Day 47:
Black Grapefruit:
Black Grapefruit:2 Grapefruits
1 Handful of Blackberries
1 Handful of Blackcurrants
Back again my friends with another amazing juice recipe for you. Though I will note that I had a hard time tracking down blackcurrants (it is probably because Blackcurrants aren't in season).
Today is all about storage.
If you are prepping to do a juice fast or just looking to incorporate fresh juice (and all the benefits that come with it) into your daily life than careful storage is important.
Ideally, fresh juice is not to be stored. It is to be drunk.
A lot the goodness (healing enzymes) in fresh juice oxidize (decays when it is exposed to oxygen) quickly. So in a perfect world without work, kids and other obligations outside your own home, but alas, most of us don't have that luxury. (Though vacations are a great time to do a juice fast - lots of sleep, plenty of time and the ability to consume you're fresh made concoctions right after you've made them.)
So the question is:
What is the best way to store your fresh made juice?
Organic Produce:
Hopefully this is something you all already do, but I cannot stress this point enough (and most credible resources do too). As organic as possible all the time. This ensures you get maximum goodness out of your produce, since storing juice diminishes some of the nutrients. Now in small town with access to great local produce this will probably work out to be the cheaper option too, but in a place like New York City it is means kissing goodbye the remnants of your already demolished paycheck (thanks rent).
BUT it is widely accepted that what you put in your body matters, so why put in a whole lot of trash - especially on a juice fast. You could do that with a delicious cupcake instead!
So, when you walk through the grocery store, numbers swirling in your head, nausea rising beacuse you realize you're one of those people technically living in poverty, still buy the organic stuff. Your health is worth it!
BUT it is widely accepted that what you put in your body matters, so why put in a whole lot of trash - especially on a juice fast. You could do that with a delicious cupcake instead!
So, when you walk through the grocery store, numbers swirling in your head, nausea rising beacuse you realize you're one of those people technically living in poverty, still buy the organic stuff. Your health is worth it!
*Here is information from the USDA on what "organic" means: Organic 101. Totally interesting!
Glass Containers:
All the research I have seen prefers glass containers over plastic.
Firstly, plastic containers leach chemicals into your food. Most of us have seen the labels warning us about BPA or Bisphenol A, which "is an industrial chemical used to make a hard, clear plastic known as polycarbonate, which has been used in many consumer products, including reusable water bottles. BPA is also found in epoxy resins, which act as a protective lining on the inside of metal-based food and beverage cans." (FDA) But even in BPA free bottles have other chemicals which still leach into your food.
Second, a lot of plastic containers are thin and allow for more rapid oxidization.
Now, to keep things cheap, I just reuse jam jars, salsa jars, and applesauce jars. Since I eat all of those foods (and have paid for the jar along with the food) I just peel the label off and reuse.
Citrus:Adding citrus to you juice concoction when you are planning to store is a good idea, since citrus can
slow the process of oxidization.
The Recommended Process of Storing:
- Wash, prepare and juice you're veggie's. Some research recommends refrigerating your jars before juicing into them - a way to keep the juice as cold as possible for as long as possible.
- 3oz-8oz jars are great! Small is good. Since we don't want the juice to oxidize, a small jar allows you to fill the jar right to the top, leaving little or no room for air (juice will probably ooze out when you shut the jar - good!).
- Then refrigerate immediately. Consider buying a refrigerator tote.
- When you go to drink your stored juice, drink it all in one sitting. Avoid opening and closing the container, since exposing it to air is bad.
If you find anymore tips send them my way!
Happy Juicing!
