Consuming fresh juices prepared from locally sourced, seasonal produce, has long been regarded a wonderful way to get your daily fix of healthy vitamins and minerals or a great way to "fast".
Fresh juices, when prepared the right way and without heat pressure pasteurisation or preservatives, is one of the best things you can do for your health.
The problem is that most pre-packaged fruit juices you'll find on the supermarket shelf, have been high temperature pasteurised, destroying much of the nutrients and living enzymes, or they're laced with preservatives to give them a longer shelf life and detracts from the health benefits.
Of course, it can definitely be argued that these juice products are better for you than artificially coloured and sweetened soft drinks and energy drinks, but they're definitely not the best types of fresh juices for you to consume.
In fact, juices prepared to order at your local juice bar or cafe are generally not the best way to go either!
The reason for this, is because they're usually prepared with what's known as, "centrifugal juice" machines, which utilise rapid "speed" and "heat" to pulverise the produce. Unfortunately, this process destroys much of the nutrient content by "oxidising" the juice thereby removing the living enzymes that your body wants.
For this main reason, the absolute best way to enjoy and benefit from fresh fruit and vegetable juices, is to make them yourself at home using a "cold-press" juice machine.
Here in our blog we reveal why this is important and share with you 6 top reasons to prepare your own fresh seasonal juice at home.
1. "Living" Juice Is Best
Many ready-made juice products on the market today are devoid of nutrients due to them being manufactured using heat pressure pasteurisation (HPP) and with the addition of preservatives.
Also, juice made fresh in cafes or juice bars is normally prepared using a centrifugal machine, which tends to oxidise the juice and destroy its living enzymes and the many vital health benefits.
If you are going to consume fresh juice prepared using a centrifugal juicer, just be sure to drink it right away, because the longer you leave it, the more it will oxidise and lose its nutrient quality. A visual example of this oxidisation process can be seen if you place a freshly prepared centrifugal juice in a glass and allow it to sit for 5-10 minutes in front of you. You will notice a significant separation in colour between the top and bottom half caused by the pulp falling to the bottom of the glass and the water at the top.
On the other hand, when you "cold press" your fruits and vegetables using a slow expeller press method, this oxidisation and separation does not occur. Also, you benefit from not only a more delicious juice, but one that is loaded with "living" vitamins, minerals and enzymes which are retained (not destroyed) through the juicing process and are both detoxifying and nourishing for your body.
So, if the entire reason for drinking fresh juice in the first place is to benefit your health, doesn't it makes sense to go with "cold-pressed" so that you're able to benefit from the healthiest, most refreshing, "living" juice?
2. Variety Adds Taste & Quality
When you’re in control of making your own juices, you get to decide the juice of the day because you choose the ingredients.
The great thing about juicing fresh produce is that it's only really limited by your imagination. When you prepare your own fresh juice at home, you can mix and match a variety of fruits and vegetables, explore new blends and experiment until your heart’s content.
Of course, you can also keep things simple. For example, you can prepare basic juice blends like these:
CABALA - Carrots, Apples, Beets & Lemons;
Citrus Blend - Red Grapefruit, Orange, Lemon & Ginger
Green Blend - Green Apple, Spinach, Cucumber, Celery, Lime, Parsley & Mint
When you prepare juice yourself at home it can be interesting and exciting because you're involved in the process of preparing something that's amazing for your health.
This is not something you get to experience when you buy juices from the shop shelf or cafe, nor is the quality anywhere near as good.
Whether you are fasting or simply utilising juicing as a way to get a daily infusion of vitamins, minerals and enzymes, nothing beats fresh juicing at home.
And the great thing about cold-pressed juices, is you can prepare your juice in batches in advance, then store it in glass jars in the refrigerator for up to 72 hours, which means you can prepared 2-3 days worth at a time.
Making your own juice helps you stay on a healthy track while getting a nice variety of vitamins and minerals, without getting tired of drinking it.
3. Help for Your Digestive System
Every single day your digestive system is working hard for you. It’s breaking down food, processing nutrients and working overtime to dispatch toxins.
The problem is that over time the digestive system becomes overwhelmed and needs a rest so that it can reset and continue to perform at its optimum function.
One of the best ways to achieve this is through regular juicing, because it allows your body to still be nourished but without placing weight on your digestive system.
A great time to consume fresh juice is in the morning on an empty stomach, since this coincides with your body's natural elimination or digestive cycle and it will enhance rather than disrupt this crucial process.
Any day when you're able to drink fresh, cold-pressed juice until noon - before switching to solid food - is a day where you'll be doing your body and health a great service.
