Everything Green Juice

Everywhere you turn, you are challenged to "go green," which means to choose more environmentally friendly behaviors over those that are less environmentally friendly. The idea is to find ways in which we you can be more responsible and respectful of our earth's resources. However, what about taking care of your body's resources? Since childhood you've been told that green foods are good for you, but do you know exactly why?

Following is a list of three reasons for "going green" when it comes to your eating:

1. Green foods are colored by a plant pigment called chlorophyll, which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties. Chlorophyll is also an efficient deliverer of magnesium and helps the blood carry oxygen to the cells and tissues.

2. Green vegetables are especially good for the circulatory system, and they also help with vision and maintaining strong bones and teeth. Some of the greenish-yellow vegetables contain lutein and zeaxanthin, which are carotenoids that help to prevent cataracts and eye disease, as well as osteoporosis.

3. Green fruits, such as honeydew melon, kiwifruit, and limes are good sources of vitamin C, a wonderful antioxidant that helps wound healing and keeps the gums and teeth healthy.

This recipe provides a ton of nutrients that will nourish your body. Plus, it's refreshing and tastes great!

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe

Course Drinks

Servings

Ingredients

2 Granny Smith apples, unpeeled and cut into slices
1 cup packed fresh spinach, leaves intact
1/2 medium cucumber, about 3 inches long, unpeeled and cut in quarters lengthwise
1 cup green grapes
1/4 cup packed parsley
1/2 lime, room temperature (for easier juicing)

Instructions

Rinse produce well. Roll lime around on the countertop with your hand to soften it. Using a paring knife, cut the lime away from the peel and set segments aside. Feed apple slices and spinach through the juicer at the same time (feeding greens by themselves tends to clog it up). Put grapes through, and then feed cucumber, parsley, and lime segments together. Stir, and serve.
Yield: 2 servings (serving size: 8 ounces or 1 cup)

Notes

For best results, use a juicer (I have a Champion Juicer and love it) to make this recipe. You can also use a blender, but the texture will be more like a smoothie than a juice. Also, unless you have a high-powered blender like the Vitamix, you will probably want to peel the cucumber and apples.
To juice the lime by hand, slice it in half, and squeeze out the juice into the bowl underneath the juicer.