Squeeze the Rainbow

Squeeze the Rainbow:
The Journey of Fresh-Squeezed Juice
from Nature to Juice. 

A glass of fresh-squeezed juice is a great way to meet your fruit and vegetable needs. There are numerous combinations to create a variety of flavors that are packed with a lot of vitamins and minerals.

Review of Juicers 2024

Juicer Recipes

Note that not all juicers produce the same amount of liquid. Consider buying extra ingredients if your juicer produces a low output. To avoid pesticides and other chemicals, use organic fruits and vegetables and be sure to wash everything thoroughly. Some juicers heat juice slightly, so chill your ingredients before juicing them.

Carrot, Granny Smith, and Ginger Juice

yield: Makes about 7-1/2 cups, 1 serving (3/4 cup)

Calories (kcal) 69.7; Carbohydrates (g) 16.8; Fat (g) 0; 
Saturated Fat (g) 0; Trans Fatty Acid (g) 0;
Cholesterol (mg) 0; Vitamin A (IU) 12250 (245.0%); Vitamin C (mg) 5.3 (8.9%); 
Potassium (mg) 114.7; Sodium (mg) 56.7

Ingredients

4 to 5 pounds Granny Smith apples

3 to 4 pounds carrots, peeled and trimmed

1 (6-inch) piece peeled fresh ginger

Special equipment: a juicer (see cooks' note, below)

Preparation
Slice apples. Process enough slices in a juicer, skimming and discarding any foam, to measure 4 cups juice, then transfer the juice to a pitcher. Process enough carrots, skimming and discarding any foam, to measure 3 1/2 cups juice, then add to the pitcher with apple juice. Process ginger, then stir 2 1/2 tablespoons of ginger juice into a pitcher. Chill until cold, about 2 hours.  Serve over ice, if desired. 
 

Spa Juice

yield: Makes 1 (1-cup) serving

Calories (kcal) 90; Carbohydrates (g) 21; Fat (g) 0; 
Trans Fatty Acid (g) 0; Cholesterol (mg) 0; 
Vitamin A - IU (IU) 4988 (99.8%); Vitamin C (mg) 51 (84.6%);
Iron (mg) 0.6 (3.2%); Sodium (mg) 67 (2.8%)
In addition, the recipe contains Vitamin B1; B2; B6; Folate;

Calcium; Phosphorus; and Potassium

Editor's note: This juice is fruity but not overly sweet. It gets its green color from parsley and spinach, but neither ingredient overwhelms the flavors of the pineapple, grapefruit, and carrots. The recipe is part of a spa menu developed exclusively for Epicurious by Chris Miller, executive chef at Como Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri in Bali.

Use an electric juice extractor or heavy-duty juicer that can process stems, skin, and seeds.

Ingredients
5 ounces fresh pineapple (about 1 cup or 1/8 large pineapple), peeled, cored, cut into large chunks, and chilled

4 ounces pear (about 1 cup or 1/2 medium pear), unpeeled, cut into large chunks and chilled

2 cups (packed) spinach with stems (about 4 ounces), chilled

1 (2-ounce) bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley with stems, chilled

1/2 medium carrot, peeled and chilled

1/4 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice (from 1/2 small grapefruit), chilled

Preparation

In juice extractor, process pineapple, pear, spinach, parsley, and carrot, skimming foam if necessary. Stir in grapefruit juice, chill if desired, and serve. The juice is best served immediately but will keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to two days.

In Memory of Jack LaLanne
Jack LaLanne Sings His Theme Song

as I conclude this Blog on Juicers.

In this clip from the Power Juicer infomercial,
Jack LaLanne sings the closing song from his old TV show
as a duet with an old video of himself.

Exploring the Journey to a Healthy Weight - Every Step is Unique

Exploring the Journey to a Healthy Weight:

Every Step is Unique 

What does a healthy weight really mean? It's a question with no one-size-fits-all answer. Understanding your personal healthy weight is key to your well-being. The  Office of Women's Health provides top questions and answers about weight, weight gain, and weight loss, shedding light on this often misunderstood topic. 

A healthy weight is not just about the number on the scale; it's about finding a balance that supports your overall health and lifestyle. Factors like body composition, age, gender, and individual health conditions play a crucial role in determining what a healthy weight means for you. It's about feeling strong, energized, and comfortable in your own skin.

In our quest for this balance, the role of nutrition and physical activity cannot be overstated. A sustainable approach to eating and regular exercise are pillars of maintaining a healthy weight. But how do you navigate the overwhelming world of diets and workout trends? We'll break down the essentials, providing you with practical, science-backed advice to guide your choices in a later post.

But remember, your journey is your own. Consulting with healthcare professionals is crucial in setting and achieving your weight goals. Your doctor or dietitian can provide personalized guidance that aligns with your unique health needs and lifestyle preferences. It's not just about achieving a certain weight; it's about creating a healthy lifestyle that you can maintain and enjoy.

Unravel the complexities of what a healthy weight looks like, tailored just for you. It's not just about numbers on a scale; it's about your overall health and happiness. 

When I am planning to start a new food plan and exercise regime, I ask myself the following questions. By the way, my planning is constantly changing. 

1. How much food can I live on? Can I eat like this for life?
2. Planning activities are the same questions. How much time can you devote to exercise? Name activities you enjoy and include them in your day. It can be simple chair exercises in your home or walking, swimming, and weight training. What do you love?

 

Reference
Office of Women's Health, USA gov. 

There are tools developed to determine if you are at a healthy weight. However, it is not exact, and other measures may be necessary.

You can use the body mass index (BMI) to find out whether your weight is in a healthy or unhealthy range. 

BMI is a tool to estimate body fat. Find your BMI by typing your height and weight into this BMI calculator from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Women with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight.
• Women with a BMI of 30 or more have obesity.

BMI gives you a good idea of how healthy your weight is. But it doesn’t tell the whole story. BMI is less accurate in some people than in others. For example, if you are very muscular, you may be healthy even if your BMI is above 25. This is because muscle weighs more than fat.

Another way to figure out if you have a healthy weight is to measure your waist circumference (the distance around your waist). Researchers and doctors have agreed that women with a waist circumference larger than 35 inches are at higher risk for many health problems caused by overweight or obesity.

National Sunday Supper Day

Isabel Laessig, a mom of four who operates the Family Foodie website, created the Sunday Supper movement. It aims at bringing families back together in the kitchen and around the dinner table. To celebrate, prepare, and eat a meal with loved ones.

In 2012, Laessig and eight other bloggers and their families celebrated the first virtual Sunday Supper. Sunday Supper Day falls on the second Sunday in January.

Family mealtime is an ageless tradition shared by people all around the world. Eating dinner together keeps the doors of communication open. It's a perfect time to show your children they are your priority. Studies have shown children who eat dinner with their families are less likely to use alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs and more likely to develop good eating habits.

Family Dinner

Segment from World Report, April 2009

A family study conducted by Brigham Young University quizzed more than 1500 IBM employees. The results show that families who spend time eating dinner together will encounter less conflict between family and work.

The BYU study appeared in issues of Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and World Report, and Slate magazine. Dr. Jacob expressed the hope for society to value dinner time and not allow things to interrupt it.

In fact, a multi-national study cited by the marriage and family therapy program at the University of Minnesota and its director reports family mealtime has a more positive influence on emotional and intellectual development in children and teens than sports or additional time in school.

Nutritious Meals for Families on a Budget