Diocesan Council

CONTENTS

POTATO SOUP

CHESSY STUFF CHICKEN

BAKED SALMON FILLETTS

PASTA SALAD

PIZZA POTATOES

BAKED APPLE WEDGES

GROUND BEEF STEW

LIGHTSIDE

FOOD INFORMATION

CLEANING TIPS

NON-ALOHOLIC DRINKS

BAR MIXES

POTATO SOUP

½ cup chopped onion

 
½ cup chopped celery

6 diced potatoes

 
2 Tablespoons margarine

 
½ teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 cup non-fat dry milk

3 cups water

2 Tablespoons flour

Peel and chop the onion.

Chop the celery.

Peel the potatoes, and cut them into small cubes.

Melt the margarine in a large saucepan on low heat.

Add the onion and celery. Cook for a few minutes.

Add the potatoes, salt, pepper and 1½ cups water.

Cook for 15 minutes until the potatoes are tender.

In a small bowl, stir together the dry milk and flour.

Add 1½ cups water slowly, stirring as you add it.

Add the milk mix to the potatoes.

Cook until the soup is heated and slightly thickened.

Adjust the seasonings.  YIELD: 6-1 cup servings.

CHEESY STUFF CHICKEN

2 tablespoon butter or margarine

2 medium zucchini, shredded (about 2 cups)

1 medium onion, chopped

1 pkg. (6 0z.) Stove Top Stuffing Mix for Chicken

1 cup Kraft Finely Shredded Italian Style Five Cheese Blend

2 pkg.(about 1-2 lb.each) Chicken quarters

¾ cup Kraft Honey Barbecue Sauce

PREHEAT oven to 400 degrees F. Melt butter in medium saucepan on medium heat. Add zucchini and onion; cook and stir 2 min. or until well blended.

CAREFULLY insert fingers between the meat and skin of each chicken quarter to form a pocket. Fill pockets evenly with stuffing mixture. Place, skin sides up, in large roasting pan.

BAKE 45 min. or until chicken is cooked through. Brush with barbecue sauce. Bake an additional 5 to 10 min.or until heated though.   YIELDS: 8 servings

BAKED SALMON

4- 6 OZ. SALMON FILLETS

1 LEMON

1 TABLESPOON OAT BRAN

1 ½ teaspoon dill weed

½ teaspoon thyme leaves

 
½ teaspoon onion powder

 
1 lemon

 
1 teaspoon paprika 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine oat bran, dill weed, thyme leaves, onion powder, and paprika. Sprinkle over salmon fillets. Bake at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.

YIELD: 6

Pasta Salad

8 oz. Pasta

½  small red onion, chopped

¼  cup low-fat salad dressing

Choose 3 of the following vegetables:

1  medium tomato, chopped

1  small zucchini, sliced

¼  cup celery, chopped

¼  cup carrots, sliced

1  medium pepper, chopped

¼  cup green beans

½  cup broccoli, chopped

Prepare pasta according to package directions. Add chopped onion and fresh vegetables. (If preferred, steam or stir-fry vegetables for 3-5 minutes before adding to pasta). Add salad dressing. Mix well.  Serves 4.

Pizza Potatoes

½  cup broccoli, chopped

½  onion, chopped

¼  cup carrots, chopped fine

1  small tomato, sliced

2  baked potatoes

½  tablespoon margarine

½  tablespoon flour

½  cup skim milk

¼  cup cheese, shredded

Cook broccoli, onions, and carrots in a small amount of water until tender and set aside. In a saucepan, melt margarine and stir in flour. Add milk slowly while stirring. Cook until sauce thickens, stirring occasionally. Add cheese and stir until melted. Add vegetables to cheese sauce and stir. Split open potatoes. Pour equal amounts of vegetable cheese mixture over each potato. Top with sliced tomatoes.

