With the freshest flavors and ingredients, mocktails provide the same delicious taste as a cocktail, without the headache the next morning.  Unlike alcohol, which is a powerful diuretic, mocktails actually hydrate your body.  Instead of being parched after cocktails, you are quenched!

Cold pressed juices not only contain essential vitamins and minerals, they make the best mocktails that are perfect for summer days. These mocktails are a great way to stay healthy and hydrated while enjoying a delicious drink. Cold pressed juices in the PURE juicer are made by applying extreme pressure to fruits and vegetables to extract their juice, without using heat or preservatives. This process keeps all of the nutrients in the juice intact, which means that the mocktails made with cold pressed juice will contain significantly more vitamins and minerals than mocktails made with store-bought juices (if those store bought have any at all).

Take our word, you really won’t miss the booze with these mocktail recipes. You may even wish you knew these recipes last summer!  Each mocktail was created using the Periodic Table of Juicing, specifically for your health systems. Free download of the table is here.

2.  Gut Health: Pineapple-Honeydew-Aloe

Press all ingredients (even the aloe).

1. Pineapple
2. Honeydew
3. Aloe
4. Garnish with a simple herb like lavender

The pineapple and honeydew melon are a perfect pair with the bitterness of aloe. Aloe is good for the skin and the gut…but know to only use the gel. No green parts…as they are NOT good for the gut.

4.  Brain Health: Blueberry-coconut-date

1. Blend all or Blend coconut, water, dates + press blueberries
2. Blueberries
3. Dates
4. Coconut

This milky mocktail is great for summer AND winter time. Feel free to add spices to accentuate the season you are in (cinnamon is great in the winter). We poured this with no ice or anything…simply garnished with blueberries on a stick.

Health Benefits Summary:

• Hydration and Cooling Effects: Staying hydrated is vital during the hot summer months, and these nutrient rich fruit mocktails are a delicious way to achieve that goal! Fruits and vegetables such as watermelon, cucumber, and celery are composed of over 90% water, providing an excellent source of hydration.
• Vitamins and Minerals: Oranges, lemons, berries, and watermelon are great sources of vitamin C. Leafy greens, such as spinach or kale, also offer vitamins A, K, and folate when incorporated in your diet. These nutrients are important for immune function, vision, bone health, and energy production.
• Brain Health: Our Blueberry-Coconut-Date mocktail offers a brain boost with the powerful properties of this unique trio! Coconuts contain medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) which are a type of fat that our bodies convert into ketones, an alternative energy source for the brain. Ketones provide a more efficient energy supply to the brain, which may benefit individuals with neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Blueberries are antioxidant rich, so these nutrients protect the brain from oxidative stress and inflammation which correlate to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. Not only are dates a sweet treat, but they are also rich in vitamin B6, which plays a role in brain development and function.
• Antioxidant Power: Berries, pomegranate, and green tea provide a plentiful dose of antioxidants which help protect the body against damage from harmful free radicals! They can also have anti-inflammatory effects, which may reduce the risk of chronic disease.
• Smooth Digestion: Ginger and mint are powerful digestive aids and they also work to reduce bloating. These ingredients can also have a soothing effect on the stomach and help alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort
• Skin-Soothing Properties: Jicama, kiwi, and nectarine contain Vitamin C which plays a crucial role in collagen synthesis. This process promotes skin elasticity and helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Also, these ingredients provide an extra boost of hydration which keeps the skin moisturized and supple.
• Delicious and Alcohol-Free: Mocktails are the perfect alcohol-free alternative to traditional cocktails. They’re a delicious way to stay on track with your health goals and reduce your alcohol consumption!

More mocktail ideas from past blogs:

Chili-Orange-Matcha

Sipping Vinegars

Summer Recipes

Sources:

• Pub Med “Neuroprotective effects of berry fruits on neurodegenerative diseases” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4192974/

• Cleveland Clinic “The Sweet Health Benefits of Dates” https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-dates/

• Harvard School of Public Health “Antioxidants” https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/antioxidants/

• Women’s Health “The 25 Best Foods That Help With Bloating And Gas” https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/a19997333/foods-to-help-de-bloat/

• Healthline “8 Health and Nutrition Benefits of Jicama” https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/jicama-nutrition-benefits

• Pub Med “The bioavailability of vitamin C from kiwifruit” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23394985/ 

• Web MD “Foods High in Water” https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-water

• Cleveland Clinic “17 Foods That Are High in Vitamin C” https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sources-of-vitamin-c/

• Alzheimer’s Society “Coconut oil and dementia” https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/treatments/alternative-therapies/coconut-oil-and-dementia

• Pub Med “How does coconut oil affect cognitive performance in alzheimer patients?” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28421789/

• Web MD “Medium Chain Triglycerides (Mcts) – Uses, Side Effects, and More” https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-915/medium-chain-triglycerides-mcts

• Ackerman Cancer Center “The Health Benefits of Nectarines and Peaches” https://www.ackermancancercenter.com/the-health-benefits-of-nectarines-and-peaches/

• Pub Med “Effect of vitamin C and its derivatives on collagen synthesis” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18505499/

Medical Disclaimer

PURE Juicer is a juicing company. We are not doctors or medical experts. All content and information on this blog and website is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and does not establish any patient-client relationship by using this website.

Although we strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for professional advice. You should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in your area for your health questions and concerns before making any professional, legal, medical, financial, or tax-related decisions.

Prepare to unlock the power of polyphenols! When it comes to healthy eating, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the myriad of health dos and don’ts, and ever-changing advice from the experts. But one term that certainly deserves your attention is polyphenols. These natural compounds are found abundantly in various plant-based foods and beverages and have been linked to a wide range of health benefits. Here we will dive deeper into what exactly polyphenols are, their potential benefits, and where you can find them.

1. What exactly are polyphenols?

Polyphenols are a group of compounds found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beverages like tea and red wine. They are known for their antioxidant properties, which means they help protect our bodies from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive oxygen molecules produced by normal cell processes as well as external factors such as radiation, air pollution, smoking, and chemical exposures. What makes polyphenols truly fascinating is their incredible diversity. With over 8,000 identified types, they come in various forms, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, stilbenes, and lignans. Each type of polyphenol offers its own set of potential benefits, adding to the excitement of exploring their effects on human health.

2. What are the health benefits of polyphenols?

Research on the benefits of polyphenols is ongoing, but studies have shown promising results. Polyphenols have been associated with a lower risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, various types of cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Studies show that polyphenols can promote heart health by improving blood pressure, enhancing blood vessel function, and reducing inflammation. Consuming foods rich in polyphenols, such as berries, grapes, green tea, and dark chocolate, may contribute to a healthy cardiovascular system. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory properties of polyphenols are not to be overlooked, as chronic inflammation is a significant factor in many diseases. These properties can help reduce inflammation in the body and potentially lower the risk of conditions like arthritis, metabolic syndrome, and certain cancers.

• Plums: Plums, including varieties like black and red plums, contain polyphenols like anthocyanins and phenolic acids. Be sure to incorporate these juicy and healthy fruits!
• Kiwi: Kiwi fruits are not only rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber but also contain a range of polyphenols, including flavonoids, catechins, and anthocyanins. The vibrant green flesh with tiny black seeds adds a delightful visual appeal.

