002 Apple Basic

Backstory: In an attempt to delve into The Book I decided to take a baby step seeing as I had access to both carrots and a lot of apples in the house. I thought about making just apple juice but wanted the benefit of the carrots.
One of

Initial Thoughts Before Tasting: I don't mind carrot juice anymore. I know it's slightly sweeter with apples so this increased ration of apples to carrots (than I'm used to) shouldn't be too bad.

Ingredients:
3 apples
2 carrots

Thoughts After Tasting: Quite good. I like the variation.

Natalie Writes:

"This delicious but simple combination is a good way to introduce carrot to your juice repertoire if you're not used to vegetable juices."

Couldn't agree more.

Cleaning: The Apple didn't juice as nicely as the carrot normally does. I left the skin on but cored the apples. During juicing I opened the juicer a few times to take out larger pieces of apple to put them through again.

Star Rating: 4/5

129 What's Up Doc?

Backstory: The good ol' juice that started it all off.

Initial Thoughts Before Tasting: I hope this stuff really does start to clear up my skin and give me that energy it's supposed to. I never paid attention to that before so I'm keeping my eye out for that.

Ingredients:
5 carrots

Thoughts After Tasting: Yum!

Natalie Writes:

"The original basic vegetable juice ... probably the most popular and palatable of all the solo vegetable juices."

Well, I know it tastes good, but what frightens me is the "most palatable" part. I'm a bit worried of all the other vegetables that will have to be juiced soon ...

Cleaning: As per usual, carrots leave behind a lot of de-juiced remains. Strangely enough, it reminds me of a dry sponge.

Star Rating: 4/5

The Book by Natalie

The Big Book of Juices and Smoothies: 365 Natural Blends for Health and Vitality Every Dayby Natalie Savona

Backstory: I purchased this book on juicing perhaps around the time it came out in 2003. I can't recall what sparked my interest in it though I think that might have coincided with the once-every-few-years carrot juice my parents would make. It could certainly be that I was inspired to make that carrot juice more bearable after I found the secret within this book that indeed other ingredients could be added!
Perhaps to give some backstory in explanation: it tends to take me a while to really absorb information or to stick to a hobby/project for a prolonged period of time (though I always seem to return to things at the strangest times!)

After a renovation of my room I rediscovered a variety of books that were behind other books on my crammed bookshelves and this gem was among them. Then after sitting around for another year or two (always with the intention to really try all 365 juices) came two events I think that sparked my drive to do this:

● time again for another glass of once-every-few-years carrot juice
and
●watching the film Julie & Julia (wherein Julie attempts to do all the recipies in one of Julia Child's book within 365 days)

Though I hardly begin with the thought of being on a journey anything like that, I must say the movie did revive in me that spark of competition almost. To actually make and try all those wonderful edibles and by challenging oneself to do so in a specific time period certainly appealed to me. Perhaps blogging about it would help motivate me! So here I start on this project to really see if this juicing business is all it's cracked up to be.

The Book : Aside from all the wonderful recopies in a handy spiral book, Natalie includes various tips on juicing and making smoothies that don't overwhelm the book. She mentions what types of fruits and vegetables are good to use and their properties. Alongside each recipe she includes what nutrients your body benefits from and there is a 5 star system for 5 categories: Energy, Detox, Immunity, Digestion, and Skin. This is particularly useful and is referenced by an index that points you to different juices/smoothies based on ailments. Useful as well is the index by ingredient to help you see at a glance what options you have for a specific drink. For instance, I was quite surprised to see the variety under beet and kale!

Introduction to Natural Blends

Welcome to my journey through juicing!

As a kid, my parents juiced every so often and as their kid, I had to drink their concoctions. Usually consisting of carrots, with perhaps an apple tossed in if I was lucky, these home juices were something I tried to avoid. The tart taste, the frothy foam at the top: even now my inner child shudders a bit when I think back to those times.
Though envisioned as a treat by my parents, from my perspective is was as if they were trying to administer some medicine that didn't taste that great. I've often heard stories by friends, and yes even from my parents, about how their parents made them consume or imbibe something "for their health" and they were just not convinced. Be it liver or cod liver oil, "back in the day" it always tasted terrible and brings back memories of trying to keep something down and not always being successful.

So how does this now bring me to a juicing blog? Where did I take such a turn so as to start getting somewhat intrigued by the world of juicing?

● Perhaps it was the once-every-few-years carrot juice my mom recently made and thoughtfully skimmed off the top froth
● Perhaps I'm just at a place in my life where I have been moving forward and my positive energy has flowed into this aspect of my life
● Perhaps I am finally wise enough to desire the benefits of fresh natural juice, more than lazy
● Perhaps it was after reading various health books and having it finally sink in

All I know is that one glass of carrot juice somehow changed something. I was resigned to having to drink it and with the absence of such resistance I opened myself to something that I discovered I actually enjoy.

Although finding an answer to this might inspire some poor soul out there who still relates to my pre-juicing self, I think what's important to me is to just keep taking one step after another to see where this juicing journey might take me.