juicer

Juicing is a wonderful way to supplement vitamins, minerals and enzymes. The fiber is removed from the fruits and vegetables which helps aid in the digestion process and helps the body to heal. Juicing is a great way to jump start healthy eating and give your organs a break. However juicing can be a very strategic activity. You need to plan to juice when you have the time and are able to drink it immediately due to oxidization. If you are unable to do so you may consider investing in a higher tech juicer so you are able to store juice.

Types of Juicers:

Centrifugal: This juicer has a fast spinning grater and a strainer where the juice goes through and then out the spout. This juicer is a fast juicer with a larger mouth which allows for less prep and easier clean up. However your juice oxidizes quickly which breaks down the enzymes and the juice starts to loose nutrients. When using this type of juicer juice should be consumed quickly, within 15-20 minutes of juicing. If you are unable to drink your juice immediately you can put in an airtight mason jar and store in the fridge. However if the juice turns dark brown it means it has oxidized and no nutrients are left, this is when you should toss it.

Masticating: This juicer has a slow turning screw that squeezes the juice through a stainless steel screen.

Twin Gear: This is the lowest speed; it presses the fruits/vegetables between two gears until the pump is nearly dry.

Both the masticating and twin gear types of juicers take more time to clean up and to juice and both of these types of juicers are more expensive. The benefit to both of these juicers is that they incorporate less air into the juice which allows them to last longer. The masticating can be stored in the fridge up to one day and the twin gear lasts up to 72 hours.

I would love to invest in a masticating or twin gear but after months of research I bought a Breville Compact Juice Fountain two years ago.  I haven’t been using it as often as I used to but I dusted it off the other day and got right back into things.  I have a drawer full of items to be juiced and I am looking forward to having a nice big juice for breakfast.

My Favorite Green Juice
1 bunch green kale
6 small carrots (or 2 large)
1 small apple
3 celery stalks
squeeze of lemon juice