Official Power Juicer Blog

Romantic cocktails for Valentine’s Day to make with your Power Juicer

January 26, 2012 in Holiday Ideas, Juicing Recipesby Jen Roe

Valentine’s Day is approaching and love is in the air. What better way to toast the holiday than with a healthy Power Juicer made cocktail?

Here are a few to try:

Spicy Appletini – makes 2 servings

Sweet and spicy this cocktail is sure to set the mood for a romantic night!

3 apples

1/8 th of an inch of ginger root (more or less to taste)

8-oz. of your favorite vodka

A few ice cubes

Directions: Use your Power Juicer to juice the apples and ginger. Add juice to a shaker with ice and vodka. Shake well until the ingredients are cold and blended. Serve in two martini glasses. Add a thin apple slice to float on top as garnish.

The Mango Tango – makes 2 servings

Dance the night away with this tropical-inspired cocktail!

1 mango (pitted an peeled)

2 tangerines (peeled)

3 oz. of mandarin flavored vodka

Ice

Directions: Juice the mango and tangerine. Combine juice with ice and vodka in a shaker, shake until ice cold and serve in martini glass or tumbler. Garnish with raspberries for a pretty pop of color!

If you’re looking for something a little more “peachy” then, check out this recipe for a delicious Peach Maragarita!

Do you have a favorite cocktail that can be made with your Power Juicer?

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Tags: valentine's day cocktails
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by Kristina

Juicing 101: Juicing For Beginners

January 24, 2012 in Juicing Tipsby Kristina

I know when I first thought about dedicating time to juicing, I was unsure of what to do, how to do it, and how to make sure I’m getting the full benefits of juicing. Well I think it’s time to get back to the basics a little bit and welcome our new fellow juicers by giving a brief Juicing 101 crash course. Here are a few things to know when you’re a beginner juicer.

Lesson #1: Cleaning Your Juicer
Once you’ve received your juicer, learn how to clean it. Cleaning your juicer right after using it makes it very easy to clean. For example, with the Power Juicer, you can simply rinse off or throw out any pulp in your Pulp Collector and caught in the Filter. Then, you can wash all parts in the dishwasher, except for the Base of course. Here a tip to make it even easier to clean. Use a plastic shopping bag or small trash bag to line the Pulp Collector. That way, when you’re done juicing, all you have to do to clean it out is throw away the bag.

Lesson #2: Preparing Produce
Apples, grapes, cherries, berries, beets, and many more fruits and vegetables contain seeds, stems and hard peels. It can get confusing how to prepare your produce. First you should always clean your produce to make sure no chemicals or dirt gets in your juice. As a general rule of thumb, if something has a hard pit like cherries or very tough skin, remove it. If you wouldn’t eat it raw then don’t juice it. So beet greens and carrot tops are examples of things that should be removed.

Lesson #3: Storing Your Juice
A lot of people also ask if and how they can store fresh juice. Well I say it’s always most beneficial to drink right away. But if you only have time to juice in the morning and want a juice for lunch, you can store your fresh juice in airtight containers in the refrigerator. They can last for up to 1 day like this.

Lesson #4: Juicing Leafy Greens
Leafy greens are among the healthiest things to juice. Two problems with leafy greens; they don’t taste great and they’re difficult to juice in any juicer. Well I’ve got one solution for both problems… sweet, juicy fruits! Sometimes, the leafy greens will get caught up in the juicer. You need to follow it with a juicier ingredient to get it all out. By doing this you’re also improving the taste by adding some sweetness. And don’t be alarmed if you see a lot of pulp from your greens, you’re getting the juice out of it. You just need to use more leafy greens than you do fruits. Apples and citrus fruits are great for this but you can experiment with anything. Which brings me to my last lesson.

Lesson #5: Experiment
You don’t need to stick to strict recipes and only follow the basic juices you already know. Experiment with different flavors and ingredients! This is the fun part, learning to create your own healthy juices and customizing them to your own liking. Get creative and figure out which ingredients make strong colors for your juices to create special juices for special events. For example, beets make juices a deep red color perfect for Valentine’s Day juices.

What are some of your tips and tricks for beginner juicers?

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Tags: how to juice, juicing basics, juicing for beginners
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by Jen Roe

Stay on budget and on track: Cheap eats that are good for you

January 20, 2012 in Health Information, Uncategorizedby Jen Roe

A few years back in the midst of my quest to get healthy, I found myself in a financial squeeze. Up until that point I spent little time worrying about how much I was spending on my healthy foods but soon found myself with on a very strict grocery budget.