From time to time, you may also like to do a multi-day juice fast for 2, 3 or 7 days for example.
When you do this, just remember that preparation is key. Having a basic plan, gathering your produce and preparing your juices in advance is the secret to experiencing a successful juice fast so that it doesn't become a burden.
You may choose to do a few days on CABALA juice or GREEN juice, or come up with your own recipe from any number of options you'll find online.
If you're going to mix and match your juices, a good philosophy to follow is to consume the higher fruit content juices earlier in the day (which have higher natural sugar content), and then the more vegetable and root-based juices as you progress throughout the day.
Whatever you choose to do, just know that a small break from solid food can actually help your body to reset, boost your immunity and can make you feel refreshed, lighter and more energised.
To learn more about creating your own cleanse, fast or detox, visit our blog: 7 Day Detox Plan With Raw Juices.
4. You're In Total Control
The best part about making your own fresh juice at home is that you get to control exactly what goes in it.
You choose the quality of your ingredients, where it's sourced from, how it's rinsed, batched, prepared, bottled and stored.
In other words, you're in complete control of the entire process from beginning to end. This gives you peace of mind about what you're putting into your body, which tends to make the juice taste even better!
Yes, for convenience, you can purchase cold-pressed juices from your local health food store, farmer's markets and even have them home delivered in certain cities. But nothing gives you the certainty and quality that preparing your own fresh juices at home provides.
5. Cost-Efficiency and Convenience
Because cold-pressed juicing is a more meticulous method, purchasing these types of juices is usually more expensive than buying regular juices from your local juice bar or cafe.
When you source your produce yourself, particularly from local farmer's markets, you're able to benefit from cost-efficiencies. Buying enough fresh produce to make enough juice for 2-3 days will significantly reduce the average cost of your juices, which is why we recommend preparing your own fresh juices at home whenever possible.
Again, the key is planning. Choose the day that you're going to prepare your juices, decide on the recipe and go gather the ingredients you need. Be sure to have enough glass bottles or mason jars on hand so that you can bottle the juice as you prepare it.
Whilst it may seem like a little work on the front end, the reward on the back end is cost-efficiency and convenience when you prepare your fresh juices yourself at home.
6. Fresher Taste
There's nothing more delightful and refreshing than a chilled, cold-pressed juice you've prepared yourself at home.
The taste will get your taste buds dancing, and the purity, nutrients and freshness will make your cells sing.
When it comes to freshness, remember when you prepare and store your juices in sealed glass bottles in the refrigerator, they will stay absolutely nutrient rich and fresh for up to 72 hours.
This is why every time you decide to go to the trouble of preparing fresh juice at home, you should always make 2-3 days worth at a time.
Which Type of Juicer is best for home?
As explained already, a cold-press juicer is definitely the best way to go when it comes to juicing at home for quality and taste.
Whilst there are several options of the market, here at Tolman Self Care we use and recommend the Kuvings Elite C7000 Cold Pressed Juicer which we make available in our store.
What If You Don't Have Time To Juice Yourself?
Some cities have boutique juice companies that specialise in making cold-pressed juices and juice cleanses and will even arrange delivery to your door. Of course 'google' will be your best friend if you're trying to find one of these companies.
We would consider this as a next-best option if you simply don't have the time or equipment to prepare your own fresh juices at home.
Another great substitute or back up, are our RAW Juice Powders which are extracted only from fresh whole food sources with absolutely no additives.
These are long-life and wonderful to have in your pantry for those days when you need a refreshing daily fix of vitamins and minerals but are short on time and ingredients. You can even add a scoop or two to your favourite smoothie recipe to boost the nutrient level and quality.
In our store, you'll see that we have four varieties of raw juice powders available - GREEN, BERRY, TROPICAL and CABALA and we ship them direct to your door when you order.
The Main Takeaway
There are many good reasons to prepare your own fresh juices at home.
Regular juicing, juice cleansing and juice fasting, can be intertwined into a healthy lifestyle to support healthy digestion, stronger immunity and to help your body and mind reset and heal.
Whatever level you choose, when it comes to juicing at home just remember two things; 1. Preparation is key and; 2. Cold-Pressed Juicing is the best method for preparing your juices.
Don't make it complicated.
Choose a simple recipe or two and make a plan. Then, get down to your local farmer's markets and gather enough produce to cover a few days worth of juice. Get your juicer and glass bottles ready and go for it!
Embrace the process and the wonderful living juices you'll create. Your body will love you for it.
Tolman Self Care.
