We've had this awesome top of the line juicer for years that Josh's dad gave us when we moved to the Bay Area over 7 years ago. Josh used it a few times early on, but didn't like cleaning it. So it sat there collecting dust, then got packed in it's box when we moved, and didn't see the light of day...until a month ago. I don't know why I never used it, but I'm kicking myself now because I just realized how awesome that little machine is!
What prompted me to dust the juicer off and actually use it? The short answer is Netflix suggestions. No joke.
The longer answer is that my dad has been telling me to watch a documentary called Forks Over Knives for a while now, and I finally did. On Netflix. After watching that, Hungry for Change and Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead both popped up as suggestions. The subject of the latter had a few cameos in the former. This man completely reversed his health problems by changing his entire approach and outlook to life. It started with fasting on nothing but juiced fruit and vegetables for two months. I'm not sick, nor do I have the desire to do even the more reasonable 10 day juice cleanse. But I do love juice, and know that I don't consume as many vegetables as I should...why not give it a try?
So off I go to the store, juice drink recipe in hand, hoping that this will actually taste good like most of the people said in the documentary. Here is what I made:
"Mean Green" Juice
- 1 bunch kale*
- 4 celery stalks
- 1 cucumber
- 2 green apples
- 1/2 lemon
- ~1/4" ginger root (about the size of a marble)
*I only used half of the kale, to save some for other recipes.
I was surprised at how much came out into the solid tub, though I shouldn't have been. It seems like such a waste to just throw it in the compost.
And here was the end result:
I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was actually not bad at all! It was fairly sweet, slightly salty (didn't expect that one), with a small amount of fibrous/grassy taste to it. I won't use quite so much ginger in the future (it didn't detract from the overall taste, but was a tad strong), and will throw in an extra apple (love me some apple) to sweeten it a bit more. I had two other people taste it to see what they thought. General consensus on "Mean Green": Good. I will definitely be making this one again. Hopefully the alterations will improve the taste.
I woke up the next morning in the mood for a fruit smoothie. We didn't have any juice to mix with it in the fridge. No problem; I juiced up some oranges and green apples and was good to go!
Before I had put the juicer away, my roommate who has a cold came into the kitchen:
Me: Do you want some juice to help with your cold?
Roomate: Sure...
Me: Alright, are you ok with garlic? A lot of these recipes call for it.
Roomate: I'll try it.
I whipped up this recipe for cold/fever/flu:
- 4 oz orange
- 4 oz carrot
- 1 oz lemon
- 1 clove garlic
Does anyone have any recipe suggestions for me? Something that you love and doesn't taste like lawn trimmings? I probably won't be juicing garlic, avocado, or onions any time soon; but I am open to suggestions! I would also love to figure out something to do with the left over rind/peel/seeds/fiber that becomes composting waste. Perhaps it could be used in a food dish, or some other application?