Baked Apple Wedges

2-3 baking apples (Rome, Cortland, Golden Delicious) 1/2 teaspoon margarine

½  tablespoon sugar OR brown sugar

ground cinnamon to taste

1/8  cup orange juice (optional)

Peel, core, and cut apples into quarters or wedges, depending on the size of the apple. Place apples in 1 quart baking dish. Dot apples with margarine. Sprinkle apples lightly with sugar and cinnamon. Orange juice may be added if desired. Bake at 375 degrees until tender, about 30 minutes.  Serves 2.

GROUND BEEF STEW

½   pound ground beef, or ground turkey, or venison

1/8 teaspoon salt (optional)

1/8 teaspoon pepper (optional)

1 – 10 ¾  ounce can ounce tomato soup, condensed

water, one soup can full

6 medium diced or sliced carrots

2 medium diced or sliced potatoes

1 cup diced onion

Brown meat. Drain fat, if any. Season lightly with salt and pepper (optional).

Add soup and 1 can of water to fry pan. Add vegetables.

Bring to a boil, then simmer, covered, about 25 minutes or until tender. Remove from heat, cover for last 10 minutes to thicken.

LIGHTSIDE

A hillbilly and his son were visiting a mall for the first time.  They were amazed by two walls that could move apart and then slide shut again.

The boy asks his father what it was.  (Never having seen a elevator before) The father replies, “Sorry I have never seen anything like this before”.

Just then an oversized lady came and pressed a button on the wall. The walls opened and the lady stepped into a small room.  The walls closed and the boy and his father watched the small numbers above the walls light sequentially. They watched as it reached the last number and then the numbers began to light in the reverse order.  When the walls opened again a attractive slim 24-year lady stepped out. The father, not taking his eyes off the lady said to his son, “Go get your mother”

FOOD INFORMATION, TIPS

Thanksgiving was just a few days ago, and with the Christmas holidays coming, here are a few things to keep in mind.

AFTER MEALS

Put food away right after the meal.  Discard any turkey, stuffing, gravy left at room temperature longer than two hours.

Refrigerated turkey and stuffing use within three to four days.

Gravy within one to two days.

If you freeze leftovers, use within two to six months.

HOW SAVE IS OUR BOTTLE DRINKING WATER.

Do Federal or local authorizes Check in Canada or the USA?

I just read a report by Shan Phelan Investigative Correspondent for the Irish Independent, showing shocking levels of contamination in bottle waters sold there are exposed in a confidential report by the States food safety watchdog.

The draft report seen by the Irish Independent reveals that harmful bacteria, including E coli, have been found in bottle water on sale throughout the country.  Health officers found 7.2 pc of bottle water they sampled for the report were in breach of either legal or EU guidelines. For a complete report go to;

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/bottled-water-scare-as-dangerous-germs-found-1541957.html

FOOD INSPECTIONS

GOOD NEWS FOR OUR HEALTH FROM FAST FOOD

Fast-food outlets including McDonald’s and KFC have pledged to make their food more healthy as part of a campaign to cut heart disease and obesity. Burger King, Wimpy, Nando’s and Subway promised to cut salt and fat levels. The Food Safety Authority will monitor the commitments with the aim of making the food eaten by more than three million Britons a day healthier.

The baking, grilling or frying of starchy foods can create a harmful substance called acryl amide.  Acryl amide is a chemical that forms in some foods during cooking at high temperatures. The natural sugars and the amino acid asparagines found in some plant foods combine naturally to produce acryl amide when subjected to high heat. Common food sources of the chemical include potatoes, grain products and coffee.

Very low levels of acryl amide are present in drinking water compared to the much larger amounts of the chemical found in cigarette smoke and certain foods.

At present, the World Health Organization classifies acryl amide as “probably carcinogenic to humans” on the basis of the evidence from animal studies.

At the heart of problem is the way we prepare potatoes and grain products. Some of the largest sources of acryl amine in the diet include french fries, potato chips, ready-to-eat cereals, cookies, graham crackers, pastries, coffee and toast. All of these products are processed or prepared at high temperatures.

