Healthy juice recipes

What is juicing?

Juicing is the course of extracting juice from plant matters including fruit, vegetables and herbs.  It is a process that has been used for years in cooking and medicines but is now a phenomenon that is taking off in today’s society for other reasons. Used to fuel the body and provide it with much needed vitamins and minerals.  Great for encouraging a bigger water intake and brilliant for cutting down on the number of fizzy and sugary dinks consumed. Done manually or with juicing machines beautifully tasting and refreshing drinks can make your summer that extra bit yummy.

Juicing Machines

A juicing machine is a fantastic contraption that literally creates juices in seconds. The fruit goes into the machine and its pith or skin is stripped from it while the juice is filtered out the other end. Almost any fruit can be put into the machine however bananas cannot. Drinking juices such as these will help make sure that you reach your 5 a day goal so that your body gets the nutrients it needs to remain fit and healthy. Of course if you don’t have a machine the juicing can be done by hand by simply squeezing the juices from the fruit.

Flavoured Waters

Now if like me you don’t drink enough fluids, in particular water, flavoured juice waters are a great way for making sure you do. It is common amongst people to forget to drink water because they find it boring and unsatisfying to the taste buds. As a result the unhealthy option of fizzy drinks, sugar ridden juices and flavoured milks have been preferred. Now all that can change with a simple jar/flask, some ice, fresh fruit and water.

If you’re looking for a sugary drink the flavoured water is not going to give that to you. What the fruit does is release subtle fruit flavours into your water to give it a hint of flavour that you can enjoy. Your water is transformed from a clear and tasteless fluid to one that is bursting with colour and slightly flavoured.  What’s more is you can enjoy the fruit in the bottom of your jar once you have finished the water?

To make your flavoured water simply place into the bottom of your jar some fruit of your choice.  This can either be a singular fruit or mixed selection depending on your preferences. Herbs also work really well in the water so add these too if you want.  Try not to make the combination too difficult, you don’t want to overdo it. Once you have your desired amount of fruit and herbs in the jar give them a slight bash with the end of a wooden spoon to release the juices from the ingredients. Make sure that you don’t turn your fruit to mush as you want it to remain whole. Once this has been done you can fill the jar with ice and then add water.  Leave your water to stand for at least an hour for the flavours to infuse the water but it is best left for at least 24 hours.  Your flavoured water can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days allowing you to make plenty for the week.

Juice Recipes:

There are hundreds of juicing and flavoured water combinations you could make up but I have left you with 2 of my favourite to try out.

Apple and Strawberry juice:

• 2 large apples
• 1 punnet of strawberries
• ½ lime

To make place all ingredients into a juicer, stir and serve. Alternatively you can juice the ingredients by hand or blend them for a smoothie like texture.

Strawberry, kiwi and mint flavoured water:

• Hand full of strawberries cut in half
• 1 kiwi sliced
• Sprig of mint

Place all ingredients into your jar, bash a little, and add ice and water.

Author Bio:

Kate is a keen writer who is extremely interested in health and nutrition. She often writes about healthy food and drink options as well as supplements including Oxylean and Whey Protein.