Vegetables

• Broccoli: Broccoli belongs to the cruciferous vegetable family and contains various polyphenols, including flavonoids, glucosinolates, and phenolic acids. These compounds contribute to broccoli’s antioxidant and potential anticancer properties.
• Spinach: Spinach is a leafy green vegetable rich in polyphenols such as flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol) and phenolic acids. It is a versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed in salads, sautés, or added to smoothies.
• Kale: Kale, another leafy green powerhouse, boasts an array of polyphenols, including flavonoids, glucosinolates, and phenolic acids. It offers a robust nutritional profile and can be enjoyed in salads, soups, or as a side dish.
• Tomatoes: Tomatoes contain various polyphenols, particularly flavonoids like quercetin and kaempferol, as well as the antioxidant compound lycopene. Cooking tomatoes can enhance the bioavailability of these beneficial compounds.
• Bell Peppers: Colorful bell peppers, whether red, yellow, orange, or green, contain polyphenols like flavonoids and phenolic acids. They are not only delicious but also provide a range of essential nutrients. Enjoy in salads or as a healthy snack with some hummus!
• Onions: Onions, both red and white varieties, are rich in polyphenols, particularly flavonoids like quercetin. These compounds contribute to the pungent flavor and potential health benefits of onions.
• Garlic: Garlic is not only a popular flavor enhancer but also a source of polyphenols such as flavonoids and organosulfur compounds. It has been associated with potential cardiovascular and immune-boosting benefits.
• Eggplant: Eggplant, also known as aubergine, contains polyphenols like nasunin, which gives the vegetable its deep purple color. These compounds contribute to eggplant’s antioxidant properties.
• Artichokes: Artichokes are rich in polyphenols, particularly caffeoylquinic acids. These compounds are known for their potential antioxidant and hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) effects.
• Red Cabbage: Red cabbage is a colorful cruciferous vegetable that contains various polyphenols, including anthocyanins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids.

Nuts & Seeds

• Almonds: Almonds are a rich source of polyphenols, particularly flavonoids and phenolic acids. Whether in the form of almond butter or in your favorite trail mix, enjoy these yummy nuts for those antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties!
• Walnuts: Walnuts are known for their omega-3 fatty acids, but they also contain polyphenols like ellagitannins and flavonoids.
• Flaxseeds: Flaxseeds are small but mighty when it comes to polyphenols. They contain lignans, which are a type of polyphenol known for their potential antioxidant and estrogenic properties.
• Chia Seeds: Chia seeds are a nutritional powerhouse and a source of polyphenols, including flavonoids and phenolic acids. Sprinkle into your smoothies or enjoy some chia pudding!
• Pumpkin Seeds: Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, contain polyphenols such as flavonoids and lignans. These are easy to toss into a salad or enjoy on their own as a crunchy snack!
• Sunflower Seeds: Sunflower seeds offer polyphenols, including phenolic acids and flavonoids. Throw some into your next salad for an easy way to get those health benefits.

Legumes

• Black Beans: Black beans are a popular legume that contains polyphenols such as flavonoids and phenolic acids.
• Lentils: Lentils, specifically red lentils, are rich in polyphenols, particularly flavonoids such as catechins and proanthocyanidins. These are a great addition to your next soup recipe!

• Chickpeas: Chickpeas are a versatile legume and contain various polyphenols, including flavonoids and phenolic acids. Toss into a salad or enjoy your favorite hummus to reap these yummy and nutritious benefits.
• Soybeans: Soybeans, commonly consumed in various forms like tofu and soy milk, contain polyphenols called isoflavones. These compounds are known to benefit hormonal balance.
• Green Peas: Green peas are not only a delicious and vibrant vegetable but also a legume rich in polyphenols. They contain various flavonoids and phenolic acids that contribute to their antioxidant properties.

Beverages, Herbs, & More

• Green Tea: Green tea is celebrated for its rich polyphenol content, particularly catechins like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).
• Black Tea: Black tea, derived from the same plant as green tea but undergoing a different processing method, also contains polyphenols, including theaflavins and thearubigins.

• Coffee: Coffee beans contain polyphenols such as chlorogenic acids. The polyphenol content in coffee can vary based on factors like the type of bean and the brewing method. Sit back, relax, and sip your morning coffee with the satisfaction of these super polyphenol benefits!
• Red Wine: Red wine, enjoyed in moderation, is known for its polyphenol content, including resveratrol. Resveratrol has been the focus of research due to its potential cardiovascular benefits.
• Cocoa and Dark Chocolate: Cocoa and dark chocolate are rich in polyphenols, particularly flavonoids. The higher the cocoa content, the greater the polyphenol concentration. Look for dark chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa (70% or higher) for optimal polyphenol content!
• Herbal Teas: Herbal teas made from various plants, such as chamomile, peppermint, ginger, and rooibos, can provide polyphenols. These beverages offer a wide range of flavors and potential health benefits.
• Herbs: Be sure to add in a little extra oregano, rosemary, basil, thyme, mint, sage, or parsley into your next recipe! These herbs all possess polyphenols which contribute to their antioxidant properties.

Our Polyphenol Powerhouse Juices – Inspired by their rich color

1. Red: Pomegranate-Cranberry-Black Grape Juice
2. Green: Kale-Broccoli-Green Cabbage
3. Yellow: Ginger-Lemon-Orange_Turmeric

It’s worth noting that cooking and processing can affect the polyphenol content of foods. For example, boiling vegetables can cause some of the polyphenols to leach out into the cooking water. However, overall, it’s still possible to get a good amount of polyphenols from a healthy, varied diet.  A great way to gain optimal polyphenol benefits is to juice!  Any combo of the fruits and vegetables above make for a delicious, antioxidant-rich elixir.

4. Here are a few easy ways to incorporate polyphenols into your diet (aside from juicing)

• Make an açai bowl – using grid #2 and grinding berries. Top with berries and yogurt.
• Check out our matcha mocktail with orange juice and chili pepper. 
• Make pesto using grid #4 or simply add fresh herbs to any drink. We juice everything from basil, parsley, to rosemary. 
• Consider this shrub (sipping vinegar) made with juice and apple cider vinegar. 
• Swap your usual white rice or pasta for a whole grain variety like quinoa in these hearty soup recipes.

And how about the best carrot cake you have ever had with PURE ground carrots and apples as ingredients?

Conclusion:

Polyphenols may not be as well-known as some other nutrients, but they are undoubtedly valuable to your overall health. By incorporating more polyphenol-rich foods into your diet, you may be able to give your body an extra boost in terms of disease prevention and overall wellness. Our only last tip is to shop with your eyes…find the colors that bring you joy and juice them. They are good for you!

Sources:

• PubMed Central: “Plant polyphenols as dietary antioxidants in human health and disease”
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2835915/
• Pub Med: “Polyphenol intake and mortality risk: a re-analysis of the PREDIMED trial”
  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24886552/ 
• European Journal of Clinical Nutrition: “Identification of the 100 richest dietary sources of polyphenols: an application of the Phenol-Explorer database.”
  • https://www.nature.com/articles/ejcn2010221
• The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: “Polyphenols and disease risk in epidemiologic studies”
• Science Direct: “Role of the small intestine, colon and microbiota in determining the metabolic fate of polyphenols”
  • https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006295217301417 
• Web MD: “Healthy Foods High in Polyphenols”
• Healthline: “Top Foods with Polyphenols”
• UCLA Health: “Polyphenols can be found in many fresh foods”

Medical Disclaimer

PURE Juicer is a juicing company. We are not doctors or medical experts. All content and information on this blog and website is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and does not establish any patient-client relationship by using this website.

Although we strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for professional advice. You should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in your area for your health questions and concerns before making any professional, legal, medical, financial, or tax-related decisions.

A Note from Jen

Kim and I have been on a health journey together this past year. We both love juicing and we both love caring for our families, but there has been a piece missing.

Healthy living is important on many levels. It helps our cells, our organs, our quality of life. But so does joy and connection. What happens if we move to a healthier lifestyle but lose the connection we have with our loved ones because of these changes?

After a year of connecting, I believe Kim has helped us find many answers. The most important is that you CAN be healthy and KEEP your community strong through these changes. We have found they become even stronger because we all naturally crave what is in plants. But the PURE Juicer has allowed us to do more than just eat healthy. We are making beautiful juices and foods that complement our community-cravings and complement a healthy and nourishing life. The key is to JUST START.

