Start your morning with a “one a day” juice concoction sure to get your cells a-humming. Filled with uber-nutritious greens, both of these juices offer a yummy way to feel clean and think clear all day.

The power in both of these juices is the no-holds barred essence of nutrition in the ingredients, like organic spinach, celery, carrots, cucumbers, and parsley.

Spinach offers an exceptionally well-rounded approach to vitamins and minerals to get your daily values. Click here to learn more about the nutritional benefits of spinach.

Celery is the King of Vitamin K with over 44% of your daily value. Vitamin K is a powerful bone-builder, supports the cardiovascular system, and smooths the way for a healthy nervous system. Celery, unassuming as it is, does more than you think. Click here to find out more.

Carrots, of course, are a staple in any juicer’s pantry. Carrots offer the power of orange, a.k.a beta-carotene. Click here to read what else the carrot offers.

Cucumbers add support to the health and luminosity of your skin. Adding celery to your juices soothes skin irritation and reduces swelling. Click here to learn more about cucumbers.

The inclusion of parsley in both of these recipes adds a gentle detoxifying effect. In addition to supporting the liver, this vibrant herb does a whole bunch of other good things to your body. Read more about parsley here!

Vibrant Veggies

This juice gives a wake-up call to your digestive system, getting it “on-line” for the day, gently. Because of its dense nutrients, dilute the juice concentrate with water. A 50/50 split of juice and filtered water does the trick. Choose organic veggies for the best taste and absorption.

• 1 medium cucumber
• 4 stalks of celery
• 2-3 handfuls of spinach
• 8 green or red leafy lettuce leaves
• 1 handful of flat-leaf or curly parsley
• ½ – 1 lemon
• Options: add arugula, kale, alfalfa sprouts, or micro-greens.

Juice all the greens together and add lemon to your taste.  Lemon will enhance the alkalinity of the juice. Remember to mix the juice with filtered water at a 1 to 1 ratio.

Detox Your Day

This juice is sweeter and not as green-tasting, but is still chock full of nutrition. This is a light and delightfully gentle daily detox.

• 3-5 carrots
• 1-2 handfuls of spinach
• 1 handful of flat-leaf or curly parsley
• 3 stalks of celery

Juice the ingredients in order. Dilute with water as desired or drink straight up.

Trail Runner’s ‘Tea’

• 2-3 oranges
• 1-2 hard pears
• 1 small sweet potato/yam
• Crushed ice

Recently I became a trail runner. It’s a bit of a surprise because running was never something I ever considered part of my work out. I’ve been an avid hiker for years, and then one day on the trail, I just broke into a run and kept on going.

Running a trail requires more energy, power, and focus than simply hiking it. It takes a ton of knowledge about everything from how to place my next step on the trail to not only stay upright but also to remain in good alignment, to feeding my body before and after this fun work out.

The Trail Runner’s Tea is designed specifically for energetic boost for the run and for the health-promoting qualities of the individual ingredients.

In particular, the orange offers specific protection for our cardiovascular systems – keeping our heart pumping and in good working order keeps us healthy, fit, and strong.

Specific Health Benefits of the Orange

A report released in December 2003 by the Australian research group, CSIRO, reported that a diet high in citrus fruits, with a special attention to oranges, keeps our cardio system in the clean.

The nutrients in oranges such as folate and potassium lowers the risk for cancers and other anomalies as well as lowering blood pressure. Citrus fruits protect against stroke and cardiac arrhythmias. And of course, the ever present Vitamin C that appears in citrus provides antioxidant protection of the first order.

A U.S. study showed that adding one orange a day reduced the risk of stroke by up to 19%. The consumption of oranges also assists in the relief of arthritis, diabetes, gallstones, and cognitive impairment.

The orange has over 170 phytonutrients – creating a combination package of health promoting power. It also has over 60 flavonoids, which add anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor power. The combination is hard to beat with it comes to nutrition.

Oranges are attributed to healthier lung function. That’s something we all need when out trail running (or “insert cardio activity here”)!

Respiratory health is vital for any active individual. Oranges are rich in beta-cryptoxanthin, a carotenoid of orange-red color. Fruits and vegetables of this color (including pumpkin, papaya, red bell peppers, tangerines, and peaches) offer specific lung protection.

Oranges help protect against free-radicals that may adversely affect your breathing power to help keep you running free and breath easy.

