Everything's Dandy Detoxifying Juice

There is really nothing like a fresh & sunny, bright & yummy juice to get you going in the morning, especially when it’s homemade.

Yes, a bit of prep & pesky clean-up is involved, but the end result is worth it. The juice craze has hit San Diego hard, especially in recent months, as new juice bars are popping up like Starbucks. While they are so welcoming & enticing with their delicious samples, a juice will set you back at least $8-$10 bucks. I don’t know about you, but a $50 weekly juice habit certainly is not within my budget, however tempting it may be. While I am not a huge fan of long-term juice fasting, especially in winter, I do love a fresh-made juice either with breakfast or as an afternoon energizer. I stopped making homemade juices, really out of laziness more than anything, but that was a healthy habit I wanted to pick back up in the new year. So rather than indulging my craving by subsequently emptying my pocketbook at the fancy new juice bar, I decided to pull the juicer from the back of the cupboard & make it for myself.

I've really wanted to get back into juicing & clean eating in the new year. I canceled my CSA in the fall & was really missing it, so when a co-worker organized a Farmer’s Market Box group delivery from Specialty Produce (where all the chefs shop for local, organic ingredients) at the school where I work, I signed up. I ordered the “farmers market box” & the “farmers juicing bag” which only set me back $35 & I got A LOT of stuff. I was so excited to see the juice bag option at such an affordable price ($15). What a perfect way to get me back into the fresh juice habit! In the juicing bag, there were oranges, 2 bundles of celery, limes, white carrots, & a few bunches of dandelion greens - definitely enough for a week’s worth of juice.

Dandelion greens are amazingly good for you & excellent for cleansing the liver & kidneys. In fact, they are known as the ultimate detox green. They are super high in calcium & iron & loaded with antioxidants & minerals. Dandelion greens are a natural diuretic, promote bile production, & support gallbladder health, & also proven to reduce swelling & bloating, & stimulate the digestive system to release toxins. Bottom line, they pack a nutritious punch!

EVERYTHING'S DANDY DETOXIFYING GREEN JUICE Author: Melissa, Honey Bee Vegan Recipe type: Juice Serves: 1 INGREDIENTS

• 1 orange

• 3 carrots

• 4 ribs celery

• 1 large fistful of dandelion greens

• 1 lime

• 1-inch piece of ginger

• 1-inch piece of fresh turmeric, or ½ tsp. turmeric powder

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Peel the orange, lime, turmeric & ginger. Scrub the carrots & celery. Pass all the ingredients up through the juicer.

2. Stir in turmeric if using the powdered form.

3. Serve immediately.

To your health. Cheers!