Large amounts of acryl amide form during high-temperature cooking techniques such as frying, grilling, broiling, roasting or baking. Foods that are cooked to a dark brown color contain higher amounts of the chemical than those that are stopped at a golden yellow.

Little or no acryl amide is produced during lower-temperature methods such as boiling, steaming, poaching, braising, blanching and microwaving.

Acryl amide is usually not present in raw plant foods. It’s typically not associated with meat, dairy products or seafood.

The higher the temperatures and the longer the times that plant foods are cooked, the greater the amounts of acryl amides that are formed.

Cook at recommended temperatures to destroy germs while preserving the maximum flavour and nutritional value of your food.

NEXT HEALTH CRISIS?

The past decade witnessed the massive off shoring of jobs to low-cost countries, decimating the U.S.A. and Canada manufacturing base. Cheap food may bring the next health crisis.

Ice cream. Yogurt. Crackers and biscuits. Egg and products containing powdered eggs. Cake. Powdered and condensed milk, pet food, pie, cereal plus other food products.

You probably consumed some of these products.  Did you know where they came from?  You may have thought these products were produced in the USA or Canada.  You would not know that some of these products came from china, and yes, China imports them into Canada and the USA.

These foods of Chinese origin have been found by authorities in the United States, Canada, Australia, to contain an industrial chemical called melamine that is used to make plastic.  In recent weeks, the Chinese government has admitted that adding melamine to food – which raises protein levels, making poor-quality products look more nutritious – is common practice in China.  Melamine can cause kidney stones and kidney failure when eaten. It has already sent about 54,000 Chinese consumers to the hospital and caused the deaths of at least four infants.

Mark Schlosberg is the California director and Elanor Starmer is a research analyst with Food & Water Watch, a national non-profit firm working to ensure clean water and safe food. For more information, visit www.foodandwaterwatch.org.

USA OPENS FDA OFFICE IN CHINA

Worries about the quality of Chinese exports to the U.S. have become a major feature of bilateral trade ties, with substandard Chinese food and toys covered in lead paint among the recurring product safety scares.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, speaking on the eve of opening of an FDA office in Beijing, said a new strategy was needed because the United States imported $2 trillion worth of goods a year, equal to four times the size of the Brazilian economy.

The FDA Office will be the first outside the US and will be followed by two more in China this month and one in India next month.

BEWARE FDA SCAM

As part of a fraudulent scheme to extort money from consumers, callers have falsely identified themselves as officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Consumers should know that FDA officials never contact consumers by phone to demand money or any other form of payment. “Impersonating an FDA official is a violation of federal law,” says Michael Chappell, FDA’s acting associate commissioner for regulatory affairs.

Offers of Discounted Prescription Drugs

 

Several instances have been reported to FDA of calls enticing consumers to purchase discounted prescription drugs by wiring funds to one of several locations in the Dominican Republic. No medications are ever delivered.

 

A subsequent call is received from a fraudulent “FDA special agent” informing the consumer that a fine of several thousand dollars is required to be sent to an address in the Dominican Republic to prevent incarceration or other legal action.

Report complaints or information regarding this scheme to FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations at (800) 521-5783.

RECALL NOTICE

Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Fiesta recalls 47,000 Blue Ember grills

 

Fiesta has recalled 47,000 of its Blue Ember gas grills because improper assembly of the grill poses a fire hazard. Fiesta has received 14 reports of grill fires although no reports of injuries.

CLEANING TIPS

Commercial cleaning supplies can aggravate your allergies and have long terms effects on your health. You can save on your house-cleaning bill with very good results using less toxic substances. Before washing, it is essential that all stains be removed. Sometimes Soap or hot water will set a stain and make its removal impossible.

