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{photocred: http://nayna.in}
Why you should DIY with juice
There’s no doubting that American food culture has
by and large has become too reliant on highly processed foods. The majority of
eaters in this country would take a cookie-flavored Pop Tart over a slice of
toast with jam any day, and that’s cause for concern.
It seems like there’s a new story in the news
related to the terrors of processed and prepacked foods every day. The recent
controversy over the possible contamination of many widely sold fruit juices
only underscores the fact that the mass production of foods is getting out of
hand. It’s hard to imagine a grocery as simple as apple juice can pose a
potentially dangerous health risk (besides the high sugar content). In addition
to high inorganic arsenic levels, new reports
reveal that certain juices had unusually high lead levels. Yuck.
I’d like to take this opportunity to advocate for
people to try making their own juices in an initiative to avoid processed fruit
beverages. I also think juicing helps people to adopt a healthier diet while
still getting the fruit (and veggie) drinks they love. What’s more, you’ll know
exactly what goes into every drink you make, so there’s no chance of exposure
to harmful materials.
{photocred: http://www.juicermachinereview.net}
Invest
in a juicer
So if you want to get on the juicing train, you’ll
need to purchase a reliable juicer. Many people looking to juice stop at this
point because of the outrageous prices of juicers at most kitchenware stores. A
quality juicer could potentially set you back $400 at one of these stores.
Luckily online discount retailers like Amazon and Overstock offer juicers that
range from $75-$500. When you’re shopping, don’t immediately go for the
cheapest model. Take the time to read through consumer reviews and do your
research before you make your purchase. The last thing you want is an
overpriced juicer incapable of doing the one thing it’s made for.
You may still balk at purchasing a juicer, but
consider this: most juicers last over two years, meaning that $100 or so will
be stretched over quite a few juices before you consider junking it. The
long-term savings you’ll incur from avoided store-bought juices (especially if
you buy expensive “in-house” made juices at organic stores) will far outweigh
the initial cost of a juicer. And when you factor in the combined amount you’ll
spend on fruits and vegetables for your juices, it will still be less than if
you had purchased pre-made juice at a store.
{photocred:http://www.flat-belly-naturally.com}
Get
creative with your juices
Once you have a juicer set up in your kitchen, feel
free to experiment as much as you want to find the juice that most satisfies
your cravings. Most people start small with apples, oranges, lemons, and mangoes. There’s no limit to the variations you can try on juices; you’d be
surprised to find what fruits and vegetables complement each other. And you’ll
never be found wanting, since all fruit and veggie combinations will be packed
with vitamins and minerals. For instance, beta-keratin-packed carrots go
splendidly with apple or orange juice, while cucumber can offer a refreshing
taste to any fruit. I personally enjoy a juice composed of apples, lemons and
peeled ginger.
You’ll notice the difference between store-bought
juices and your homemade juices immediately. There’s a remarkable freshness in
homemade juices that you simply can’t get anywhere else. Yours won’t be packed
full of additives and sweeteners, so you’ll avoid the tweaking sugar rush and
subsequent crash that accompanies most brand name juices. And since juicers
will process the entire fruit—skin and all—you can rest assured that you’re
getting much more nutrition with every batch you drink.
If you need a little inspiration, you’ll find no shortage
of juicing recipe books that offer pages upon pages of innovative (and always
healthy) juices, both sweet and savory. But even if you stick to standard
juices that you could find in any grocery store, you can rest assured that what
you’ll be much better off with what you make at home.
Author Bio:
Maria Rainier is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at First in Education where she writes about education, online colleges, online degrees etc. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.
