A couple of years ago I got really into green juices! I mean REALLY into them. I felt like I needed that hit of liquid sunshine every morning, to the point that when I was going away for a writers long weekend I had worked out how to take my juicer with me on the train – and it is not a light or little contraption!! I was addicted. My body loved the impact the green juices had on it, the energy that they gave at the start of every day.
I especially focused on green juices to help my digestive system as EU allergen laws were still fairly knew and we experienced quite a bit of cross contamination when eating out which really messed up our tums. I called them things like tummy tamers, and mellow digestive calming juices….
As in all things – I focused on the flavours I loved in my green juices. I added heat and zing to them with limes, lemons, chillies, ginger root and cayenne pepper. These became reoccurring themes in my green juices. I made chilli and lime shots for an extra boost and hit during the day.
Sadly all good things must come to an end! I have a bi-annual appointment with my dentist, and after 6 months of daily juicing since I had seen him last my back teeth (one on each side at the top) had no enamel and a cavity in each as a result! He asked if there had been any big changes to diet and lifestyle so I mentioned my juicing. I was drinking them through straws back then – so those two back teeth were taking all the acid.
He said that juicing is great but citrus fruits (and kiwi – if you don’t have kiwi allergies in your home) are highly acidic and damage the enamel on your teeth. He said juicing is great for your body, but bad for your teeth. So I had two fillings and stopped juicing.
My sister and her husband started a health program this Jan, and part of their program is green juicing and it made me hanker after the good ole’ green juice days! So I have very cautiously started to juice again.
I like keeping my juices VERY simple as I focus on avoiding the citrus, but making sure the juices remain yummy and flavoursome. I began juicing again this year with the bright and cheery carrot and ginger juice above, because I had a load of organic carrots which needed using. It was as lovely to drink as it is too look at – no filter required as it’s almost neon orange! So colourful and really fiery as I went a little OTT with the ginger root!
Today I made a lovely mellow green-juice free-from all the zingy ingredients, it has got the lovely mint as a herby flavour. It’s the first pic you saw when you read this post. So I am slowly creating a library of citrus-free, less acidic fresh juices.
I also decided to rename all my old juices – from their happy (but nondescript) titles like “top o’ the morning to ya!” to simply listing all the ingredients of the juice in the title. This means that you (and I) can immediately tell immediately if it’s a juice which will work with your dietary constraints and flavour preferences.
For those of you will a less addictive nature I have left the original citrus fuelled juices on the website so that you can indulge in your measured way. Some of them are included at the bottom of this post just for you.
In the meantime I will continue to experiment and share with you my tasty, citrus-free green (or orange, or beetroot) veg based juices. Being vegetable based and citrus free means that you don’t need to use a straw to drink your green juices which is WAY better for the environment too, making them extra GREEN in an eco way.
Smiles and namaste to you,
Rai x
kale, cucumber, mint & pineapple juice
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Yield:
800ml -
Cooking Method:
juicing -
Prep Time:
12 mins
Allergens:
no allergensDietary:
This juice is mellow and lovely, a gentle way to start the day and the bonus is that it's really good for your digestive system.
Ingredients:
- 4 huge handfuls of kale*
- 1 cucumber
- 1 pineapple (top, tale and skin)
- handful of mint
Method:
Rinse and drain the kale, cucumber and mint.
Cut the pineapple and cucumber to sizes which will work in your juicer.
Juice the kale and pineapple together, then the mint and cucumber together.
Wash the juicer, pour the juice into your favourite glass and enjoy!
Notes:
*I use organic kale and cucumber as the skin goes through the juicer and into my juice. I grow my own mint so that's organic too. The pineapples I use are not as I remove their skin before juicing, but I try to get fair trade pineapples.
I tend to drink half in the morning and put the remaining half in a sealed jar in the fridge to enjoy at lunch time.
only carrots & ginger-root juice
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Yield:
1 glass -
Cooking Method:
juicing -
Prep Time:
5 mins -
Cook Time:
0 mins
Allergens:
no allergens
This is carrot and ginger juice - pure and simple; nothing added.
Ingredients:
- 4 large organic carrots (or lots of little ones)
- 4 cm³ ginger root*
Method:
Clean, top and tail the carrots. Clean or skin the ginger root.
Juice the ginger with the carrots - make sure it all goes through a strainer as the carrots can make the juice grainy.
Clean your juicer immediately. Then sit back and enjoy your superbly vibrant, tasty carrot and ginger juice.
Notes:
This much ginger root makes the juice super zingy and will perk you up! If you are less keen on fiery ginger heat then reduce the amount you juice.
If you fancy mixing it up a little check out our carrot & ginger zinger juice - it has lime and coconut water added.
pineapple, spinach, cucumber, ginger-root & mint juice
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Yield:
makes a couple of glasses -
Cooking Method:
juicing -
Prep Time:
15 mins -
Cook Time:
0 mins
Allergens:
no allergensDietary:
healthy, paleo, raw food, refined sugar-free, vegan
This juice is great if you have a bad tum, due to being fed a food you are intolerant to. It stores in the fridge beautifully (in an air-tight jar*) so I can have a glass later in the day as well as when I first make it.
