Juicing? Really? page

[ikaika]

OK, as a long-time primal who is happy in eating and doesn't bother with deviations, I've always given the "juicing" notion a flippant eyeroll and carried on my masticating ways. However, as I listened to the Underground Wellness show last night, I began to think it sounded kind of cool: It isn't some silly fruit-sugar-binge, it is a chance to shortcut yourself to all these awesome vegetable nutrients.

So, pondering how to begin an experiment, considering that I work in a Large-Natural-Foods-Grocer-With-Juicing-Machine, I figured that I'd have to kind of sweet-talk the Produce girls into making me a juice without fruit and figuring out how to price it. Of course, I'd want lots of greens, turmeric root, ginger root, cayenne, mineral salt, basil maybe, lemon, cilantro... it began to seem a little complex for an I'll-scratch-your-back request to a coworker in the back hallway. So I did what all self-motivated primals would do....

...I called my mom. Do you have a juicer, I asked? Yes, she does. On the counter, in fact. It had been there through my childhood, she said. Why I had never noticed this, I have no clue, but it hasn't been used for years. And I could borrow it. So, I wanted to wait for tomorrow morning to use it, but I got home tonight and fed through it celery, cucumber, a quarter lemon, mint, and turmeric...

and... I feel... really freaking awesome. Right now.

So, consensus for myself: This is quite nice. As someone who is Skeptic-until-proven-innocent, I give it my stamp of approval. Now hah-- imagining our ancestors lounging in caves with high-powered juicing appliances. Awesome.

[j3nn]

I think juicing is a great way to get nutrients from plants without having to eat so much bulk.

[tarek]

I've recently taken to juicing as well. I still don't have a juicer, so I've been getting mine from a local place, but every time I do, I feel GREAT. I usually have pineapple, kale, lemon, parsley, and ginger in mine. It tastes amazing, and I have loads of energy after.

[Damiana]

Homemade juices are fine. I'm just a really big hater of packaged juices like Naked. Craptons of sugar disguised as health food AND they charge an arm and a leg for it.

[john_e_turner_ii]

Juicing at home is ok, since it's probably free of any crazy ingredients. However, it is processing food down into a more calorically/sugary dense form, which in the case of fruit, can be way more than what is needed in one sitting.

[catdance62]

I have had a juicer for years and use it off and on. I'll do it alot for a while, then I get tired of it and quit, then I do it again. My fave juice is carrot/apple/celery/spinach

[AuroraB]

Juicing can do wonders for you! I did a LOT of it after I was diagnosed w/ breast cancer. It gives your GI system a break because most of the break-down is already done. It lets your body heal and repair what it needs to. I did it mostly to get my immune system back on track, the opposite of what chemo would've done for me.
I actually did a 2 wk juice fast (no fruits!) without any food/sugar cravings. Now I only go as long as 1 week and usually only twice a year.
Wheatgrass juice rocks! Forget coffee if you have wheatgrass or you'll be bouncing off the walls.

[Drumroll]

Juicing can do wonders for you! I did a LOT of it after I was diagnosed w/ breast cancer. It gives your GI system a break because most of the break-down is already done. It lets your body heal and repair what it needs to. I did it mostly to get my immune system back on track, the opposite of what chemo would've done for me.
I actually did a 2 wk juice fast (no fruits!) without any food/sugar cravings. Now I only go as long as 1 week and usually only twice a year.
Wheatgrass juice rocks! Forget coffee if you have wheatgrass or you'll be bouncing off the walls.

Or, you can just do a regular fast, and boom! GI system still gets a break. Perhaps even moreso than on a juice fast.

And your pancreas gets a break from producing insulin as well.

[AuroraB]

Or, you can just do a regular fast, and boom! GI system still gets a break. Perhaps even moreso than on a juice fast.

And your pancreas gets a break from producing insulin as well.

True, for some. I guess it would depend on your goal or the results you're looking for. I do regular fasts (IF) without even trying. Some days it's hard to get in enough calories.
This may piss-off some people when I say that I'm the kind of emotional eater that doesn't eat when upset, stressed or depressed.

[bdilla]

I love to juice as a post-workout drink. Energy for dayzzzz, son.