To read more about the power of the orange, check out that article. Here’s an article on the nutritional benefits of pears, and for those who already miss Thanksgiving, here’s an article all about sweet potatoes.

The holidays have arrived, and honestly, I couldn’t be happier! This is the time of year for cheer, but it’s also the time of year when our liver – the organ tasked with detoxifying our entire body – gets kicked into overdrive.

Eggnog, toddys, chocolates, and indulgent meals all force the liver to work harder to process everything going in, under the conditions of very little sleep and too much stress no less.

This contributes to a feeling of sluggishness which is characterized as the Christmas blah’s. But this is the time of cheer after all – so do yourself a favor, and help bring back the cheer to your liver with these purifying strategies!

Morning Glory

Starting every morning in December with a simple tonic of hot water and fresh squeezed lemon juice helps deliver antioxidants, such as vitamin C, to our livers, which help boost its ability to work properly.

Power Packed Protein

By boosting a smoothie with the addition of nuts or chia seeds, you’re supplementing the liver with amino acids that are crucial for it to be able to remove toxins immediately. Aiming for high-quality protein, about 60 g per day is important, so stay away from saturated animal fats, as they will only serve to stress the liver more.

Fiber Is Your Friend

Getting a steady supply of cruciferous vegetables, like Brussels sprouts, broccoli and dark leafy greens, and eliminating wheat and swapping it for healthier alternatives like millet or brown rice, helps to reduce allergic reactions, thereby allowing the liver to work more effectively. Having a steady supply of fiber keeps the gut strong, and the gut is the core of immunity in the body.

Taking in enough fiber through smoothies ensures regular bowel movements, which remove toxins collected in the liver.

B Vitamins

Nuts, like almonds and pecans, and legumes like lentils, are brimming with B vitamins. Finish off smoothies, brown rice and cereal with a tablespoon of wheat germ to boost B vitamin and fiber intake. Thiamine, an essential B vitamin, may also improve the body’s ability to withstand holiday induced stress, which takes a toll on the system.

Extreme Green

A daily green juice or smoothie will help detoxify the liver and supercharge your system with antioxidants that repair cell damage. Vegetables like kale and Swiss chard turn the liver on, so it can begin flushing toxins out of the body.

The holidays are one of the best times of the year; full of parties, togetherness and a carefree approach to health. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. Stave off holiday sluggishness by boosting your liver function with these easy to adapt holiday health tips!

Oranges are like having instant access to the sun. Not only is their bright orange color and ball-shape reminiscent of our life-giving star, but they also burst onto the taste bud scene with light, crisp brightness – much like the sun does in the morning!

As the seasons turn and our bodies adjust, keeping ourselves healthy is the number one priority. No one likes a cold and no one wants the change-of-season-sniffles to keep them from enjoying autumn and winter beauty.

Luckily, we have oranges. Prime season for this sunny fruit is from winter to spring. Obviously, oranges are Mother Nature’s way to bring us sunshine all year round. Conveniently packaged for portability, an orange is a bright way to liven up your day in the colder months.

Nutritional and health benefits of oranges

Check out the Immune Boosting and Cancer Preventing Benefits of one of the most popular fruits in the world:

Oranges deliver the sunshine as Vitamin C. One orange contains over 116% of the daily value required for our bodies. Of course, large doses of Vitamin C are known to be beneficial over the short and long-term. If you’re feeling peaked, power-packing some Vitamin C can give you a grand pick-me-up and even help prevent seasonal colds. Vitamin C may also be helpful in preventing ear infections, especially if you’re prone to them.

Vitamin C’s antioxidant power is well documented. Eating an orange or fresh juicing one is the first stop in cell protection against free radicals. An orange a day will keep damage to DNA (and the resulting cancer) away. For cells that turn rapidly, such as our digestive tract, it is thought that regular consumption of Vitamin C is especially helpful in the prevention of cancer.

Citrus seems to offer the most protection against digestive tract cancers, including those of the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, and colon. Orange juice (and other citrus like grapefruit juice) has been shown to reduce the risk of kidney stones. And citrus, especially orange juice, may reduce the risk of stomach ulcers.

Drinking orange juice is good for you – all the way through.

History of this delightful little sun fruit

Oranges are Asian in origin – from an area in South China and Indonesia, in fact. They spread to the Middle East in the 9^th century and onto Europe in the 15^th century through trade routes.

