ABC Juice Benefits

What is the best juice?

Is it Apple, Beet, Carrot? or Apple, Beet, Cabbage? or Apple, Beet, Celery?
In fact, the ABC’s of juice is Always Be Changing! Variety is the key to optimal health.

Back in the middle ages, life expectancy was around 30 years – excluding those that succumed to a disease that plagued a certain region, or those that didn’t make it past childhood. How have we managed to increase life expectancy? Through variety. Due to accessibility and the shrinking world, we now have more food variety available to us. More vitamins, minerals and overall nutrition. So instead of living a life of meat and potatoes, we can have a huge array and assortment of food to feed our cells and nourish our bodies.

Those of us that change it up, live longer and have more active lives. Variety is essential to preparing our bodies to combat ailments caused by bacteria and viruses by promoting a diverse micro gut flora.

That goes for Juice too. Even celery juice. If you continue to drink the same thing repeatedly, it becomes less effective. Your body will stop absorbing nutrients that are in surplus. So feed your body variety. Always Be Changing!

Raw Juice Guru has over 900 plus juice concoctions in our arsenal, 60 plus healing ingredients and our variety guarantee. Our Designer 80 Juice Feasting cleanse and Artisan 90 Raw Food Cleanse, as well as our stock your fridge subscriptionsand packages, change with each delivery. We accomodate all health and wellness goals, tailor for specific ailments and diseases, plus, work around your household food sensitivities and allergies.

Why Juice Cleanses Don’t Work!

Pulp and Fiction

Not all coldpressed juicers are built the same. As such, the composition of fiber in juice will vary depending on the type of juicer used for extraction. The level of insoluble fiber, which slows down the release of fructose into the bloodstream, is very important for a successful cleanse. Your typical consumer brand juicer emulsifies the pulp and ions into smaller particles that all pass through the mesh. Emulsified pulp is not the same as insoluble fiber.

Most commercial juice presses operate in the same manner. The produce is emulsified then pressed through a tight mesh for extraction. This too is problematic as the insoluble fiber gets trapped behind and is not extracted. The integrity of the ions, too – which houses the fiber, vitamins, minerals and live enzymes – is compromized during the emulsification process, separating the soluble and insoluble fiber and shortening the life of nutrients.

There is only one type of cold press juicer that both separates the pulp, without compromising the integrity of the ions, and allows soluble and insoluble fiber to remain intact during juice extraction. Twin gear masticating juicers do that, and are available for both consumer and commercial applications.

Pulp is used for building materials and paper. No matter how challenged your digestion may be, juicing is the definitive way to maximize the absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Juice has soluble fiber which also reduces cholesterol. Pulp on the other hand minimizes nutrient absorption as food travels through the body and out! But if you want low glycemic, nutrient dense juice, that is live for up to 7 days, you will need juice devoid of pulp and loaded with fiber – both soluble and insoluble. You will need juice extracted with a twin gear masticating juicer.

The HPP Misinformation

HPP or High Pressure Processing goes by a number of different names. Pascalization, High Pressure Pasteurization, HHP or high hydrostatic pressure. All of which are a method of sterilizing food. This kills living organisms both good and bad (pathogens) without altering the taste of the food, unlike that which occurs with traditional pasteurization methods. Consequently, food pasteurized by traditional methods too maintain their nutrients, minerals and vitamins, but taste much different, which requires the addition of synthesized chemicals for palatability.

What are good organisms? Aside from the good bacteria that form our gut micro flora, the fresh, cold pressed juice itself is alive too, until it is steralized. Pathogens feed on good bacteria and other living organisms. Pathogens exist in the air. In high concentrations our bodies are unable to contain and expel pathogens efficiently which causes desease. Pathogens in the air trapped inside the packaging of unpasteurized food multiply exponentially, making it important to consume fresh products early. Steril food may still have nutrients but lack 2 essential components necessary for optimal health and nutrient absorption. We already mentioned the lack of good bacteria for gut microflora. The second is live enzymes. Live enzymes are the catalyst (vehicle) in which nutrient are transferred and absorbed by the body.