I hope you enjoy this interview with Kim. Please add comments to the interview on YouTube or below, in the comments section. Help us continue to build health and community with your ideas. – Jen Longtin, Chief Juicing Officer

Transcript

Jen – Hi everybody. We are here again for another PURE Juicer Spotlight and I am absolutely thrilled that it is Kim Burrell. Kim Burrell is part of the PURE Juicer team on engagement. She is also the assistant to the Housleys on social and other business affairs. And she has really grown in fame through COVID by sharing her recipes and sharing her passion for community and cooking, which is why we are so grateful that she is part of the PURE team. She’s been juicing for a couple of years and I’m just gonna go ahead and jump in and say welcome to Kim. And Kim, tell us about yourself. Thank you for joining me and being part of our spotlight video series.

Kim – Thank you, I’m so excited. I’m so excited. Excited to be a part of PURE. Excited to be a part of the world of juicing, which has helped my health journey so much. Just joy filled is what I would describe myself.

Jen – So, how did you get started with juicing? Let’s start with that. When was the first time you heard about juicing and when did you actually start juicing? Because I believe it was before PURE, right?

Kim – It was.

Jen – Yeah.

Kim – So, I have known about juicing, probably all of my life. I never really was a juicer. I thought it was medicinal. It was something that you do as a detox or for a short period of time to cure something. I never really thought of it in the terms that I do now as being a part of my lifestyle. So, the first time I really juiced was during a detox, which was probably three years ago. And it was a challenge. It was a, I believe it was a three day challenge. It could have been a four day juicing only. And I juiced and then I went back to whatever I was doing before that. So, it was great-

Jen – Yeah.

Kim – but it didn’t stick with me. It was just something that I did, a challenge, and it was done.

Jen – And when you did the detox, did you notice health benefits right away from it or-

Kim – Absolutely.

Jen – Yeah. What, like, maybe your top three things that you noticed.

Kim – Weight loss.

Jen – Okay.

Kim – Number one.

Jen – Yeah.

Kim – My skin and my energy level.

Jen – Nice.

Kim – So, why did I go back to doing what I did before juicing? I don’t know.

Jen – Yeah, so, let’s talk about what it is that you, that got you started to doing juicing on a regular basis then. When did that happen?

Kim – So, fast forward, I was introduced via social media to Tabitha Brown. And she was doing a juicing detox, again, a second time. Prior to that, my husband had decided he was going to be a vegan. And he adopted that lifestyle for probably three years. Only 100% vegan.

Jen – Yeah.

Kim – I was not doing that at the time, but I saw Tabitha and I thought, “Okay, I’ll try this.” And this was a 10 day thing, but I went into it with a different mindset because I had been watching my husband and all of the differences that were happening in his body and just in his mind is 100% different from the lifestyle he was leading.

Jen – Yeah.

Kim – So, instead of me thinking of it as just a challenge, I thought of it as a gateway into a different lifestyle.

Jen – Love that.

Kim – So, that time, it was just mind opening, a lot more freeing. It was me embracing things as opposed to doing it to get to the end of it.

Jen – Yeah.

Kim – And then I became a vegan after that. For probably two years, 100% plant-based.

Jen – Yep.

Kim – And all of the… And then I was incorporating juicing. I did not have the PURE Juicer, but I was juicing regularly and using that in tandem with healthy eating.

Jen – So, then you got the PURE Juicer, and I know what we always like to try and just dive into the meat of this too, which for me is the PURE Juicer. And I was fortunate enough to be part of your life when you added it, but other people don’t know your story around it and what you noticed the difference was with the PURE Juicer and also how it’s grown to be part of your whole family’s lifestyle.

Kim – So, I saw the PURE Juicer on Instagram and I work with the Housleys and they love juicing and I saw the juicer that they were using and I said, “You need to try this juicer. You should get this juicer.” And so, I reached out to you.

Jen – Yes, you did.

Kim – And the relationship was formed and I saw how amazing the juicer was in their life and I knew that I had to have one as well. So, when I got my juicer and just, I would say the number one thing that stood out with me, because I had already been juicing now regularly, so it wasn’t like new to me, but the texture and the yield blew my mind.

Jen – Yeah, yeah.

Kim – And that’s not… It’s not just cliche, it’s real.

Jen – There’s something about the texture too. We’re trying to get better at describing it, but it’s a thicker, I mean the juice is very filling and we don’t know if it’s just the microparticles of the insoluble fiber or just soluble fiber or a combination of both, but we’re getting closer at being able to describe that texture better. Not just from a texture point, but also from a health benefit point because we know that there are clear benefits to what is getting through and being able to be absorbed into your body. So, that’s cool ’cause those are the things that everybody that we hear about, talks about texture.

Kim – And totally more filling.

Jen – It’s more filling.

Kim – Yeah.

Jen – Yeah.

Kim – So, of course, everyone in my house was blown away. And the taste, so I could never get my family, especially my son to drink green juice.

Jen – Yeah.

Kim – Tasted, it was just always like, ugh, it was so gross or whatever. And everyone drinks PURE green juice.

Jen – Love it.

Kim – It’s just different.

Jen – I love it.

Kim – Mm-hmm.

Jen – And it’s so easy to add pineapple in there too. That is subtle enough that it makes everyone drink their greens in a variety of greens, right.

Kim – Of huge variety. Thanks to you, I juice everything.

Jen – Yeah, yeah, good, I’m glad. Are there, what are your favorite juices? Like, go-to juices for the family?

Kim – My husband loves carrot apple.

Jen – Yep.

Kim – And my son loves anything with pineapple.

Jen – Yep.

Kim – My favorites though are I love the beet. Juices, orange and the traditional red beet. I love pomegranate juice, pomegranate pineapple, pomegranate orange, straight pomegranate.

Jen – Yeah, I’m big on pomegranate.

Kim – Oh, yeah.

Jen – I’m Bubba Pomegranate.

Kim – And I’ve been lately loving cucumber and greens. Any green with the cucumber.

Jen – Yeah, so juicy. And I love the pulp. I’ll literally just nibble on the pulp because it’s flat, but it’s still so refreshing, so it’s kind of a talk about a different way of actually eating your cucumber. You get to drink the juice and then nibble on the pulp, but it’s so good. So good.

Kim – It is.

Jen – What is your son’s favorite?

Kim – He loves anything with pineapple.

Jen – Oh, yeah, anything with pineapple.

Kim – As long as I tell him there’s pineapple in there.

Jen – And so, you’ve had the benefit, I mean benefit of being a part of the Test Kitchens and you’ve seen that there’s so many more uses to the juicer. I think that’s really important to be able to share that this is not just for juicing although that is the primary reason we created the juicer is the health benefits that you get from giving your digestion a break and being able to drink the juice, being able to absorb the nutrients. But sometimes we don’t always wanna have juice. Sometimes we actually wanna cook, we wanna entertain. What are some of the favorite things that you make with the juicer? ‘Cause you’ve had some things that blew my mind and I just thought it’d be worth sharing those with the community.

Kim – I am a huge foodie, as you know, and everyone who knows me knows. I love creating things and the PURE is an extension of that. So, I love making pie crust, salsa, marinara, guacamole, everything, like, nice cream.

Jen – Yeah, the nice creams. Yeah, the nice creams. That you really took the nice creams to a new level.

Kim – I love it, love it. I love making nut milk. Love it.

Jen – Yeah. And I don’t drink, you know, regular, traditional dairy milk.

Kim – Yeah.

Jen – You neither.

Kim – Cows milk. So, and I don’t really like store bought nut milks at all.

Jen – No, when you taste the different-

Kim – Whole new world.

