Green juices certainly have become more and more popular in recent years – and with good reason: they really are a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals. I love the fact that I can add so many different varieties to my green juices, and end up with as many different flavor profiles. I like to rotate my greens and try all the different kinds I find at the markets. This particular juice contains Dandelion and Watercress – the result is an earthy, peppery flavor, sweetened by the addition of pears and pineapple, and rounded out by the fresh taste of cucumber and celery.
Sometimes I just put whatever I have in my fridge into my juices – I think they generally all end up tasting pretty good. I always use cucumber as a base for my green juices though, – they add volume and a mild sweetness to green juices. Being composed of 95% water, they have very little calories, and help keep you hydrated. Cucumbers have important amounts of vitamin K, magnesium, potassium and folate, as well as zinc and copper. Dandelion is an important green to incorporate into your diet: a serving provides over 500% of the recommended daily value of vitamin K, which helps your body better able to absorb calcium. Dandelion greens contain a wealth of nutrients, containing not only vitamin A, B6, C and lutein, manganese and potassium, but folate, magnesium, phosphorus and is useful a pre-biotic enzyme – so helping sustain a healthy gut flora. It also contains the essential trace mineral, copper, which is needed for normal growth and health. It helps iron in the formation of red blood cells, helps promote healthy blood vessels, ligaments and tendons and helps prevent osteoporosis. Oysters have good levels of copper, but pulses, sea vegetables and dark leafy greens also contain excellent, easily absorbed levels.
Watercress rounds off the collections of greens in this juice. Watercress is actually part of the cruciferous family of vegetables. It is a chlorophyll-rich plant that contains high levels of bone-building and strengthening vitamin K, and A, while C and E round out its anti-oxidant properties. Studies have even shown watercress to be a highly effective anti-biotic. It may help to combat candida, and have anti-viral effects. It is also useful as a support for the thyroid, containing significant levels of iodine.
Sweetness is added to this juice in the form of pears and pineapple. In addition to supplying sweetness, both fruits contain useful amounts of antioxidants, manganese and folates. Pineapple is high in bromelain, which has been shown to help with inflammation in the body.
As you can see, this really is a nutrient-dense juice, and one that I like to make whenever I get the chance. Give it a try – it does a body good!
- 2 Pears
- 1 Large Wedge Pineapple
- 1 Medium/Large Cucumber, unpeeled
- 2 Sticks Celery
- 1 Bunch of Dandelion Greens
- 1 Fistful of Watercress
- ½ Lime, Peeled
- Wash and prep all the ingredients.
- Run through a juicer.
- Pour over ice and serve.
This Food & Travel Blog is all about my love of fruits and veggies, and about using as many as I can during the course of the week - whether at home or abroad. In fact, you could say I'm mental for veggies!
Tracy – you are awesome!! Thank you for these recipes, inspiration and for sharing from your seemingly unlimited knowledge of food/health. So enjoying your veggie mentality!
Thanks, Patricia 🙂