The Juicing Bible - Softcover

Crocker, Pat; Eagles, Susan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0778800199 ISBN 13: 9780778800194

Publisher: Robert Rose, 2000

Synopsis

For years nutritionists and health practitioners have urged North Americans to eat more fruits and vegetables. Why? Because these foods are low in fat, and are important sources of essential vitamins, minerals and fiber. Yet many of us -- even the most health conscious -- still don't consume the recommended 5 to 10 servings a day.

So what's the solution? For some people, the answer lies in vitamin and herbal supplements, both of which have enjoyed explosive sales growth over the past decade. But recent research suggests that whole, natural foods are still the best source of nutrients. And there's no easier or more effective way to add fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet than by juicing them.

Now, with The Juicing Bible, there's a new and comprehensive source of information for anyone who wants to explore the health benefits of juicing. Here you'll find a fully illustrated reference documenting the nutritive values and healing properties of over 100 fruits, vegetables and herbs. There's also a special section that addresses 60 common health conditions -- with prescriptive advice for using specific juices, as well as beneficial dietary and lifestyle changes. And, of course, there are the juicing recipes themselves -- over 150 of them, including flavorful juices (sample a Crimson Cleanser or Beta Blast), smoothies (try the Pump It Up or Cool Down), tonics, bitters, coffee substitutes and healing teas.

With helpful sidebars, health tips and preparation techniques throughout, The Juicing Bible is jam-packed with information. It's a BIG book -- the biggest we've ever published -- and it's an essential guide for anyone who wants to explore all the nutritional benefits that natural foods can provide.

Why Juice?

Research has shown that freshly juiced fruits and vegetables contain literally thousands of natural chemicals that simply aren't provided by nutritional or vitamin supplements. These substances, called phytochemicals, are only now being understood; but a number of studies suggest that they play an essential role in ridding the body of potential carcinogens, as well as protecting against cellular damage.
Fresh juice (unlike commercially prepared juice) contains a number of enzymes, which are essential to the proper function of the human metabolism
Juicing removes much of the indigestible fiber in fruits and vegetables, which means that a substantially larger amount of available nutrients can be absorbed by the body. One study has shown that a carrot, when juiced, delivers 100 times the beta-carotene of a carrot eaten whole.

About this title

About the Author

Pat Crocker is the author of the award winning Healing Herbs Cookbook (Robert Rose). She is a culinary herbalist and professional home economist with more than 25 years experience. Past president of an herbalist association, she brings her passion about herbs to many newspaper and magazine articles as well as lecture events.

Susan Eagles is a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists and is a qualified herbalist. She offers workshops on various topics regarding health concerns.

Reviews

Advocates of fruit and vegetable juices cite the high levels of vitamins and antioxidants in these products. Ironically, juicing requires an electrically powered machine to reduce raw fruits and vegetables to a drinkable liquid state. Pat Crocker and Susan Eagles have produced The Juicing Bible to stretch the imagination of those who own juicing machines. They promote unusual combinations of juices such as beets, ginger, apple, celery, chile, and garlic to vary otherwise humdrum products. While some may question the health-claim benefits outlined in the book's first half, interest in healing through natural foods continues to grow. The book's extensive lists of juice combinations make it a very useful reference. Mark Knoblauch
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Introduction

With juice bars and "elixir caf6s" springing up in cities throughout North America, it's tempting to think that juicing is a new trend. But it's really just the latest manifestation of a centuries-old health practice. And in this new age of genetically modified, over-refined, chemical-laden non-food, this "rediscovery" of juicing has never been more welcome.

Research consistently shows that people who eat the greatest quantity of fruits and vegetables are about half as likely to develop cancer as those who eat little or no fresh fruits and vegetables. So it's not surprising that the United States Cancer Institute recommends eating 5 servings of fresh vegetables and 3 servings of fresh fruit each day. In fact, the phytochemicals in fruit and vegetables hold the keys to preventing many other modern diseases, such as heart disease, as well as debilitating conditions such as asthma, arthritis and allergies.

Still, even the most disciplined person can find it difficult to eat all those fruits and vegetables every day. So why not drink them? Raw fresh juices, blended drinks and homemade frozen treats are an easy and a tasty way to ensure that adults and children get their "daily eight."