Jen – Yeah, yeah. And your husband has, he has to watch his sugar content. So, you found a way through that and your husband’s still able to have juice and manage his sugar levels.

Kim – He does.

Jen – Yeah.

Kim – So, he was diagnosed with prediabetes, and he has a family history of diabetes, but he has managed his diabetes with his diet and exercise. It was one of the reasons he thought it would help him to go vegan.

Jen – Yeah.

Kim – He wasn’t getting as much of some of the things that he need. Well, I won’t say that because it’s possible to do as a vegan, but it was very difficult for him to get what he needed, so he did add some animal proteins back. But as far as juicing goes, it does not affect his blood sugar at all.

Jen – Do you, this is, I’ve never asked you this, but is there a difference between the juices that you’ve had, like, the other juicer versus this juice? Is there, was there a difference? And there doesn’t have to be, but-

Kim – Was there a difference as far as-

Jen – For his health and-

Kim – Blood sugar?

Kim – That’s a really good question. He didn’t really drink as much juice though before.

Jen – Oh.

Kim – Like, now he asks for juice.

Jen – Okay.

Kim – Where before, he may have had the same… We never talked about that, but he may have had the same mentality that I did, that it was like for a fast or, you know, for medicinal purposes. Whereas now he just enjoyed drinking juice-

Jen – That’s great.

Kim – as part of his lifestyle.

Jen – Yeah, yeah. Well, I’m excited. I know that you and he are willing to do some glucose just testing and monitoring to see what the results are, so stay tuned for that. That’ll be a really interesting sort of science project. We need to have a bigger scale of course, but that is one of the most common complaints or myths around there about juicing. Okay, let’s get to new juicers because you talk to new people all the time. You’re on our social media and you’re educating, you’re doing demos, we’re doing lives together, and you’re talking to a lot of people who are new. And what juices do you recommend that people start with? Or how do you get started juicing if you’re new to juicing? That’s the question I want.

Kim – I think the number one thing, and this is what I tell people when they ask me, especially if you’re new to juicing, juice what you like to eat. So, if you love pineapple, juice pineapple. If you love carrots, juice carrots. And then from there, move into things that maybe you wouldn’t normally eat, but you would like to incorporate into your diet. Like, I would’ve never juiced a beet, ever. I would’ve never juiced broccoli. And I actually like broccoli juice better than I like broccoli to eat. So, it’s just, it seems to be easier on my digestion to drink it.

Jen – Oh, it does. I was on a photo shoot with a model and they were not allowed to have any cruciferous because it caused gas and they need to have the flattest abs around and… Yeah, so it’s a lot easier to drink the juice.

Kim – Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. So, I would start with that. Obviously, pineapple is so easy. You get so much juice from one pineapple, I mean it almost never stops.

Jen – I know. You could just press those little pulp into pieces.

Kim – And carrot apple, I would say add green apple to everything.

Jen – Yeah.

Kim – Add it to your green juices, brighten it up with lemon, but drink what you like. I think that’s part of anything though. Like, if you try to make yourself eat or drink things just because somebody else says it’s healthy or somebody else likes it, you’re not gonna… It’s not sustainable.

Jen – Yeah. The other thing I always like to share too is when you’re getting started or if you’re afraid, maybe involve everybody in it, so that when you might be having a bad day, somebody else might be craving it and then you’ll, all right, well I’ll do it for you, but maybe I don’t wanna do it for myself. But the more you get everybody in your family into it, it becomes a part of the family.

Kim – 100%.

Jen – Yeah.

Kim – 100%. Couple days ago, I didn’t feel like juicing. I had gotten all of this produce, but my son’s like, “Mom, I would like to meal prep and can you make this juice or done? Oh, I would like for you to get, you know, carrot apple. I need some more of that in the fridge.”

Jen – Yeah.

Kim – If it were just me, I would not have juiced that day.

Jen – Yeah, yeah, so self-care is also caring for others because then it is good for us too. How are you feeling these days? So, you did the detox years ago, you’ve been vegan and I know you’re heavy plant-based, so even if you’re not a hundred percent that still is, you know, it’s… Many people say that is still so beneficial not only for our bodies, but for the planet. How are you feeling health wise three years ago versus today?

Kim – Night and day, and honestly, I did not realize how bad I felt until I didn’t feel that badly anymore.

Jen – Wow.

Kim – If that makes sense.

Jen – Yeah.

Kim – I just… That was my normal. Low energy, lethargic, joint pain.

Jen – Yeah.

Kim – Just kind of trudging through the day because I needed to do what I needed to do. Whereas now, I mean, obviously everyone has a day, but most of my days, I am up early. I sleep like a rock.

Jen – Yeah.

Kim – My skin is the best it’s been. My hair is the healthiest it’s been. My joints don’t hurt. My energy level is amazing. I just… And I know that part of that is juicing.

Jen – Absolute, I mean, it all feeds on itself, right? I mean, sometimes I was joking this weekend, like, I went to a dance class and then I was like, “Oh, my God, and then I’m gonna go to another dance class, and oh, I’m right by the grocery. I’m gonna pick up beautiful fruits and vegetables.” Coincidence that moving my body is also connected to wanting to like, buy beautiful, healthy foods? I think not. So, they really do all come together-

Kim – They do. and compliment each other.

Jen – I agree, I agree. And it’s just adding it to my lifestyle, makes me crave healthier foods, makes me want juice, makes me want to move my body, makes… It just, they do all go together.

Kim – Yeah,

Jen – One last parting, maybe message for people that is from your heart, that, again, you talk to so many folks who are at different spectrums of health, but let’s just talk to anybody out there who might be having a difficult time or may not think that, you know, or may think that they have to do X, Y and Z before they can achieve some, a juicer or achieve health or whatever. What do you wanna say to those folks?

Kim – I would say just start. Just start with one thing. One thing that… Because I’m still on a journey, I’m still losing weight, I am still finding new ways to be healthy. But if I had not taken one step, I would still be where I was years ago. So, if anything, if you don’t wanna look at a person who is already where you want to be, then look at me. Look at someone who is still on the journey, taking it day by day, one step at a time, one thing at a time.

Jen – Yeah, that’s beautiful. And then, I would also just add to join the community if you’re seeing this video and you’re not part of PURE Juicer, just know that community comes first. You have to have a sense of wellbeing and connection, if you’re… What’s the point of being healthy if you don’t have that connection and a sense of joy with other people? So, do join us.

Kim – It’s a great community.

Jen – It’s a great community.

Kim – It really is.

Jen – Kim really, really runs the community, so know that you’ll have a much… You’ll have a regular connection with you and a little bit with me too, so I love going on there. I love to see what every-

Kim – Oh, my gosh, you are a huge part of the community.

Jen – I love the community. I love the community. I’ve been there for over three years and I just can get lost in just the conversations and amazing-

Kim – There’s so many amazing people.

Jen – So many amazing people. All right, well, that will wrap it up for this time. Please post any comments that you would like to, just about this. Any questions that you have. Definitely join one of our communities. We’ve got YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest, so many places, so please join us there and we’ll see you again on another PURE Juicer Spotlight. Thanks. 

Connect with Kim Burrell on instagram @kimmiebee_cooks and on her blog, Yumola: Cooking with Kimmie Bee

Medical Disclaimer

PURE Juicer is a juicing company. We are not doctors or medical experts. All content and information on this blog and website is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and does not establish any patient-client relationship by using this website.

Although we strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for professional advice. You should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in your area for your health questions and concerns before making any professional, legal, medical, financial, or tax-related decisions.

In response to this piece about juicing on Today.com, we reached out to Dr. Gillian Ehrlich, who brings to the table a medical perspective and a large dose of common sense. We appreciate her thoughtful response, and we hope you’ll read it and share a comment at the end.