Ingredients:
- 1 pineapple skinned
- 1 cucumber
- 2-3 huge handfuls of spinach
- 4 cm³ ginger root
- three good stalks of fresh mint
Method:
Juice your pineapple, spinach and cucumber together into a jug. Once they're juiced put your ginger and mint through the juicer. I put some of the pulp through again to ensure I get all the mint and ginger flavour.
Pour as much as you want to drink now into a glass. Pop the rest into a glass jar with a lid, and into the fridge for later*
Notes:
*I use a recycled passata jar for my juices in the fridge.
Often the repercussions of eating a food our body cannot tolerate go way past the initial throwing up and reaction. Our digestive systems can suffer for days after. I make this juice every morning after I have had a reaction, until my tummy and system have returned to normal.
lettuce, kale, cucumber, pineapple & mint juice
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Yield:
serves 1 -
Cooking Method:
juicing -
Prep Time:
10 mins -
Cook Time:
0 mins
Allergens:
no allergensDietary:
healthy, paleo, raw food, refined sugar-free, vegan
This gorgeous juice will help calm your body and any frayed nerves! I have this in the evening at the end of a fast day. My body relaxes and is calmed as I make and drink this lovely juice.
Ingredients:
- ½ a fresh pineapple peeled
- 2 handfuls of kale
- ¼ cucumber
- small cos lettuce
- handful black peppermint
Method:
Wash and rinse all your fresh veg, then start juicing your pineapple & kale. Then juice your cucumber, lettuce & peppermint.
delish & nutritious fresh ingredients Pop a spoonful of the pulp back into the juice to ensure you got all the minty goodness into your glass.
Wash your juicer quickly and then enjoy your refreshing and relaxing mellow juice.
Notes:
I use a normal pineapple, but all the greens I use are organic.
My rule of thumb is: if the skin's coming off - no need for organic, but if I'm eating the lot - organic's best if poss!
beetroot, carrot & apple juice boost
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Yield:
serves 1 -
Cooking Method:
juicing -
Prep Time:
5 mins -
Cook Time:
5 mins
Allergens:
no allergensDietary:
healthy, paleo, raw food, refined sugar-free, vegan
Beetroot is amazing for your body, and it's super scrummy in this very simple juice. Perfect for keeping you going on a long afternoon on a cold autumnal day when all the ingredients are in season. Give it a go and let me know how you adapt it to make it your own. It's really rich and filling so the portion size is smaller than the green juices I make.
Ingredients:
- 2 large carrots
- 1 large beetroot (including stalks & leaves)
- 1 apple
Method:
Pop some tunes on, clean all your veg & rinse them, then chop into the best size for your juicer.
to give you a sense of size This juice needs to go through a strainer; so if you can, have one ready to strain as the juice comes out of your juicer. If that's too awkward, strain after the juicing process is complete into your waiting glass.
Juice the carrots, then beetroot and finally the apple. I don't re-juice any of the pulp, or use a spoon to force any juice through the strainer as it makes the texture grainy.
I wash my juicer now before enjoying this small, delicious, potent and great for me juice.
Notes:
Where at all possible use organic produce. This is a great juice in the Autumn and Winter as all the ingredients are in season.
If you fancy a citrus zinger as an occasional treat – these are for you ;P x
pineapple, cucumber, spinach, lime & ginger-root juice
-
Yield:
serves 4 -
Cooking Method:
juicing -
Prep Time:
15 mins -
Cook Time:
0 mins
Allergens:
no allergensDietary:
healthy, paleo, raw food, refined sugar-free, vegan
This juice is delicious and a brilliant way to get all the best bits of pineapple into your system! When I am feeling down this juice perks me up and brings a little tropical sunshine into my world. Its great for your digestion and pineapple is a unique fruit as it's GI is better when juiced than eaten whole! I make this in the morning and enjoy a glass (or two) for brekkie, and then put the rest into one of my recycled glass jars with a sealed lid, pop it into the fridge to enjoy the rest at lunch time. YUM!
Ingredients:
- 1 pineapple skinned
- 1 cucumber
- 2-3 huge handfuls of spinach
- 4 cm³ ginger root (de-skined)
- 1 lime (peeled - but leave as much pith on as pos!)
Method:
Juice your spinach, pineapple and cucumber together into a jug. I do a handful of spinach, then a chunk of pineapple, followed by a chunk of cucumber over and over again. Once they're juiced put your ginger and lime through the juicer. I put some of the pulp through again to ensure I get all the ginger and lime flavour.