Oranges came to the Americas via Columbus in the 15^th century. First, he brought them to the Caribbean, and then Spanish explorers were responsible for bringing oranges to The Sunshine State of Florida in the 16^th century.

Oranges weren’t commonplace prior to the 20^th century due to the expense of production and transportation. As a result, they weren’t widely consumed by the masses. A person might be given an orange once a year during the holidays, for example. It was a staple of my childhood to have an orange in the toe of my stocking each year.

Tidbits about oranges

Oranges come in two varieties (more like tastes): sweet and bitter. Most common for eating are the sweet orange including Valencia, Navel, and Jaffa, and the lovely blood orange. Bitter oranges are typically used for jams and jellies. The zest of bitter oranges are used as liqueur flavorings like those found in Gran Marnier.

Selection of oranges

Choose organic, as non-organic oranges may have been injected with a Citrus Red Number 2 dye. Organic oranges, as a result, typically aren’t as “orange-y” in color. Oranges that are partially green or have a brown russeting are fine to choose.

Steer clear of oranges that have soft spots or any mold. Their appearance should be smooth textured skin that is firm. The orange should feel heavy for its size, which means they’ll be juicier.

Another reason to choose organic is that oranges are in the list of top 20 foods where pesticide residues lurk.

Bodacious Booster Shot

• 2 oranges, peeled
• 1 lemon, peeled
• 1″ or 2” piece of ginger

Juice everything together and supply your immune system with a jet pack. The immune booster will keep you healthy and strong when you’re feeling a bit run down or that scratchy throat.  And remember to relax and take it easy too!

I hope you had a chance to partake in some of the passion offered up by Libidinous Liquids: Smoothing Up Your Sex Life, Part I. And if you had some success and some fun, here are a few other whole foods to add to your “A Game”!

More Foods for a Healthy Sex Life

Chiles: due to their potent capsaicin content, chiles, have a knack for heating things up in the bedroom, too. Capsaicin is what gives the heat and spice to peppers. Eating spicy foods triggers the release of endorphins in our brain.

Chiles, therefore, is a Dr. Feelgood for your brain and your body.  Through the stimulation of our nerve endings and heart rate, chiles move our blood to important sexy areas.

By the way, if you’re preparing chiles as an aphrodisiac, wear gloves! The spice of chiles and tender flesh does not go hand-in-hand.

Fennel: This bulb’s libido-enhancing effects are mostly experienced by women. Fennel is rich in phytoestrogens, which is a naturally occurring estrogen-like substance found in plants. For more information on fennel and how it contributes to sexual health and longevity, click here.

Figs: They have uber amounts of amino acids which are known to increase sexual stamina through the quick delivery of nitric oxide through the body. Figs are also considered an aphrodisiac because they heighten our sexual interest through simply their appearance, smell, and flavor.

Garlic: While it may seem like an odd inclusion, garlic is a sexual powerhouse. Garlic has a lot of zinc, which is considered to be a libido boost. Garlic also has and action ingredient called allicin. Allicin can improve blood flow to the sexual organs of both men and women. The allicin is only activated once the garlic is chopped or crushed. Click here to learn more about the clove, its proper preparation, and its many benefits.

Ginger: This eclectic little root stimulates circulation and increases blood flow to vital sexual organs. It has been used for centuries to help both genders get back into the sexual groove. It improves libido all around, and it also can halt premature ejaculation. Ginger root is mentioned in both the Kama Sutra and the Koran as a stimulant for sexual health.

Papaya: This fruit is an estrogenic; in other words, it contains compounds that act like estrogen. Papaya is thought to increase libido and drive in women.

Pomegranate: It’s known by many around the world as the “love apple” for it’s aphrodisiac properties that arouse sexual desire. Pomegranates help the body to produce nitric oxide, which opens ups blood vessels.

Ultimately, this increases the flow of blood into and around sexual organs and enhances the libido. It seems as if drinking pomegranate juice is more effective than eating the seeds of the fruit, but sharing a pomegranate with your partner is pretty sexy!

Pumpkin Seeds: And what great timing, too! Pumpkin seeds contain a large amount of zinc which assists in the production of testosterone and sustains sexual interest in women. Pumpkin seeds also carry essential omega 3’s which helps to produce prostaglandus – an enzyme that feeds sexual health. Pumpkin seeds can enhance potency, drive, and fertility.