RESPONSIBLE DRINKING

 

If you have teenagers, or in fact any adult, impress on them the
risks of driving while intoxicated. Statistics demonstrate drunk
drivers cause many fatal road accidents.

 

It should be known that like any other drug, addiction is a
potential hazard.  Excess of alcohol will affect organs such as the brain, heart, and liver.

BAR MIXES

SHANGHAI COCKTAIL

¼ juice of lemon

1-teaspoon anisette

1 ½ ounce Jamaica rum

½ teaspoon grenadine

Shake with ice cubes.

Strain into cocktail glass.

MARTINI (sweet)

1-ounce gin

½ ounce Italian vermouth

1dash orange bitters

Stir with ice cubes.

Strain into chilled cocktail glass

NON- ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

ICED COFFEE

There are just as many ways of making coffee, as there are different brands. Here are some general rules.

For good results measure water and coffee.

2 tablespoons coffee to each 1 cup

Make coffee just before serving

Make coffee double strength and pour the hot coffee over ice in a tall glass.  As the ice melts, it will dilute the coffee. Top the glass with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

HOT DRINKS FOR CHILDREN

½ cup cocoa

1 cup sugar

2 cups water

1/8 teaspoon salt

¼ spoon vanilla.

Combine cocoa, sugar and salt

Add water and stir until well blended.

Cook for 5 minutes.  Cool and bottle

Makes 3 cups syrup

Add 2 tablespoons of syrup to each cup of scaled milk.

Disclaimer: The Author of this article is not responsible for accuracy or completeness nor shall he be held liable for any damage or loss arising out of or in any way related to the information or utilization of it.

Bruce Chambers
http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/grandma-hystads-recipes-bar-mixes-food-informatiom-669948.html

The aloe vera plant is a high-sulfur member of the garlic family. The healing benefits of aloe vera juice gel have been known for over six thousand years. Cleopatra revered the use of aloe as one of her best beauty secrets. Further, Alexander the Great brought the aloe vera plant to the battlefield to treat wounded soldiers. In the United States, aloe first gained notoriety in the sixties to use as a salve on burns.

Today there are over two hundred scientific research papers outlining the therapeutic benefits of aloe vera juice gel. Although aloe is ninety-nine percent water, it also has more than 200 active nutrients and elements that support good health. Studies confirm that aloe vera heals the skin with its anti-inflammatory properties, burn healing capabilities and ability to decrease the effects of scars and wounds. Advantages of topical aloe vera use on the skin include:

- removes dead skin cells
- moisturizes by keeping the skin flexible
- provides oxygen to skin cells, resulting in improved synthesis and skin tissue strength
- reduces pigmentation intensity and lightens dark spots
- helps to transport healthy elements through the skin with its efficient diffusion properties
- speeds the healing and repair of skin that is damaged
- fights a variety of infections, including staph and fungus, with its antibacterial properties
- actually reduces pain with natural anti-inflammatory agents
- adds emollients to up to seven layers of skin for a smooth, moist appearance and healthy glow
- retards aging by adding moisture and increasing flexibility
- minimizes potential scars and can even reverse scars that are less than five years old
- balances and tightens skin with certain pH properties that act as a natural astringent

Aloe is an effective home remedy for a wide variety of skin concerns. The gel from aloe vera leaves can be directly applied to the skin for immediate natural healing benefits. Topical creams are available on the market that effectively include aloe gel with other healing ingredients. Many cosmetic products, such as skin moisturizers, make up, lipsticks, anti-wrinkle creams and lipsticks, incorporate aloe gel because it offers such a wide variety of skin care benefits. Additionally, allergies to aloe are extremely rare.

For healthy, smooth, attractive skin, try using products enriched with natural aloe vera juice gel.

