green. nourish. full.

photos by kelly.

"All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Juice. It has become a big part of my daily grind. I am imagining you reading that with a squished up nose, thinking about mixing green veggies (any veggies) with sweet summer fruits. I wlll admit, every now and then as i sip the brightly colored liquid through my happy and equally colorful straw, i might just make a face. but it is only for a quick moment and mostly caused by an old habit of not trying it first.  

Juice. The green life has become a big part of my daily nourishment. I have found that when I drink this colorful liquid that the fog lifts, the bloats go away and i just have a better day. No really, it is nourishing in so many ways. Not only the nutritional value it carries, but here is what really has made a big change: the time.

The time it takes to make the juice has allowed me to care for myself. I slow down, I take time and I watch the process. It has become a daily meditation. I clean, washing way the dirt away. I cut, leaving behind the ends. I peel, taking off the dirty skin that carries unneeded bulk. I blend, each and every color that somehow whirls into a simple piece of beauty. I pour, green. Love.

Juice. I love it so much that I couldn't think of a better theme to include it in. A simple way to NOURISH, you. Whatever juice recipe I use, or create on my own, I have also used to make smoothies. For me, it is just a preference to have a more liquid drink. If you like cold drinks, like a shake then grab your blender and get started! I don't really ever follow a recipe. I tend to use them for reference and add or subtract for my own taste, or my families....you can do the same with this recipe, but here is mine.

Beet. Carrot. Ginger. Love.

2 beets, scrubbed and clean (you can discard the green tops or thrown them in for extra vitamins!)
1 green apple, core it but leave the skin on as long as it has been washed.
3 carrots, peeled
1 lemon, remove the skin
1 grapefruit, skin removed (half would work too)
1 inch ginger root 

Once you have all your veggies and fruit cleaned, peeled and cut, fire up the juicer, or blender, and begin.
I love nothing more than watching the colors mix together. My husband has left the house many mornings laughing at my enthusiasm around juicing. I literally squeal watching the whole process.

Extra additions: 

1 tbsp chia seeds. These little bits of delight are packed full of nutrients
1 tbsp coconut oil. It is summertime here so mine is never truly solid. You could also use flax seed oil. Both are full of good stuff.
ice. If you want it cold, add a handful.

taste. The blend of beets and lemon really works. Of course I love beets. For some, they say they taste like dirt, so use one beet for the first round and add more apple. Ginger has a very spicy vibe, if you are a first timer, maybe try a 1/2 inch slice. But try these. Gift yourself an amazing start to the day. There is no one who loves a drive thru bag full of salty fries and a juicy cheeseburger. But what I know is, juice carrys the earth. And as we all know.....mama earth, she knows how to take care of us.

I am not an expert, but for me I just know this is good. But if you have questions or want to learn more about the juice and smoothie train. Here are some resources that i use.

Kris Carr - Crazy, Sexy Life

Crazy Sexy Diet, Kris's book

the green life, my pinterest juice board

Breville Ikon Juicer, what i use. 

Brainy Quote, a go to for nourishing words. 

I would love to hear back about your juice (or smoothie) experience, or questions! I am pretty inspired by the juice and would be happy to chat more about it!

peace,

kelly 

Comments

[Cathy Bueti]

Great post Kelly!! I am already a fan of your art and think its great that you are a juice gal too! I didn't start juicing until after I finished up treatment for breast cancer. I am an 11 year young adult breast cancer survivor. I really took the time to look at my diet and how I was treating my body after that experience.

My fav recipe is juicing kale, green apple, and cucumber. Really tastes good! And I have my staple juice that I drink a lot using green apple and carrots.

I know what you mean about the time for yourself. I enjoy the prep and process of making the juice. I have a masticating juicer so it is slow but I don't mind it at all!

I need to get back on the smoothie train though! Miss my smoothie's!

I have learned a lot over the years from Kris Carr. She rocks!!

:)