I miss the fitness threads and the fitness Doms!

[midwestyankee]

I own a woefully underused centrifugal juicing machine and I'd like to give it more work. Can anyone suggest some flavorful recipes for high-nutrition drinks?

Side question: can I produce smoothies with this machine or will I have to incorporate the juice I produce into other foods (bananas, yogurt, etc.) in a blender?

 

[MeekMe]

I own a woefully underused centrifugal juicing machine and I'd like to give it more work. Can anyone suggest some flavorful recipes for high-nutrition drinks?

Side question: can I produce smoothies with this machine or will I have to incorporate the juice I produce into other foods (bananas, yogurt, etc.) in a blender?

Hm, I think when you make smoothies it's usually with a blender and you just put the whole fruit in. I like to use almond or soy milk when making smoothies. Juice can be added for additional flavor. ^_^

One thing I learned was to cut up and freeze the fruits I want to use. Or if you don't want to do that just buy bags of frozen fruits. They blend up really cold and usually freezing tends to sweeten the fruit.

 

[midwestyankee]

Hm, I think when you make smoothies it's usually with a blender and you just put the whole fruit in. I like to use almond or soy milk when making smoothies. Juice can be added for additional flavor. ^_^

One thing I learned was to cut up and freeze the fruits I want to use. Or if you don't want to do that just buy bags of frozen fruits. They blend up really cold and usually freezing tends to sweeten the fruit.

When I make smoothies now the basic recipe is frozen berries, a banana, a cup of yogurt and some almond milk. What I'm especially curious about - and maybe I could have been more clear in my initial post - is recipes for vegetable-based juice drinks that won't make me gag at the smell and/or taste. I can handle an ugly green color if that's necessary, but I tried some vegetable juicing when I first bought the machine and they were so terrible I put the machine away and haven't plugged it in for at least seven or eight years.

 

[MeekMe]

http://juicerecipes.com/recipes/

^_^ I don't own a juicer but I'm willing to bet there's a million more sites with recipes, tips, and tricks.

 

[midwestyankee]

http://juicerecipes.com/recipes/

^_^ I don't own a juicer but I'm willing to bet there's a million more sites with recipes, tips, and tricks.

I don't mean to seem ungrateful, but I could have found many of those million sites. What I am hoping for is recipes that have been enjoyed by actual humans whose judgment I respect.

 

[Ropebunny]

Juice with equal parts apple and carrot is palatable. I'll admit I was nervous trying it after the carrot, beetroot and celery juice my mother made me drink daily as a child but was pleasantly surprised. Perhaps using it as a base of sorts could work, though if adding another vege I'd also add another fruit in equal parts to maintain that level of sweetness you need to swallow the stuff!

 

[bhndblueyes88]

To mask veggie flavours, apples, pears and grapes do the best job of neutrally masking. Pineapple juice also works great, but pineapples are A BITCH to juice (they foam.) Citrus juices are great as accenting flavours (lime/lemon) or primary juices (orange, tangerine), but they don't mix/match as easily. Orange and Spinach just doesn't taste near as nice as orange and carrot. Carrots add a nice neutral sweetness, but don't have much ability to overpower. Beets can become quite overpowering, but until that point they add a nice sweet-earthy taste. The point where they overpower varies based on your other ingredients. I never used tomatoes in my juicing, so I can't tell you much there.

Leafy Greens are easily overwhelmed in flavour. Spinach is a common leafy green to use--and cheap--but it actually doesn't digest great as a juice, and it's easy to get bored! Swiss Chard is another great "core" leafy green, and it has a smoother flavour. Rocket is a nice peppery sort of accent flavour that works nicely. It's difficult with a centrifugal juicer vs. a macerating juicer, but you can juice herbs and more delicate leafy greens as well. If you wanted to try anyway, I had a lot of success adding in mint to more fruity-based juices.

Celery juice is something I really did not enjoy, as well as well as watermelon juice. I think for these plants, the texture is quintessential to my experience. The concentrated flavour was very unpleasant to me. Watermelon was nice as a background-sweetness, though.

If you want something "different", ginger and radishes are interesting add-ins. You can also carefully add in some garlic.