Ryan Cote
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/say-hello-to-aloe-vera-juice-gel-for-healthy-skin-93268.html

Açai is a member of Euterpe Genus (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) extensively distributed in Northern South America. It is most abundant in the floodplains of the Brazilian Amazons. Acai (pronounced ah-SAH’-ee) is a lanky, multi-stemmed, monoecious palm that can grow to over 30 meters height. The most important aspect of this palm tree is the acai palm berries. The acai berry fruit grows in 7 species of palm through central and South America found along the basins, rivers and swamps. The acai berry fruits are mainly harvested from July to December. Each palm tree can produce from 3 to 4 clusters of fruits, each cluster can weigh 3 to 6 kilograms, and it contains about 700 to 900 individual grape sized berries. The globular shaped fruits change their color from green to dark purple during the process of ripening and their size range from 1.0 to 1.5 cm in diameter. The majority (about 90%) of the fruit is the large seed in the middle; the edible layer of the fruit is very small and covered by a slim fibrous layer. That is one of the reasons why acai is not that cheap. The edible layer is prepared as pulp and then made into a thick juice. The pulp has roughly 2.4% of protein and 5.9% of lipid. The juice has been prepared for human consumption. The taste is a combination of berries and chocolate. A lot of historical and biochemical evidence indicate that it is the healthiest fruit we have found so far.

It is commonly blended or combined with other fruits, juices, and made into energetic snacks, liqueur, jelly, ice cream and the freeze dried powder, which actually has higher potency than the liquid form due to the higher concentration of the nutrients. The powder has been used to make pills. It has been found that this magical fruit is a natural metabolism booster, hence a great healthy answer to a lot of dieters. It does not suppress your appetite, you still eat the same amount of delicious enjoyable meal as you like, what it does, in layman’s term is burring more calories while you are doing your normal activities. Acai has been used initially by surfers for better athletic performance, due to its ability of increased metabolism.

As we noted before, we do not just consume acai alone, we use acai in combination with other beneficial products to gain the most benefits form acai. The obvious benefit of the acai berry and its potential economical value has drawn a lot of companies into creating and producing their brand of acai products to aid weight loss and other health issues. But, every product is different. The formulations of existing acai products can be quite different, in the composition of choice of ingredient, the sourcing of the ingredients and preparation of the ingredients. All factors can affect the quality of the final products…

Hence, it is best to research and find out what is really in an acai product of interests before you spend your valuable hard earned dollars.

Judith Kelly
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/new-ancient-antiaging-remedy-acai-670997.html

The acai berry diet has been gaining a lot of popularity these days after being featured by Dr. Perricone and Dr. Oz on the Oprah winfrey show. But what makes the acai berry diet so good? How could a berry that was relatively uknown just a few years ago, gain such high recognition? The acai berry itself is nothing new to the world. It grows on the Acai palm in the Brazilian rainforest. The natives have used the berry for ages to help fight off hunger and boost their energy. Just recently, the health benefits of the acai berry are being discovered by the rest of the world. What are the health benefits of acai? The acai berry is naturally rich in many nutrients. It has more healthy omega fats for its size than any other food. It contains electrolytes to improve your bodies natural ability with regards to physical activity. It his high in both protein and fiber, both which help build muscle and increase your metabolism. It also contains a large amount of vitamins A, B1, B2, E, and C. But, what the acai berry is most known for is it’s antioxidants. It has over 10x more antioxidants than grapes! These antioxidants help to eliminate the harmful effect of the free radicals which are all too common in todays society. If you are wanting to try the acai berry diet but have not seen acai berry extract or acai berry pills in any stores around your home, don’t worry, they will be there soon enough. The berry is still too new to have made its way into the mainstream market yet. You can find plenty of acai berry diet pills online though. Many are offering free trials to help spread the word about this beneficial diet supplement. Whether or not you choose to lose weight with the acai berry diet, or any other diet supplement or system, it’s important to remember a few simple things. There is no magic solution to weight loss. You should always strive to eat healthy and get take part in a few hours of physical activity each week. The acai berry diet has helped millions of people lose more weight than they could without it. But even the benefits of the acai berry aren’t enough to make you lose weight if you eat ice cream all day while sitting in front of the television. Eat healthy, be active, and take advantage of diet supplements. Follow those 3 simple rules and you are sure to meet any weight loss goal that you set for yourself.

