Juice: The Next Cupcake?

While spring has yet to arrive in full force, consistently warm weather will soon be upon us making it the perfect time to add more fresh-pressed juices into your diet. Lucky for those of us who like to drink it, but not make it, a recent New York Times article makes me believe that the ease of finding others who are willing to juice for me is on the rise.

Whether you’re planning on doing a cleanse, or just adding more greens, juicing is a great way to detox and clean out what your body has been storing all winter long. But you don’t have to live in NY to benefit; its seems like a new juice bar or cleanse program is popping up daily in Boston. Here’s a few local juice options worth checking out.

Mother Juice Food Truck

Image source Mother Juice Facebook

Fresh pressed-juice served curbside? With their schedule stops in Copley Square on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, I can quickly see this becoming my new juicing spot.

Mother Juice promises to serve local, seasonal, and organic produce to make their fresh juices and smoothies and a constantly evolving menu to feature the ingredients of the day. Can’t wait to see if they live up to their much hyped expectations.

Juice

Image source Juice

Wheatgrass is the new espresso. Need a quick shot before you head into the office? I know I do. Hit up this Back Bay location conveniently located adjacent to Back Bay Station. The only down side, their juices tend to be a little expensive. Fourteen bucks for a large juice and wheatgrass shot each morning really add up! On the plus side, you can call in your order so no waiting. I’ll take convenience over cost, any day!

Five Seventy Market

Image source South-End-Boston.com

This non-descript South End market has a pretty extensive juice selection. My favorite part about this juicing location is that you can easily make your own combination and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg like most places. I usually tend to stay away from adding fruit or vegetables with a lot of sugar to my juices (beets, carrots, etc.), so I always enjoy a trip to Five Seventy Market when I’m in the mood for just the greens.

Kombu Kitchen

Image source Kombu Kitchen

Our friends at Kombu Kitchen have started offering juice as well along with their weekly vegan meal delivery. Every week we get a quart of some yummy new combo we’d never have thought to put together. Add to that vegan dishes worth dishing over and we’re happy campers!

Happy spring and happy juicing!

Posted by Kerri

Mean Green Smoothie

Image source TwoPeasandTheirPod.com

The juice trend, that of late has seemed to be picking up even more steam, has been met with both controversy and applause. The confusion lies in the fact that people think it’s a quick-fix weight loss tool, but it’s not. Honestly, I’m sure most people do juice cleanses because they want to lose a few lbs. before some important event, not for the health component, but whatever. I’ve tried a juice cleanse, and here’s my advice for anyone interested: Do not celebrate its completion by going out and heavily drinking. Trust.

Any who – juice cleanses are expensive (seriously, a bottle of BluePrintJuice, which you can now purchase at Whole Foods, costs like $12…that’s just stupid). Instead of following the pack, make your own lean, green smoothie at home. All the ingredients will cost you about $12 (if you shop at Trader Joe’s, my favorite grocery store), and last two weeks!

INGREDIENTS
Power greens – spinach and kale (my favorites)
Unsweetened coconut milk (or water)
Fruit medley – pick up frozen strawberries, blueberries, mango, pineapple, etc.
Bananas

OPTIONAL
Protein powder
Chia seeds
Cinnamon

DIRECTIONS
In a blender, mix about 10 oz. of coconut milk (sometimes I do half water/half milk) with 3-4 handfuls each of kale and spinach. Once smooth, add 1 cup of frozen fruit (I mix it up, but usually always include some banana). Optional: add 1 scoop of protein powder and a dash of chia seeds. Top the smoothie with a sprinkling of cinnamon. Voila!

TIP: Use old takeout containers to individually store each of the ingredients in the freezer (including spinach, kale, and bananas!). Anytime a banana gets a little too ripe, cut it into pieces and add it to its container. This way you’ll always have a healthy mix of smoothie ingredients on hand for when you’re in the mood.

VARIATIONS
You can always add other fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Try strawberry and basil, lemon and parsley/cilantro, or throwing in an over-ripe avocado or cucumber. I promise, between the coconut milk and small amount of fruit, your smoothie will taste light and refreshing, and not like a liquid salad.

Posted by Hannah