Time and time again people told me that, “eating healthy is too expensive.” I was determined to disprove that theory.

While it may be more challenging there are some great ways of making your budget work and maintaining a healthy household.

Here are five pantry and fridge staples that are cheap and will help keep you on your healthy path:

Oatmeal. Low in fat and high in fiber oatmeal is my number one go-to breakfast food. It’s quick, easy, healthy and cheap. If you buy it in bulk your average bowl can cost you as little as $.15 a breakfast! It doesn’t get cheaper than that. I add a few chopped apple pieces and a Tsp. sugar free maple syrup for a little added flavor.
Eggs. Eggs are great for you. They are a healthy and inexpensive way to get vitamin B12 and protein in the morning. One egg is about $.16. I’ll have one with a few tomato slices or leftover veggies and a piece of whole grain toast for breakfast or make an egg and low fat cheese sandwich or omelet for lunch.
Brown Rice. One pound of brown rice equals about 11 servings of complex carbohydrate whole grains. It comes out to about $.20 a serving and can be used in a million ways. Add it to left overs or frozen veggies with a little soy sauce and scrambled egg for a quick, healthy stir-fry. Or serve it as a base for chili or as a side dish to your favorite lean meats. It’s another great way to bulk up a meal in a healthy way.
Whole wheat pasta. Like Brown rice and oatmeal, Whole wheat pasta is affordable and healthy. It packs fiber and is a good source of complex carbohydrate whole grains. Depending on brands (I get a no-frills) it can cost as little as $.20 per portion. Serve it with a simple marinara for a quick, cheap pasta meal or toss it with a low-calorie cheese sauce and some frozen broccoli for a healthy and filling macaroni and cheese.
Beans. Beans are a great source of fiber and protein. They are a great meat replacement or accompaniment. I used less beef and more beans now-a-days for the health and economy of it. For example, replacing meat or half the meat with beans in soup, stews and chili’s makes recipes stretch further for less money. Canned beans are convenient and affordable but if you are willing to go the extra step and buy beans dry, you’ll save even more!
Frozen vegetables. Frozen vegetables carry the same amount of nutrients as fresh and are often cheaper. If you coupon and keep an eye out for sales, you can get your vegetables in for a fraction of the cost of fresh.

Here are a few more tips to save money on your shopping trips:

When it comes to grocery shopping, shop strategically. Always study the sales circulars and buy and plan meals around those sales. If chicken is a great price buy extra and freeze it! Same goes with produce.

Always make a grocery list and have a plan. Studies show people spend up to 20 percent more in the market when we go in without a plan.

Don’t go shopping before a meal. People tend to spend more when they are hungry.

If you need to slash your budget start with extras like cookies, chips, ice-cream and other ‘junkie’ foods. Turn to fruits and veggies for snacks.

Remember, it’s cheaper to invest in a fruit or vegetable now than treating heart disease, cancer or diabetes later. Your health is worth it.

What are some healthy and cheap staples in your pantry?

Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Tags: cheap eats, healthy on a budget
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by Kristina

WIN a FREE Power Juicer Express + Recipes this Valentine’s Day

January 18, 2012 in Giveaway/Contest, Holiday Ideasby Kristina

Who said sweets need to be your guilty pleasure? Enjoy the natural sweetness of fresh fruits and vegetables this Valentine’s Day with the Power Juicer Express. Don’t miss your chance of getting your FREE Power Juicer Express and Fresh Recipe Collection book by liking us on Facebook and entering our giveaway. We want to show that special someone just how much we care by keeping you healthy with juicing.

To enter to win, click here.

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by Kristina

Our Top January Juices

January 12, 2012 in Juicing Recipesby Kristina

Just because its wintertime, doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy a fresh glass of juice made with your Power Juicer. Here are our top 5 juices for January using fresh, in season ingredients. Give them a try and let us know what you think.

Afternoon Zing
1/2 broccoli head
1/4 lemon (peel intact)
1/2 bunch seedless red grapes
1 pear

Sunset
2 carrots (tops removed)
1 orange (peeled)
1 pear
1 red potato

Mama Mia
2 oranges (peeled)
1 beet (leaves removed)
2 broccoli florets
2 oranges (peeled)

Energy Boost
1 carrot (top removed)
1 celery stalk
1 beet (leaves removed)
5 parsley sprigs
4 lettuce leaves
1/2 head watercress
1/2 cup spinach
3 tomatoes
salt to taste

Pear & Grape
2 pears
1/2 dozen seedless white grapes
4 collard greens

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Tags: january juicing recipes, juicing recipes
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by Jen Roe

A few healthy solutions for picky little eaters

January 10, 2012 in Health Information, Juicing Recipes, Power Juicer Kidsby Jen Roe

I am a health blogger, marathon runner and someone who has dedicated myself to nutrition. I am also the mom to a very, picky four year old.

