Properly cutting your fruits and vegetables is a key and important step while juicing.

If you skip this process, then your beverage may end up with unwanted rind, pulp and skin. Plus, you can also seriously damage your juicer.

This doesn’t need to be a long and tedious process.

Most produce will only require a couple quick cuts.

Obviously the less powerful your juicer is, the more prep work you’ll need to do.

How to prepare your fruits and vegetables!

• A helpful tip to keep in mind is that if you wouldn’t put it in your mouth that way, then you probably wouldn’t want to put it into your juicer.

• Before juicing any produce, make sure you wash it well, removing any soil and pesticides. If your produce has a wax coating, be sure to wash it extra well.

• You only need to cut your produce up enough for it to feed through the mouth of your juicers chute. Some items may go in whole, others you might simply need to slice down the middle.

• A tip for juicing leaves: roll your leaves up into a bunch and follow it with a fruit or vegetable that has a high volume of juice.

Skin: It’s OK to juice fruits and veggies with their skin on. Often times the skin contains powerful nutrients, so it’s beneficial to juice them.

Seeds: The only seeds that MUST be removed are those of a Pomegranate (both inside and out). All other seeds can be used with your own discretion. Please note that there is some health risks associated with certain produce.

Stems & Tops: The only stem that does your body good, are grape stems. All stems should be removed. The green tops of your produce should also be removed.

Pits: Never put pits into your juicer because they can damage your blade and possibly seize the motor. Common fruits with pits are Cherries, Mangos, Apricots and Peaches.

Rinds: Most juicers can handle juicing your rind, but your beverage will probably taste much better without it. Often times citrus fruits will end up having a tart flavor, so unless your recipe calls for it, keep the rinds out. If you do decide to juice with your rind, then a little extra pressure might be required. Use a slow, gentle twisting pressure to process. Be careful not to use excessive force.

Not recommended for juicing: Some fruits and vegetables simply do not have enough water to be processed in your juicer. Produce like Bananas, Coconuts, and Avocados are better off sitting this one out.

Wheatgrass is a great way to powerpack your morning with energy in anticipation of all your daily superhero activities.  Known as a ‘superfood,’ wheatgrass juice offers amazing nutritional benefits to your diet. Also regarded as a booster for general health and well-being, wheatgrass juice is one easy way to ramp up your game.

Including Wheatgrass Daily

Wheatgrass is a great addition to your nutritional life, O.K. But exactly how does one do that?

Below are the pros and cons of adding fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried wheatgrass to your health regime:

Frozen wheatgrass

Often termed as “fresh-frozen,” this type of wheatgrass is grown on the producer’s farm either in trays or in the ground.  It’s then harvested, juiced, flash-frozen, and delivered to you.

• Convenient Yet Nutritious:  Frozen may be the best way to preserve wheatgrass juice nutrition and enzymes while at the same time not compromising your schedule.
• Easy to Use: Frozen wheatgrass juice comes premeasured in .5 to 1 oz shots.  Simply pull it out of the freezer and let thaw for a minute.  Add to water, juice, or a smoothie.  Always add 3x the amount of water (or juice) to 1oz of wheatgrass juice.  Avoid heating frozen wheatgrass juice on the stove or in the microwave as it will destroy the nutrients.

The downside:

• Expensive: The downside of frozen wheatgrass juice is typically the price tag.  Delivered to your door, the price per ounce can vary from $1.50 to over $2.00.  If you’re drinking a shot a day at $2.00, then you’re looking at an additional $60 a month to add to your budget.

Fresh wheatgrass

The idea of growing wheatgrass may seem daunting, but in the end it may be worth it for you to become a DIY wheatgrass grower.

• Easy to Start: there are easy-to-use Wheatgrass Starter Kits that provide all the basics for growing wheatgrass at home. The time between the sprouting and growth stage, when you can juice the grass, is about 10 days.
• Overall Savings: The price tag including the starter kit and manual mastication juicer is $85 (may not include S&H).  In the end, you save by being able to put what you would normally spend on buying juice away.  Do the math and compare to the cost (both money-wise and nutrition-wise) of both frozen and fresh wheatgrass.
• Immediate Nutrition: Growing your own wheatgrass gives you all the ‘right now’ benefits of wheatgrass juice nutrition.  You can’t get any fresher than clipping it from your own wheatgrass garden, juicing, and drinking.
• Versatile: If you have the space, you can transplant wheatgrass from your trays and plant it into the ground, creating your own home-grown wheatgrass garden.

