Assimilation 103: juicing and blending
Posted: Sat Dec 14, 2013 11:46 am
Juicing concentrates nutrients and makes them more bioavailable. Blending makes nutrients more bioavailable and fun.
Bioavailable in this context, different from cooking, means increasing the surface area by decreasing the "bite" size. With juicing, the "bite" size is almost, perhaps even, molecular. With blending a good blender can do far more than your teeth, assuming that you have any teeth left. (:->)
We use both a blender and a juicer. The battle between juicers and blenders is foolish. They both have their place. Leafy greens are very difficult to juice; you don't get a lot of juice out of them, and that costs you money. So we juice everything else like carrots and celery, and then blend the spinach or kale into the juice.
The three most important considerations when buying a juicer are convenience, convenience, and ahhh, convenience. A juicer won't do you much good if it sits idle on your counter for weeks on end because it is such a hassle to use and clean. Juicer dealers and ideologues will try to tell you that Such-And-Such juicer is the best because of X, Y, and Z. Trust me. No juicer is worth zip if you don't use it. Even the worst juicer is far superior to not juicing.
A large mouth is important with a juicer. It makes preparation much easier because you don't have to cut so much. Fewer parts means easier cleaning. I have an Omega 8000, but if I had it all to do over again, I would probably buy the Champion because of it's big mouth (not a virtue among human beings) and it's ease of cleaning. My Omega 8000 has a small mouth. Juicing is so far ahead of not juicing that convenience is really the most important quality; I said that twice and I mean to say that twice.
Noise may also be important. I don't juice at 3:00 in the morning because my sweeties are sleeping.
I like this online juicer and blender store: http://www.discountjuicers.com/ He is a good guy and will treat you right. Plus his website is loaded with good comparison information, tables, and videos. In fact, you may want to buy from him just to reward him for all of the great comparison videos and tables that he presents. And, his prices are the lowest that I am able to determine, except of course Craigslist. But, remember, convenience of use and cleaning is paramount. (:->)
Sincerely,
Roger Bird
Bioavailable in this context, different from cooking, means increasing the surface area by decreasing the "bite" size. With juicing, the "bite" size is almost, perhaps even, molecular. With blending a good blender can do far more than your teeth, assuming that you have any teeth left. (:->)
We use both a blender and a juicer. The battle between juicers and blenders is foolish. They both have their place. Leafy greens are very difficult to juice; you don't get a lot of juice out of them, and that costs you money. So we juice everything else like carrots and celery, and then blend the spinach or kale into the juice.
The three most important considerations when buying a juicer are convenience, convenience, and ahhh, convenience. A juicer won't do you much good if it sits idle on your counter for weeks on end because it is such a hassle to use and clean. Juicer dealers and ideologues will try to tell you that Such-And-Such juicer is the best because of X, Y, and Z. Trust me. No juicer is worth zip if you don't use it. Even the worst juicer is far superior to not juicing.
A large mouth is important with a juicer. It makes preparation much easier because you don't have to cut so much. Fewer parts means easier cleaning. I have an Omega 8000, but if I had it all to do over again, I would probably buy the Champion because of it's big mouth (not a virtue among human beings) and it's ease of cleaning. My Omega 8000 has a small mouth. Juicing is so far ahead of not juicing that convenience is really the most important quality; I said that twice and I mean to say that twice.
Noise may also be important. I don't juice at 3:00 in the morning because my sweeties are sleeping.
I like this online juicer and blender store: http://www.discountjuicers.com/ He is a good guy and will treat you right. Plus his website is loaded with good comparison information, tables, and videos. In fact, you may want to buy from him just to reward him for all of the great comparison videos and tables that he presents. And, his prices are the lowest that I am able to determine, except of course Craigslist. But, remember, convenience of use and cleaning is paramount. (:->)
Sincerely,
Roger Bird