.the ultimate juicing guide.

it's official! i boarded the juicing train! toot toot! and i am loving it!

i have been juicing like mad lately and it's all i can think about. it's as if my body is now craving the sweet nectar that comes from all those fresh fruits and veggies, that simply eating an apple just doesn't provide. and i mean, it's crazy to think about how much goodness goes into a simple glass of juice! seriously when would you actually eat 5 carrots + 2 apples + 2 oranges + a handful of kale in one sitting?!?!

and i have to tell you, it's doing wonders for my body!! i just feel better. i have more energy. and even my hair is getting full again [damn baby hormones were threatening it's thickness :( ].
it's as though my body is saying, "finally! thank you!!"

another benefit that i can see coming from my juicer is the fun we'll have once jack is old enough to help [yep, i'm a total mother now!]. it's a great way to get your kids in the kitchen, helping out by putting the fresh produce in the tube then squishing them all down, and watching them sample all the different concoctions. super awesome and super fun way of sneaking in all those healthy and nutritious nutrients that some may have trouble getting in those little people!

so to entice you all to try it for yourself, i've gathered a few [more like a ton!] tested and truly delicious combo's that we've loved over at casa d'trebaczkiewicz. hopefully it makes it a little easier, and perhaps a little less intimidating, to board your own juicing train as well!

one || kale, spinach  + pear smoothie: 1 healing cup spinach leaves, 1 heaping cup kale leaves [chopped, and ribs removed],  1/2 pear, 1 frozen banana, 1 1/2 cups cold almond milk [or soy milk or orange juice], 1 tbsp honey. in a blender add kale, spinach and almond milk. blend until no kale bits remain, then add pear, banana, and honey. blend until smooth. **picture and recipe via joy the baker.

two || orange, spinach, basil + hemp seed smoothie: 1/2 litre fresh squeezed orange juice [roughly 12 oranges], 1 cup spinach, 1/2 cup basil, 2 tbsp hemp seeds. blend all ingredients. **picture and recipe via urban organics.

three || peach, kale, + coconut smoothie: 1 cup frozen peach slices [if you use fresh peaches, just add ice cubes], 1 cup packed kale [torn into pieces and stems discarded], 1/2 frozen banana, 3/4 cup coconut water [may need more or less, depending], 1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger, 1 tsp raw honey, [you could also add a big scoop of greek yogurt or a glug of almond milk for added creaminess]. combine all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth **picture and recipe via camille styles.

four || lean green power smoothie: 1/2 pineapple [peeled, cored and chopped], 1/2 english cucumber [peeled and chopped], 1/2 ripe pear [peeled, cored and chopped], juice from 1 lime, 1 cup baby spinach leaves, 10 mint leaves [chopped], 1 tsp agave nectar, crushed ice. puree ingredients in a blender until smooth. **picture and recipe via camille styles.

five || earth day smoothie: 2 cups kale [ribs removed], 2 1/2 cups coconut milk, 1 cup filtered water, 2 medjool dates, 1 cup frozen banana [cut up], 1 cup frozen mango, 1/2 avocado, 1 tbsp spirulina, 1/2 tsp maca, 1 tbsp flax seeds, 1/4 tsp bee pollen. combine all ingredients in a blender to mix. sprinkle with pee pollen.  **picture and recipe via urban organics.
**other tasty combo's: green goblin smoothie: 4 - 6 kale leaves [ribs removed], 1 frozen banana, a handful of strawberries [yes, add the stems even! the more green the better!], a handful of blueberries, 1 large orange [peeled], 1 cup unsweetened almond milk. blend everything together. - adapted via reboot with joe. lemon-lime juice: 1 lemon, 1 lime, 2 asian pears, 2 green apples, 2 carrots, 1 thumb-size piece of ginger, 2 cups purple cabbage. combine in a blender - via reboot your life. kiwi spinach chia seed smoothie: 1 ripe kiwi [cut into chunks], 1 frozen banana [cut into chunks], 10 cups packed baby spinach, 2 tbsp chia seeds, 10 cups coconut milk. add all to blender - via urban organics. pineapple kale mango smoothie: 1 banana, 1/2 cup diced pineapple, 1/2 cup freshly juiced pineapple, 1 cup chopped kale, 1/2 cup diced mango, 1 cup almond milk or coconut milk, 1 tbsp cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. blend everything together - via urban organics.

