Juicing: More than a trend.

I have been somewhat healthy all of my life, and I have always liked eating vegetables in my food. However it wasn't until recently when I discovered how to eat healthier greens, even as I knew already for many years, I ignored it completely and I really never got around to try it out and experience, first hand, its benefits.

Juicing is probably one of the best ways to eat (or drink) your veggies today! Yes, juicing is what I found out to be the most beneficial way to eat my vegetables.

I am not a vegetarian (yes, I know I should quit eating meat), but if you are like me, someone who needs to get the best nutrition from your vegetables, then juicing may be the answer.

Some of the benefits I have experienced in my own self, and the more obvious one, is losing weight. Even as I continue to eat a similar diet as before in addition to juicing, my metabolism simply started to be active again, just like when I was 17 years old and I used to eat like a truck, and then burn that energy so quickly, that I was already a hungry little monster for the next meal and my mother couldn't keep up with me at all.

Additionally, if you are prescribed pre-diabetic like I was, then this kind of juicing will benefit your health tremendously, but make sure you keep consulting with your doctor about your health and reduce your carbohydrates intake to an optimal level. In less than 3 months your doctor and specially yourself will be looking at huge improvements in your health just by juicing once a day.

Combine that with some exercise and you'll be running a marathon in no time (maybe I am exaggerating here a bit ;-), but your heart, muscles and joints will thank you for it.

I've heard from other people who also do daily juicing, that their skin gets rejuvenated, their hair looks fresher and never dry nor oily, you get more energy and desire to do more things, go out and walk or hike, or simply have a good humor overall.

These are great benefits from something that we can do ourselves.

Interested to know more? Well, here is what you need to do before you start your juicing adventure:

First, you need a juice extractor. You can get your favorite brand of juice extractors but make sure it has the power to do the job. I searched for a machine that was easy to use, easy to clean, easy to assemble and put away, and one that really squeezed the juice out of anything.

I've got the Omega 8008 Slow Speed Nutrition Center. This is what's called a Masticating Juicer, It just leaves the juice in one container and the disposable pulp in another. Easy to clean and very powerful.

Second, you need to get used to the flavor of raw vegetables in your juice. Some people have a harder time than others, but if you start using simple techniques like adding natural fruit, you will be juicing every day without a problem.

Third, find out what works for you, or better yet, what combination of vegetables are your favorite ones when it comes to juicing. To do that super quickly, you can go to an organic juicing store and try out 3 or 4 different combinations. You will quickly see which flavors are your favorite ones and ask for the list of ingredients.

Next, start buying your vegetables and juicing away.

To add some sweetness or friendly flavors to your juices, use Apples, Pears, or other fruits like pineapple or berries to enhance the flavor, but make sure not to over do it. You really want to get your vegetables without too much emphasis on the fruit juice.

Finally, if you want to enhance your health with the most control, find out what veggies can help you improve it. I use Kale, Ginger root, Apples, Celery, Parsley, Garlic and Beets, and they seem to improve an all around mineral and vitamin deficiency I may have. You may want to find out from your doctor about your own deficiencies or ask them to do a test to see what needs to be improved.

The last, and probably the best of the benefits, is the lack of side effects.

Good luck juicing, and stay healthy!

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