– Jen, Chief Juicing Officer 

Kudos to the writer of this article for explicitly qualifying that juicing is not right for everybody, at every time, at any dose- this is true! 

Let’s unpack how to think, generally, about healthy therapies like juicing in the broader context of the state of our national health, fad diets, and define what a “detox” actually is. We’ll finish with the wider picture about oxalates.  

How Do We Know When Too Much is Too Much?

A quick story: In the mid-90’s, I participated in a month-long sea kayaking course amongst the islands of southeast Alaska. It was an incredible adventure. Our coursework focused on exploration- both personal as well as environmental. During a tides and currents lesson one sunny afternoon, four of our pals decided to take the ‘water challenge’: drinking a gallon of water in one hour. Hydration is good, right? If some is good, more is better, right? After their 3rd quart in 45 minutes, each of them was spending less time finishing their final quart and more time vomiting water into the sand next to our beachy classroom. We laughed and laughed at them but it wasn’t until years later that I learned too much water can damage your kidneys, electrolyte balance, brain–and ultimately can be fatal.

While this article may have caused some readers to worry about their own juicing habits, we could replace the word “juice” with the word “water’” and offer a similarly misleading cautionary tale. And no one would ever tell you to stop drinking water.

The Solution: We Need to Listen to Our Bodies

The real health tragedy in our nation is that we are not encouraged to listen to our body’s signals, trained to interpret their meaning, or even allowed to follow their instructions. 

We often are required to wake up before our sleep is done (aka detox and reset), eat a mandated lunch at noon despite when hunger cues arise (or don’t), and exercise at odd hours or not at all in unforgiving routines that can span years. 

In the midst of this, we are running to the supermarket that has all of the foods all of the time, furthering our disconnection from any natural rhythms or sources for our foods. I would say this disconnection is at the root of our current health statistics: 50% of all adults have at least one chronic health condition as of 2012 and 25% of all adults have at least TWO chronic conditions. 

Chronic conditions accounted for 86% of all healthcare expenditures prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are becoming more and more chronically ill as a population. We have to do something. When we read an article warning caution around juicing, it’s important to recognize that people are searching for change for very good reasons! 

Fad Diets Fade for Good Reason

Herein, however, is the drive for a “fad diet.” Born out of curiosity, ego to look a certain way, or desperation to feel better, heal or live longer, fad diets have become their own epidemic. The term “fad” indicates something that everybody of a certain period tries for the moment and then fades, usually because it was never elemental to the human condition anyway. Hula hoops are a great example. Various types of bicycles. The problem with a fad is that it is never customized to the individual but marketed to the masses and your health will always be personal to you.

Certainly there are people who treat juicing like a fad, but the truth is that squeezing liquid out of fruits and vegetables is a practice as old as our species and these foods themselves. 

On that same Alaskan trip, we would fill our Nalgene water bottles with huge juicy blueberries and huckleberries and shake them until these all exploded to drink the sweet mixed juice. Part of what makes us human is how we “process” our food through grinding, fermenting, and cooking to increase the availability of nutrients, for preservation, or for flavor. 

Getting Nourishment from Fruits and Vegetables is Not a Fad

It’s elemental to separate the “fad” part from the healthy, stable, generally safe, and beneficial part of juicing. Juice can allow for a higher gradient of micronutrients to be absorbed which can be elemental with GI issues associated with malabsorption or provide the electrolyte supportive of conditions like dysautonomia (specifically POTS- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) that we are seeing flare up in Long-COVID patients. What do we call a nutritional therapy when it can be effective and efficient for driving mental clarity and physical health? 

Nourishment from fresh fruits and vegetables can never be “a fad.”  It’s how we evolved to live on the planet. 

Detox According to Traditional Medicine

“Detox” is another of these fad words that is unfortunately ever more relevant as our animal bodies encounter a burden of pollution the planet has never seen before. 80,000 novel chemicals have been released into the environment since World War II. 

It behooves all of us to attend to our metabolic waste baskets to ensure we’re continually eliminating what we might be eating, drinking or inhaling (like the microplastics sampled from the pristine air over Yellowstone in August 2019.

Ayurveda, the 5,000 year old traditional medical system of India, has an entire branch (one of eight!) dedicated to detoxification and rejuvenation. It’s been recommended for millennia now to include attention to daily and seasonal elimination to prevent disease formation as well as treat some diseases after they have arisen. Ayurveda also recognizes that the DNA that you carry has been custom mixed just for you. There has never been a ‘you’ before and will never be a ‘you’ again. Your unique constitution deserves unique diet and lifestyle supports. No food or therapy is recommended for all people at all times. Juicing can be a natural and healthy part of a dietary program for most people. 

Resources abound online to help you figure out if/ when and how juicing might be right for you and just about anybody can get started with daily juices. If you have a medical condition, please discuss juicing with your medical provider. If your medical provider isn’t nutrition-savvy (medical school has not historically taught much nutrition but that is changing!), consider seeing a nutritionist or dietitian, a practitioner trained in Functional Medicine (https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/), a  Naturopath Doctor, or a medical practitioner trained in Ayurveda for Traditional Chinese Medicine. 

A NOTE ABOUT OXALATES:

It is absolutely true that many fresh fruits and veggies contain oxalates, and short of stopping all fruits and vegetables in your diet, you’re never going to rid yourself of oxalates.

The problem with oxalates is mostly around kidney stone formation, which results from a complex collaboration between an individual’s metabolism, their diet (including how they cook/prepare their foods), hydration status, certain medications, and current weight. The conversation about oxalates would not be complete without talking about how the body produces its own oxalates and that the microbiome plays a considerable role in the total body burden of oxalates. 

Antibiotics that interrupt established microbial communities and diminish gut diversity are known to contribute to calcium oxalate kidney stone formation. Pointing to juice as a risk factor for oxalate burden is too narrow a lens; the broader context of microbiotic diversity, antibiotic use, other food intake, etc, matters tremendously when we discuss the risks/benefits of a plant-based diet.

We should mention that some kidney stones form more in acidic urinary environments; many fresh fruits and vegetables are more alkaline and might actually counteract this total acidity in the body. This review noted ‘oxalate restriction is minimally effective and applies primarily to those with genetic mutations in the oxalate transporters. The same article quotes this article: Update on Nephrolithiasis Management  which says “For prevention of calcium oxalate, cystine, and uric acid stones, urine should be alkalinized. 45,46 Western diets are characteristically high in acid-producing foods, such as grains, dairy products, legumes, and meat. Alkalinizing urine involves eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, taking supplemental or prescription citrate, or drinking alkaline mineral waters.1”

Gillian Ehrlich, DNP, ARNP

Family Nurse Practitioner

Certified in Functional Medicine 2014

Certified in Ayurvedic Medicine 2001

It was simply an honor to speak to Nicole Ferrer, Interim Executive Director at Gerson Institute, an organization we hold very dear. Gerson Institute was founded by Charlotte Gerson, daughter of Dr. Max Gerson, and has been sharing the good news of health and healing for decades. We owe much to the Gerson Institute and the dedication of its people to two-stage juicing.

JL: Okay, hello, everybody. It is such a pleasure to be here today with David, our CEO and founder of PURE Juicer, and our very special guest, Nicole, who is the Interim Director, Executive Director for Gerson Institute. This is a very exciting meeting for me. I’ve worked with Nicole since I’ve started here. We have a lot in common and a lot of philosophies and purposes in common. But the purpose of this meeting is to really dive in and talk about the tradition and the expertise that Max Gerson brought us over a 100 years ago, as well as how relevant it is today. So, Nicole, welcome.

NF: So, great to be with you guys.

JL: Thank you, thank you. And David, welcome.

DF: Thank you, always a pleasure.

JL: Oh my goodness. We understand how important time is to everybody today, so I really just want to start diving in. Nicole, would you like to share a little bit about yourself and the history with you at Gerson Center first, and then we’ll dive into the Gerson Center, the Gerson Institute itself?

