explains: “Most of us have impaired digestion as a result of making less- than-optimal food choices over many years. This limits your body’s ability to absorb all the nutrients from the vegetables. Juicing will help to [in es- sence] pre-digest them for you, so that you will receive most of the nutrition.” The raw state of fresh fruit and vegetable juice means that all of the nutrients, enzymes and compounds remain intact. This includes water- soluble vitamins such as vitamin C that are easily destroyed by cooking and processing, and essential enzyme proteins that catalyze digestion and the assimilation of nutrients. Leading health authorities further believe that these en- zymes also help boost metabolism for healthy weight management and stable energy levels.


Fresh juice is obviously preferred to packaged juice from a taste standpoint, as well. One significant distinction is that commercially prepared juice is heat pas- teurized to kill pathogens. As Dr. Andrew Weil remarks, “Unfortunately, while heat treating can help keep store-bought juices safe, it also destroys enzymes, lowers vitamin concentrations and alters the taste—juice becomes blandly sweet, rather than featuring a natural symphony of complex and subtle flavors.” So drink deep and enjoy fresh juices’ bountiful benefits.


Renée Loux is a green expert, organic chef, restaurateur and media person- ality, and the co-founder of Andalou Naturals. She has authored four books, including Easy Green Living and The Balanced Plate. Visit ReneeLoux.com.


Local Juice Spots for an Energy Boost


JUICING TIPS by Renée Loux


n When you start juicing, use veg- etables that you like, possibly carrots, celery and cucumber. Later, begin incorporating vegetables that are new to you or that you may be less fond of, such as kale and beets.


n While sweet fruit juice is a deli- cious treat, most fruit contains a fair amount of sugar, so use fruit juices sparingly to keep calorie and sugar content in check. Choose fruits that contain a large amount of water, such as watermelon, and fruits that are less sweet, such as pomegranate, for optimum benefits.


n Drink juice on an empty stomach for optimum absorption and health benefits.


n Ginger is a delicious addition to almost any juice and will aid diges- tion, stimulate circulation and bal- ance blood sugar. Researchers at the


American Heart Association and U.S. Food and Drug Administration have found that ginger can dramatically affect cardiovascular health, helping to prevent atherosclerosis, lower cho- lesterol levels and inhibit oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, aka bad cholesterol).


n Whenever possible, use organically grown produce to prepare juices and prevent chemical residues from ending up in the drink. If organic produce is not available, peel or thor- oughly wash produce using a veg- etable brush to remove wax coating and reduce chemical residues.


n Drink juice that’s as fresh as pos- sible to retain and obtain the peak of nutritional benefits. If you need to store fresh juice, use a narrow- necked glass bottle to reduce its exposure to oxygen, which over time, breaks down delicate, vital nutrients.


Popular raw juice drinks, mixed fresh at local health food markets such as Food & Thought 100% Organic Farm Market, in Naples, and Ada’s Whole Foods Market, in Fort Myers, give morning or afternoon customers an added energy boost with their most popular drinks, the Green Machine and Pure Energy.


Food & Thought’s


Green Machine 1 cup spinach 4 celery stalks 1 cucumber


½ cup broccoli stubs 1 lemon, peeled


Ada’s Pure Energy 6 carrots


2 cloves garlic 3 large leaves kale 8 to 10 sticks celery 1 slice fresh ginger, peeled 1 pinch or 6 stems fresh parsley 1 red beet 1 apple


1 lemon, peeled (optional)


Food & Thought 100% Organic Farm Market, 2132 Tamiami Trail N., Naples 34102. Call 239-213-2222 or visit FoodAndThought.com. See ad, page 16.


Ada’s Whole Foods Market, 4650 S. Cleveland Ave., Ste. 12, Fort Myers 33907. Call 239-939-9600 or visit AdasWholeFoods.com. See ad, page 41.


natural awakenings August 2011 37


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