Juice Generation by Eric Helms

Juice Generation by Eric Helms

Author:Eric Helms
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Touchstone


3

GREEN UP YOUR CUP

Almost any kind of smoothie can be easily greened by tossing some leaves into the blender. Spinach is the classic smoothie green as it has a mild flavor that mixes beautifully with other fruits. Kale, the nutritional powerhouse, has a stronger flavor that can be balanced with bright fruits like berries and pineapple. Swiss chard, romaine lettuce, bok choy, and collard greens are also excellent additions and you can even experiment with savory flavors of beet greens and spicy mustard greens in vegetable-only smoothies. Start slowly as you get to know your greens—in Phase 1 the focus is on spinach and kale. Add a small handful to your blender before committing to a deeper green experience.

4

THE FROST FACTOR

Adding ice to your smoothie is a personal choice. On the upside, it can transform a simple smoothie into a decadent, milkshake-like experience, enhancing its flavor and texture. Those watching their weight appreciate how it fills out the drink without adding extra calories. On the downside, ice can make your blended drink too frosty, which can make it harder to drink and—many healers say—be a shock to the digestion, slowing it down. If you’re using frozen fruit, you don’t need ice. (And if frozen fruit in your smoothie is too teeth-chattering, splash hot water on top to melt it slightly before adding the other ingredients.)

5

SWEETENING THE DEAL

If the ingredients in your smoothie don’t quite satisfy your palate and you need it a touch sweeter, use a natural sweetening ingredient that is as unprocessed as possible and experiment with the amounts you need. Aim to decrease the amount of sweet gradually as you get used to enjoying the full flavor spectrum and already-occurring sweetness of your drink.

All very sweet things have lots of calories—there’s no getting around that. But some contain higher amounts of fructose—the supersweet kind of sugar molecule that can have the most damaging impact on the body and that gets stored quickly as fat if you eat more than a moderate amount. Choosing what sweetener to use involves balancing your taste preference with an awareness of fructose amounts—and of course, over the long term, adapting your palate so you need only a touch of sweet to be satisfied. Some of our favorite sweeteners include:

Dates These sumptuous dried fruits are not only outrageously delicious, they contain an array of antioxidants, trace minerals, and both soluble and insoluble fiber to add more oomph to your hit of sweet. Two or three medium-size dates in a smoothie or homemade nut milk will more than satisfy your desire (and even one may be enough). You can find fresh dates in most markets; look for plump dates with smooth and unwrinkled skins. They can last for several months when refrigerated in a tightly sealed container. Dried dates can last for up to a year in the fridge (they can be “replumped” with warm water if they dry out). Soaked raisins, figs, and prunes also add sweetness that kids especially will like—an even healthier option is to use the soaking water itself and save the fruits for something else.



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