Do you love juicing? I do! There’s something about drinking a tall glass of juice that’s so refreshing, and makes me instantly feel… healthier! I find that it’s a great way to get in that serving of fruit or veggies, specially when you haven’t been eating a whole lot of nutritious food lately. Whether you’ve had one too many late nights and need a boost, or after a period of travelling when you feel slightly puffy and dull — this winter glow juice is just the pick-me-up.
Now a lot of people think of juicing as a form of meal replacement, which it is not. Whole foods (and the fibre that comes with it) are an essential part of a healthy diet, and juices cannot be used to substitute that. Instead, think of all-natural, unsweetened, fruit and vegetable juices as a supplement to your diet; something that you can do alongside eating balanced meals that contain whole grains, lean protein, and good for you fats.
Which brings me back to this antioxidant boosting, immunity building, skin-food winter glow juice made with the freshest in-season produce. It’s a cleansing juice that will flush out the toxins from your body, allowing it to gently reset your system. It’s got:
Beetroots: Beets are rich in vitamin C, as well as iron, folate and magnesium. They’re packed with antioxidants like betacyanin that is anti-inflammatory, and contain natural sugars that impart an earthy sweetness to the juice.
Carrots: According to health + wellness coach Luke Coutinho, we can really benefit from consuming carrot juice daily — juiced carrots are easier to digest, and your body is able to absorb its nutrients better. Carrot juice has Vitamin C to boost the immune system and for glowing skin; Potassium that helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels; and may also improve brain function. Carrot juice has the potential to repair and regenerate liver enzymes. It’s also rich in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that’s a free-radical fighter and protects the skin from UV damage. It’s ideal for making your skin glow.
Tomatoes: Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties; and contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, and Potassium. Additionally, tomatoes are detoxifying, and great to revive dull, sallow, winter skin!
Along with these, I also add some pomegranate and orange to the juice — both powerful antioxidants and immune-boosters. It’s enough of a serving of fruit to give the juice a light sweetness, without over-loading on fructose (which, by the way, is still sugar). Other flavour bombs include ginger, mint, a pinch of Himalayan sea salt, and a squeeze of lime.
A little nugget of ginger gives it a refreshing zing, and comes with it’s own set of beneficial properties — ginger juice is alkaline which means it’s great for neutralising an acidic body. Ginger also improves digestion, and its antibacterial properties help with colds and congestion.
The in-season carrots and beets, along with the fruits, makes this juice just perfect without adding any additional sweetener. I prefer to consume it like that, but if it’s a little too vegetal for you, feel free to add a dab of raw honey. However, I encourage you to try it with the pink Himalayan salt, as it really balances everything out nicely, and some lime which makes it bright and delicious — you won’t miss the sweet, I promise.
Full of the good stuff, a glass of this juice daily during the winters will keep your digestive system working smoothly, while blessing you with clear skin that glows from the inside out.
- 3 carrots
- ½ beetroot
- 3 medium sized tomatoes
- 2 oranges
- ½ cup pomegranate arils
- 1” piece of ginger, peeled
- A handful of mint leaves
- Pink Himalayan salt + lime juice, to taste
- Wash and peel the carrots, cutting them in half lengthwise. Scrub the beetroot clean, peel, and chop into chunks. Quarter the tomatoes, and peel the orange, cutting into segments.
- If using a juicer: Place all the ingredients through the juicer. Adjust seasoning to taste, pour into a glass and serve.
- If using a blender: Put all the ingredients in a blender and purée until smooth (you might need to chop your veggies a bit more). Place a mesh strainer over a medium sized bowl, and line it with a cheesecloth. Pour the juice mixture over the cheesecloth, bring the edges together, and squeeze the pulp to take out any remaining juice. Adjust seasoning to taste, and serve fresh.
If you love juices, you might also like this recipe: Skin Food Super Green Juice