Fresh cold pressed juice that is pascalized ceases to be live and lacks the corresponding enzymes required to metabolize nutrients by the body. Some may argue that HPP does not affect the good bacteria responsible for a healthy gut microflora or live enzymes. Even if that were so, HPP does not extend the life of living organisms. It only allows the product to sit on the shelf longer with acceptable pathogen levels for consumption. The organisms will continue to deplete normally if not more rapidly. Once the product is no longer living, it is not worth the the high price tag. As some HPP juice products have 20 to 60 day expiry dates, it is important to know when it was first extracted. For the most part, this information is not made available to the consumer.

For some understanding of the timelines required to get the product to the consumer we start with the extraction date. HPP machines cost in the millions of dollars. Most juice companies do not have access to this equipment in house. Therefore, the freshly extracted juice must be transported to another facilty where it is pascalized. This may add another day before it is shipped to a store. Typically, it is on day 3 that the juice is available for the consumer to purchase. Our experience shows that fresh juice lasts between 3 to 7 days depending on the type of cold pressed juicer utilized for extraction, 3 being the norm. That means, by the time you are consuming the HPP juice it already ceases to be live.

There’s one more bit of misinformation. To further obscure the lines between fresh and sterilized, marketers have introduced an acronym CPP, to mean cold pressed process. Sounds a lot like cold pressed juice. Thusly, they can interchange CPP and HPP, making the consumer believe that HPP and cold pressed go hand in hand. In fact these are completely different and stand alone processes. We want cold pressed. We dont want HPP.

New Pasturization Tricks

Juice that is pascalized must be packaged in plastic materials to allow the 60,000 PSI, pounds of pressure pers square inch, to be applied to the product without compromizing the packaging. Glass bottles will break during this process. An alternative way to extend shelf life is radiation. We immediately shudder at the thought of consuming food exposed to radiation. Food irradiation is an acceptable process for sterilizing food for human consumption by the food inspection agency and the FDA. Much like HPP, gamma rays and x-rays are used to eliminate bacteria (both good and bad). These rays also pass through glass to preserve packaged goods – cold pressed juice included. As these are properties of light, marketers use terms like light filtration to explain the irridation process. A term which is less scary than radiation. Although, there is no evidence to indicate that these rays cause abnormal mutation within the food or adversly affect the consumer, we are still faced with the missing components required for optimal health: live enzymes for nutrient absorption; good gut micro flora; essentially, living juice beyond 3 days from the time of extraction.

Yo Yo Dieting

Cold pressed juice made with any juicer other than a twin gear masticating, that is then sterilized – insufficiently provides the body with the required nutrition. When your body is nutrient difficient for a day or a week or more, it adapts. Your body begins to break down complex molecules into smaller molecules, to release energy to feed cells. These complex molecules are protein stores of which half reside in skeletal muscles, not fat cells. This process is known as catabolism. So, if you’re losing weight, it’s good weight that is being shed. When you eat again, your body attempts to restore these complex molecules. Unmetabolized food matter and toxins continue to be stored within fat cells until sufficient energy is available to cleanse. Everytime this process is repeated more muscle is depleted and more fat is gained. Your body is attempting to become more efficient and survive on less nutrients. But, what you want is the opposite. You want your body to be a gas guzzling muscle car. Muscles use massive amounts of energy to move the body. To build lean muscle requires the right nutrition and excercise. If you’ve ever wondered why some people can eat anything and still be ripped, that’s how. Juice extracted utilizing a twin gear masticating juicer provides the body with the right nutrition: fresh, high fibrous, full strength, cold pressed living juice loaded with nutrients, vitamins, minerals and live enzymes as catalyst for absorption. Don’t count calories, consume a variety of nutrient dense fruit and vegetable juice to promote anabolism and feed your muscles.

