01 Jul 2019

Feed Your Beauty – Month Two

Cleansing Green Juice

Is juicing a craze?

There’s been a buzz around juicing for some time now. People have tried ‘juice diets’, bought juicers, then discarded both the diet and their appliances. However, there are many more that continue to enjoy regular fresh juices.

The thing is not to give up eating fruit and vegetables, to consume juice alone, but to introduce natural juices into a healthy, balanced diet. You still need to eat fruit and vegetables, otherwise you’ll miss out on all important fibre.

A fresh tropical fruit juice is delicious, but pineapple and mangoes are high in natural sugar, so choose your ingredients carefully. Raw, green vegetables contain beneficial nutrients and antioxidants, and juicing might be an easier way to pack veggie goodness into your diet. A high vegetable intake is associated with a healthy complexion, so ‘you are what you eat’.

You will, of course, need a juicer for this month’s recipe. I bought a second-hand version, after a good friend introduced me to juicing. They can be picked up for a few pounds or you could invest hundreds in a top end juicer. I started with a cheaper centrifugal model but have already got my eye on the cold press machines. There are pros and cons for the different types but, if you are looking to buy a juicer, I’d recommended doing your research, assessing your own requirements and not spending more than you are comfortable with.

Cleansing Green Juice

The ingredients for this month’s recipe have been selected for their nutritional benefits and positive effects on the body. Many of them work well topically too: More of that later.

Cucumbers are low in calories, and high in nutrients and antioxidants. They also have anti-inflammatory properties. They contain low quantities of potassium, vitamin C and vitamin A. Being 95% water, they are a great way of staying hydrated.

Cucumber is good for skin health – from within and when applied direct to it. Popping cucumber slices on your eye lids cools, soothes, hydrates and helps reduce puffiness.

Celery is low in calories too. It is also anti-inflammatory, has antioxidant properties and contains potassium, along with vitamins A, K, C and B6. Regular consumption of celery is effective at reducing cholesterol and improves heart health. It can also protect kidney health and has a cleansing effect on the liver.

In addition, romaine lettuce has a very high water content. It contains potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, along with vitamins A, K and C.

Apples are a good source of antioxidants, and contain vitamin C and potassium. Red apples are higher in antioxidants than green apples and contain more sugar - and therefore sweetness. For this recipe a gala apple, or a similar red skinned apple, counteracts some of the sharper flavours in the green juice.

Lemons are high in antioxidant vitamin C and citric acid. In addition to the benefits from the vitamin content, lemons add a lovely flavour to the juice and aid digestion.

Fruit and Vegetables in Skincare

Lettuce and cucumber extracts are hydrating and soothing for the skin.

Lemon complex, extract and peel provide astringent properties along with a natural, citrus fragrance.

Green apple extract brightens and tightens the skin whilst providing hydration. Apple amino acids help to cleanse the skin.

Along with other natural ingredients, lettuce and cucumber extracts are found within:

Eye Line

Eye Make-Up Remover

Lettuce is also included within:

Dry Skin Line

Dry Skin Lotion

Cucumber, in the form of Cucumis sativus, is also found in:

Combination Skin Line