I'm sorry I don't have any actual "recipes" for you. A lot of what I juiced was trial/error and experimenting. There are some great guides out there that give you "templates" to work with (I wish I still had my links, but I cleaned them out when I had to sell my juicer :'[ ). In general, keep a higher ratio of fruit to maximize drinkability. As you discover what works best for YOU, you'll probably find you can gradually increase your ratio of vegetable.

 

[FurryFury]

Here is your ride!

Could someone give me a ride back to this bandwagon? I fell off so long ago...

 

[FurryFury]

I understood. *HUGS*

>.< There's nothing more troublesome. Sometimes you just wish you could shake someone and say "hey! This is good for you!"

u_u;; We can't always get that message across. The only reason I learned to eat better was because I started listening to what my body was telling me. I also paid attention to the cost of crap food compared to stuff that was actually going to benefit me. I think sometimes it just has to be learned.

Also, I'm sorry if my post earlier didn't make much sense. I took a nap between writing it ;;

Mister came in so I put my phone down, we cuddled and I fell asleep. He left for work and I didn't wake up until much later. I tried to finish my post as coherently as possible.

 

[FurryFury]

My parents were big into juicing. They often juiced apples very yummy.

And carrots with just a bit of celery. Also very yummy.

We didn't do health shakes back in those days.

I don't use the juicer myself although it's in the basement just waiting for me to want to and to have a bigger kitchen.

I don't mean to seem ungrateful, but I could have found many of those million sites. What I am hoping for is recipes that have been enjoyed by actual humans whose judgment I respect.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

Here is your ride!

lol! Nice.

 

[midwestyankee]

Juice with equal parts apple and carrot is palatable. I'll admit I was nervous trying it after the carrot, beetroot and celery juice my mother made me drink daily as a child but was pleasantly surprised. Perhaps using it as a base of sorts could work, though if adding another vege I'd also add another fruit in equal parts to maintain that level of sweetness you need to swallow the stuff!

To mask veggie flavours, apples, pears and grapes do the best job of neutrally masking. Pineapple juice also works great, but pineapples are A BITCH to juice (they foam.) Citrus juices are great as accenting flavours (lime/lemon) or primary juices (orange, tangerine), but they don't mix/match as easily. Orange and Spinach just doesn't taste near as nice as orange and carrot. Carrots add a nice neutral sweetness, but don't have much ability to overpower. Beets can become quite overpowering, but until that point they add a nice sweet-earthy taste. The point where they overpower varies based on your other ingredients. I never used tomatoes in my juicing, so I can't tell you much there.

Leafy Greens are easily overwhelmed in flavour. Spinach is a common leafy green to use--and cheap--but it actually doesn't digest great as a juice, and it's easy to get bored! Swiss Chard is another great "core" leafy green, and it has a smoother flavour. Rocket is a nice peppery sort of accent flavour that works nicely. It's difficult with a centrifugal juicer vs. a macerating juicer, but you can juice herbs and more delicate leafy greens as well. If you wanted to try anyway, I had a lot of success adding in mint to more fruity-based juices.

Celery juice is something I really did not enjoy, as well as well as watermelon juice. I think for these plants, the texture is quintessential to my experience. The concentrated flavour was very unpleasant to me. Watermelon was nice as a background-sweetness, though.

If you want something "different", ginger and radishes are interesting add-ins. You can also carefully add in some garlic.

I'm sorry I don't have any actual "recipes" for you. A lot of what I juiced was trial/error and experimenting. There are some great guides out there that give you "templates" to work with (I wish I still had my links, but I cleaned them out when I had to sell my juicer :'[ ). In general, keep a higher ratio of fruit to maximize drinkability. As you discover what works best for YOU, you'll probably find you can gradually increase your ratio of vegetable.

My parents were big into juicing. They often juiced apples very yummy.

And carrots with just a bit of celery. Also very yummy.

We didn't do health shakes back in those days.

I don't use the juicer myself although it's in the basement just waiting for me to want to and to have a bigger kitchen.

Thanks. I'll keep this advice in mind. I did find a section on juicing in a healthy-eating book on my bookshelf and it gave a few recipes. Will report back if I actually try this.

 

[Ahlam]

I own a woefully underused centrifugal juicing machine and I'd like to give it more work. Can anyone suggest some flavorful recipes for high-nutrition drinks?