The downside:

• Time-Consuming: Unless you’re a gardener or enjoy puttering around in the kitchen, growing your own wheatgrass may not be for you. Growing, harvesting, and juicing takes time, energy, and effort.

Freeze-dried wheatgrass

• Nutrition—Hmmmm:  With wheatgrass in freeze-dried (powdered) or pill form,there is a general consensus that the nutrition has been compromised (i.e. fresh is mo’ bettah).  The jury is still out on this one, so anyone drinking or eating freeze-dried wheatgrass juice please weigh in the comments below!
• Convenient: Needless to say, freeze-dried or pill form is absolutely the most convenient way to take wheatgrass.  If you’re traveling or just need to carry it in your purse or pocket, it’s  much easier to be mobile with these forms.
• Middling Price tag: Freeze-dried wheatgrass typically comes in a 1 oz package that has about 56 servings.  At $29.99 per package, you’re saving from the cost of frozen, but still spending more than if you were to grow your own.

Ultimately, home-grown or flash-frozen offers the best and most viable nutrition.  But that’s only if you can decide which option both your wallet and your schedule can handle.

Weigh-in: How do you take your wheatgrass, and why? Tell us in the comments below!

Something horrible happened to me yesterday- there was a great loss. I woke up, ready to juice a magical morning concoction to start my day- a ritual in my home; I set up my Jack Lalanne Power Juicer, prepped my oranges, blueberries and carrots- the perfect morning drink or hangover cure. I placed them in the juicer, powered the machine on- and nothing. My panic level at this point was at a manageable level two- I hurriedly deduced that it was electrical outlet. I plugged it into another outlet- sure that I would hear the lovely hum I had become accustomed to; and, again, nothing. Panic level 4. I took the juicer apart, convinced that I could remedy this problem- I had to; I wouldn’t allow the thought that my juicer was dead creep into my mind. Sadly after thirty minutes, a barrage of expletives and even some tears, I called it- I pronounced my Jack Lalanne Power Juicer dead at 8:45 am. I was late for work having spent my precious morning minutes trying to revive my dead juicer. Epic fail.

I mourned for a full afternoon; and I then decided that I could sit wallow, or find a suitable replacement. Although I am very familiar with the Jack Lalanne family of products, as my deceased juicer was a Power Juicer; I wanted to see what else was out there- a lot has changed since I received my juicer three years ago. And, in my short and relatively brief research into the land of juicers, I have found that there are ever so many options.

Let’s start with Breville; what I like about Breville was they had a variety price ranges  and the designs looked rather sleek- sleek is very important, as counter space is at a premium in my home. However, I could only find models that came in silver and/or chrome colors; and my kitchen isn’t accessorized to match- and yes that matters. And even at the lower end, Breville was still almost $100 more than a Jack Lalanne Power Juicer.

The Lalanne line on the other hand comes in a number of colors and styles- the most sleek being the Power Juicer Express to the mack daddy Power Juicer Pro, which is definitely beastly in size. Instantly the red Power Juicer Express stood out to me- the price ($100) was in line with what I could afford; and due to aforementioned premium for counter space, I liked the sleeker design.

I could also change directions and try another style of juicer. There are another style of juicers known as masticators- which use the process of mastication to chew the fibers of the food and extract juice from them. Currently being featured on 877myjuicer.com is the  Healthy Juicer electric which is a multipurpose unit. Unlike many of the other units I’d had in mind, this unit can be used for juicing wheatgrass as well as fruits and vegetables. And although it is bigger in size, it eliminates the need for a stand alone wheat grass juicers- and in this competitive game of juicers that is huge plus.

There was so much to choose from and so many decisions to make- so many factors that I needed to consider; size over unit features, or whether to go with something familiar or try something new. I was over the hunt, I hadn’t had fresh juice in days; and by this point I really wanted a juicer. I loved my Power Juicer and had it not kicked the bucket I would still be using it, but the competition was starting to make a great case for itself; I ended using the Healing Juicer Electric and boy, does it feel good!