Gerson Protocol: You Are What You Eat

NF; Sure, yeah, so my name is Nicole and I’ve been with the Gerson Institute for 10 years now. And I started as an information specialist, so on the front lines, answering phones and helping people that just came into the office. And over the last 10 years, I basically worked my way through every department, and now I’m overseeing the operations and acting as the interim executive director. And it’s just been a very fulfilling, I don’t know, career at the Institute and really life changing, you know, it really turned around my lifestyle and my relationship to healthy foods and just being able to see for yourself on yourself, the actual benefits and changes that come with eating healthy.

JL: So, that’s great. So, you–when you started at Gerson Institute, you were moving into a healthier lifestyle. Like you were learning a lot about Gerson when you started, and that’s changed your choices in food and such?

NF: Oh yes, definitely. I mean, you always hear kind of that saying like, “you are what you eat,” but you really don’t–it doesn’t really hit–until you actually change what you’re eating and realize like, “Wow, I feel so much better.” 

And my focus is there and energy and just your overall wellbeing and realizing that it’s not as daunting as you think it is in the beginning, at least for me. But just even making small changes. And that really helped working at the institute because we had Gerson meals for lunch and Gerson juice, and so it was really an immediate difference that I could see and feel.

JL: I love that. One of my favorite things was visiting the Gerson Institute, the center in Tijuana. But we’ll talk about that later.

Let’s dive into–I’m so excited that you had that. I had the same experience. I know David had the same experience, and then we’ve talked to so many people who have done the Gerson therapy and have had that same experience, life-changing experiences, actually. 

Let’s talk about the science of Max Gerson, and just tell us as much as you’d want or the things that really seem to matter to patients who are just getting started on this journey. Tell us what you tell them.

Gerson Therapy’s Four-Pronged Approach

NF: Sure. You know, so kind of in a nutshell, the Gerson Therapy uses a four-pronged approach to really just activate your body’s ability to heal itself. That’s already built into the body back years and years of eating unwell environmental exposures and things like that. You know, those things decline and aren’t working as they should. So, the four different prongs are, like we were talking about the diet.

Diet

So, a lot of people think that the Gerson therapy is either a vegan diet or it’s only raw, but neither of those is true.

It’s plant-based and there are cooked foods and raw foods. So, some of the staples are baked potato, which a lot of people think, “Why potato? There are a lot of starch and whatnot.” But it’s actually a really, really good source of protein. So, that, and oatmeal, that’s a staple for breakfast, and Hippocrates soup.

Hippocrates soup is, yeah, been around forever. It’s so good, it’s so good. It’s one of my favorites too, I make it all the time. And that’s something that’s eaten throughout the day.

So, the diet does not include salt. The only oil is flaxseed oil and it’s unlimited amounts. And this is not to say that salt is bad, you know, we obviously need sodium in the human body to function, but what the Gerson therapy is doing partially with the diet is on a cellular level. So, it’s really turning, reversing what is going on on a cellular level.

And most of the time, because what prompts disease is there’s too much sodium in the cell and not enough potassium, there’s an imbalance in there. And so by eliminating the salts with the diet, we also have potassium as one of the supplements. That starts to push the sodium out of the cells, bring in the potassium, and then the cells start to work as they should.

JL: And you sell the potassium, right? You sell that as a supplement at gersoninstitute.org?

NF: We don’t sell it ourselves, but we have a list of approved vendors that do sell it.

JL: Got it, got it.

NF: And it’s in a powder form, and it’s a specific compound that Dr. Gerson came up with himself, so it’s a really important part.

JL: Yeah, I need to get that, I wanna get that.

Juicing

NF: It’s good stuff. So, that’s one part is the diet, and then next are the juices. So, that’s kind of the thing that people know the most about Gerson. And they also think that Gerson therapy is just a juice cleanse, but again, it is not, there’s, you know, like we just spoke about, there’s food being consumed on a regular basis, but there’s three juices on the therapy. So, there’s carrot, carrot with apple, and then Dr. Gerson’s green juice, which has specific ingredients which include romaine, Swiss chard, green apple, green bell pepper, tops of the beet leaves, endive and escarole and watercress. Oh, and purple cabbage.

JL: Yep.

NF: So, those are all specific ingredients in the green juices. And the most intense Gerson protocols will include about 13 eight-ounce juices per day. And ideally they’re taken spaced out throughout the day.

You’ll see in Dr. Gerson’s book, and a lot of the literature, they talk about every hour. And that’s the ideal way to do it, because you’re basically flooding your body with the nutrients that it needs and is lacking on a regular basis. And because it’s in juice form, it’s easier for the body to absorb and assimilate, so you’re not having your body work more in order to gain that. But a lot of people will start-

JL: That’s the thing that I loved about when I first got here, is learning about that and just that it’s not that it’s a replacement, but it’s just gentler on your system. Especially when people are starting Gerson Therapy, their bodies are fighting off other things and they’re trying to heal other things. So, it’s not that you can’t eat, it’s just that it’s a gentler way to give you more of what your body needs, so it can work harder on fighting other stuff.

DF: I’ve always loved the idea that we’re flooding our bodies with what it needs to heal itself. And when I’ve been at the clinics, I’ve been struck by how much food we eat, and in fact, it was a little shocking to me the sheer amount of healing food that people require to do the therapy.

JL: Okay, so we covered the food, the diet, we covered the juices, which we’ll come back to. What is the third part?

Enemas

NF: So, the third part is probably one of the more controversial ones in that is the enemas.

JL: Everybody wants to know about the enemas, Nicole.

NF: Yes-

DF: More than the juice.

JL: Even when they don’t want to, they want to.

NF: Yes, the number one thing people ask right away is about the enemas. So, there’s two types on the therapy, the main one being the coffee enema. And so that’s taken in a ratio with the juice, it’s usually in a ratio about three juices to one enema. And basically what the coffee does is basically enhancing the glutathione S-transferase process in the system. And people are kinda surprised because they, you know, really the coffee kind of goes through the small intestines, large intestines and then colon.

And what it does is it binds to the bile and it stimulates more bile production, binds to it and gets it out. So, it’s basically binding to all those free radicals and toxins and getting it out of the system. And that’s because with the juice, with the diet, your body’s also excreting all of those toxins and all the things it doesn’t need from the cells.

And so Dr. Gerson actually found in the very beginning that without the coffee enemas his patients were still getting sick because they still had all of that stuff in their system, just recirculating. Through the literature he found out about coffee enemas and tried them out and they have been a requirement of the therapy ever since.

JL: And an interesting note about coffee enemas is that when I was in Tijuana and we were trying them, I noticed that I was probably more energized doing the coffee enema than I was when I was actually drinking coffee. And they’re like, “Of course, because it’s being absorbed faster because it’s going through the colon,” which is why you’re not supposed to do vodka enemas, it’ll kill you. So, not that anyone’s doing vodka enemas right now. Don’t do ’em.

DF: Not part of the therapy!

JL: Yeah, definitely not part of any therapy, that is not recommended. Okay, I didn’t know there were more than one. So, what’s the second enema that you could do?

NF: So, the second one is a castor oil enema, and that one is usually done maybe every other day, but generally you’re working with a Gerson practitioner. And so they will really personalize that for when you wanna add that in because it is very intense. So, the castor oil is, it’s basically just like a big, another big sweep of getting things outta your system and it is really fast. So, for a coffee enema, you hold it for 12 to 15 minutes, a castor oil enema, maybe a few minutes, really just as long as you can. And it just wipes everything, kind of more residuals out.

JL:Wow.

NF: So, you do take a little bit by mouth and then you follow it up with an enema. Yeah, but those are a lot more intense. Those are not daily like the coffee enema.