Pour as much as you want to drink now into a glass. Pop the rest into a glass jar with a lid, and into the fridge for later*
Notes:
*I use a recycled passata jar, with a tight lid to keep my juices in the fridge. The juice will stay good for up to 20 hours.
spinach, cucumber, apple, ginger-root & lemon juice
-
Yield:
serves 1 -
Cooking Method:
juicing -
Prep Time:
5 mins -
Cook Time:
3 mins
Allergens:
no allergensDietary:
healthy, paleo, raw food, refined sugar-free, vegan
I cannot start my day without this wonderful pure green juice. I have been making it daily since I got my juicer, and I am officially addicted. My day doesn't begin until I have enjoyed it's zingy, perk-me-up, pure green juice. The ginger & cayenne pepper pack a powerful punch so increase in increments until you get the taste-tastic perfection for your personal palate.
Ingredients:
- 2 large handfuls of spinach
- 1 large cucumber
- 1 apple
- 4 cm³ ginger root (if you're not too keen on ginger just go for 2cm³)
- 1 lemon (I skin mine, but leave as much pith as possible on the lemon)
- ground cayenne pepper (as little or as much as you like)
Method:
Get some good tunes on! Give all your produce a wash and rinse, chop your cucumber and apples into good sizes for your juicer.
my ingredients - gives you a sense of size/quantities Juice the spinach, cucumber & apple together.
Skin & chop up your ginger and pop into the juice. Then skin and chop your lemon and add to the juice. I then put the spinach, cucumber & apple pulp through the juicer again - to extract all the lemon juice and any cucumber juice that came through in the pulp. It's defs worth doing this!
Now for my fave topping - the ground cayenne pepper - add a pinch or if you're like me ½ tsp of it on the top of your froth!
I clean my juicer immediately. Then stir my waiting juice with a straw, letting all the spicy cayenne pepper mingle into the gorgeous green! What a way to start the day!
Notes:
Use organic produce if at all possible - especially the spinach, apple and cucumber. Wash everything well before juicing. If your lemon is organic you can leave the skin on, if it's not peel it! Personally I prefer the taste of a peeled organic lemon but I leave as much pith on as possible as it's great for my bod!
carrot, coconut, lime & ginger zinger juice
-
Yield:
serves 1 -
Cooking Method:
juicing -
Prep Time:
7 mins -
Cook Time:
0 mins
Allergens:
no allergensDietary:
healthy, paleo, raw food, refined sugar-free, vegan
Super simple juice which will pick you up, and perk you up. It's like putting sunshine in your belly, energising you in a really healthy way. Serve as it or with a couple of ice cubes in the summer. I love this one after a workout! Enjoy!
Ingredients:
- 4 carrots
- 2 cm³ ginger root peeled*
- coconut water
- lime
Method:
Clean and soak your carrots for 5 mins. Then cut into suitable size for your juicer.
fresh ingredients Juice half the carrots with the ginger and then the remaining half of carrots. Pop some of the pulp through the juicer at the end to ensure that you have extracted all the juice from the juicer.
Clean your juicer straight away.
Once the juicer is clean top up your glass with some coconut water (about 75ml) from the fridge and add a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Now you can enjoy this super, energy boosting juice.
Notes:
*you will see from the photo that I use more ginger root than the recipe - but this is a good starting point - increase as you like 🙂 the more ginger root you add the zing-ier the juice will get.
I use organic carrots, give them a scrub and use them as they are; no peeling required!
lettuce, cucumber, chilli, apple, ginger-root & lime juice
-
Yield:
1 juice -
Cooking Method:
juicing -
Prep Time:
10 mins -
Cook Time:
0 mins
Allergens:
no allergensDietary:
dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, healthy, nut-free, paleo, raw food, refined sugar-free, soy-free, vegan
This is a light green juice which works as my current wake me up morning treat. The lettuce and cucumber keep the green juice light and mellow, brilliant to start the day. But then you get whacked round the chops with the wonderful fire from a fresh green chilli and ginger root, zinged up by a gorgeous lime. Perfect for a winters morn, to get some heat and energy in your system.
Ingredients:
- 8-10 leaves of an organic romaine lettuce
- 1 cucumber
- 1 apple
- 3cm³ ginger root (peeled unless organic)
- 1 fresh green chilli (deseeded)
- 1 large lime or 2 small ones (I peel mine but leave as much of the pith on as pos)
Method:
Clean all your veg and fruit, then get juicing! Juice the lettuce, cucumber and apple together. Then the ginger root and chilli. Finally the lime.
fresh ingredients Pop some of the original pulp from the lettuce, cucumber and apple back through the juicer to ensure you get all the lime juice out of the juicer and into your glass.
I wash my juicer up immediately before savouring this fabulous winter wake-up juice. Enjoy!
Notes:
Where you can use organic fresh ingredients. Make sure all your fruit and veg is washed well before juicing. If you like to keep the lime skin on - go for it - it's full of nutrients - I just don't like the bitter taste it creates.
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