jamiehanson
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/acai-berry-diet-lose-weight-and-live-healthy-with-the-acai-berry-diet-686578.html

The acai berry—a round, blackish-purple fruit that somehow resembles a blueberry, it is currently being used as main ingredient in power juices, ice creams and even energy bars. This is not a relatively new product. In fact, natives of Brazil have been using this as far back as they can remember. Like grapes and blueberries, acai berry has antioxidant properties that make it very helpful for the body. There are people who have attested to the energy boosting qualities of this berry. Due to this there are many testimonies regarding the acai berry edge benefits. Claims also say that it improves the digestive functioning of the body and our cognition. Aside from the fact that it promotes sleep, it also provides all essential vitamins that help you in your everyday functioning. It does not stop at vitamins, however. A vast number of minerals can also be found in this fruit. It gets rid of free-radicals and toxins. Due to this, it is able to detoxify the body and cleanse one’s insides getting rid of harmful chemicals and hard to dissolve food. The acai berry also has properties that affect one’s sexual functioning. Reported by many to increase libido and desire, this fruit improves lives of many individuals. The acai berry edge benefits do not end here. Studies also reflect that it fights cancerous cells and slows down the whole process of aging by promoting younger looking skin with that youthful glow. For those who have sicknesses, this fruit may be able to control your blood sugar if you are a diabetic. It also normalizes cholesterol and improves the heart functioning by directly affecting the circulation of blood in your body. This could mean that it prevents atherosclerosis and similar cardiovascular diseases. How can such a small fruit carry so much advantages and benefits? It surely is a wonder food because of the omega fats stored in it. There are also amino acids and electrolytes that can be found in this type of berry that aids in providing healthy nourishment for your body. Studies also reveal that a significant amount of protein, vitamin A, vitamin B1 and vitamin E can be found in the food.

The acai, however, may not be eaten raw. Food and drugs authority do not recommend for it to be eaten freshly plucked from trees. What is done with the berries is that they are harvested and processed. The acai product is actually an extract from the pulp of the berry fruit. The processed product is widely available in South America. Currently researches and studies show that there are no side effects that one might get from taking this berry it its processed form. Because as a commercial product, it is still relatively new, health professionals are in a continued process of studying it and exploring what else may one benefit from taking it. Acai today remain a product with a high potential in promoting a healthier body. This is why the acai berry edge benefits are truly becoming popular.

Muneeb Ahmed
http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/all-about-acai-berry-edge-726088.html

http://NaturalHealthKitchen.com – Are you serving your family cancer? The food industry is lying to you about foods that are considered healthy but are really foods that cause weight gain and are destroying your health. This shocking food industry video exposes so called health foods as weight gain foods the may also affect your longevity and quality of life.

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http://www.powersupplements.com/rhodiola/
Learn about the health benefits of Rhodiola Rosea and Acai berry in this informative question and answer video

Duration : 0:3:39

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Although the fundamental principles of the Mediterranean Diet have not been touched, the Mediterranean food pyramid has recently had a face lift. Recognizing both the health advantages and the additional low calorie flavors, spices and herbs have now been included in the group that should be eaten with each meal.

Other modifications to the Mediterranean diet meal plan include:

6 glasses of water should be drunk each day.

The addition of physical activity on a daily basis at the base of the food pyramid.

The suggestion that meals be pleasurable and eaten in the presence of others.

The word “whole grain” has been added when describing the legumes and cereals food group.

Consuming shellfish and fish twice weekly. The one food group now contains cereals, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, olives, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices, and olive oil. This particular food group is given a huge emphasis and ideally should be included with each meal. The traditional Mediterranean diet is founded on the principle that the plant food group is extremely important. To achieve optimal health benefits varied foods from this group should be consumed at the same meal.