JL: I know in Western medicine, that’s what they would give people to clean them out just by drinking it. So, again, to go from that direction. And I think it’s interesting too, just on this video to remind people that before there was a lot of Western medicine that enemas were very common and it was a typical method for healing. And and the minute you saw someone with a cough or a sniffle, I mean that they would bring out the enemas. And that is very, that was very, very common for my mother. Like, so ’20s and ’30s, even 1900s, that was very common.

So–and I love the story about the coffee enemas, which was part of the World War II treatment, because they ran out of all other medicine and they were just trying to relieve sort of pain. And they actually found that not only does coffee enemas increase the glutathione, but it helps with pain management, too.

NF: Yes, yeah, big pain management. So, in addition to just the regular coffee enemas that people do on the therapy, if they’re experiencing a healing reaction like headaches, things like that, you would do an extra enema and basically goes away, you know, pretty quickly. But yeah, it’s really fascinating how the coffee enema started and how Dr. Gerson found out about it and incorporated it.

Even speaking to that with castor oil, my grandma talks about when she was younger, they got sick, you know, immediately they were given castor oil by mouth, so it’s these kind of tried and true modalities that get hidden behind Western medicine, but there’s still things that still work today. Same principles.

JL:  Okay, what’s the fourth?

Supplements

NF: So, the fourth prong are supplements. Now, these aren’t just like any supplements, like, “Oh, I’m gonna take some vitamin D,” they’re specific supplements that push and drive certain metabolic processes or just help with the overall approach of the therapy.

So, the three main supplements are like we talked about the potassium compound. So, that’s in powder form and you put it in water to dissolve it, and that gets added to juices.

And then next is Lugol’s solution, and that balances out thyroid. Now, thyroid glandular, the supplement on the therapy is not given to correct a thyroid imbalance or a thyroid problem necessarily, but it’s really to push metabolism. So, that with the Lugol’s together really drives that process.

And then there’s other supplements like niacin, acetyl, and things to help with just in general, more helping with digestion.

JL: Gets me so excited, it makes me wanna order them. We need to get some on the site too so that we can get the potassium and add it to our juices, David, what do you think?

DF:I actually love the idea of doing that.

NF: Yeah, yeah.

DF: I think it would be great if we had a supplement section.

JL: Yeah, approved by Gerson Institute, of course. Well, that’s great. So, it’s diet, it’s juice. And juice, we talked about three juices, but I think when I was down there, orange juice was allowed too, but not for everybody. Is that the case? And it’s pretty high in potassium. My understanding is potassium in oranges is even higher than in bananas.

NF: Yeah, maybe. I mean, the orange juice is a usual part for breakfast, but it’s not one of the core juices. But a lot of times people will have either orange juice or if they’re diabetic or anything, it’ll be like a grapefruit juice.

JL: Got it.

NF: But if either of those don’t work, just Gerson juice.

JL: Got it, got it. So, diet, juice, enemas and supplements.

It’s very simple and it’s very common sense, right? I mean, it’s just going back to like you were mentioning with your grandma going back to what mothers knew all along as far as how to keep people healthy.

NF: Yeah, definitely. And that’s one thing I really liked about the Gerson Therapy is that it’s really stripped down, because you see a lot of different types of holistic therapies and treatments and diets and all of that out there. And although there are, it’s very specific and there’s a lot of different components, it’s still really stripped down. It’s three juices, a really clean diet, specific supplements, and then a detoxification. So, you’re not incorporating everything under the sun, everything’s working for a specific purpose.

JL: So, I wanna shift over to David. When you first met Charlotte Gerson, you were showing her and demonstrating the two-stage juicer. Can you share that experience, and then we’ll dive a little bit more into two-stage juicing, but tell us what it was like to meet her and what the experience was like?

The Gerson Family and the PURE Juicer

DF: So, we went to Southern California with, I believe, with two juicers. They were prototype juicers and Peggy Strauss, who’s Charlotte’s daughter, had invited us, it was about two weeks before Thanksgiving, to come for lunch and to bring the juicer and to demonstrate the juicer. And so we got to go to the Gerson family home. And Charlotte at this point, I believe was 91. She was already quite old. And so we had a beautiful lunch. Charlotte sometimes was asleep, sometimes was awake, but at one point we actually actually got up and juiced on the PURE, and we do have a photograph, a wonderful photograph of her smiling, dropping a carrot into the PURE. Howard was there as well. There’s some beautiful photographs of Howard. And so we got to show a brand new two-stage juicer to the Gerson family.

And Peggy said a really interesting and wonderful thing to me. I was like, “I’m just an engineer. I never expected to be part of the healing community.” And she said, “Dr. Max used to say that people would get grabbed by the collars and just pulled in by Gerson whether they wanted to or not.” And that it was a fairly regular experience for people like myself who never expected to be a part of this, to be brought in to help and to be a part of the Gerson community. So, it was really a very wonderful lunch.

JL: I love that, I love that.

NF: Well, and how cool for them too, to see, because for the longest time the Norwalk was the only two-stage juicer out there, and Dr. Norwalk and Dr. Gerson were contemporaries, so they were alive at the same time. So, how cool to see generations later that you come in with another model of that type of juicer.

DF: And Peggy said a really wonderful thing, and she said, “I’ve used the Norwalk juicer for my entire life,” which was, at that point she’d probably been juicing for 60 years. And she said, “It’s never changed.” They’ve never addressed any of the things that, the famous things like the blow back or, I mean– I’m not here to denigrate, the Norwalk juicer is great, but she was just saying, “It’s never changed. This is great, we finally have something new that addresses all of these things.” So, yeah, it’s a really big deal.

JL: Yeah, and I mean, but the key pieces that make it a two-stage juicer didn’t change. And Nicole, I’m wondering if you’d like to talk about the protocol and the importance of two-stage juicing, and then after that, let’s also talk about, when you and I first met, we were talking about why he created his therapy in the first place, which was, in a sense it was for things that were not so severe.

But let’s, I’m just teasing people with knowing that piece is coming. But let’s talk about two-stage juicing and the importance during these protocols.

The Benefits of Two-Stage Cold Press Juicers

NF: Yeah, definitely. So, Dr. Gerson really emphasized and felt strongly that the juice needs to be made with a two-stage cold press juicer. Part of the reason is because other types of juicers, like centrifugal ones, they use electricity and conduct electricity in order to do part of the process. And that kills off active enzymes and a lot of the living, not the right word, but his biome that you need and get from the juice, because that really is your medicine. So you really, really want to maximize that.

And so, I mean, as staff we’ve seen it ourselves. A lot of us would have, just like I started on a Breville, you know, and then going to the institute and tasting a juice from a PURE, a two-stage juicer is totally different.

You get a richer juice and one that, again, you really have to see the pulp left over to really understand between the two types of juicers. Because that is bone dry, there’s not a drop left. So, you are really getting every single ounce, every microscopic thing that you can from the juices.

And again, being that you’re drinking so much juice on the therapy for such a long period of time, you also want a machine that is durable and gonna be able to handle that volume.

And also the type of produce that you’re juicing too. So, yeah, it’s really, really important to use a two-stage. And again, even a lot of patients tell us all the time, they’ll start out with a Champion or something, which is fine if you’re just juicing for overall health in general.

But they say, “Man, what a difference when you use a two-stage juicer, it’s just completely different. The taste is better. You really feel like you’ve gotten a lot more from the juice. It’s hard to explain, but there, it’s such a huge difference between the two.”

JL: It’s interesting, because it is, when when we say it’s silky smooth, we’re actually working on trying to define exactly what that means, because silky smooth means it’s thicker, and people are having a stronger healing experience with the two-stage juicer. Whether that’s soluble fiber, whether that’s smaller microparticles, whether we’re able to bring in more bacteria that is good for our microbiome and the health of our gut for metabolism, which is the definition of health.

