Green Juice

Green juice?   You may be thinking that it may have a little too much plant-life in it for your liking but trust me.......................this concoction is a pleasantly surprising one.   This drink has served as a post-workout drink for me and a staple for many individuals eating a plant-based diet as well as those who don't.  It has become one of my all time favorite things to drink.  

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

+

Photo: Credit: Cracked.com
=

Photo Credit: Edit4beauty

So you can't get passed the fact that this drink is completely green and looks like what would happen if V8 turned into the Hulk?  I know it looks a little intimidating or maybe even unappetizing but there is nothing to fear.  You have much more to gain from giving this a try.   Why do I say that? 
  
Well, green juice is banging for a couple of reasons:

1. It replaces coffee.   I've never been a coffee drinker but I do have some mornings where my brain and my body are just not in harmony and I need some help.  This drink by far beats anything out there.  It wakes me up, gives me energy in the morning and continues to keeps me energized through the day.  Sometimes I think I'm a little too hype after drinking this.
2. It nourishes your body.  It's crazy the amount of nutrients that I take in from this drink.  It allows me to consume a ton of veggies in one sitting and gives my cells the nutrients they need to operate at optimal level.  It's just wonderful.
3. It keeps you flowing.  AKA it keeps you nice and regular. It is so important to keep your colon clean and constantly moving.  Things come in and should not overdue their stay!  You will most likely have no gastrointestinal issues after a glass of this.  
4. Green is the color of life.  I really like the idea of putting life in my body!

So how do I go about making this green juice?

I got two versions for you.  One from me and one that my friend, Ruben, shared with me recently.  Green juice has a high-water content, which makes your cells very happy.  For me, it serves as a post-workout drink or a drink that I have with breakfast.  These two recipes are both delicious and are easily tweaked to your liking.

Bangin' Green Juice #1:  
Orange/Celery/Cucumber/Zucchini/Ginger/Lettuce/Pear

1 orange
3 celery stalks
1/2 of a cucumber
1/2 of a zucchini
4 - 6 leaves of lettuce
1 and 1/2 - 2 inches of ginger
2 cups of water
1 pear

There is really no intense order for this recipe.   Peel your orange, pear and ginger.  Cut your veggies into chunks.  Add water, blend and drink.  Boom.  Bam.  Done!   I do this the Jamaican way, which means I blend everything and then pour it into a strainer and then I strain the juice.  I feel like I am wasting less that way.  This method also works for those who don't have a ridiculously amazing blender like a Vitamix or a juicer.  The other way, of course, is just to throw everything in a juicer if you have one!   The serving size is a lot because I usually make enough to store in a mason jar for the next day or so.

Bangin' Green Juice #2:
Apple/Celery/Broccoli Stalks/Kale Stalks/Pineapple/Cucumber/Lime

1 apple
3 celery stalks
2 - 4 broccoli stalks
5 - 6 kale stalks
2 cups of pineapple juice or a cup of fresh pineapple
1/2 cucumber
2 cups of water (if using fresh pineapple)
1 lime

This is exactly the same set-up as the last recipe.   You will just have to replace the pineapple juice with water if you are using fresh pineapple.  Peel fruits.  Cut veggies.  Boom.  Bam.  Done!

See how easy it is?   Kinda wanna try in now huh?   :)

You can vary the ingredients as much as you want.  Sometimes I even mix and match these two recipes.  I usually add lime and ginger to everything.  As you get the hang of this, you will start to know what you like and develop your own version.

A cool thing is that both of these recipes can actually serve as green smoothies as well if you simply add a little more water and blend until smooth.  This is actually how I have been drinking them lately.


Enjoy!

Thank you for reading!  My people, I appreciate you all so much.  Be healthy and happy.  Ciao!