Raw Juicing is a Way of Life

The thing about raw juicing is the flatulence. It often happens at inopportune moments-like in public, on line at the grocery store and around groups of people. I still have not found a way to completely control this issue except to increase my water intake. It places me in the bathroom quite often, where I should be.

However, the upside of the raw juicing experience is the lightness of body. I no longer feel sluggish or tired most of the time. I feel normal like I used to feel about 10 years ago.

I've also noticed that during fasts from my normal diet, I always feel good. Although I do not consume much fast food, I recreate the same foods at home. And anything shown on Food Network. Much of it is margarine, butter, fried, deep fried, baked and rich with creams and French-styled sauces. I even made a gyros once and a 15 pound pan of lasagna for Christmas. Yes I did.

With juicing, I can still feel like a chef as I create tasty juices that are good for friends and family. A good thing to do is to find a way to sweeten the mean greens. Chlorophyll is good for the human body but it is very bitter. Apples, beets, carrots, papaya and other sweet fruits soften the edge.

Juice does no good for the body if it never leaves the glass, so add fruit to sweeten. Diabetics must consult their physician before consuming juice due to the sugar and starch content.

I have fun thinking of ways to repurpose the pulp leftover from raw juicing. I put fibrous pulp in casseroles and other dishes. Celery, cilantro, parsley, kale, Aloe Vera, carrots, ginger and the like are indiscernible in a savory dish like homemade pot pie. The pulp is used as a thickening agent. I have also repurposed the fruit pulp mixed with ice in Pina Coladas.

I used coconut cream oil that sits on top for a home made hair conditioner recipe and the syrup in the drink. I mixed up some frozen papaya and apple and carrot pulp with ice and used some artificial sweetener to make a healthy slush that I had as a snack and as a break from just raw juice.

I mix the raw juice with regular juice and give it to my children. I also mix it with club soda and regular diet soda so that the children are not just always drinking non-nutritious drinks. They like the burst of natural energy and they seem to be less cranky from sugar crashes drinking sugary soda alone.

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