Juicing has recently started becoming a great way to get your nutrients and vitamins.  It’s quick, easy and because vegetables and fruits are mixed together, never boring.  But there are some things you need to know before you get those ol’ juices flowing…Before putting your fruits and/or vegetables in the juicer, you need to scrub it.  You want the benefits, not the pesticides that might be on your fruits and vegetables.  If you can buy locally grown or grow your own, this is even better.

Remove the skin.  Certain fruits can be juiced with their skins on, but some shouldn’t be.  Oranges, lemons, etc should be peeled before juicing.  These skins can be toxic if taken in large doses.    Tropical fruit should be peeled also.  Waxed fruit such as a cucumber.

Remove the seeds and/or pits.  Apple seeds can bre harmful to you.  So remove most seeds.  Seeds in grapes are safe, but most everything else needs to have their seeds removed.

Juice it all!  the stems, leaves, etc.  The only exceptions to this is carrots and rhubarb.  The leaves and tops are harmful if swallowed.

Help your juicer last longer by cutting your fruits and vegetables into chunks.  You don’t have to cut them up real fine, just in large chunks.

Some vegetables have very little water (bananas and avocados)…so you will want to juice your other fruits or vegetables first and then do your bananas/avocados.

Make only enough to drink at that time.  You want to drink your juice within 30 minutes of juicing it.  It will start to lose some of its benefits after that timeframe.

You can freeze carrot, apple or orange juices.  Make sure they are in sealed plastic containers and they will keep for 3 to 4 weeks.

Juicers come in all different sizes and price ranges.  From the Black & Decker Citrusmate Plus to the Breville Compact Juice Fountain to the Breville Fountain Elite.

And don’t forget to get a juicebook.  There are so many combinations of fruits and vegetables that you can do, why not let the experts give you the recipes to the tastiest juices…Here are some of my favorites:

Complete Book of Juicing:  Your Delicious Guide to Youthful Vitality

Juice Fasting and Detoxification: Use the Healing Power of Fresh Juice to Feel Young and Look Great : The Fastest Way to Restore Your Health

Total Juicing