Hi Sweet Friends,
I haven’t been able to stop talking or writing about green juice since my first sip. What can I say? That green nectar feels like pure, invigorating oxygen shooting to every corner of my being.
Today, juicing is as much a part of my life as brushing my teeth, but it wasn’t always second nature. I’m reminded of my early juicing adventures each time I receive a question from a reader who wants to juice, but just can’t seem to get the hang of it or is too intimidated to even try.
People think they have to do it perfectly, but the bottom line is you can’t mess it up!
I don’t want anything to stand in the way of you and your green juice. That’s why I made this video and released my book, Crazy Sexy Juice. There’s no better time than today to begin, spice up or revive your love affair with juicing.
So what is green juice and why is it so spectacular?
When you run your produce through a juicer, the pulp is separated from the juice. You may be wondering why anyone would go through all that trouble. Absorption, baby. Since your body doesn’t have to work to digest the fiber, it can easily pull the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients straight into your bloodstream. Plus, giving your digestive system a break means your body can focus on resting and repairing your hard-working cells. Don’t get me wrong, fiber is awesome! But it’s OK to skip it in my glass of emerald sunshine, since radical roughage is a big part of my Crazy Sexy plant-filled diet. Plus, you can fit a lot more vegetable goodness in a green juice (a pound or more!) than you can eat with your fork in one sitting. What else can you drink that’ll do such phenomenal things for your health and put a large dent in your five recommended servings of fruits and veggies per day? (Hint: Nothing beats green juice!)
Now that we know more about the how and why of juicing, let’s break down the Crazy Sexy Green Juice Formula.
My handy-dandy infographic walks you through my daily recipe and gives you lots of room to play. See it as a jumping off point and a tool for you to create your own green juice masterpieces! Bring it with you to the grocery store and post it next to your juicer for inspiration.
Okay nobody laugh at me but I didn’t know that you could save your juice until the afternoon. What a relief! That just changed the game for me. I thought that if I didn’t have one of the more expensive juicers that I had to drink it right away and wait until I got home to juice. I will totally be getting some mason jars soon.
Can anybody get it from a bookstore?
Not yet! It’s only online currently and only at kriscarr.com or crazysexyjuice.com
Hi Kris love your web site. Do I need to peel the veggies and the fruit? Also what size mason jars do you use? Suzanne
I peel produce when they aren’t organic. Check out the dirty dozen and the clean 15. The mason jars are about 8 oz.
Hi Kris. I am a two time ovarian cancer survivor. After my second surgery, I was determined to take a more active role in my health. I noticed your cookbook, Crazy Sexy Kitchen, while browsing at a bookstore, and started reading the information about juicing. It’s funny now, but I remember thinking, “I could never be a vegan, but this whole juicing thing makes sense to me!” I had already started chemo, and my red blood cell count was beginning to drop. When this situation happened after my first surgery, I ended up needing a blood transfusion. I did not want to go through that again! In October of 2012, between my second and third round of chemo, I made my first batch of juice. I had downloaded your juicing & smoothie e-guide, and per your advice, blanched my veggies for a few seconds before juicing them to reduce the risk of bacteria. When my blood was drawn for the third round of chemo, my red blood cell count had risen ever so slightly. I was encouraged! I continued to juice through chemo, and my red blood cell count continued upward. I did not have to have a blood transfusion! Also, in January of 2013 and after researching the benefits of good nutrition, I became a vegan! I also consulted a chiropractor/nutritionist in April who practices “functional medicine.” She found several deficiences for which I am receiving supplementation. She loves my juicing habit – calling it my “liquid vitamin” – and I began seeing her once per week. Then, my work “family” asked me to come back to the office. They held my position for five months after my first surgery in 2011 and eight months after my second surgery in 2012! However, I was presented with a new challenge! How would I go to work with my new lifestyle of juicing, learning how to cook vegan, and office visits with my chiropractor/nutritionist?! I was offered a part time position to give me time to balance everything. I now juice once or twice per week. Since I no longer blanch the veggies, the juice tastes a little stronger so I started adding cilantro, jalepeno, and lime. I continue to play with different combinations of herbs, fruits & spices. Sometimes I strain the juice, but it is still super green and nutritious. Here’s my tip: I bought 8 oz freezable mason jars! They are the perfect size for my freezer, and I freeze my juice as soon as it’s made. I don’t fill the jars all the way to the top to allow for expansion, and I take one (or two) out at night and put it in the fridge. Sometimes it’s still a little icy the next morning, but I love having the little shards of ice in my juice, which make it very palatable. I drink it on the way to work. This system is working out great and helps simplify my life by not having to juice every day. I am so thankful to you for all the information you provided – and my work “family” for their support!
BARB! You ROCK! What a remarkable story. Thank you, thank you for sharing and for being such a shining example. Much love to you Barb. x
Hi Kris!
Great blog as always! I had started juicing about a year or so ago when I was living in an area where organic fruits and vegetables were accessible. I had moved twice since and I hadn’t juiced in a long time because I couldn’t get hold of organic produce anymore.
