Spring is nature's detox and cleanse season. The sweet cheesecake, buttery pecan pie and rich pork chops we ate from early winter through New Year's reflect a natural need to insulate against the cold. These foods might still be lingering in your fat tissue, just as gooey, thick and heavy in the body as they were on your plate. Now that the sun is returning, our body prepares for springtime by releasing the excess fats and sugars. That makes spring a perfect time to shed those holiday pounds. Late winter is also a popular time for seasonal affective disorder and last minute plane tickets to the tropics; the mind as well as the body is ready to be done with the cold.
Why Detox Juice Works
Detox juice is designed to assist the body in this process of releasing these fats, sugars and toxins. Each of the components of this recipe work together to neutralize the symptoms of detoxification that you may be experiencing now and also set a good foundation for springtime. Beets, radish, and garlic cleanse the liver and gall bladder, organs and tissues that are working hard to breakdown stored fats, oils and sugars. The pigment that gives beets their bright color helps to neutralize the toxins from alcohol and spicy appetizers, balancing blood chemistry. The beta carotene in carrots cools the blood, noticeable as a cooling effect in the eyes which can feel inflamed, itchy and irritated when the body releases fats. Beta carotene is also an important nutrient to counteract seasonal depression as it helps the skin to absorb the most from the limited sunlight during winter.
If any of your holiday foods and drinks left you with indigestion and reflux, black pepper and raw garlic are powerful spices that rebuild digestive fire. Beets and raw garlic flush the intestines, cleansing them. Celery and parsley flush the urine and the entire body of stagnant water weight. Garlic, black pepper and celery flush the pores of the skin which may feel dry, irritated or prone to breakouts as the body detoxes. The spiciness of black pepper is also a cardiac stimulant that helps metabolize toxins within tissues. It destroys mucus and is a lung tonic for mid February sniffles, strengthening your immune system against the fluctuating temperatures of early spring.
Vegetable Juicing in Ayurveda
One of the quickest ways to deliver nutrients to these important organs in one simple recipe is through freshly prepared vegetable juices. Your juicer acts like mechanical teeth, breaking down the cell walls of the vegetables, allowing the nutrients to reach the bloodstream quicker. Vegetable juices are easy to digest because grinding and straining removes all fiber content.
This brightly colored drink offers the sweetness of beets and carrots, the saltiness of celery, and the peppery overtones of radishes, garlic, and black pepper. Parsley adds a refreshing touch of green.
Ingredients:
Preparation:
If you don't have a vegetable juicer, chop ingredients and puree in a blender with 4c water. Strain and drink.
Otherwise, follow these instructions to receive the greatest benefits (and most juice) from this recipe. Organic ingredients are especially important in juicing recipes because the juice is potent and highly concentrated. Scrub and wash the carrots, radishes and beets well, discard their leafy tops and do not peel them. Start with the parsley. Roll it up tight into a ball then follow it with the celery. Parsley is the driest ingredient on the list, and following it with celery which has a high water content will extract the most juice. Then add the peeled garlic, carrot, radish and beet. Once the juice is poured, finish with fresh ground black pepper. Freshly squeezed juices lose their potency after about 20 minutes. Prepare individual portions and drink immediately, preferably on an empty stomach.
Generally should be taken once a day for a week or as directed. Pay attention to any sensations in the abdomen and heart rate after drinking. Then adjust the amount as appropriate for your body.
Detox juice is designed to assist the body in this process of releasing these fats, sugars and toxins. Each of the components of this recipe work together to neutralize the symptoms of detoxification that you may be experiencing now and also set a good foundation for springtime. Beets, radish, and garlic cleanse the liver and gall bladder, organs and tissues that are working hard to breakdown stored fats, oils and sugars. The pigment that gives beets their bright color helps to neutralize the toxins from alcohol and spicy appetizers, balancing blood chemistry. The beta carotene in carrots cools the blood, noticeable as a cooling effect in the eyes which can feel inflamed, itchy and irritated when the body releases fats. Beta carotene is also an important nutrient to counteract seasonal depression as it helps the skin to absorb the most from the limited sunlight during winter.