Pomegranate Ginger Punch

• fresh pomegranate juice
• 1-2 one inch slices of fresh ginger root
• dash of cinnamon
• fresh-pressed apple cider or juice
• splash of fresh orange juice
• water to dilute as needed

This is a strong punch, so play around with the recipe until it suits your taste. Make a little or a lot!

Add a few or all of these foods to your diet. Claim or reclaim your sexual health, stamina, and drive. And remember to always play safe!

Have you had your daily intake of sodium hexametaphosphate today? No? How about your acesulfame potassium and neotame? Oh, you’re dropping the ball, babe.

And while those sound like the chemically-engineered atomic compounds that fuse together inside a nuclear reactor to produce wattage, they were at one point scientifically developed in laboratories – owned by Proctor & Gamble and the Coca Cola Company, that is.

Yes, there are examples of just one of the many “ingredients” found in popular, artificially-flavored fruit drinks produced by the two global conglomerates. More specifically, they’re found in childhood favorites Sunny D and MinuteMaid.

But is it really “juice”? We’ve put together a split comparison of some ingredients found in juice vs. artificially manufactured juice-flavored drinks – you decide!

A Bittersweet Breakup

I used to affectionately drink Sunny D and MinuteMaid, and although I haven’t picked either up since I was probably 16 years old, I’m sure it tastes just the same. It’s not like I chose it or anything – it’s just what you drink when you’re a kid.

I grew up and still live in beautiful Palm Beach County, Florida, near the intracoastal no less. Summer tot league baseball games and Sunny D epitomizes what growing up meant to me.

But these days, and for many, many more years going forward, I’m an adult that will need nutritious food and drink. I’ve also got a kick-ass juicer!

MinuteMaid is much healthier in comparison to Sunny D, evidenced by just a quick glance at each drink’s nutritional facts label. There’s much less sodium and sugar in any MinuteMaid-brand drink. But still, it has just as many sketchy ingredients.

Many would argue that it’s a matter of convenience when justifying the purchase and consumption of either of these drinks. That’s totally valid and understandable. It takes more time and money to purchase a juicer, fruits, and veggies, prepare the drinks, and clean the equipment versus just buying a 6-pack.

But maybe there are other benefits for the argument of fresh juice versus manufactured drinks we might be overlooking:

Packaging: think of all that plastic. Sunny D comes in plastic bottles, wrapped in a plastic label, arranged in a package that’s also wrapped in plastic. MinuteMaid comes in aluminum cans with a plastic holder, sitting on a cardboard palate. Or they come in the same cans, packaged inside a cardboard box.

Purchase just one 6-pack of each once a month for a year (an underestimate for the typical household, I’m sure!), and you’ve got a lot of garbage to deal with. Hopefully, most of us are recycling!

Nutrients: the health benefits and nutrients in fresh juice are virtually endless. From mind to body to spirit, fresh juice is inimitable and quenches like no other.

Expense: in the long-run, the overall benefits certainly outweigh the increased costs. Spread the cost of the juicer and the fruits out over 5 years (see example below), and compare that to an average estimate of around 4.99 per 6-pack of your favorite brand of manufactured juice.

*Pictures reproduced without permission, copyright Coca-Cola Company and Proctor & Gamble (please don’t sue us!)

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Another post about beets? Yes! Another post about beets.

I said I loved them, and I meant it. However, I hardly knew that I was rolling in a circle of beet lovers when I wrote my first few articles on the little red root. Here I was waxing poetic about my love of beets, thinking that I was evangelizing this violet bauble, only to realize I had all along been preaching to the already converted!

After a rather indulgent evening, a friend in my building invited me over for coffee on his patio. After recapping my day, he looks at me and says “Well then, you could probably use some rejuvenation!” It was either my party-worn face or my captivating storytelling that could solicit such a statement – secretly, I’m hoping it was the latter.

A late night smoothie to end all…late night smoothies?

He proceeded to toss frozen beets, blueberries, orange juice and Greek yogurt in his blender and mix me up the perfect cup of “rejuvenation”. And perfect it was, in every way. It was sweet, but with the earthiness that beets naturally provide. But this smoothie isn’t solely for those with a serious love of beets or a killer hangover.

Because this smoothie combo is so antioxidant-rich, it’s great any time of day. Blueberries have the highest antioxidant capacity of all fresh fruit. Just half a cup of this wonder fruit a day can help reduce the amount of free radical damage inflicted on our bodies.

