7 Easy & Affordable Detox Juices: A ROYGBIV Inspiration from Seattle’s Rhododendrons

​Around this time nine years ago, I studied for my final exams in preparation to begin the second biggest journey of my life, studying yoga in India. Life in 2007 seems like it was yesterday, but a lot about life, eating and humanity has progressed since then.
 
One of the most enlightening lessons was the one of how yoga became yoga. The guru taught the students that the ancient yogis used to sit, watch and analyze nature. Their observation of people, animals, the planet and things is what gave each asana its name.
 
I love yoga, and sometimes I struggle with it in this modern world because the yoga I learned was authentic and deeply spiritual. Now that I am adjusted to the USA after living in Germany, I “re-found” my old Seattle habits – most of which includes hanging out in nature and my favorite park in Queen Anne, Parson's Garden. 

Since I’ve been doing this food blog, I’ve connected to my authentic yogi ways. I’ve noticed myself observing nature more – the flower petals, the shapes of leaves, the color – everything this spring is inspirational. Well, it comes to no surprise that the rhododendrons inspired this blog post.
 
I grew up in Cleveland with earthly parents and they loved “rhodies.” I never realized until lately how vibrant and multi-faceted these flowers are. It inspired me to want to live better and eat better. These flowers motivated my spring cleanse, but how could it not? It makes you want to eat the rainbow, which is something that I see often in Seattle. Isn’t nature amazing?

When you attach yourself deeply to nature, food with dead energy becomes non-appetizing. From me to you, I want to inspire your health with these seven easy-to-make juices. Recently, I blogged about juicing and shared some opinions on what I think about juice detoxes.
 
I think juicing is healthy when done properly. I do not believe in consuming massive juices. Why? Because it is unrealistic that the body can consume those vegetables in its whole form so why drink the same quantity? Juicing can be highly beneficial for those with disease, especially cancer since cancer cannot thrive in an alkaline state. 

I chose fruits and vegetables that are accessible and affordable. As you’ll see some of the produce have multiple uses.  I concocted recipes that make one cup (eight ounces or approx. 250 ml) of juice. You may get more juice since I use my family’s original juicer that we bought back in 1994. That’s right, it’s still kickin’ it!
 
The rhodies have six prime colors. I decided to make the last juice a bit tropical by using fresh coconut water to match the white flowers. White is the symbol of purity. And when the rainbow colors combine our eyes see the white light, that powerful beam of energy that is our life force.  Plus, many flavored bottled coconut water contains “natural flavors,” which may not be the actual juice so although there is no green flower the leaves are just as potent as the flowers. 

And to your health, I say drink up! Cheers to the rainbows and rhodies that inspire our health to a whole new level.
 
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask! 

Sweet-n-Beets
Half fruit, half vegetable, this drink has a natural hint of sweetness used to aide in liver detoxification. 

Makes 1 cup
Ingredients: 
1/2 beet
1 small apple
2 carrots
1/4 pear

Wash the produce and place them in the juicer. Enjoy! 

Pretty in Pink
Inspired by by my favorite breakfast drink that I consumed at my yoga retreat, this hydrating drink refreshes bodies that need revitalized.

Makes 1 cup
Ingredients: 
1 cup watermelon
2/3 cup purple grapes

Deseed the watermelon. Place the fruit in the juicer and enjoy! 

Classic Carrot with a Twist
Simple and affordable, this classic carrot drink can boost immunity with a small slice of ginger. 
Makes 1 cup

Ingredients: 
3 carrots
1 small apple
1 large celery stalk
1 small piece of ginger (small bits go a long way)

Wash the produce and place through the juicer. Enjoy! 

Citrus Sunrise
Sweet and tropical, there's no better way to start the morning than with a burst of Vitamin C and digestive enzymes like bromelain to wake up feeling refreshed for a long day of work. 

Makes 1 cup 
Ingredients: 
1.5 cup pineapple
1/2 orange, squeezed
1 slice lemon, squeezed

Place the pineapple through the juicer. Squeeze the orange and the lemon into the juice.  

Nothing but Greens
Infused with nothing but green produce, what may seem bitter has a slight sweetness thanks to the pear and is pretty much like liquid medicine.

Makes 1 cup

Ingredients:
​1/2 cup kale
1/2 cup cucumber
1 pear (used d'anjou)
1 large celery stalk

Place all the ingredients into the juicer and enjoy!  

Tropical Berries
Spotted just like the rhododendron flower, taste the end of the rainbow with a bursting mouthful of berries hinted with the sweetness of Hawaii, pineapple. 

Makes 1 cup 
Ingredients: 
1 cup pineapple (1/2 cup pineapple juice)
1/2 ciup blueberries
1 strawberry

Juice the pineapple. Place all the ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth. 

Fruit-Infused Coconut Water
Refreshing and sweet, this is the healthier version of a tropical coconut water that uses fresh and natural juices to splash it up a bit. 

Ingredients: 
1 cup coconut water
1 slice orange and lemon (optional)
1-2 tbsp pineapple juice

Place ingredients into a glass and mix. 

What's your favorite detox juice? Mine surely is anything with carrot or pineapple! I'd love to hear what you love!

Let's connect! 

Yum