Consumer Disillusionment

Juice cleanses reached a popular high point in 2014. Trends attract investors, whom intern fund competing companies, that are pressured to lower prices and mass produce, only benefiting equipment and raw material suppliers and stockholders – to the detriment of the consumer. We, too, were approached by various investors. Fortunately, we declined their offers. What once was working well and aiding in the individuals’ health goals, quickly became placebo. Sterilized emulsified juice used for cleansing is actually more harmful than good. Consumers began to lose trust in juicing and reported varying results. Sticking to a dietary regimen is difficult enough on its own, but when the individual is denied peer and family support due consumer disillusionment, the struggle is amplified.

Profit and Placebo

Some consumers are happy just to believe they are doing something good for their body, and some companies are happy just to temporarily fulfill the happiness of consumers for profit. These companies are reliant on new customers and consistently spend thousands of dollars a day on google advertising. Customers that try the product once and never again. Aside from this being bad business practice, it is unfair to the consumer. Eventually, the industry will run out of new customers. Raw Juice Guru, is the best kept secret that our loyal customers continue to rely on for their health and wellness goals. We use twin gear masticating juicers exclusively for all our juices and smoothies. No water added, never sterilized, no investors to satisfy. Free, willing and able to help our customers attain optimal results.

Nine Alkaline Foods To Add for Optimal Health

Our bodies need to have a balanced pH so that our health is at an optimal level. However, when one’s balance is disrupted by consuming excessive amounts of acidic foods, the risk of serious health problems like inflammation, toxic deposits, poor immunity, and vulnerable organs is much higher. This being said, we decided to share a list with the 9 best alkaline foods to restore the balance in your body and preserve your well-being.

9 Alkaline Foods To Add:

Almonds

Almonds are abundant in nutrients and essential fatty acids. They are beneficial for the hair, skin, brain, and muscle mass as well. They are so potent that they can help you decrease the bad cholesterol levels and trigger a successful weight loss.

Cucumbers

This delicious veggie is a natural diuretic that can hydrate the whole body and balance the pH by removing all toxins stored in the body. Fresh cucumber juice was found highly beneficial in the elimination of surplus uric acid too.

Cabbage

This cruciferous veggie will supply the body with crucial nutrients like forage and magnesium that will keep the digestive system, immunity, and alkalinity balanced. What’s more, as it is rich in fiber, this vegetable can avert specific cancer types.

Plum tomatoes

They are abundant in vitamins A, C, and E and water are highly beneficial against skin disorders. They will also regulate the calories and cleanse the urinary tract of all infections and resolve any bladder problems.

Grapefruit

This tasty fruit contains compounds that are known to stimulate the metabolism, control the weight, and expel any surplus body fat. It is low on sugar and though it has an acidic taste, it is an alkaline fruit.

Lime

This citrus fruit is rich in vitamin C and it has the power to remove all toxins and bad bacteria from the urinary tract.

Lemon

This is the best fruit for a proper detox of the digestive system and the restoration of the pH balance in the body. They are also great allies in the weight loss process and though they have an acidic taste, they are alkaline in nature and have the ability to regulate the sugar levels in the blood.

Basil

This herb contains vitamins K and C, iron, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients assist the body’s detoxification processes and lower the acid levels in the blood. It is also beneficial for the removal and dissolving of kidney stones.

Cantaloupe

They have a lot of water, beta-carotene, vitamin B, and important phytochemicals that assist the body in the fight against accumulated toxins. What’s more, when consumed regularly, this fruit will trigger the production of white blood cells and support the pH balance.

Toxins And How Our Body Eliminates Them?

Toxins are chemicals they cause harm to the body’s cells, organs, and everyday functions. There are two main groups of toxins: exotoxins and endotoxins. Exotoxins are from outside sources and are inhaled or ingested. Examples are polluted air, water, cigarette smoke, alcohol, medications, food additives and household chemicals.

Endotoxins are created internally by the body. For example, undigested food can putrefy, creating toxins that damage cells, tissues and organs in the body.

Even someone who eats organic foods, drinks the best water and breathes the cleanest air can still suffer from toxic build up in the body over time.

