3 Reasons To Make THIS The Summer You Start Juicing (& You Don't Need A Juicer!)

Juicing has become one of the most popular health food trends today.

It’s a good way to make sure you get enough fruits and vegetables, and tastes great, too!

Who would pass up something so healthy AND delicious?

And get this — you don't even have to have a juicer to make your own juice! Sure, a juicer makes it easier, but read below for a great way to make juice with a blender. 

So why juice?

1. More nutrients.

When you juice fruits and vegetables, the pulp is removed, which means your body doesn't have to digest them — they go straight from your stomach into your bloodstream!

This lets you absorb the vitamins and minerals a lot better, instead of wasting so many vital nutrients. It all amounts to a lot more “bang for your veggie!”

2. More efficiency.

It’s easy for some people to get plenty of fruits and veggies; for others, not so much.

With juicing, you never have to worry about getting enough!

In one glass, you can fit as much as six carrots, a bag of spinach, and three apples!

Take just a few minutes to drink it, and you have at least half of your recommended daily intake handled!

3. More variety.

We all know we’re supposed to eat a “rainbow” of fruits and vegetables each day.

But, there are some veggies, or even fruits, that are so good for us but can also be very unappealing. Like beets. Or mustard greens.

But if you juice them with a whole bunch of tasty ones, you won’t even be able to tell they’re there!

Basically, there’s no reason not to start juicing.

You’re sure to feel the effects, whether it’s clear and soft skin, or being able to finally sail through your spin class! Not to mention the fact that good nutrition can help us be our happiest selves.

Right now you might be saying, “But I have an endless to-do list! How will I ever have time to juice?”

Well, guess what? If you have 10 minutes, you have plenty of time!

Here's how to juice:

1. Wash your produce.

Thoroughly wash everything to make sure there’s no pesticide residue or bird poop left.

2. Cut it up.

Slice the fruits and veggies into small enough pieces to fit in the juicer. Remove any stems, pits, or bruised parts.

3. Push it through.

Place enough produce in the juicer tube to fill it almost to the top.

Using the food pusher, gently press the produce down the tube and through the blades at the bottom.

If you don't have a juicer, use your blender and a mesh strainer (which can be purchased inexpensively at a kitchen supply store or even Target). 

Follow the steps above, but blend your ingredients together. Add up to a half cup of water, coconut water, or a bottled juice, if you need to. 

Pour your mixture into the mesh strainer, with your glass below to collect the juice, and press the blended fruit through the strainer with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to get all of it out.

You can even save the leftover fibrous material and mix a little into muffins or banana bread for added nutrition and health!

4. Disassemble and rinse.

Once the juice has finished draining out of the spout, pour the juice into a glass.

Disassemble the juicer and rinse off the parts. Set them out to dry, or put them in the dishwasher if you prefer.

Easy peasy — super yummy juice in less than ten minutes!

Summer is almost upon us, so here’s a fantastic green juice recipe to get you ready for those lazy hazy days!

The sweetness of the cucumber balances out the “leafy” flavor of the spinach, and the lime and mint give it an extra summery kick.

Spinach Limeade

Ingredients:

• 4 cups spinach (vitamins galore, iron, micronutrients)

• 4 stalks of celery (electrolytes, cleansing, diuretic)

• 2 cucumbers (soothing to digestive system, micronutrients, cooling)

• 1 small bunch of mint (trace minerals, and botanical medicine)

• 1 lime, sliced (liver cleanser, alkalizer)

Instructions:

Wash everything.

Run all except the lime through the juicer.

Squeeze a lime slice or two directly into your glass.

Take a sip, and picture yourself taking a stroll on the beach!

Yields about 12 oz.

You can find tons of delicious juice recipes for your chakras as well as mouthwatering smoothies, sorbets, and salads in The Chakras and Crystals Cookbook: Juices, Sorbets, Smoothies, Salads, and Crystal Infusions to Empower Your Energy Centers by Amy Leigh Mercree. Amy is also the bestselling author of the book  "Joyful Living: 101 Ways to Transform Your Spirit and Revitalize Your Life" and  "The Compassion Revolution: 30 Days of Living from the Heart", which comes out July 8th, 2017. Check out AmyLeighMercree.com for articles, picture quotes and quizzes.