Juicing

[neeter]

Hi, I just bought a juicer and I love it! It alot more prep and cleanup work than I'd like, but I really like the taste of freshly-squeeze juice. I'm looking for any fruit combination suggestions? Sofar I've been really enjoying carrot & apple & a tiny bit of ginger.

Also, are there any precautions I should be aware of on juicing? Its kind of strange to be drinking the equivalent of 4 carrots and 4 apples in one day! Is that a little bit overloaded?

Thanks!!

[Jewel]

I have a Juiceman Juicer that I don't use NEARLY enough because of the time-consuming prep work needed for each and every glass, but I LOVE the finished product. Takes about 15 minutes to prep the fruit and veggies, then another 15 minutes to clean the thing afterwards!

We LOVE Apple-Grape. We like red grapes better than green, but in a pinch green will work. I also love Apple-Carrot, and thanks for the ginger idea! Those three items are available nearly year-round, so they are a staple.

My husband loves Peach-Grape. Peaches are a bit soft to juice, but if you pick firm fruit and then freeze them for about 15-20 minutes before juicing they work beautifully! During the summer when we're being assaulted by the blackberry vine on the side of our house I'll toss a handful of blackberries into whatever juice I'm making! They make almost a sludgy deep purple juice that is SO concentrated that even a handful flavors so well!

I also love making a Virgin Bloody Mary. Tomatoes, green pepper, celery, a quarter lime, a bit of onion, and a half a seeded jalepeno! A splash of worcestershire and Tobasco if I feel like it!

We also like one called the Waldorf. Apple and celery! YUM! Have fun experimenting! Just remember no really squishy fruits. I told DH this, and then came out one Saturday morning to find him trying to stuff a banana in the juicer chute http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif .

[AndreaU]

We also have a Juiceman... one of our favorites is "Lemonade." I don't remember the exact proportions, but it's something like 4 apples and a slice (about 1/4" thick) of lemon. The fun thing about juicing is the experimentation. Another good one is orange/pineapple. Also, apple, grape, pear and cranberry is a good combo.

[neeter]

Thanks Jewel and Andrea....

I had no idea that I had to drink the stuff right away. !!!AgggO*&(* Thanks, though. Well, there's no way that I'm juicing twice a day, because that is just waaaay too much work. So basically I'm better off drinking water, eh, instead of that old juice!!

I bought grapes to go with my apples now -- will give it a shot tomorrow morning. Do you taste a difference between red and golden apples?

And the lemonade sounds yummy! Thnx again.

[Jewel]

Neeter, is yours a Juiceman? If it is, there should be a book and an audio tape that tells you a bit more about the precautions of juicing. I'm not saying you're gonna keel over and die from 8 hour old juice, but I wouldn't let it sit for too long!

As for apples, we have a thing for Braeburns. Very tart AND sweet, and DH likes them just for munching, so that's usually what we juice with. I stay away from Red Delicious 'cause they're too grainy. Fuji and Gala juice well, as well as one of the 'new' variety around our area called 'Pacific Rose'. Still, I'm partial to Braeburn! As for grapes, use the darkest color you can find!

I'm waiting to find a roadside farmer's market selling raspberries for less than $5 per dinky bucket, because Raspberry/Apple/Grape is still my all-time favorite juice, I just don't want to give up meat for a week to be able to afford 'em!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif

[neeter]

Thanks Jewel! Your suggestions are really great. I can't wait to try them all!

You're right, the prep and cleanup are really time-consuming -- more than I expected. Ug. But the taste is worth it. Sofar my goal is to juice once a day (and I juice enough for two glasses - one for the morning, and one for after work!) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Jewel]

Careful, Neeter, about saving that juice. They actually say you're to make it then drink it. If you believe 'The Juiceman' nearly all the nutrients are sucked out of the fruit by air less than 10 minutes after it's plucked from the tree or the ground ("Live Food!!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif ) and the nutrients are even MORE nonexistant after its sat for longer than a few minutes. I tried putting a glass of apple/carrot in the fridge, and when I went back after a few hours the color was even off a bit. Didn't taste right so I tossed it.

I was all excited to juice a 2 quart pitcher and keep it in the fridge and drink on it all week, but because of the 'no preservatives' and non-pasteurized thing, they say it isn't safe. Better juice as you go! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[neeter]

Hi Jewel - Yup mine is a Juiceman! I checked the book, and they did state that the juice should be consumed as soon as possible for the most nutrients. But they also recommended that if you wanted to bring it to work for drinking later in the later, to keep the juice in a frozen Thermos. Some of the nutrients will be gone, but its better than not drinking it at all. So thanks for the warning!!

The apple-grape combo was great this morning! I used the red seedless grapes. I have red-delicious right now, bought a huge bag of them at Costco!! I need to finish them before they go bad!! Thanks for the rec on the apples - I will check them out. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif