What is that spilling through my window, so early in the day? Bright light of some kind, kind of like the blinding white light reflected from packed snow all winter long. I think its… the Sun?
Sunlight, illuminating all the dust, all the dirty windows. It’s a seasonal sign that it is time to spiff the place up a little, now that you can see the roving cat hair tumbleweeds in all that bright light.
Like my dusty house, my body is in need of a little Springtime spiffing up. I didn’t let things go too badly, really. I managed to keep going to the gym and didn’t gain weight at the holidays, but the winter was all about feeling heavy and slow. All this gorgeous light has given me a burst of energy, and now I remember what it’s like. Spring in Minnesota is a moment of pure, shared joy, over a universal feeling of rebirth.
So, for a little spring cleaning on the inside, I created this fresh, green juice. Parsley is a great source of chlorophyll, and it actually deodorizes you a little bit as you drink it. Celery, which I have juiced before for a headache, is also a diuretic, and helps clear out any bloat and water retention. It’s a great source for potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, folic acid and phosphorus, things you may be deficient in if you haven’t been eating enough greens. Cucumber, a perennial juice veg for me, is great for your skin, hair and nails, and soothes the stomach.
But the kale, that superstar green, is always going to stand out with its iron, calcium, and vitamin K. It’s an energizer, feeding your cells with some of the most potent antioxidants. I find kale to be a delicious food, but when I don’t have it on the menu, a kale juice is a great way to get all that deep green goodness.
As someone who often rushes things, I have had to learn one lesson. Taking the time to chop the fibrous veggies, like kale and celery, will keep your juicer from clogging and stalling. It’s tempting to drop whole kale leaves in, by the handful, but that’s a recipe for a clogged juicer, so just grab a knife and chop the leaves in in inch pieces. You’ll thank me later.
So grab some clean greens at the store and make yourself a “Spring Cleaner.” It’ll leave you feeling energized and a little lighter on your feet.
HAPPY SPRING!
“Spring Cleaning” Juice with Kale
Makes about 3 cups, 2 servings
1 bunch Lacinato Kale
7 ribs celery
1 bunch parsley
1 medium cucumber
1 large lemon
Chop the vegetables into 1 inch chunks. Halve the cucumbers lengthwise. Cut the peel and pith from the lemon, and halve it.
Juice all the ingredients, alternating handfuls of greens with cuke and lemon, to keep the machine lubricated with moister ingredients.
Serve immediately, or cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