Image credit

I get many calls about how you guys can’t afford a wheatgrass juicer PLUS a juicer to juice your greens.  And I always suggest the Lexen Manual Healthy Juicer.  When I was at Hippocrates visting my brother Michael, we decided to do a test with two popular juicers.  The Healthy Juicer Manual won out every time for amount of juice, ease and clean up.  Check out our experiment on my brother’s website. 

This Lexen juicer is the ultimate for wheatgrass juicing.  Let’s talk about putting it together.  Even I didn’t have to read the directions.  My partner’s 4 year old was putting it together for her and actually doing the juicing.  Because of the ease of putting it together, there’s also the ease of taking it apart.  Not a lot of parts and so easy to clean.  Rinse and dry.  And durable.  Did I say a 4 year old was putting it together?  And with that, it did fall on the floor a few times.  No worries.  This makes it the perfect traveling companion.  So many of us find it hard to stay healthy on the road.  But it is easy to find lettuce and veggies on the road.  The Lexen Manual Healthy Juicer is small, compact, light weight and very easy to take with you. 

Now let’s juice some wheatgrass and greens.  The wheatgrass pulp never has to be put through a second time.  This juicer will get the most amount of juice out of each run through.  Don’t forget to use the pulp for other things.  Greens? I like spinach the best. Kale, collards, chard, are all great too.  If your blender doesn’t whip greens to juice, use the manual juicer for your greens and put your fruit through your blender or your juicer, then mix.  This juicer is affordable, remember?  Quiet too?  Yes.  You can juice in the morning and not wake up the rest of the family.  How many times have you had your daughter complain that the juicer woke her up? Oh….that’s me. 

Simple, easy to use, easy to clean, great juice.  Have I convinced you yet?  Stop spending your money buying expensive prepared juice.  You can juice your own.   Start saving money and start eating and drinking healthier.  This is a great first step juicer to buy.  Take your first step.  This is the beginning of your new life.  This is the day.  

Today I wish you strength on your first step.  And if you’ve already made your first step, then I congratulate you.  Help someone else make their first step.

Donna Bergonzi-Boyle

I’d love to say that my first thought after getting the evacuation notice Monday was, better grab the wheatgrass juicer… but of course I’m not that advanced yet.  And somehow I put more importance on my Dad’s paintings and the photo albums.  Go figure… All kidding aside, it was quite a week down here in southern California and we want to extend our prayers and well wishes to the individuals and families that lost so much during this ordeal.  Obviously in a crisis the safety of our loved ones and the irreplaceable items we treasure take priority but, being suddenly forced of town for a few days gave me the opportunity to keep it healthy when on the road in a pinch.  It’s really not that hard if you have a little time to plan and several key items on hand.

Most would think that juicing on the road is impossible but that’s because so many people think of the big, heavy electric juicer that takes up a ton of space.  There are several light, portable and extremely functional manual juicers available like The Healthy Juicer by Lexen that work well for this type of situation and are so small they will fit nicely in any travel bag along with the rest of your prized possessions.  Because they are masticating juicers, they are perfect for wheatgrass and leafy greens but most are powerful enough to juice apples and carrots and whatever else your heart desires.  So even if wheatgrass is hard to come or you forgot to pack you’re fruits and veggies before you left, you can surely get your hands on something judicable and healthy.

Dried Fruits like figs, prunes, dates and even papaya, mango, apricot, and cranberries are all high in fiber which will keep the digestion rolling and something yummy like banana chips have almost a potato chip-like taste.  If you’re a do it yourself dehydrator you’ll probably already have some of these ready to go.

Raw fruits and vegetables in a cooler are essential not just for juicing but to snack on as you go.  Oranges, bananas, apples, grapes and any other unpeeled fruit will make great munchies as will baby carrots, celery or any sliced veggies.  Make sure you wash everything before you leave home and put anything sliced in a Ziploc or vacuum sealed bag.  It will preserve your snacks a little longer and will make it easier to eat while driving top speed through the inferno.

