Does juicing increase vitality, encourage weight loss, strengthen immunity, aid digestion, improve health and actually promote healing?

Health conscious consumers are getting into juicing more and more these days. Proponents of juicing raw fruits and vegetables believe that consuming freshly made juice daily can help prevent serious illness, overcome fatigue and lower cholesterol. Enthusiasts are convinced that juicing raw produce releases highly concentrated nutrients that are absorbed quickly and result in a tremendous energy boost. Blending is Not Juicing

Medical and nutrition professionals encourage Americans to eat five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day. That’s a lot of produce. Many with a home juicer often discover that drinking freshly extracted juice is also an easy way to maintain their desired weight. And what’s up with those juice blends credited with special healing properties? …read more of Get Juiced! with Healing Juice Blends here

Blenders are often confused with juicers and many people think that they probably serve the same function. Blenders make delightful smoothies, do a fine job of grinding spices and coffee beans and my personal blender can emulsify tasty salad dressings in a snap. Smoothies, especially green smoothies are a great addition to a healthy diet, however juicing offers a number of different advantages.

A blender is not the best choice for carrots nor will you be able to make a crisp glass of fresh apple juice with it. Blenders produce a smooth beverage with a lot of bulk that can be very filling.  A blender breaks down produce with rapidly rotating blades and the output contains everything that went in, including the fibrous skin, pith and flesh.

Juicing separates the juice from the fiber, creating fresh juice that retains all of the available vitamins, enzymes and nutrients without excessive volume. With freshly extracted juice, a concentrated dose of healthy nutrients enters your bloodstream almost instantaneously and places less stress on your digestive system. Juicing is quick and easy and you can make a glass of fresh, vibrant juice in minutes. …read more of Blending is not Juicing here

Children are heading back to school and harvest vegetables are ripening on the vine. These late harvest vegetables are bursting with vine-ripened flavor and perfect for a late summer evening gathering with family or friends.

• Cucumbers: Tasty, crunchy veggies, perfectly balanced with jam-packed nutrition in every bite. Cucumbers are high in folic acid, calcium, iron, and especially B vitamins and a quick pick me up any time of the day.

• Heirloom Tomatoes: Brandywines, Green Zebras and Yellow Lollies. Yum! Heirloom seeds are the originals: the real McCoy! Heirloom vegetables provide 30 to 40 percent more vitamins and minerals than their conventional hybridized counterparts. Heirlooms offer a superior flavor profile with every bite. Heirloom tomatoes often look a little funny and come in all colors with having a different taste sensation. Head down to your local farmers market and give them a try.

• Watermelon: These hardy melons are super hydrating and so versatile. Enjoy watermelon all by itself or with a spritz of lime, blended into a Popsicle or even chopped and added to salads. Your immune system will thank you as watermelons are particularly high in antioxidants and help repair damaged cells. …read more of Late Summer Harvest Beckons to the Table for a Scrumptious Meal! here