BENEFITS OF JUICING

Easy assimilation.
In whole fruits and vegetables (or even in drinks that contain pulp), some enzymes, phytochemicals, vitamins A, C and E - along with minerals like iron, copper, potassium, sodium, iodine and magnesium -- are trapped in the indigestible fiber and cannot be assimilated by the body. But once "liberated" from the cellulose in the pulp, those nutrients can be taken into the cells of the body within 15 minutes (as compared to the hour or more it takes for nutrients to be assimilated from drinks with the pulp intact). This saves the energy required for digestion and allows the body to rest while detoxifying or cleansing, before or after physical activity, or while recovering from an illness.

Water supply.
Our cells consist mostly of water, which is essential to their proper function. That's why we should consume at least 8 glasses of water a day. Raw juice -- unlike coffee, soft drinks and alcohol (which take water from the body in order to metabolize) -- supplies the water you need to replenish lost fluid, while providing all the necessary vitamins, minerals, enzymes and phytochemicals. In addition, juices promote the alkalinity of body fluids, which is vital for proper immune and metabolic function.

Cleansing action.
Because the fiber is removed by extraction, raw juice has a laxative effect (more evident in fruit juices) which helps to rid the body of toxins. Detoxifying the system, and cleansing the digestive tract and colon, helps clear the mind and balance your moods. Cleansing also causes your metabolism to become more efficient and, if a whole-food diet is followed, the body will revert to its natural weight.

The spark of life.
The living "greenpower" that is present in all living plants is available to the body when raw fresh juices are consumed. This "life force" is a natural, vital quality that is lost in processing and when fruit and vegetables are stored.

Antioxidants.
Herbs, fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants, which counteract the free radicals that can cause cellular damage, aging and susceptibility to cancers.

Natural sugars.
The sugars in fruits and vegetables come bundled with the goodness of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other phytochemicals that aren't found in refined sugar. They deliver the same energy as pastries, candy and soft drinks, but without the chemicals and fat.

Chlorophyll.
Found only in plants, chlorophyll has a unique structure that allows it to enhance the body's ability to produce hemoglobin which, in turn, enhances the delivery of oxygen to cells.

BENEFITS OF PULPING

Full of fiber
Fruit and vegetables contain fiber in the form of cellulose, pectin, lignin and hemicellulose - all of which are essential to health. Combined, these types of fiber slow absorption of food (increasing absorption of nutrients), help lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease, help eliminate toxins and carcinogens, prevent hemorrhoids, varicose veins, constipation, colitis (and possibly colon cancer), and help to prevent gallstones. When fruit and vegetables are blended or pulped, their fiber is retained, along with all the vitamins, minerals, enzymes and phytochemicals.

Keeping you satisfied.
By pulping different fruit and vegetable combinations and combining with herbs, nuts, seeds and whole grains, the body is nourished and the bulk in the fiber gives a sense of satisfaction that lasts longer than what you get from fast food snacks, soft drinks or coffee.

Water. See above.

More cleansing action.
Fiber in pulped juices cleanses the body in a manner different from that of extracted juices. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to fecal matter, facilitating its rapid elimination through the colon. As a result, there is no undue multiplication of bacteria with production of toxins.

The spark of life. See above.

Antioxidants. See above.

Natural sugars. See above.

Chlorophyll. See above.

JUICING AS PART OF A HEALTHY DIET

Juicing plays a major role in ensuring a healthy diet by making it easier to consume the recommended 8 daily servings of fruits and vegetables. One large glass of pure, raw, fresh juice per day will help improve the immune system, increase energy, strengthen bones, clear skin and lower the risk of disease. For maximum benefit, it is wise to consume a wide variety of juices from different types of organic herbs, fruits and vegetables.

Be sure to incorporate juices into a well-balanced, high-fiber, whole food diet. Extracted juices should not completely replace whole fruits and vegetables since their fiber is important for eliminating toxins and preventing cancer.

A healthy diet includes protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and phytochemicals, fiber and water in proportions that promote growth and maintain vibrant, salubrious cells. Eat food in its natural and whole state where possible, avoiding packaged, refined, preserved, colored, pickled, salted, sweetened and artificially flavored foods.

Edition details

• Publisher: Robert Rose
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0778800199
• ISBN 13: 9780778800194
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288