Food bars, food bars, food bars.  If you’re without them and you’re in need of a snack while gassing up you’ll end up with a half unwrapped Snickers hanging out of your mouth while you drive away… and then the guilt, the shame, the remorse.  It’s just not worth it.  Any health food store will have a plethora available (yeah, I’m thinking of Three Amigos too).  My favorites are made by Organic Food Bar.  There are tons of options, many are vegan and they are all USDA Organic certified.  (And we don’t even sell them so you know I’m not just a pitch man).

So that and several bottles of purified water will get you where you’re going.  Once you’re there lets hope you find a few healthy restaurants or a health food store because this articles long enough already.  Besides, I’ve gotta run…

Be well,

Juicy Josh

www.877myjuicer.com

Recently I’ve been reviewing the basics and here’s some more info that you newbies need to know (and possibly some that have experience will get something out of it to… in other words, no matter who you are, keep reading for God’s sake).  A month or so ago I gave you the lowdown on the three basic categories of juicing and their benefits; Greens, Vegetables and fruits.  In this article, we’ll look at the differences and benefits of the two basic juicer types, Centrifugal and Masticating, and we’ll give a little attention to juicing enthusiast’s preference, the Twin Gear juicers.

Centrifugal Juicers

Centrifugal juicers are the old faithful and they’ve literally been around for decades.  When I was a kid I remember my mom whipping me up a tasty batch of carrot apple juice with an all stainless steel unit identical to the Acme 6001. I always thought it looked like a robot.  Anyway, not much has changed over the years and with good reason.  These juicers are fast, effective and affordable.  Centrifugal juicers work by using a flat cutting blade on the bottom of a rapidly spinning basket. Food is quickly shredded by the cutter and flung out to the sides of the basket. The high centrifugal force passes the juice through tiny holes in the basket and through a spout. In some like the Omega 4000 the pulp is spun off and collected in a separate container. The juice produced by centrifugal juicers is excellent but the extraction process—higher revs and resulting motor heat—incorporates  more oxygen which oxidizes the juice destroying more enzymes and therefore diminishing the health benefits a bit as well as reducing the shelf life.  So drink immediately if possible.  These juicers are great for most fruits and vegetables but because of the nature of the cutting process, centrifugal juicers do not break down leafy green vegetables very well so if you’re looking to juice wheatgrass or other greens, you’re better off with a masticating juicer.  View a Selection Here

Masticating Juicers

Mastication means to “chew”.  So masticating juicers like the Healthy Juicer (which is unbelievably easy to clean) use a slow rotating single auger (or boring tool) to literally crush and chew the produce into juice and pulp.  The pulp is squeezed up against a mesh strainer so the juice is extracted while the pulp remains behind and gets ejected. Masticating juicers are more efficient than centrifugal juicers in that they yield more juice from the same amount of raw food. They also run at much lower RPMs, so the foam and oxidation is much less, therefore producing juice that is more nutritionally dense and has a longer shelf life.

That said the biggest problem with masticating juicers is the speed.  Many people who make the switch, either because they want to begin juicing wheatgrass and leafy greens or they’re just going for a healthier alternative, get a bit impatient with the time involved compared to their old centrifugal model but it’s really a question of commitment to a healthy lifestyle.  My preference is a centrifugal juicer for most stuff and a manual masticating juicer for the green stuff.  View a selection Here

Twin Gear Juicers

Ok, so finally we come to the elite sports car class of juicers, the Twin-Gear or, if you want to sound hoity toity, “Triturating” juicers.  I guess the sports car metaphor doesn’t really work because although these guys will produce the highest yield and most nutritional juice, they’re no faster than single auger juicers.  Anyway, Twin-Gear juicing is also a masticating process but instead of a single auger they ­­­­­­­­­­­­use two stainless steel gears with very close separation that turn in towards each other crushing the produce between them.   The juice is then passed through a screen and the pulp is ejected similar to the masticating juicers.  Twin-Gear juicers like the Greenstar 2000 have an incredibly powerful motor so you can literally juice anything.  At the same time they have the lowest RPM and therefore the most nutritious juice with the least oxidation.  They tend to be more expensive but you’re paying for quality.  View a selection Here

Happy juicing!

Be well,

Juicy Josh