Juice cleanses and detoxes are all the rage these days, but they seem especially ubiquitous coming up to the summer season. Generally, I am a person who believes in everyday clean and healthy eating and good food choices with only occasional indulgences, which really negate the need for a detoxifying cleanse.
And yet I do understand the desire for the occasional cleanse. I recently went on vacation for two weeks and afterwards was unable to button my previously loose pants, thanks to copious booze-and-chip consumption. I’m anticipating a similar result from my annual summer trip to my in-laws’, in which I will likely consume three dozen Palm Bays and just as many homemade buns over the course of ten days. One cannot indulge like that and expect no consequences . . . enter the juice cleanse.
A big problem with commercial juice cleanses is the cost. Most cleanses run about $100 per day, and most programs are three days in duration. After the sunk cost of a juicer—and you can get some great ones for reasonable prices—the cost of making your own juice can be quite inexpensive. I’ve come up with a few detoxifying juice recipes that won’t break the bank, whether you’re planning a full-on cleanse or you just want a nice, fresh juice to sip on.
I know, it feels a little “Dwight Schrute,” but beets are renowned for their detoxifying properties, especially for liver and blood purification. After my visit to the in-laws’, this is something I will need (cough, Palm Bay, cough). Be sure to peel the beet before juicing to get the best flavour.
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Cucumbers are hydrating and help flush toxins from the system—something I tend to need post-vacation. They are also great sources of Vitamins A and C. Together with oranges and carrots, they make this juice a powerhouse of vitamins!
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This is a “pucker up, buttercup” kind of juice—it’s very tart! If it’s too tart for your tastes, substitute a sweeter apple, such as Golden or Red Delicious, in place of the Granny Smith.
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Want more detoxing drinks? Try my Green Goddess Juice, which is a healthy version of lemonade! Not a juice fan? Try my Easy Tropical Green Smoothie or my Hangover Cure Smoothie—perfect for those "overindulgences."
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