And when blueberries are partnered with beets, which contain a high quantity of iron, they serve to cleanse and fortify our blood. It has been said that the cooking process can reduce the nutrient level of beets, so blending raw beets into a smoothie retains all the goodness they are renowned for, on this blog and beyond.

So whether you are nursing a cold, a hangover, or you’re just plain peckish, this beet-blueberry smoothie is just what the doctor ordered!

Beet-Blueberry Smoothie

• ½ red beet
• ½ cup frozen blueberries
• 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
• 1 cup fresh orange juice
• ¼ cup cold water

In a blender, combine all ingredients until smooth. Drink!

Don’t forget to try Bianca’s other beet-infused juice – The Beet Zinger!

Zucchini is one of the most popular varieties of squash. It’s also quite versatile.  From sautéing and steaming, to baking to juicing, zucchini adds a delicate flavor to any dish.

One of my favorite parts of late summer and early fall was my mom’s zucchini bread. Coming home after school, you would see me chowing down with a hunk of her zucchini bread fresh from the oven with melting butter. Yum!

I’ve altered her recipe a bit for more healthy eating (Mom didn’t know of spelt flour or alternative sweeteners), but the feeling is the same.

Enjoy!

Zucchiini Orange Loaf

• 4 eggs or egg substitute
• 1 ¾ cups honey or agave nectar
• ¾ cup applesauce* or canola oil
• 2/3 cup fresh orange juice
• 2 cups zucchini pulp
• 3 ¼ cups spelt, quinoa, or whole grain flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp cloves
• 2 tsp grated orange peel**
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans

*applesauce is a great way to lower the calories and fat of traditional bread and muffin recipes calling for oil. Choose an unsweetened or low sweetened apple sauce (or better yet, make your own!).

**use fresh orange peel from the oranges you’re using to juice! Use eith
Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large bowl, beat the eggs.  Add honey, orange juice, applesauce (or oil), and the zucchini pulp, and continue to beat until well-blended. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix. Bake 45-55 minutes in a non-stick (slightly greased) loaf pan.er organic oranges or wash the rind well. Create orange peel by using a rinder, a veggie peeler, or a grater.

Nutritional Benefits

Get some Antioxidant Super Powers! Zucchini provides 20% of your daily value of manganese and 17% of your daily value of Vitamin C.  Manganese feeds your mitochondria, which are your cellular energy centers. And Vitamin C brings all around health goodness.

Zucchini also contains beta-carotene and zinc. Alongside are some less common antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxantin, both of which are known to support strong, healthy eyes and prevent macular degeneration.

Zucchini provides a vast array of B-vitamins including folate, B1, B2, B3, B6, and choline. This spectrum of B vitamins provides support to blood sugar metabolism. The aforementioned manganese and zinc also add a boost. Extra support arrives with magnesium (10% of the daily value), and omega 3s (8% of the daily value).

Zucchini is a good source of fiber and of pectin, which helps maintain sugar balances and prevent type 2 diabetes.

Squash seeds have anti-microbial properties. This feature is great for digestive tract health and wellness. Squash seeds have a long history of being used against intestinal tapeworms and parasites.

About Zucchini

Zucchini (and squash in general) has a long and distinguished history. Scientists have found squash seeds in Mexico caves that have been preserved for over 10,000 years. Cultivation of this summer/late summer veggie began in Mexico and Central America and spread rapidly throughout the Western hemisphere.

For many Native American tribes, squash was considered to be a staple.  Along with corn (maize) and beans, the trio was called the “Three Sisters.”

Christopher Columbus brought squash to Spain, while other explorers of Portuguese and Spanish descent introduced the vegetable around the world.

Today, zucchini is cultivated worldwide. Top squash-growing states are California, Georgia, New York, and Florida, though Mexico tops the bill of squash production and exportation as 95% of all U.S. imported squash is of Mexican origin.

Selection and Storage

Look for zucchini that feel heavy for their size. Choose ones with dark green skins that are not overly hard. Note that the skin may naturally be striped or speckled.  Choose skins that are unblemished as zucchini are tender. Medium-size zucchini have the best consistency and flavor.  If growing your own zucchini, you can eat the squash blossoms.

Store the zucchini in the refrigerator.  Keep it unwashed and in a container with a lid. The squash will last for up to 7 days.

With each new season, enjoying a colon cleanse is a great way to maintain good health.

