The Compost Bin!

Thanks AGAIN to Juicin' Jones for her inspiration in creating a COMPOST! In less than 30 mins. I was able to create a kid friendly, earth friendly compost in my small suburban side yard!

With the abundance of info on the Internet , I found it to be as easy as 1 2 3~. I'm sure my fellow juicers have felt the guilt of dumping rinds and fiber scraps in the the garbage can. Guilt no more! Take a short nature hike with the kids, round up fallen leaves, pine needles and twigs, jam 'em in the stroller and head home for a kid friendly project! I took a 100 liter Rubbermaid type storage bin from the garage and drilled about 25 holes on the bottom, top rim and sides. Layered the bottom with strips of newspaper( black print), small pieces of cardboard and the brown dried stuff over that. Then my daughter dumped in our 3 days worth of veggie/fruit scraps, egg shells, tea bags and coffee rinds and tossed them on top. I let the kids generously spray the whole pile with a water bottle. Covered the bin securely with the lid and immediately felt the guilt decompose before my eyes!! HOORAY !! Give it a try..your guaranteed to feel better and make a difference too!

Veggies to help Quit Smoking

My husband is on his third day without nicotine and he is WAY cranky! We looked up some veggies we could juice to help push all the nicotine out of his system. Here is what we are trying: 

Radish

Broccoli 

Brussel Sprouts

Ginger

Turnip Greens

Sweet Potatoes

And as always apples

We are going to also try, as the Prescription for Natural Healing suggests: 

Carrots

Cantaloupe

Squash

(lots of orange veggies) 

Send Phil good vibes for strength and for me patience. 

Juicin' Jones Is BACK!

After more than a month without a juicer I finally sold my car (that was sitting in the driveway way too long without being driven, it was the green thing to do) and bought a Jack Lalanne Power Juicer Pro. And I am back in ACTION. Started juicing again and I can't believe I went this long without one. Looking back I felt lost, unfocused, irritable, and always tired. Three days into juicing again I feel Juicin' Jones coming back to life! Let's go juicers!!!! 

Lemon Hair-lighter

Shopping List

3 Fresh Lemons

Distilled Water

Instructions

1. Juice 3 Lemons

2. Combine Lemon juice with 1 cup distilled water. 

3. Add mixture into a spray bottle.

4. Spray on hair

Avoid direct contact with eyes. Can be stored for a few days in refrigerator in an air tight container. 

Cucumber Mint Eye Refresher

Shopping List

20 leaves fresh Mint

1/2 Cucumber

Instructions

1. Juice mint leaves and 1/2 cucumber. 

2. Saturate two cotton rounds in juice. Squeeze out any excess liquid. 

3. Close your eyes and place rounds on each eye.

4. Leave on eyes for 5-10 minutes. 

Avoid direct contact with eyes. Best when used immediately. The shelf-life can be prolonged for a few days when stored in refrigerator in air-tight glass container. 

(from Jack Lalanne's bonus pamphlet that came with Jack Lalanne Power Juicer Pro)

The Death of The Juicer, A Stranger's Perspective

My friend was coming to visit. I was SO excited. It had been a couple of years. So we've all been aware of the ups and downs of life,  and I guess, Juicin' Jones and I were in the same mood. "She's been blogging", with her time. She called and said she could get a ride from a friend who was coming to LA. Her blog is called Juicin' Lucy's. I love that for so many reasons. My friend and her friend pulled up, and out came the stainless steel juicer. And fruits, and vegetables, and ginger root almost as big as my head. 

She'd blogged. She'd shared. She'd traveled with her juicer. We plugged it in; it didn't turn on. No matter how many times we tried. Ode to a juicer is what I say. 

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.

Therapeutic Juice Drinks

OK juicin' Lucys i have some NEW Juice for your Joints!

Blood Sugar Balancer: helpful for diabetes and hypoglycemia
3 carrots
2 lettuce leaves
1 handful string beans
4 brussels sprouts
2 apples

Healthy Bone Tonic: Supplies calcium for maintenance of healthy bones
6 carrots
4 kale leaves
4 sprigs parsley
1/2 apple

Calming Nightcap
2 ribs celery
1 apple
3 carrots

Healthy Heart Cocktail
6 carrots
1/2 apple
1/2 inch slice fresh ginger

Enjoy and Juice It Up!

The Benefits of Pineapple

Pineapple has an enzyme called bromelain. It helps digest protein, which is good for those who like to eat a lot of meat and dairy products. Bromelain will also help reduce the swelling and pain in joints. I provided a few good concoctions for those who'd like to try it. When pineapples are on sale, these are some good one's to try. These recipes are ONE serving.

Pineapple/Celery(one of my favs actually)
2 ribs of celery
4 rings of pineapple

Pineapple/Grapefruit
1/2 grapefruit (must be peeled but leave as much of the white rind as you can b/c this has a lot of good stuff for you)
2 rings of pineapple

Pineapple/Strawberry/Apple
1 Red delicious apple( i use whatever i have)
2 rings of pineapple
6 strawberries

From Snowy Colorado, i leave you with an Aloha Juicers!

Welcome TuityFruity

Every morning I open THE JUICIN' LUCYS and when I read that a new Lucy has joined and sharing with us their experience about how great they feel I know this is a good thing we are doing.  Welcome Tuity.  Now, I have known Tuity for 30+ years and Tuity, daughter#3, has always been the one that has eaten all the right things(she never eats meat), exercised and taken care of herself faithfully over the years.  She always looks great.  Tuitys the one we have all envied with that gorgeous figure and nature girl look.   And now she is telling us how much better her body feels since she has been juicin' it up!  Talk about inspiration...Thanks Tuity!  What a good idea to freeze to mug.  You have opened a whole new world for us.  We can take our juice with us everywhere now.  When we get those awful hunger pains all we have to do is swig on the juice and kill the pain and get that burst of energy.   Tuity, you are always thinking!  Keep on sharing with us and keep those juicers runnin' Lucys.

Juicin for Change!

Hello Lucy's! My juicin' journey started on January 5th and I really can't believe what my body is experiencing. It's the craziest thing for me NOT to crave something sweet on a daily basis but i don't(really!). I have lost 3lbs and i feel more balanced and healthier than i have ever felt.
I juice(mixing all sorts together) in the morning and have a Kashi whole grain "plain" waffle with it. Then on my way to work at noon, i bring juice with me. Just rinse your bottle with water and put it in the freezer overnight-it will keep your juice cold a lot longer.
I keep healthy snacks at work such as almonds...and will eat these while drinking my juice. Honestly, i have never felt fuller after i finished my juice. Then for the evening, i always have a meal. So i juice at least 2 meals a day and it seems to have been really working for me.
Now that 4 weeks is approaching, my cravings for mac'n'cheese, etc. has lost all its appeal.
Thanks Lucy's for making me get my 14 year old juicer out(yep,the 1st gift given to me by my then boyfriend-now my hubby). Still juicin' strong and working like a champ!
I will be juicin like this forever! How can you not when you actually see and feel the difference almost immediately.