Guess what came in the mail!?

They are not kidding when they day it's a 'big' book of juices. It's literally 2" thick. It's full of juice pictures that are really yummy looking. Almost like juice porn. I got it more for the tips on how to make juice and what not, not so much for recipes. I'm pretty adventurous, so I'll try anything.

What I was surprised to learn was that juicing in advance is really not a thing that's done. Most juicing is for the moment, so me making up a pitcher of carrot juice to use with other fresh things I make up for the week isn't the best route to go. Juicing everyday? I'll have to get use to that.

In preparation for the juicer I also upped my CSA. I got the large box for $50. This is practically enough food to feed me for the week, and I don't mean that lightly. 

My dinner of avocado, kale, romaine, and broccoli.

If I primarily use my CSA and perhaps a few odd meals out monthly, I'm looking at just under $300 a month for food. That's $10 a day! Good organic nourishing food. Considering Americans spend about 8-9% on food, compared to 14-18% in other parts of the world, me spending that on green fresh local yummies is a good thing. I have the money to invest in my diet.

My 'new' juicer being washed.

I got it refurbed for $200. Seems this is the best mid-range home juicer to get (according to all the reviews). It's also backordered in pretty much every store with used ones now going for $300. That's $100 over its retail price (Which is what I paid, the retail price, not the $300. I'm not crazy!).

This one works well, cleans easy, and went through those carrots like a champ!

A 25lb bag of carrots? $6. That's over a gallon of carrot juice. AND they are Bolthhouse carrots. You know, the company that makes all the smoothies and such. They are good (I believe I've commented on them before on this blog) so to get that much juice from the same company, all I'm doing is making it myself, makes me feel like I'm saving big and beating the system!!

I also juiced some produce. I don't think this juicer handled the oranges too well. I'll see about getting a citrus press for those. 

Total for veggies pictured...$9

The juicer came on Monday so yesterday I stopped by the local grocery and picked up a couple of things. The pineapples were on sale for $2 each! I got the limes to add to fresh juice to retard oxidation. I'm finding that if you are gonna keep juice for a couple of days, throw a wedge of lemon into the juicer to juice.

I also traveled back to my old haunt, the $1 store and got some cucumbers, pears and apples just to test. I juiced oranges and carrots yesterday (still have half a jug of carrot juice in my fridge). I'm planning on juicing some greens tonight. Now that I know juicing in advance isn't the best way to go, I'm going to experiment with what I can juice and keep for a few days. 

I also don't want to over juice and have it all just sit there. This whole thing is going to put me in a very 'in the moment' way of food preparation. That is something that I don't do too well, especially considering the last couple of years. I mean, planning my meals down to the wire has been a practice that has kept me going. Now that I don't have to do that as much, it's going to take some adjusting.

I think I'm still adjusting to everything. I'll keep you all posted.