I have moved back to my hometown in Zamboanga City in the Philippines for health reasons and I really want to get back to juicing again. My hometown is rich with fresh fruits and vegetables, but I haven’t seen anybody selling anything organic. Can I juice non-organic produce? I’ve always felt queasy about doing it because it felt like chugging down a glassful of pesticide. 🙁 But I really want and need to start juicing again. I miss the energy it brings.
Thank you, and keep inspiring!
Raia
Kris,
Another awesome video. You are generous with your spirit, your tips and your knowledge. I know you inspire many. I send people your way all the time. This is definitely a video I will share!
Hey Kris & Gang!
I have kidney stones and have been told (and untold) that greens will contribute to the formation of future stones…kale, spinach, broccoli. Any info on this? I’d love to juice, but am worried that the greens will kick my kidneys’ butts.
Thanks!
Jason
Heya Kris! Be aware all mason jar lids are lined with BPA! Green hugs!
Dear Chris,
I truely love you words on the hay house summit – concerning turtle power and many other things. Such healing it brought to my heart to listen to you. Thank you. And now as I read your words like “…bottom line is you can’t mess it up!”. I just feel so thankful and shouting “yes, yes, yes!” – I have melanoma, and I am finding my way into green juicing and many other things. For me it all circular – I have to find things in the now, to move a little back and the forward again, like circular movements, and slowly as turtle. Thank you ever so much for sharing your thoughts.
In respect, in love and in light and cheers (must have my evening green drink – just had a wheatgrass….uuuuh, haven’t learned to love that yet!)
Lotte Lings Greir
Cheers and a big ole hug. x kc
Chase your wheatgrass shot with apple juice. Completely dissolves the wheatgrass taste ?
Oh wonderful, You are great the way you show up shining like a diamond over again about juicing, just when I need a boost ~there you are!
LOVINU KRIS and company…teehee.
Oya
Please, excuse my English.
Hi Kriss,
I started to juice two months ago with an old blender after finding out that another lymphoma was coming back in my skin while pregnant… It scared the hell out of me and it was a good kick in the *** to start taking better care of my self. My body was sending me a lot of messages and I was not paying attention.
I blend everything (even celery and kale stems) with a little bit of water and I use a pastry strainer over a stainless steel bowl to collect the juice (easier than the cheesecloth) . I know it is not the perfect juice, but my liver is very happy now : ) . One day, I will get that VitaMix!
Having a little one to take care of, (+ the one inside me) I prepare my vegetables 3 or 4 days in advance in Zipploc bags to save time in the morning and it really helps.
You were a source of inspiration to make a lot of changes in my diet and accepting what is going on in my life….
MANY THANKS,
Catherine
Wonderful Catherine!!!! xo
Catherine,
l loved your comment and others like yours that show you don’t have to buy the latest and greatest shiny machine(s) to eat health(ier) and add more plants and juices to your daily life. You prove with some willingness and creativity you can do great working with what you have and within your limits.
Kudos!
Hi Kris,
Thank you for the video and always helpful and inspirational information. Do you replace meals with green drinks or just add as a beverage in the day?
Thank you again so much! You are special (I know you know, its just nice to say).
Jason
Great question Jason. I usually include them in the day. I’ll have one with breakfast and one as a snack mid-day. Also, a smoothie keeps me full longer than a green juice.
Thank you so much for the “Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen/Clean Fifteen recommendations”: very helpful!
I’m a t a point now that if I don’t have my green juice every day I NEED it! My body craves it!
God bless you girl. You are saving many lives. May you live long and healthy. You are loved.
Another great tip to speed up the cleaning process… keep old bulk bags or buy compostable liners (Breville makes a great one) to line the compost receptacle. Then you can quickly tie-up and toss the compost (or save for another use!) and it’s one less part to wash. This step makes clean-up a breeze for me!
Any thoughts on a portable juicer for travelling/camping?
This last year I worked for a Canadian company and traveled often. Spending too much time waiting for connections at airports & Living out of a Hotel was difficult to eat as Healthy as I liked and impossible at times to juice.
I finally started to travel with my “Bullet Blender” & created green smoothies by buying organic greens & fruits at my destination. While these smoothies were not as good as my home juicing they satisfied my carvings for greens.
The bullet is small, doesn’t weigh much, and fits easily into a suitcase.
Thanks for the new juicing infographic; it’s like juicing for dummies! Except we’re all much smarter for doing it 🙂
Darn I wish I had waited another few days to buy it…
This was just what I needed this morning! I was trying to decide what to make for breakfast and was seriously considering a bagel and cream cheese… But when I checked my email and saw a new message from my sweet friend, Kris about juicing, it inspired me to put the processed food down and plug in my juicer! I will now be making juice for breakfast instead and feeling so much better. Thanks, Kris!
I’ve tried juicing a few times but I have not liked the flavor at all. I much better like smoothies. Any suggestions? I saw somebody suggest a watermelon. Thanks!
I have totally been there! What worked for me was easing into the veggie juice. You not only get used to the veggie taste, you start craving it! I started with juicing sweet fruits like pineapple, watermelon, and green apples to help hide the veggie taste, and slowly would add less fruit and more veggies until I could handle just veggie juice. I hope this helps! Good luck
Tiffany, that is a great tip! I have seen a couple family members juice, but I’ve not taken the full plunge yet due to my fear of distasteful green juices. I will definitely take your tip into consideration when I start juicing. Thank you!