In New York it’s really easy to find everything you need to follow any type of diet. It was there that I began to follow a healthy diet, and where I took up the habit of drinking natural cold-pressed juices. Countless coffee shops, supermarkets and stands prepare them fresh for you, but here it is not as well-established so I decided to invest in a cold press juicer to make them at home.
Traditional blenders operate at a fast speed, causing the ingredients to rise in temperature and oxidise, losing some of their nutrients. Unlike these, the cold-pressed method extracts the juice through cold pressing and at a lower speed. It can be compared with the difference between refined oils and cold-pressed virgin oils, which are much healthier. The only nag is that it takes me much longer to get a glass of juice. But as the saying goes: “good things come to those who wait”.
This summer I am trying lots of cold-pressed juices to benefit from the antioxidants and all the vitamins the fruit and vegetables contain. Here are two of my favourites:
S P I N A C H, C A R R O T A N D G I N G E R J U I C E
Spinach. This is one of the star ingredients of my green juices. Green leafy vegetables contain the highest amount of chlorophyll, and this vegetable in particular is rich in vitamins, fibre, minerals (calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium, among others), protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
Carrot. It is said that this vegetable helps to maintain a tan, because it is rich in beta-carotene, and that it is great for eyesight on account of its high vitamin content. How many times have we heard that! Personally, I love adding it to juices because of its sweet flavour which blends really well with the other ingredients.
Ginger. This is one of my favourite condiments; I love its aroma and its spicy flavour. I use it a lot in my diet, since it contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids which do wonders for our body. What’s more, this ingredient also helps digestion. I cut and peel a small slice and add it to this juice.
B E E T R O O T, L E M O N A N D C A R R O T J U I C E
Beetroot. A great source of antioxidants, as well as containing high amounts of vitamin C, iron and folic acid, which are really important during pregnancy. It has a sweet flavour that I love and that balances out the bitterness of the lemon.
Lemon. As I have explained in other posts, lemon helps to remove toxins, and the minerals and vitamins (C) it contains help to boost your immune system. Personally, I really like its bitter taste, but if you are finding it hard to get used to it, this juice is a good alternative to start to enjoy its benefits.
Carrots are in this juice as well.
There are two things I love most about drinking these juices. One is enjoying the consistency of the foam, which reminds me of the pleasure of that first sip of beer, and the other is purely visual, marvelling at the beautiful and intense colours. Bon appétit!
P.S.: Although I will be active on the blog during the holidays, I want to disconnect to be able to be with my family 100%. That is why, although I will post a few entries, I won’t be able to answer your comments until September. Enjoy your holidays!
V