Coloured juices for invigorating and remineralising

Beetroot juice

Beetroot is a wonder food, rich in fibers, containing minerals and vitamins essential for the body. Beetroot decreases the level of cholesterol and blood pressure, improves blood circulation, protects the liver, detoxifies and energizes. It has anticancer properties, facilitates digestion and stimulates red blood cell production. In order to obtain a delicious juice, both nutritious and healthy, beetroot can be mixed with carrot, apple or celery. Such a juice will improve metabolism and remineralize the whole body. Cures with beetroot juice are taken on a doctor’s prescription.

Carrot juice

The benefits of carrots are well-known: they protect and preserve eye health, increase vitality, help increase the number of red blood cells, are rich in Beta Carotene (an important antioxidant), delay aging and protect the central nervous system. Probably less known are their benefic actions in treating cancer and ulcer. The best carrots are those of medium size, healthy, hard and intense in color. Wash them carefully with a brush and do not peel them. Carrot juice can be drunk as such or combined with other natural juices: apple juice, beetroot juice. It should be drunk immediately or in a few hours after preparation (it must be kept in the freezer). You may drink it on an empty stomach and 50 to 60 ml is the ideal daily ration.

Tomato juice

Being very rich in vitamins and having antioxidant properties, tomato juice prevents the formation of cancerous cells due to an antioxidant it contains – Lycopene. It prevents pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, it helps the immune system function at its best, it is extremely helpful if you have a high cholesterol level and also protects the heart by its capacity to fluidify the blood. In such cases cures with tomato juice are taken on a doctor’s prescription. Many health professionals believe that tomato juice is more beneficial to the body than tomatoes as such. Studies have shown that heat cooking is good for tomatoes as it increases Lycopene levels. Use a blender and you will quickly obtain a juice made of fresh tomatoes that will energize and protect you.

Fruit juices with healing properties

Pineapple juice

Flavored and delicious, natural pineapple juice gives you a lot of nutrients and helps you treat anemia, improves brain activities, helps with digestion, prevents infections in cold and flu and has a diuretic effect. You should drink it thriftily, about 200 ml of juice every day, because sometimes it irritates the mucous membrane lining the gastrointestinal tract. If you have body weight issues, you should consider pineapple juice as it helps burn fat, stimulates digestion, discharge of toxins and also keeps cholesterol levels normal. Peel the pineapple, slice then cut it to small pieces and mix them in a blender.

Pomegranate juice

Pomegranates are among the best fruits for a healthy heart: they have a powerful antioxidant effect, reduce blood pressure, diminish atherosclerosis, lower cholesterol levels and improve blood circulation. To feel its beneficial effects, you should drink a cup of pomegranate juice every day for a period of several weeks. In addition, pomegranates fortify your immune system, fight off diarrhea, stimulate red blood cell production (as they contain high levels of iron) and help destroy all kinds of bacteria. To easily open the pomegranate, fill a bowl with water, cut the peel in four and put the fruit under the water. Let it stay there for a few seconds then, with your hands inside the bowl, unpeel the fruit and remove the seeds. This way the seeds and juice will no longer splash and blot objects around. Carefully remove the seeds, pour out the water and put everything in a blender. Mix for a few minutes then put into a sieve and mash with a spoon. You can drink it as such or add some water and honey.

Kiwi juice

It may be not so widely used, yet the kiwi juice is important for your wellbeing. It helps to a better absorption of iron, thus preventing anemia, it improves metabolism, protects cells against free radicals and keeps the heart healthy, regulating your heartbeat. It is very useful in depression, stress and anemia. As it helps burn fat it is beneficial in diets for losing weight, it slows the aging process and fortifies the body. The juice is very easy to prepare, you just mix the fruit. Kiwi can very well be combined with bananas, which sweeten the juice and make it more palatable. For a special flavor you can add one or two mint leaves.

Why raw fruits and vegetables?

Because you will feel cleaner, more energized, more joyful, happier, therefore much better. In their natural state, fruits and vegetables supply the body with all the nutrients they contain and some are even better absorbed when turned into juice. Furthermore, this way you can have fruits, vegetables and herbs you wouldn’t normally eat at the same meal. Mixing with a blender breaks down the cells and helps releasing all the vitamins in the fruit or vegetable. One glass of natural fresh juice every day, made from either vegetables or fruits, ensures a good functioning of your body organs and gives you the energy you need. Green juices balance the pH of the body, help you lose weight, fortify your immune system and fill you with energy.

Natural Smoothies

Green smoothie

• cold water
• parsley
• lettuce
• spinach
• kohlrabi leaves

Put everything in a blender and mix until you get a homogeneous liquid. Drink immediately after. If you wish, you can add some salt, pepper or maple syrup.

Easy and quick

• a few lettuce leaves
• 2 bananas
• 2 or 3 pineapple slices
• 3 tangerines
• ½ cup of water

Peel and slice the fruits. Wash and tear the lettuce. Put all the ingredients in a blender and mix.

Natural and revitalising

• 2 handfuls of fresh dandelion leaves
• 1 handful of fresh parsley
• ¼ cup fresh dill
• 2 tomatoes
• 1 cucumber
• ¼ cup of water

Wash the vegetables and put everything in a blender.

Absolute energy

• 4 or 5 fresh kale leaves
• a handful of spinach
• a handful of lettuce
• a handful of celery leaves
• 2 tomatoes
• ½ avocado
• ¼ clove of garlic
• 1 cup of water

Sweet and flavoured

• ½ bunch of parsley
• fresh mint leaves
• 2 bananas
• 4 pineapple slices
• 1 cup of water

Purple nectar

• 1 small beetroot
• 2 nectarines/peaches
• 1 handful of fresh or frozen raspberry
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• water (optionally)

Wash, peel and slice the beetroot and put it in the blender (or squeezer) together with the sliced nectarines and the raspberry. Mix well. Add in some water (500 or 600 ml) and honey then mix again. Pass the mixture through a sieve and serve cold.

Bibliography:

“Green Smoothie Recipes”, Jennifer Thompson
Hrana vie – Culegere de rețete proaspete (raw)
“Fresh vegetable and fruit juices”, N. W. Walker