FITSOUFFLE

Juicing is very "IN" right now and I love it, I consider myself to be a "juicie" for sure (think groupie but for juice :-)). I love to see healthy trends taking over and continuing to pop up, including in grocery stores. Juicing makes getting the benefits of fruits and vegetables quick and convenient on the go. Chicago in my opinion has been a little slow to open free standing juice shops but in the past 3-4 months they have been opening. I was planning a post about Juice shops in Chicago for this week when Williams-Sonoma contacted me to discuss my feeling on juice, what perfect timing. They sent along some questions for a little Q and A and I'm beyond happy to share my thoughts with you, ENJOY!

1. As a Pilates enthusiast, what are some juicing tips you can give to someone who is also passionate about fitness? Have you juiced before? What was your experience like?

My daily work routine consists of seeing clients back to back for 4-6 hours, with no more than a 2-3 minute break in between each one — which doesn't allow for much time for eating whole meals or snacks. But juice is quick and provides me with good nutrients, which helps me stay mentally focused and not distracted due to hunger. If you have a busy schedule like me, juicing at home is a great way to pick your favorite flavor combinations and allows you to add ingredients that accommodate your day to day needs. For example, if you're feeling bloated after a long weekend, add ginger for its detoxifying and digestive aid properties. I'm someone who does not drink caffeine but I've found that juice, especially green juice, leaves me feeling super energized and refreshed. This is because when you drink green juice, you are flooding your body with chlorophyll, which has been shown to increase red blood cell count, improve circulation, calm inflammation, and oxygenate the body.

2. Green juices have become very popular along with carrot juices. What are your thoughts on carrot juices? What benefits does carrot juice have to offer? What fruits would you incorporate into a carrot juice recipe, and why?

I have to say I haven't found a juice I don't like — spicy, sweet, they all taste great to me. Carrot juices are very refreshing and almost feel like a treat with their sweet flavor. Carrots provide many benefits: yes they are higher in sugar than most vegetables but I like to use a small amount for the flavor and also because they are also loaded with vitamins A, C, E, D, K, B1, B6, and the antioxidant beta-carotene (which is great for skin and can lower the risk of coronary artery disease).The recipes below pair carrots with both fruits and other vegetables. I like to choose the pairings based on nutritional benefits but also because of flavor. It has to taste good too! Here are a few juice recipes using carrots:

Carrot Refresher
1 cup of Carrots
Juice of 1/2 a Lime
1 cup Coconut Water

Root Juice
1 Red Beet
3 large Carrots
1/2 of a red apple
1-2 large stalks Swiss Chard
1 Tbsp size piece of fresh ginger (skin removed)

Carrot Apple Mango and Carrot Juice

3. Do you prefer fruity juices or veggie juices? Have you ever incorporated any spices or leafy greens into a recipe? If so what have you used and how did it benefit your recipe?

I have to admit I'm pretty into all juices, but most of the time, I lean towards veggie juice. I find that I choose to eat fruits as snacks more regularly than vegetables. I typically have a banana in the morning, apple midday, and a side of fruit with lunch. Fruits are just easier for on the go eating than vegetables and I am always craving something sweet! So when I'm picking a juice, I choose to incorporate more vegetables because it helps me get my servings in earlier in the day and it ensures that I do.

When it comes to spices I'm a big fan as different spices can offer different health benefits and add interesting flavor. Here's my go to spices and their healthy benefits:

Turmeric:powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

Cayenne: anti-cold, digestive aid, and detox support.

Cinnamon: improves circulation, blood sugar regulation and boosts brain function.

Ginger: aids in digestion, circulation, cold and flu prevention, reduce inflammation and strengthens immunity.

Let's get to the Leafy Greens — Swiss Chard, Kale, Spinach and Parsley. I find that most of these don't have too strong of a flavor so when paired with apples, pineapple, coconut water or ginger, the flavor of the fruit or spice takes over and you receive the benefits of the greens without the bitter taste. For most of my juices, I use greens as the base because they provide the most nutritional benefits with the least amount of sugar. Give this one a try:-)

Kale Apple Ginger Juice

Check out Williams-Sonoma for information on juicers and for more delicious juice recipes and ideas!