Looking to add extra nutrients and vital vitamins into your everyday life? Look no further than freshly squeezed (or blended) vegetable juice

Before we get into the wonders of juicing, here’s what you need Yo know:

•  Juicing shouldn’t replace proper meals – it’s important to get as much of a variety every day, keep those carbs, fats and proteins in there and enjoy your juice with breakfast, lunch or dinner.

•  Juicing isn’t always better than eating the actual vegetable – using a juicer removes the pulp and fibre from the drink. However, if you’re on the go, being able to drink a ready-to-go juice is much easier than chomping on a celery stick!

•  It’s essential to properly wash your veggies before juicing them to get rid of harmful chemicals. 

•  Making juice requires a fair amount of vegetables, so this is perfect if you’re looking to use up your kale, celery, cucumber or beetroot.

•  Some things that don’t juice well: avocado and bananas (save these for creamy smoothies), broccoli, rhubarb, whole citrus (remove the skin and pith before blending). 

•  Lastly, do not bulk juice! Over time, juices can ferment so always make a juice fresh and have it as soon as possible.

Green Goddess 

SERVES  3–6 // COOK TIME 10 min

INGREDIENTS

1 cup water

½ cup  kale, roughly chopped

1 lemon, segmented

2 cm ginger, peeled

¼ cup mint leaves

1 apple, cored and sliced

3 whole celery stalks

METHOD

1. Add the water to your juicer jug and juice the remaining ingredients slowly one at a time.

2. If you’re using a blender, add the water first and then all of the veggies, one at a time and blend. Once blended, remove the pulp by pouring the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve, or leave it all in if you like.

3. Serve immediately or within 6–12 hours. The juice will separate upon standing so give it a shake to mix it up again.

Carrot Clarity

SERVES 2–4 //  COOK TIME 5 min

INGREDIENTS

10 carrots

5 orange, peeled and segmented

2 cm ginger, peeled

2 celery sticks

METHOD

1. Add all of the ingredients to your juicer. Throw away the pulp and enjoy.

2. If using a blender, roughly chop up all of the ingredients before adding them to your blender in batches. Strain once blended to remove the pulp if you like.

Words by Sjaan Van Der Ploeg 
Photography: Pexels

Smoothies tend to be a highly underrated meal supplement considering how quick, simple and nutritious they can be. If you’re in too much of a rush in the morning to make breakfast or are simply looking for an easier, no-fuss option, we have 5 get-up-and-go super smoothies to start your day!

The post 2 Great Vegetable Juice Recipes appeared first on MyKitchen.