J and I are experiencing colds at the same time. We woke up yesterday morning not feeling well and we're worried that Baby Nate might get sick also. I haven't been eating so healthy ever since I gave birth. I don't eat that much junk food but I felt that I need to eat more fruits and vegetables. It's not easy cooking for one but it's not also easy cooking for other people who are carnivores. I'm not a vegan or a vegetarian but I always believe that there's room for plant-based foods. I see and hear people go on a diet for the wrong reason and wrong motives. Whenever they eat a lot for the past few days, they would go on a diet the following week. It doesn't work that way. People do need health and nutrition education the practical way. In addition to that, I need to lose the excess pregnancy weight I gained for the past few months. I wonder if that's possible with the holidays coming. My clothes are a bit tight. It's either I shrink a bit or I need a whole new wardrobe. :)
When Heather, the community coordinator on behalf of Williams-Sonoma sent me questions about my juicing journey, I would love to share my struggles and victories.
J bought the juicer before we got married. We used it a few times a week but we're not consistent with it. The thing about juicing is that it takes time to make it. It's easier to drink it than to make it. But sometimes our bodies need a reboot just like our cars need a tune up. The juicer has been sitting in our countertop for quite awhile. It has been used once for the past two weeks and that it. Last Saturday, we visited a market near our place. Some produce are organic, some are not but it's a good way to start juicing again.
When J finished the one week fast, he felt lighter. Obviously, that's the end result. But he felt his skin smoother and cleaner after the juice fast. He told me once that he doesn't want to eat heavy dinner again. He felt great after the juice fast. Aside from investing your time in making juice, you have to invest money on it. Juicing is not cheap. But I'm starting to incorporate juice into his diet slowly. It's workable and negotiable.
I noticed that the green juice that you make for J. Many hesitate over the color of a green juice. We'd love to know what made you try the ingredient combinations that you used? Do you look to other bloggers or magazines for inspiration, or do you create as you go?
The combination of the juice that I've made was based on my experience. I used to drink juice while I was still living with my family and when my father was diagnosed with cancer, my cousin suggest 5 greens which is composed of green apple, celery, green bell pepper, bittergourd and cucumber . There are no measurements to follow but from a culinary perspective, when we combine ingredients, I make sure that the bitterness doesn't overpower the sweetness and the sweetness doesn't overpower the sourness. Although recipes are good to follow for different combinations of flavor, we have to follow our senses when it comes to the taste of the juice. John likes his juice a little bit sour because if the juice is just purely sweet, it becomes monotonous and boring.
Recently, green juice has been the mainstream in health and nutrition because of the power of leafy greens such as kale and spinach. Again, I combine them with other ingredients with different flavor profile to make it interesting. I browse through other bloggers and websites for inspiration but in the end, I just create juices based on whatever is available in the market. It makes my life easier and simpler. I start with simple flavor combinations and build from there.
Seems that green juices have become more popular. Do you think green juices are the best for someone who is doing a juice cleanse? What are a few benefits green juices have to offer over any other juices?
Green apple, cucumber, celery, cilantro, ginger
There are two questions that we need to ask ourselves before we do a juice cleanse? First, do I have the budget for it? Second, do I have the time to do the juice cleanse. Both require commitment. If the answer is yes to both then doing a juice cleanse would benefit one's health and wellness. Juicing can be expensive for some people and it requires time to make it. Another factor to consider is why should I do the juice cleanse in the first place? There should be a good and valid reason for it. A reason like "because everyone is doing it" is not good enough.
Green juices are beneficial because of its high chlorophyll content which is cleansing and detoxifying for the body. A juice made of 70-80% vegetable and 20-30% fruit is a good ratio. It has a lot of healing properties coming from the vegetables and enough sweetness to the fruit. Although green juice is good for you, but if it doesn't taste good, then you won't enjoy it. Adding some leafy greens are beneficial because they are alkaline which helps in the healing process.The nutrients are extracted and they're absorb quickly into your cells without the need for digestion. We need the fiber but sometimes our digestive system needs a rest. A green juice can help jump start your digestive system with a clean slate. Start slowly and enjoy the process.
There are many different types/brands of juicers, and each juicer will make your juice taste differently with the same ingredients. How did you decide which juicer best fits your tastes?
Choosing a juicer is as difficult just like choosing a mobile phone. Sometimes you get frustrated that once you bought one already, they will release a new model after a year. Just like an iPhone. Back home in Manila, we used to have a juicer. My late father was into juicing but not purposely for health purposes. When J and I started going out, he mentioned that he wanted to do a juice fasting during our prayer and fasting week. But we didn't have a juicer at that time. I considered different brands such as the Omega, the Matstone and the Hurom. My sister in law mentioned that when they juice fruits and vegetables using the Omega, the juice is still cold. But that juicer came from the States and it was a gift to them. Whatever juicer I would choose, I make sure that it is a slow juicer. I've used the Matstone before and it produces good result. But I chose the Hurom because I find it's easier to use. But it's a personal preference. Whatever is convenient for me might not be convenient for other people. I need to cut fruits and vegetables into smaller pieces but it wasn't a big issue for me.
I'm satisfied with the juicer but if there were more selections to choose from, I know I would have been more confused. I'm happy with it and I'm satisfied with the results. Juicing is a decision to make. It's either you do or you don't. It's either for health or for pleasure or both.