Side question: can I produce smoothies with this machine or will I have to incorporate the juice I produce into other foods (bananas, yogurt, etc.) in a blender?

This is my favorite juice recipe:

1 lemon (peeled) + 1 bunch spinach + 1 cup grapes+ 1 green apple= SCHWING!!!


To make a smoothie, you must use a blender.

Also, you can use the leftover pulp from the juicer to make delectable cakes.

 

[midwestyankee]

This is my favorite juice recipe:

1 lemon (peeled) + 1 bunch spinach + 1 cup grapes+ 1 green apple= SCHWING!!!


To make a smoothie, you must use a blender.

Also, you can use the leftover pulp from the juicer to make delectable cakes.

I'll give this one a try sometime. And please say more about using the pulp in cakes.

 

[FurryFury]

Worked out for the first time in a long time, Monday and Tuesday. I'm hoping I can keep this going!

 

[Ahlam]

I'll give this one a try sometime. And please say more about using the pulp in cakes.

Gladly! Juicer pulp adds a rich moist crumb to baked goods. In a standard cake recipe, I will often replace a cup of the flour with pulp. If the pulp is more green vegetable than fruit or carrot, then I recommend using it in a chocolate cake recipe.

Here my recipe for JUICER PULP SPICE CAKE:

* Proportions are approximated and may, therefore, need to be adjusted.

Ingredients:
4 cups carrot, apple, or orange pulp from juicer (or a mixture)
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
2 cups brown sugar (packed)
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1 cup oil or melted butter
1/2-1 cup apple or orange juice (It varies quite a lot)
4 eggs

Directions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees F and grease two 9" cake pans.
Combine the dry ingredients (juice pulp included) in a large mixing bowl. Beat in the oil and the eggs. Then beat in the juice a swig at a time until the mixture looks like cake batter. (The amount varies depending on how dry the juice pulp is.)
Dump the batter into the two prepared pans and bake for 40 minutes or so. Let cool on wire racks until room-temperature. Then, I recommend that you ice and stack the cakes with loads of cream cheese frosting. Enjoy a slice or two, and then get your ass on the treadmill and repent! But only a little bit. It is vegetable cake, after all.

 

[FurryFury]

I've kept up with my workouts so far, the weekend will be tough though.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

I'm contemplating starting CrossFit. I think it would work really well for me, it's just expensive xD

 

[midwestyankee]

I generally like to treat myself to lunch out on Fridays. Here, from top to bottom, are my two Friday lunches from the last two weeks. Anyone spot a trend here?

 

[MeekMe]

(T_T) This holiday season is kicking my butt. I could use a Fitness Dom for sure. Mister thinks I should just indulge in everything right now. Ugh... >.< Need vegetables!

 

[bhndblueyes88]

I started CrossFit and I'm SO SO SO loving it. I feel like a weakling compared to about half the other people who go, but everyone is so supportive of each other and the set of coaches at this facility are great at modifying the work out so everyone can participate.

I hope I'm not sounding like one of those people who try to get everyone to do CrossFit and sound all cult-ish >_> I'm just really enjoying myself, and it's GOOD, HARD, WORK!

 

[MeekMe]

I started CrossFit and I'm SO SO SO loving it. I feel like a weakling compared to about half the other people who go, but everyone is so supportive of each other and the set of coaches at this facility are great at modifying the work out so everyone can participate.

I hope I'm not sounding like one of those people who try to get everyone to do CrossFit and sound all cult-ish >_> I'm just really enjoying myself, and it's GOOD, HARD, WORK!

^_^ It's great that you're enjoying it!

I told everyone around me about the gym I had joined to do gymnastics. *sigh* I miss gymnastics... I was beastly strong when I was doing it. (^_-)

 

[blulilacgrl]

I just joined a gym today. Lord help me, I asked for the meanest instructor because I know I need someone to kick my ass. Now as I think about it, I am afraid that I just might get what I asked for.

 

[Loverskitten]

It is really hard to diet during the holidays. Chocolate everywhere. Can't resist.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

Between work, injuries, and a cold I've felt just the edge of, I keep avoiding going to CrossFit...already.

fail xD