Poultry, eggs, cheese, and yogurt can be eaten daily in small portions.

Red wine is also allowed in moderate amounts, so long as your doctor approves.

Other components of the traditional Mediterranean diet include:

Eating red meat only a few times per month.

Ensuring almost all fat intake is in the form of olive oil, not butter and margarine.

Eating fresh local produce that is in season.

All foods should be processed as little as possible.

Daily desserts should be in the form of fresh fruit, as opposed to ice creams, cakes, and cookies.

Junk food to be avoided.

Mediterranean food is a healthy and tasty way to reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Followers of the Mediterranean diet have been shown to live longer lives without the health problems often associated with the Western world.

The most recent adjustments to the Mediterranean food pyramid have been the inclusion of drinking plenty of water, and the realization that fresh herbs and seasonings offer both health benefits and the tastes that identify Mediterranean cuisine. The addition of physical exercise on a daily basis make this a healthy diet plan for those looking to lose weight or just wanting to embrace a healthier lifestyle that is also delicious and social.

Billy Baker
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/alterations-to-the-mediterranean-food-pyramid-733689.html

Remember a few years ago when the only juice you could find at the store was V8 and a selection of citrus juices? Now you can practically spend an hour in the store just deciding from which juice to choose. There’s protein juice blends, antioxidant blends, blueberry, apple, pomegranate, blends with green tea added. Not only do you have all the different types of juices and juice blends, but you have the different brands to choose from. And, don’t think it’s cheap. You can easily spend over $4 for just one 16 oz. bottle.

Now, imagine if you can take that $4 and, instead of spending it on the expensive store-bought juice, save it for your own juicer where you can make your own fresh juice each day. It may take a few months of savings to do it, but in the long run you’d not only be saving money, but also drinking a higher-quality product, your own fresh fruit and vegetable juice.

How healthy is juice? To get to the heart of why juice is good for you, it’s important to note that cooking can cause the loss of up to 97% of water-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Therefore, fresh juice from raw fruits and vegetables provides you with more vitamins and minerals, as well as protein, carbohydrates, and essential fatty acids that can be absorbed quickly and efficiently.

Fresh juice also contains necessary enzymes, and pigments such as carotenes, chlorophyll, and flavonoids. In addition, juicing helps jump-start your body’s digestive process and enables quick absorption of high-quality nutrition, which can result in increased energy.

Did you notice what word kept popping up in the above paragraphs? “Fresh.” Sure you can go to the store and buy the prepared bottled juices. But, a bottle of juice that’s been sitting for days on a store shelf isn’t exactly fresh, now is it? Some research suggests that the enzyme activity in juice just 30 minutes old is almost one-half that of freshly-juiced juices. Also, with fresh juicing there are no preservatives or processing that strips most of the energy from the fruit. Your juice is as fresh as the fruits and vegetables you started with.

Now, in case you were thinking you would just dust off the old blender and make your juice with it, take note: A blender just isn’t the same thing. To get all the benefits of juicing fruits and vegetables, you need to be able to process all parts of the food – including seeds, stems, peels and pulp. That’s where all the vitamins are. A blender just can’t do that effectively.

But, aren’t juicers expensive? Certainly some can be. You can buy a LEquip Pulp Ejector for just over $100, which is a great budget juicer to buy. If you have a little more money to spend, the Breville 800JEXL Juice Fountain Elite is considered one of the best juicers at just under $300. Other juicer brands you might want to take a look at include Omega and Champion.

It is important to note that juicing does remove the fiber from nutrient-dense foods. So be sure to include fiber-rich foods in your daily diet. Juicing should be a complement to a well-balanced healthy diet, never a substitute.

Shari Hearn
http://www.articlesbase.com/nutrition-articles/dont-buy-your-juice-make-it-90765.html