Cleansing the colon is a fantastic way to purge toxins from the body.  The cleansing also provides us with increased energy, a boosted immune system, and keeps us going strong as the weather changes.

The big three of colon cleansing fruits and veggies are carrots, apples, and cucumbers.  Add a lemon for a liver tonic and you’re in cleansing and health business.

All Season Colon Cleanser

• 1 red apple
• 1 medium size carrot
• ½ medium size cucumber
• 1 stalk of celery
• 1 8oz glass of cold purified water
• 1 tbs of honey or agave or 1 tbs apple cider vinegar
• Juice from one lemon

Juice the apple, carrot, celery, cucumber and lemon in the juicer. Slurry them together with the cold water.  Add honey or agave to taste.  Drink immediately, and preferably, do it first thing in the morning.  Or alternatively, dice the veggies and fruits and mix this all up in your blender.

Veggie and Fruit Cleansing Benefits

Apple: The apple’s skin contains pectin which assists in the removal of toxin.  Pectin also prohibits the protein matter in your G.I. tract from putrefying.  Apples also help regulate blood sugar levels.

Carrot: Ease inflammation of the colon. Carrots contain beta-carotene, a great nutrient for the eyes.

Cucumber: Contains an enzyme called erepsin which digests protein. Cucumbers have a high water content which soothes and eases the digestive tract and colon.

Celery: Flushes the kidneys, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.

Lemon: A natural antiseptic, the acidity of lemon juice destroys harmful bacteria

Apple Cider Vinegar: Prevents the formation of kidney and gall bladder stones.

Honey: Anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. Boosts the immune system and provides increased energy.

How Much to Drink

The beauty about this colon cleanse is how simple and direct it is.  This juice recipe can be taken daily if you want a deep cleanse or once a week to maintain good health.  Add this cocktail of health to your daily regime and feel the benefits:

• Clearer skin and a natural, healthy glow
• Bright eyes with stronger eyesight
• Easier and smoother digestion
• Regular and productive bowel movements
• Increased energy levels
• Eases frequency of headaches for headache sufferers
• Reduction in allergy attacks

Juicing is for more than ‘just’ fresh juice in the morning. Fresh juice is a versatile and great way to get focused nutrients throughout the day.

A healthy diet includes raw greens such as those found in salads, like arugula, butter lettuce, mesclun, oak leaf, romaine and radicchio.  Add some additional raw veggies such as squash, carrots, beets, celery, and jicama, and you’ll have a powered-up fiber fiesta filled with vitamin and mineral power.

But every salad needs a little something to top it off.  With these recipes, you can make your own raw juice-based dressings to add a splash of excitement for a yummy twist.  Try them over the following salad ideas:

The Classic Raspberry Vinaigrette

• ½ cup raspberry juice (1 cup or so fresh fruit, juiced)
• 1 tbs. raspberry pulp
• 1 tbs. white vinegar

Toss escarole, endive, and radicchio.  Add julienned carrots, beets, and jicama.  Drizzle with raspberry vinaigrette and sprinkle with almond slivers.

Orange Vinaigrette

• 1 cup orange juice (2-3 large oranges, peeled)
• ¼ cup orange pulp
• 1 tbs. white vinegar

Drizzle the vinaigrette over a mesclun mix. Add orange slices and sprinkle with chopped walnuts.  Add some feta cheese.

Pineapple Mango Vinaigrette

• 1/4 cup pineapple juice (a few pineapple spears, rind removed)
• 1/4 cup mango juice (1 mango, peeled)
• 1 tbs. mango pulp
• 1 tbs. pineapple pulp
• 1 tbs. white vinegar

Use a base of mesclun mix and add cubed pineapple, sliced mangoes, and copped cashews.  Drizzle with the vinaigrette.

Strawberry Balsamic

• 1 cup strawberry juice
• 1 tbs. strawberry pulp
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

Marinate whole strawberries in the vinegar, then juice 3/4 of the strawberries.  Combine the romaine, endive, and radicchio.  Add sliced marinated strawberries, pecans, and feta cheese., and drizzle with the strawberry vinaigrette.

Make these dressings perfect

Choose the ripest fruit for these recipes to get the most juice and the most nutrients. Be sure to store any unused fruit in a covered container to use within 2-3 days.

Put the vinaigrette in a clear glass bottle and store in the fridge.  The vinaigrette will keep for up to 3 days.