How does your body eliminate toxins?
The body has 7 channels of elimination which are used to eliminate toxins from the body.
1) liver- the liver changed harmful toxins into substances that can be safely eliminated from the body.
2) colon- the colon eliminates toxins processed by the liver.
3) kidneys- the liver send water soluble waste to the kidneys, where they are further filtered and finally eliminated through the bladder.
4) blood- blood flows through the vascular system and carries oxygen and nutrients to the cells of the body, while at the same time, removing harmful waste.
5) skin- skin is your biggest eliminator organ. Skin eliminated waste and toxins through perspiration.
6) lungs- the lungs expel toxins through breathing (ex carbon dioxide). Deep breathing eliminates lymphatic flow to toxins.
7) lymphatic system- the lymphatic system eliminated poisons from cells through a network of vessels that extend throughout the body.

Vegan Black Bean Brownies

They’re not only super delicious but also really fudgy and chocolatey. Plus the recipe really couldn’t be easier! All you need is a food processor or blender, an oven, and a handful of ingredients such as brown beans, cacao, and vegan chocolate chips. I’m sure people would never guess that these brownies contain black beans instead of flour. They exactly look, smell, and taste like normal brownies. Isn’t this just crazy?!

Vegan Black Bean Brownies

Ingredients
2 15 oz cans black beans (~3 cups)
4tablespoons ground flax seeds
8tablespoons water
1 1/2teaspoons baking powder
1teaspoon baking soda
1cup cocoa powder
1/2cup agave
1/4cup brown sugar
3tablespoons coconut oil, melted
2tablespoons almond milk
1/2cup vegan chocolate chips
1/4cup walnuts, chopped

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (180 °C).
Thoroughly rinse and drain the black beans. Grind the flax seeds in a food processor or use store-bought ground flax seeds. Whisk them together with 8 tablespoons of water and set aside to thicken for about 2 minutes..
Then make the batter: Combine all ingredients except the chocolate chips and the walnuts in a food processor and process until smooth (also add the soaked flax seeds).
Lightly grease a baking tray and pour in the batter. Add the chocolate chips and spread evenly. Sprinkle with the chopped walnuts.
Bake for about 40 minutes. Allow the brownies to cool down before you cut them into pieces.

Vegan Thanksgiving Lentil Loaf


I’ve always loved meat loafs, so I decided to make a vegan version that uses cooked lentils instead of ground meat. It’s really easy to make, it’s high in fiber and protein and most of all it’s incredibly DELICIOUS!!

vegan Thanksgiving lentil loaf with a mashed pumpkin and sweet potato casserole with a nut-oat topping, vegan gravy, and cranberry pear sauce.

Vegan Thanksgiving Lentil Loaf

Ingredients
For the Vegan Lentil Loaf:
1.5cups brown lentils
2 onions, chopped
2large cloves of garlic, minced
2tablespoons ground flax seeds
3/4cup walnuts
1large carrot, cut into small pieces
1cup rolled oats
2tablespoon tomato paste
1/3cup + 1 tablespoon unsweetened almond or soy milk
2teaspoons soy sauce
2teaspoons oregano
2teaspoons thyme
2teaspoons rosemary
2tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
salt
black pepper

For the Mashed Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Casserole:

1small Hokkaido squash (about 35 oz), cut into small pieces
16oz sweet potato, cut into small pieces
7oz potatoes, cut into small pieces
3tablespoons vegan margarine
1/4cup rolled oats
1/4cup walnuts or Brazil nuts, chopped
salt
pepper
red pepper flakes

For the Vegan Gravy:

1 onion
1 carrot, cut into small pieces
2 celery stalks, chopped into small pieces
1 clove of garlic, minced
2tablespoons tomato paste
1tablespoon flour
1/3cup dry red wine (use a vegan brand)
1 1/4cups vegetable broth
1/2teaspoon oregano
1teaspoon paprika powder
1/2teaspoon rosemary
salt
black pepper

For the Cranberry Pear Sauce:

1cup cranberries
2tablespoons coconut or brown sugar
2 pears, cut into medium-sized chunks
3/4cup water
1/4teaspoon ground ginger
1can pear halves

Instructions

Lentil Loaf:

