This article was written in response to your thoughtful juicing questions around the time value of juicing. Thank you for your interest and keep looking to us as you embark on your journey to health and happiness.
The art of juicing has been around for decades, but it’s only recently taking hold. Juice is now widely and readily available; however, the cost of fresh juices and juicing appliances are steadily increasing. There’s no one best option, just the one that’s right for you. Ultimately, if it means getting yourself into a healthy routine, each option is a positive one.
Exploring Juicing Options
The juicing options out there are currently three-fold:
Making your own juice,
Buying freshly squeezed juice from a juicery or deli, and
Purchasing cold pressed juices from a grocery store.
Making Your Own Juice for the Health Benefits of Juicing
Variety: There’s something wonderful about picking your own produce and juicing your own vegetables and fruits. It gives you the freedom to create a juice that you love; however, this can be difficult if you don’t know what to mix or for what health benefits of juicing… but that’s what we’re here for!
Cost: In the long run, this is definitely the most cost-effective option, but also the most time-consuming. The upfront cost of a juicer can range from $70.00-$400.00, but with love and care, they can be maintained for years. Buying produce is usually much cheaper than the cost of the options #2 and #3 below.
Time: Give yourself at least 30 minutes to prep your produce, juice and clean up. To prevent drinking anything rotten, juices made from a standard juicer shouldn’t be juiced more than 24-48 hours in advance; once they are pressed, the nutritional compounds start to break down. The sooner a juice is consumed, the greater the health benefits of juicing and impact on your body.
2. Buying Your Brew (Freshly Squeezed)
Variety: Your local juicery (or deli) usually has a menu of exotic juices to try with ingredients ranging from apples to beets to parsley. To appeal to the everyday palate, these juices may contain more fruit than we’d recommend. At most venues, I’ve found the staff to be very accommodating with making substitutions or adding more vegetables instead of fruit. (As a rule of thumb, aim for a juice with over 50% vegetables. As you become a “juice expert”, the percentage of vegetables should increase.)
Cost: Buying a freshly squeezed brew usually ranges from $5.00-$8.50 for 16 ounces. It’s a little more expensive than your daily coffee, but the health benefits of juicing far outweigh the cost, in terms of your health and happiness.
Time: Depending on the line, give yourself about 10 minutes to order and wait for your juice. No clean up required! As mentioned above, the sooner the juice is consumed, the better.
3. Buying your brew (cold pressed):
Variety: Over the past year, I’ve seen grocers make space in their refrigerators for these special, cold-pressed potions. These cold-pressed businesses usually guarantee the use of organic produce, which is then pressed using a unique process to maintain all of the great nutrients, and finally shipped to your local grocery store. Blue Print Cleanse and Evolution Fresh are some of the more popular brands, while Suja and Rawpothecary are up-and-coming. What you see in your local store may vary, but they’re all offering a few different blends to appeal to the pickiest of palates.
Cost: I’ve been hard-pressed to find anything under $6.00 per bottle, which would either be on sale or made of less expensive fruits and vegetables. Usually, most cold-pressed juices cost approximately $10.00 each, which adds up quickly. Definitely not a cheap option, but it seems to be taking hold.
Time: This is the fastest option, by far. The cold-pressed juices are waiting for you at grocery stores and gourmet delis. As long as they’re consumed before the expiration date, you’re good to go.
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