This article is mainly about 3 of my magic potions!!! These 3 juices are a great way to cleanse the body and aid maximum nutrient absorption from the foods we consume. They work wonders for the body and work like magic.
Since there is already a lot of information available online on how ‘juicing’ works, I’m going to make this article really concise so that it basically summarizes why juicing is a great option and which foods go in your blender as essential ingredients!
WHY JUICE THE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES?
Juicing is a faster and more efficient way to absorb immunity boosting nutrients, which are naturally found in fruits and vegetables!
Here’s why:
-It takes at least half kilogram of fruits and vegetables to make a glass of juice; so juicing them up is a more efficient way to consume a good large quantity of them at one time.
-It is an infusion of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that go straight into your system without having to be broken down by the stomach; hence they give a natural energy boost. Also, since the juice is already in an easily digestible form, it can help revitalize your energy levels almost instantly when consumed.
-For those of us who do not traditionally consume a lot of fruits and vegetables in our daily diets, juicing is the best and easiest option to do so. It helps to incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables and even those vegetables that we don’t like consuming in the cooked form –e.g. Bitter gourd.
-Calories get added in while cooking or sautéing of vegetables (like oil, sauces etc.) and the nutrients also get washed away too due to the heat. This does not happen when it comes to juices. All nutrients are retained since it’s in the raw form itself. Hence it’s a low calorie, nutrient loaded option.
– They have no cholesterol and are almost fat free.
– It’s a powerhouse of micronutrients– in their blended forms, the nutrients contained in fruits and vegetables get into our blood stream faster. It also helps the body access those digestive enzymes that are typically locked away in the fiber matrix of whole fruits and vegetables.
INGREDIENTS TO MY 3 MAGIC POTIONS!
Firstly, there are three ingredients that I put into all my juices, to add a little taste and flavor to them – a pinch of rock salt (kalanamak), a few drops of lemon and a dash of cumin powder (jeera powder).
If you have a tendency to feel a little bloated or gassy after consuming raw foods, make sure you add GINGER to all your juices.
Sometimes when I want to make my juice a little extra delicious I put a little ‘chaas masala’ into it too. You get ready made ‘chaas masalas’ in the market or you can make one at home with these ingredients- rock salt, common salt, mango kachri, black salt, black pepper, dry ginger, fennel, clove.
(Make sure that you do not add chaas masala to your juices everyday due to the high sodium content, just use once in a while.)
Secondly I would like to mention that the blender that I use is called Nutri-blend by wonderchef, because I find it very user friendly. You could use any other one too.
METHOD FOR ALL JUICES PREPARATION– cut all the ingredients and add them to the blender, add some water and adjust consistency, consume fresh.
BASIC RULE– Consume all juices fresh, within 2-3 minutes of preparation. Juices are best consumed on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning. Try not to strain the juices and consume them with the fiber for maximum benefits. To all juices, add GINGER if necessary – since it aids digestion and prevents gas. The most important thing to take care of is that all vegetables are nicely washed.
JUICE 1- DETOX SHOT
INGREDIENTS- AMLA + NEEM LEAVES + KARELA BITTER GOURD)– CONSUME AS A SHOT (you can add aloe vera too)
Karela (bitter gourd) – Protects good bacteria of the stomach by eradicating toxic substances that kill it. Excellent for digestive system, cures stomach and gastrointestinal diseases (by killing parasitic-worms inside body).
Best remedy for diabetes as it controls sugar levels. It has anti-cancer properties and also helps control blood pressure.
Neem– Major medicinal properties.Combats Gastrointestinal problems. Contains anti bacterial properties too.
Amla– An excellent source of Vitamin C, hence it helps boost your immunity, metabolism and prevents viral and bacterial ailments, including cold and cough.
Aloe vera– Best for hair, skin and weight loss.
BEST TIME TO CONSUME– First thing in the morning, on an empty stomach.
JUICE 2 – GREEN JUICE
INGREDIENTS- CUMCUMBER+ LEMON+ GINGER+ PALAK+ DUDHI+ PUDINA+ DHANIYA
BENEFITS OF GREEN JUICE–
Iron loaded juice. Spinach is rich in vitamin K. Ginger aids digestion and prevents gas. Lemon is rich in Vitamin C that absorbs Iron the best.
Basically it’s a juice that is power-packed with nutrition. Green vegetables transform sunshine into food, as we all know. Hence they also produce chlorophyll, which oxygenates the body. This enables us to release stored toxins in the body. Hemoglobin gets elevated, improving the blood circulation as a result and gives a boost of energy to your body. Also cleanses digestive system, lungs and liver and causes weight loss too.
BEST TIME TO CONSUME– breakfast time.
JUICE 3 – THE ANTI OXIDANT JUICE
INGREDIENTS – CARROT+ APPLE + BEETROOT (HALF) + GINGER+ LEMON+ TOMATO+ POMEGRANATE+ DUDHI (BOTTLE GOURD).
BENEFITS OF THE ANTI OXIDANT JUICE–
Firstly as the name suggests, it’s rich in anti oxidants. Anti oxidants reduce damage caused by free radicals in our body. This juice is excellent for the health of hair, skin, nails and the entire immune system. Potassium, magnesium and sodium are found in red produce-particularly beets. Electrolytes are key for hydration and regulation of healthy blood pressure. Lycopene found in tomatoes has anti-cancer properties. Carrots contain vitamin A in the form of beta carotene. Vitamin A is one of the most crucial nutrients necessary for protecting eye health. Dudhi/Lauki/Bottle Gourds contain 96% of water and havedietaryfiber, vitamin B, C, potassium and iron in very high quantity. Apples and pomegranates also provide fiber and anti oxidants.
BEST TIME TO CONSUME– post workout.
Do try and include these juices in your daily diets! Trust me, they work like magic!