liver Mover because it promotes the bile and FAT to and From the liver.  This is very useful in promoting weight loss and in liver disorders.

1/2 beet including top

2 or 3 apples, cut into wedges

Alternate feeding the beets and apple wedges into the juicer.  Calories 188

Liver Tonic:  A tonic is a substance that improves tone or function.  A liver tonic is a substance that specifically improves the tone and function of the liver, the most important organ of metabolism and detoxification.  If dandelion root cannot be found, you can substitute 4 radishes.

1 dandelion root OR 4 radishes

1/2 beet including top of  beet

2 carrots

1 apple, cut into wedges

Alternate feeding the ingredients into the juicer.  Calories 254

My Juiceman Broke!

Oh No! My juicer broke and it's no joke! 

Just as I was going to show off my juicing skills to my host while on a visit of my old LA haunts, it dies! Nada! Nothing. 

I had brought all kinds of vegetables with me and was so anxious to share my juicing skills, and bam, NADA. Very anti-climactic! 

I am now deliberating whether to start searching for an upgrade today. 

KILL THE COLD

This is a great drink to have when you feel a cold coming on.  It is a diaphoretic tea, meaning that it will warm you from the inside and promote perspiration.  It's pleasant to drink even when you don't have a cold and just want to warm up and feel good.

1-inch slice ginger

1/4 lemon with skin

1 cup hot water

Juice the ginger and lemon and add it to the cup of water.  You may want to add some nutmeg or cardamon.

You Can't Juice Yuca!

While out and about yesterday I stopped at one of my favorite supermarkets, Publix, and found some great veggies to juice up.  So, after my yoga class this evening I was anxious to get home turn on my Jeffrey Gains music and juice up the veggies I so proudly found.  As a matter of fact I had never even eaten some of these expensive veggies I bought.  One was the Yuca.  Now this thing was interesting looking.  The thing was covered with what looked like tree bark.  I get it out and start to cut into it to juice up and I couldn't even get the knife to pierce that tree bark thing.  This thing was hard as a rock.  I stood there looking at it trying to figure out what to do next.  Nothing came to mind so I turned to google to solve the mystery.  Well Lucys, we don't juice Yuca.  It's to be boiled like a potato after you figure out how to saw the bark off and then there is a core in the middle that is supposed to be removed.  Way too much trouble so I trashed it.  Too bad, that thing may have tasted good if I had known what to do with it.  So, don't waste your money like I did thinking a Yuca might taste good in your juice.  Good thing I bought only one.

Instant Migraine Relief

Since last night I have been experiencing my first migraine headache. Ouch it hurts ALOT! So after suffering all night this morning I decided to look up natural remedies for my throbbing head. 

This is what I found, I tried it (except celery juice and beets cuz I was out) and my throbbing went away almost immediately! Go Juice! 

"Researchers believe that low levels of magnesium are a major cause of migraines, since magnesium is considered to be effective at relaxing the body. Therefore, regular consumption of magnesium supplements may help alleviate migraine pain. Fruits, nuts, and dark green, leafy vegetables are a great natural source of magnesium, so a cocktail of fruit and vegetable juices is very beneficial for alleviating migraines. 

Carrot juice combined with spinach, beet and cucumber is great for migraine pain relief. Simply use a juicer to combine 300ml of carrot juice with spinach leaves. Then add up to 100ml each of beet and cucumber juices to the mix. 

Fresh grape juice has also been found to be effective for migraines. Simply grind fresh, ripe grapes and drink the juice directly without adding any water."

http://www.homeremediesweb.com/migraine_home_remedy.php

Cilantro with Ginger and Lime

After a great gathering with the ladies this past weekend, I learned a lot of great new flavors and tricks. First off- cilantro and lime aren't just for salsa...they make a delicious refreshing juice! "Juicin' Jones" taught me to use Swiss chard( the big leafs) and fold the cilantro tightly inside the leaf to get the most juice, a finger tip of ginger and a slice or two of lime added into a cucumber or two and YUM-OH! Very, very refreshing! Cherries became another one of my favorites which seem to compliment just about anything! I recommend gathering a few friends together and just trying it all! Its fun to learn, taste and enjoy the company! Keep it up Juicers!

Grow Your Own

The Juicin' Lucy Blog was created to inspire, motivate and connect juicers on the path to wellness, not to hawk products. But this is really cool, it can inspire healthy habits and be fun - and you can't get more local than your own kitchen garden. It's soil-less and doesn't take up much counter room. 

It's called the Power Plant by Prepara/Chef's Performance Tools and click here for the website. 

This is neat-0 too! The Herb Saver says it can save herbs for 3 wks.  

Check out other items they have....I'm thinking Valentine's Day presents....Perfect instead of flowers & candy! 

What would you grow? 

Compost City

Since I have started juicing I have been aching to start a compost in my backyard for my juice pulp. I know my plants will LOVE it and will help to nourish my garden so they can survive my hot desert summers. After telling my self for weeks that I was going to build my own homemade compost area in my backyard I gave up after I saw this at my local big box club. 

At Sam's it's under $65.00 so I think it will do just fine to get me started on the compost path.

Costco click here

Sam's Club click here

Juice Fest in Colorado!

Hawaiian Papayas are icky icky! Not so sad about it because they are expensive.
Frozen cherries were delicious....let them thaw out before you juice then. I can't wait till fresh cherries are in season.
I know for some of you when i mention this next veggie you might go gross but juicin brussel sprouts with any fruit is tasty. When you drink it, you just feel the goodness of the earth. It's very refreshing. Don't knock it till you try it ladies. If your not a big "vegg head" than try juicin them to get your vitamins..
Thanks Squeeshie for turning us on to the brussel sprouts- i never would have tried them.
A Big Ole' Thank you to Green Diva for hosting the Ladies nite in....great food, great juice, and great friends! As always, a pleasure spending time with some great women.
Thank you to the Murphy Sister's for the kick ass food. I went home with 3 new recipes so i can spread the deliciousness.
Keep juicin it up Ladies.

Juicin' Lucys in Colorado Springs

Some of my Lucys were together this weekend for a juicin throw down in Colorado Springs.  The rest of us Lucys that could not get there are anxiously waiting to hear what new taste you Lucys came up.