one || beet, carrot + apple juice: 3 raw beets [peeled], 8 carrots, 1 cucumber, 2 granny smith apples, 2 lemons [peeled], 1-inch piece fresh ginger. juice, stir and enjoy. **picture and recipe via urban organics.
two || strawberry, pear + coconut water juice: 3 cups strawberries, 1 pear [core removed], 1 lime, 1 small piece of ginger, 1/2 cup coconut water. juice, stir and enjoy. **picture and recipe via urban organics.
three || beetroot juice: 2-3 beetroots [medium size, ends trimmed], 5 big carrots, 1/4 lemon [peeled], 2 apples, 2 cm fresh ginger. add everything to your juicer. **picture and recipe via a tasty love story.
four || blackberry, pear + grapefruit juice: 8 ounces [250g] thawed blackberries, 3 ripe pears, 2 grapefruits [peeled]. add everything to your juice and enjoy. **picture and recipe via food thinkers.
five || strawberry + cucumber smoothie: a heaping 1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries,  1 cup cold almond milk, 1/2 english cucumber [chopped and de-seeded], 1 to 2 tbsp honey, a squeeze of lemon if you'd like. combine all ingredients into a blender. **picture and recipe via joy the baker.
*other tasty combos: beet juice: 1 beet, 2 apples, 4 carrots, 1 pear, handful of spinach - via small fry blog; red juice: 1/2 cup fresh watermelon, 1/2 cup frozen raspberries, 1/2 cup frozen sour cherries, 1/4 cup water. mix all together - via heather christo;  rhubarb apple carrot: 2 - 3 stalks rhubarb, 2 carrots, 3 apples, 1 inch knob ginger - via urban organics.
**other tasty combo's: cinnaberry smoothie: 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 cup strawberries, 1/2 mango, 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, 1/2 cup frozen raspberries, 1/2 cup cantaloupe, 1 banana, 1 large carrot, dash of cinnamon. add all ingredients into a blender and top with cinnamon - via reboot your life. strawberry pineapple mint juice: 1/2 large pineapple [peeled, cored and cut into chunks], 1 cup strawberries, 1 pear, 30 mint leaves. blend everything together - adapted via reboot your life. pineapple, blackberry, kiwi juice: 1/4 large pineapple [peeled, cored and cut into chunks], 1 cup blackberries, 1 kiwi, 1 pear, 30 mint leaves. blend everything together - adapted via reboot your life.

one || good morning juice: 2 sweet potatoes, 6 carrots, 4 oranges. cut up everything and add to juicer. **picture and recipe via reboot with joe.
two || cara cara orange pineapple: 1/2 cup fresh pineapple [cut into chunks], 1/2 banana, 1/2 cara cara orange [peeled and cut into chunks], 1/4 cup mango [peeled and cut into chunks], 1/4 cup coconut milk [or milk of your choice], 1 tbsp kefir, 1/2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp ground flax seed, 1/4 tsp cinnamon. **picture and recipe via urban organics.
three || carrot lemonade: 1 qt freshly squeezed carrots [about 3 lbs], 6 medium lemons [freshly juiced], 2 - 3 cups water, stevia to taste, 1-inch knob ginger [optional]. juice everything and mix together. **picture and recipe via marcus samuelsson.
four || orange sunrise: 2 orange bell peppers [seeded], 1 navel orange [peeled], 4 carrots, 1 large handful of fresh pineapple chunks, 1 lemon [peeled]. add all to juice and stir. **picture and recipe via reboot with joe.
five || pomegranate citrus juice: 2 small grapefruits, 2 oranges, 2 tangerines, 1/2 lime, 2 pomegranates. juice everything together and mix. **picture and recipe via whole living.
**other tasty combo's: the melon smoothie: 1 cup cantaloupe, 1 frozen banana, 1/2 cup coconut water, 1/2 cup ice. add all to blender - via reboot with joe. strawberry, grapefruit, orange, and raspberry juice: 2 cups strawberries, 2 grapefruits [peeled], 1 orange [peeled], handful of raspberries. juice all together - via urban organics. carrot, orange and mango juice: 8 carrots, 1 mango [pitted], 1 large strip of orange peel, 1/2 peeled blood orange. juice, stir and enjoy - via urban organics.

one || orange cream: 4 valencia oranges [peeled], 2 cups date water [soaked in water for an hour]. peel the oranges and place them in a blender. soak dates in 2 cups of water, then pour the liquid into the blender. mix all together. **picture and recipe via kris carr.
two || lime-coconut smoothie: 1 thai coconut [meat and water], 1 lime [juiced], 2 frozen bananas, 1 tbsp of coconut oil, 1 tbsp of raw coconut flakes. mix all together and enjoy. **picture and recipe via kris carr.
three || almond joy smoothie: 3/4 cup greek style yogurt, 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, 1 1/4 cup chocolate soy milk, 3/4 cup almond butter. mix in a blender and enjoy.**picture and recipe via sweet potato chronicles.
four || strawberry cashew milkshake: 1/2 cup cashews [or blanched almonds], 1 cup water, 1 tsp agave nectar, 1/2 tsp vanilla paste, pinch cinnamon, 3 strawberries, handful of ice cubes. **picture and recipe via heather christo.
five || raspberry coconut smoothie: 1 cup frozen raspberries, 1 1/2 cups filtered water, 1/2 cup coconut milk, 1 banana, 3 tbsp ground flax seeds, 1 tbsp honey. mix all together in a blender.  **picture and recipe via urban organics.
six || sexy shamrock shake: 1/2 frozen banana, 1 cup baby spinach leaves, 1 cup coconut milk [or other nut milk], 2 drops vanilla extract [good quality], 2 - 3 drops peppermint extract. blend all together and enjoy. **picture and recipe via kris carr.
**other tasty combo's: funky monkey shake: 2 frozen bananas [peeled and cut into chunks], 2 cups milk, 2 tbsp natural almond or peanut butter, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp flax meal, 1/2 cup greek yogurt. mis everything in a blender - via sweet potato chronicles; spiced peach pear juice: 2 peaches, 1 large pear, 2 carrots, 1 cup of green grapes [optional, for sweeter juice], 1-inch piece of ginger, pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove powder. juice and sprinkle top with spices - via reboot with joe. peach pie juice: 3 large sweet potatoes [peeled], 4 ripe peaches [pitted], 2 golden delicious apples [pitted], dash of cinnamon. juice all in juicer, then sprinkle with cinnamon on top - via reboot with joe.

So friends, I'm curious...what's your favourite combinations?