Hi Everyone!  I just wanted to give you all an update on my 21 Day Juice Challenge.  I started the Challenge because I wanted to incorporate juice into my daily life, for the obvious reason...it is a really healthy thing to do.  I think that we all are looking for ways to improve our health through nutrition.  I thought it would be fun to make a different juice every day and share it on the blog.  It started out great and then the holidays and life in general came along.  I have a good friend who has had a tradgedy in her life and I have really wanted to be there for her in a big way.  Also, I hosted Thanksgiving and had 15 people on Thanksgiving Day and then had most of them back over the day after for leftovers (you may be wondering if I really am a crazy blonde at this point).  Just the thought of getting out a piece of kitchen equipment and chopping veggies and then cleaning up was more than I could handle.  Anyway, I think you get the point.  What I did find is that it is not realistic to make a different juice every day.  It is much more realistic to make extra for the next day and enjoy the same juice 2 days in a row.  Also, just the planning for a different juice a day is daunting this time of the year.  I understand now why people do cleanses and detox in January.  There is much less going on and more time to focus and plan.  I do plan to juice today and tomorrow I'm leaving for NYC where there are lots of great juice bars on every corner so my challenge will be much easier there (I'll post pics of my juicing adventures in New York).  I did definitely fall off the juice wagon, but my goal has changed.  I am going to juice as often as possible over the holidays and beyond and when I make something new and different, I will let you know.  In the mean time, here are a few recipes to inspire you to juice as often as possible. 

Brilliantly Beautiful Beet Juice

2 large beets

3 celery stalks

1/4 habanero or jalapeno pepper

2 green apples with cores removed

4 carrots

large handful of cilantro (with stems)

1 lemon or lime

Juice the ingredients and pour into your favorite glass!  I squeeze the lemon or lime juice at the end.

Click here to learn more about the benefits of drinking beet juice.  You will be amazed!

Carrot Juice with Tumeric and Lemon

6 large carrots

1/2 cup chopped purple cabbage

2 Granny Smith apple cored

Juice of 1 lemon

One medium piece of fresh tumeric root

One large cucumber

Juice the ingredients and add lemon juice.  Pour into your favorite glass.  Can be divided into 2 servings.

My Favorite Green Juice

10 large Tuscan Kale Leaves

2 Granny Smith Apples

2 inch knob of fresh ginger

2 lemons, juiced

handful of fresh mint

Juice all ingredients and pour into your favorite glass.  Enjoy!

I will continue to juice as much as possible because I believe it is part of a healthy lifestyle, but I have learned to be realistic about my goals, especially during this very hectic time of the year!

Happy December Everyone! 

Recipes adapted from Superfoods For Super Health

Photos from Superfoods for Super Health