It’s been a tough road. Here I am, sharing all this healthy advice and then feeding my toddler chicken nuggets and french fries under the table – anything to get that kid to eat. I know. I know. I’m not proud.

Something had to give. I did not want to lead my child on an early road to childhood obesity and bad health. I had to do better and figure it out.

The answer was right on my kitchen counter. My Power Juicer!

I began to make homemade apple juice (and would throw in a carrot, maybe a small piece of celery or some berries) and he would drink it like any other juice – 3 times a day! I went from almost 0 veggies to 5 or more servings just like that.

My son likes pancakes, so I started to sneak some of the carrot / apple pulp into the mix. He loves them!

I also began to make my own homemade chicken nuggets. I slice up chicken breast, dip in egg, use whole wheat bread crumbs and pan fry in a tablespoon of olive oil. It takes a little extra time but it’s a good alternative to the processed ones from a fast food place.

I’ve switched his macaroni and cheese to whole wheat pasta, low fat cheese and 1% milk – I’ve tried to sneak some broccoli in there but that’s been unsuccessful. Ya can’t win them all.

I dip strawberries and bananas in chocolate for sweet treats.

I make a lot of smoothies for him now. He loves this banana mango smoothie recipe for example and he loves these Strawberry Yogurt Bars.

So those have been a few of the solutions I have found for my picky little eater. How about you? Do you have a picky eater? What has been some of your food solutions?

Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Tags: healthy eating, juicing, kids, toddlers
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by Kristina

Winter Produce Guide

January 6, 2012 in Health Information, Juicing Tipsby Kristina

Winter is usually depicted with empty trees and a lack of produce. But there’s not such a lack of produce as most would have you believe. Many of these fruits and vegetables are available all year long but when you get them in the winter, they taste their best and have the best nutritional value for you. So try making some of your Power Juicer recipes using these tasty ingredients. Read the rest of this entry →

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Tags: fruits, in season, vegetables, winter produce
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by Jen Roe

Small food swaps and tricks for better health and weight loss

January 4, 2012 in Health Informationby Jen Roe

With the holidays behind us many of us are facing down a few extra pounds or newly formed resolutions to tackle.

Here are a few little food swaps and tricks that can help you get painlessly and easily rolling towards achieving your goals:

Cut the mayo. It’s just a condiment. Make sandwiches and salads with mustard, salsa, flavored vinegars and save around 100 calories per sandwich and close to 10 grams of fat! If you miss the creaminess then add a few slices of avocado or a drizzle of olive oil instead. Studies show that healthy fats like those mentioned should be apart of your healthy diet. Mayo offers 0 health benefits.
Breakfast busters. Choose lean ham or Canadian bacon with your eggs instead of sausage or regular bacon. Per ounce, regular bacon has 151 calories and 12 grams of fat to Canadian bacon’s 52 calories and 2 grams of fat! What a huge difference! That small switch makes a big impact.
Juicing it up. Get those Power Juicers out and make an effort to stop buying pre-made juice all together. Store-bought ‘fruit’ juices are often loaded with extra sugar, preservatives and colorings. When you juice at home you’re in complete control. So get going. You can stack your juice with other vitamins and nutrient rich vegetables and fruits as you see fit.
The milky way. If you aren’t willing to go completely fat free then consider switching from full fat milk to 1% or 2%. If you can get used to skim milk, consider the following – per one cup serving, regular milk has 150 calories and 8 grams of fat and skim milk has only 90 calories and 0.5 grams of fat! If you make this swap once a day for a month you’ll save around 1800 calories a month! You could lose more than 6 pounds a year if you were to just make this simple switch.
You’ve been served. Get smaller cups, plates, bowls and even utensils. I use a salad plate as my dinner plate. Experts say (and I can attest to it) that you’ll eat less off a smaller plate because the plate looks fuller with less. It works! I have a fancy but tiny little spoon that I use to enjoy desserts with and it forces me to slow down and really enjoy the dessert. When eating asian food, I use chop sticks. I am not good with chop sticks but it definitely slows me down and helps me to eat less.