First, cook the lentils according to the instructions on the package. Then put about 6 tablespoons of the cooked lentils aside. You’ll need them later on to give the lentil loaf a bit more texture. Sauté the onion and garlic for about 2 minutes. Then add the chopped carrots and cook them for another 3 minutes. Put all ingredients except the spices into a blender or food processor and blend until you have a sticky but chunky mixture. It’s very important that you make sure to not overdo it, so you still got some texture.
Add the remaining lentils and season with thyme, oregano, salt, pepper, and fresh parsley.
Place the mixture into a loaf pan lined with parchment paper. Make sure to let the parchment paper overlap the loaf pan, so it’s easier to remove the lentil loaf once it’s done. Bake the vegan meat loaf for 60 minutes at 350°F.

Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Mash:

In the meantime, make the pumpkin and sweet potato mash. Cut both into small cubes and cook for about 10-15 minutes or until soft. Mash with a potato masher and add the vegan margarine, salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.
For the nut-oat topping, chop the walnuts or Brazil nuts into small chunks and roast them in a small pan for about 2 minutes. Then add the oats and some more vegan margarine. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Pour the mashed sweet potato and pumpkin into a baking dish and sprinkle with the nut-oat topping. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 °F.

Vegan Gravy:
Sauté the onion and the garlic for about 2-3 minutes. Then add the carrots and the celery and cook for another 3 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook until it becomes slightly brown. Then stir in the flour and deglaze with red wine. Allow to evaporate. Then add the vegetable broth. Season with oregano, paprika powder, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
Reduce the heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Pour the gravy through a sieve using a ladle. Put it back into the pot, so you can heat it up once the rest is ready to eat.

Cranberry Pear Sauce:
For the cranberry pear sauce, cut the pears into medium-sized cubes. Put them into a small sauce pan together with the cranberries.
Add the water and coconut or brown sugar and cook for about 15 minutes until the cranberries are popped and the pears are soft. To give it some more flavor, add some ground ginger. The sauce is supposed to thicken to a jam-like consistency. Serve the cranberry pear sauce in canned pear halves.

“Green Fighter” Raw Juice Recipe

Lets Call this Juice: Green Fighter

This raw juice is rich in several important nutrients and has a low glycemic index. Its great for before or after a workout. Its rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene, boron and cancer fighting phytochemicals, the health benefits of watercress are outstanding. Hippocrates wrote about its medicinal values in 46 BC and built the worlds first hospital next to a stream so he could grow fresh watercess for his patients.

Watercress is rich in fiber, anti-oxidants, vitamin C, beta-carotene, folate, potassium, calcium, phosphorous and iron, and is a good source of iodine as well. In fact, it has more calcium than milk and more iron than spinach.

Watercress is very helpful in treating types of anemia due to its high content in iron. Iron is essential for the synthesis of hemoglobin & folic acid, which plays a key role in the maturation of red cells in the bone marrow. The vitamin C in watercress makes better absorption of iron and has an anti-inflammatory action that helps prevent or relieve the symptoms of cold, flu and other types of inflammation. Watercress right proportion of calcium, magnesium, manganese, vitamins A, C and K in watercress helps promote and maintain healthy and strong bones.

Pears contain high level of boron this helps the body to retain calcium, thus prevents or retards osteoporosis.
Also has anti-oxidant and anti-carcinogen glutathione which help prevent high blood pressure and stroke. The high vitamin C and copper content act as good anti-oxidants that protect cells from damages by free radicals.

This raw Juice is also great for a hangover. A hangover happens when the liver gets overloaded with toxic alcohol. Watercress and pear juice is so concentrated with so much cleansing goodness that it activates the detoxifying enzymes in the liver for detoxifying a hangover.

This juice also has purifying effects. It enhances the diuresis and helps give the colon a good “spring-cleaning”, thereby effectively removing toxins from the body.

Lets make this Raw Juice:

3 ripe pears
40-50 g of Watercress

Do note that watercress is very strong, so do start of slow and then increase the amount.

Have a lovely and zen week