What are some of your own personal swaps or tips?

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Tags: fruits and vegetables, health benefits, healthy living, juicing, power juicer
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by Jen Roe

Do you buy organic foods?

December 29, 2011 in Edible Garden, Health Informationby Jen Roe

I strive to live an extremely healthy lifestyle.

I eat low fat, high-fiber foods. I use my Jack LaLanne Power Juicer on a daily basis. I don’t smoke, I drink in moderation and exercise at least five days a week. I do all I can to keep my quality of life high and my risk of disease low. Or do I?

I have a confession. A dirty little secret. Here it is: I don’t buy organic.

I might if I had an unlimited grocery shopping budget but, maybe like you, I get confused to whether it’s a real necessity or just another marketing technique to get us to spend more. A bag of non-organic carrots might cost you a $1.50. A bag of organic carrots will cost you at least double!

Still, a little nagging voice urged me to learn more.

So here’s what I’ve gathered:

First of all, if it’s labeled organic it must meet USDA standards to qualify – so if it says it’s organic it probably is.

Organic fruits and vegetables will skip using chemicals of any kind and will fertilize crops with natural ways like mulch and manure.

Some say that because you’re not using chemically charged fertilizers and insecticides, the produce is better for you. Others say that these ‘chemicals’ were developed to keep produce from being infested and are totally safe.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the jury is still out to whether organics are really much more healthful or not but there are certain fruits and vegetables that are not worth buying organic because of their skins. For example, if you are interested in going organic but are on a budget, you can skip organic bananas, oranges, avocados and other thick skinned fruits and vegetables. They are protected from chemicals already.

No matter what you do make sure you thoroughly scrub clean all your produce – which is the best way to keep all produce from making you ill.

I’m still not sure whether I’ll ever make a full switch over to organic. What about you? What are your thoughts on the organic debate?

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Tags: organic, organic debate, produce
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by Jen Roe

5 unusual fruits and vegetables to try

December 23, 2011 in Health Informationby Jen Roe

I don’t know about you but usually when doing my shopping for produce, I breeze right past certain fruits and vegetables sticking primarily to the basics: carrots, broccoli, apples, bananas, etc.

Sometimes, I recognize the item but have no clue on how to prepare it or how to eat it. Sometimes the item is just completely foreign altogether.

Recently, I decided to turn over a ‘new produce leaf’ and give some of these funkier items a shot.

Here’s what I’ve found:

Yucca (also known as Cassava). Yucca resembles and tastes kind of like a potato. It’s super tasty and contains fiber, vitamin C and potassium. Yucca is popular in many South American and Caribbean countries and is often served boiled or fried and topped with a “mojo” dressing (a simple mojo can be made with onions, garlic, olive oil and lemon juice.) Depending on where you live regionally you may find them pre cut and frozen from companies like Goya. If you buy them fresh store them and peel them like potatoes.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hisgett/ CC 2.0
Pomegranates. These are one those fruits that I was familiar with but intimidated by. I’ve read that they are a super food and well worth getting to know better. They are messy and juicy but delicious. An easy way to cut and seed them can be found at the article found here. Pomegranates are low in calories, packed with antioxidants, Vitamin K, fiber, and potassium. I have found that they are great on top of greek yogurt or added to salads.
flickr./photos/46053374@N05/ CC 2.0
Jicama. Is a completely fat free root-like vegetable that resembles a turnip in appearance thought the two are unrelated. It’s an excellent source of vitamin C and has a really nice crunch. Jicama is best eaten raw but you can add it to a stir fry at the last minute to add a ‘water chestnut’ like crunch. I like to throw it in my salads and it’s great just as it is as a snack.
flickr.com/photos/luigi_and_linda/ CC 2.0
Plantains. Like yucca, these are very popular in Latin and Caribbean cultures. There are a million and one ways to prepare plantains from frying to baking and using as an ingredient in other dishes. Plantains that are still green are typically used in a more savory way and the yellow/black ones are used in a sweeter way. I like to ‘pan fry’ a few slices of the sweet ones in a hot pan with a tiny bit of olive oil for a sweet side to pork dishes. Plantains are not to be eaten raw. Plantains are high in vitamins A and C and they are high in fiber and potassium.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theunseasonedwok/ CC 2.0
Kumquat. These are interesting little fruits they look like baby oranges and like oranges are packed with vitamin C. Unlike oranges, you eat the whole thing – rind and all. The rind is sweet and the ‘meat’ is tart. You can add these to salads or make jams and jellies with them.