There’s so many different pieces out there, but we are seeing that even in the modern day, that it’s, whether it’s on Gerson or whether you’re switching juicers, that the healing effects and the benefit is noticeable.

And we hear stories every day, kind of like you. And we share some of the stories from Gerson with you too, just because, we work together as partners on this, and we’re really grateful for that.

David, do you have any thoughts on that with the two-stage juicing and the process?

DF: Yeah, I mean, what I’ve heard over and over from people is that when they switch from whatever juicer they’re using to a two-stage juicer, they tell me their healing reaction speeded up, and that the quality of the juice was different and they noticed it almost right away. And we hear that over and over again.

JL: And again, the whole purpose of juicing isn’t to drink juice. It isn’t just for hydration. It is literally to take what you would normally chew and digest, you would be able to drink it and have a greater healing effect with less work done by your body.

It’s not to just drink juice, it’s not just to just drink sugar. It’s not any of those pieces, it’s literally the nutrients, the potassium. I know potassium is huge with the Gerson Diet, which you’ve mentioned with supplements, but a lot of the greens and the carrots, all of that have potassium in there. So, you’re getting it far more than just supplements. You’re getting it from real food too.

NF: Exactly, and Dr. Gerson emphasized that too. He said, “Supplements shouldn’t be taken in place of actual living food. They’re there to just sort of, again, push certain things, especially when your body is in a crisis dealing with disease, but really it needs to come from living active food.

JL: Things that are close to the sun.  Nicole, tell us about the center, the Gerson Institute and then the center at Tijuana? Tell us how people can participate in Gerson, not just if they need to go someplace, but how can they actually use Gerson if they’re using it almost as a prevention or from healing from things that are less severe?

Everyone Can Benefit from Gerson

NF: Yeah, definitely. So, the Gerson Institute were a training and education nonprofit founded by Charlotte Gerson in 1978.

So, we are training doctors and providing education and support to patients and just kind of the public at large. And we licensed two clinics. So, there’s one in Tijuana, Mexico, which is Health Institute de Tijuana, which is the only licensed clinic in Mexico. 

And then we have one in Europe over in Budapest, Hungary. And that clinic was founded by a recovered Gerson patient as well, Dr. Nagy, who recovered from breast cancer using the Gerson therapy and then opened the clinic. 

So, people who are interested, you can visit our website, www.gerson.org. We’re also on Facebook and Instagram just at Gerson Institute. Phone number is posted. We have an email form, so you can give us a call. We’ll have to leave a voice message, but we get back within one to two days. And then, or you can send an email as well. And yeah, we’re happy to answer questions or help people navigate. 

If people are interested in learning about Gerson, just like you said, for preventative or overall help, all of our education materials can still be applied to those people.

So, we have our online course, which is Gerson Basics Online. That’s over 18 hours of video lectures, including those from Charlotte Gerson, how-to videos, like step-by-step instructions on everything from juicing and cooking to the coffee enema, which is very useful for people. And our course comes with lifetime access. So, even, after you’re healed and well on your way, it’s something that people love to revisit over and over again.

And especially while they’re on the therapy, it’s a really, really motivating and grounding thing to continue to watch. It really is a reminder of what you’re doing and why you’re doing it. And then we have our books, the Gerson Basics Manual, which accompanies the online course, and then The Gerson Therapy Cookbook, which is our pride and joy of over 150 Gerson-approved recipes from breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, snacks, soups, sauces.

We have, it has all kinds of stuff in there. Equipment recommendation, sample shopping, menus and lists and stuff. So, those are really great educational resources that you can also share. You can give the cookbook to somebody and see if maybe they glean a few things that will kind of help move them towards that healthier eating lifestyle.

And also, through our website you can sign up for our e-newsletter and you’ll get updated on news and different educational articles and updates and things going on in the community, which we’re really excited to be working on some new content for that.

JL: And I know you’ve been training in certifying professionals, medical professionals, so I believe there’s a list of medical professionals on the site as well, and or you contact Gerson Institute and they will put you in touch with someone, is that correct?

NF: Yes, yeah, that’s correct. So, in addition to our two licensed clinics, we also have a web-based case management service. So, over the last, really kind of more focused, in the last eight to 10 years we’ve been really training more doctors.

And so we are about to, we have about 20 right now certified representing about 10 countries, six states in the United States, A few more are gonna be graduating this year, so it’s putting us over funny or some providers that are licensed medical professionals. And they’ve successfully passed a program, which is two to three year program.

So, it’s not like someone takes an online course for six months and they’re certified. It’s two years of actual case management and really intense learning from our faculty that combined 50 plus years of Gerson experience among the faculty, which we’re really, really grateful and lucky too. So, that’s another option if people can’t go to the clinic, or even if you just have minor health issues, but you still want more specific guidance, that’s another great option as well.

JL: That’s amazing, that’s amazing. Well, we’re running out of time, but I would love to just suggest that we start to break down the elements of healing and so that we have time to talk about them more with you and to hear real stories of patients. HIPAA of course, like we’ll just tell stories that don’t have actual names. But there’s just so many incredible stories of people in healing with the Gerson protocol and I really want to dive into that. So, are you open to doing that in the future?

NF: Absolutely.

JL: All right, fantastic. All right, I’ve got it on recording, so I just wanted to make sure. I can replay it if we forget.

David, any last parting thoughts before we close up here on this fantastic interview with Nicole?

DF: I think my biggest thought is that when people need to heal, that the most important thing is that they begin the journey and it’s less important what juicer you select – but that the most important thing is that you prioritize yourself, you focus on your healing, and you have plenty of time to learn and transition on your journey.

JL: I love it, I love it.

Well, Nicole, thank you so much for your time. It was such an honor, and I adore you. I’m just so grateful that I’ve been able to meet you in person. And like I said, we just need to do a few more interviews because there’s so many more things that I wanna talk about with you and share with our community and anyone else who’s watching this, but for another time.

And until then, thank you so much.

NF: Thank you, guys.

DF: Thank you.

Medical Disclaimer

PURE Juicer is a juicing company. We are not doctors or medical experts. All content and information on this blog and website is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and does not establish any patient-client relationship by using this website.

Although we strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for professional advice. You should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in your area for your health questions and concerns before making any professional, legal, medical, financial, or tax-related decisions.

Watch and read our interview with Eduardo Moreno, father and juicing business owner, to learn how the PURE Juicer changed his family’s life.

EM: My name is Eduardo Moreno.

BM: And my name is Bellen Moreno.

EM: And we have, @lets_smash4juice, in IG. And the company name is Smash LLC. And now-

JL: Smash LLC. And where are you located?

EM: We’re located in Orange County. Santa Ana, precise, near Garden Grove.

JL: Very good.

EM: Yeah.

JL: So I was just curious, you know, we ask the same questions to everybody, because everybody’s path to juicing is different. But, I’m just wondering, why did you guys get started with juicing? Do you have a history with juicing? And, yeah. Why did you start juicing?

EM: Never really have a history on juicing. The only thing is that after we started our family, we started being more conscious of what we give them. And throughout all the juices that we see, we started reading the ingredients, and we didn’t like that at all. And certain things for us to, like, we had so many drinks also in our lifetime, that is just given to us, but not really thinking what was in there.

JL: Yeah.

EM: And now that we have kids, we want them to actually have something great for them to keep their energy going, instead of just fitting fatigue or being down after, you know, drinking a lot of juice with weird sugars, or just imitation sugars that there are. And that’s what we kind of start going for it. Slowly juicing for our kids, and then slowly going with us actually drinking them too.

JL: That’s amazing. How long have you been juicing for?

EM: We started on, I will say, last summer when we start, I was looking at all cold-pressed juices, just started to drink them, but we started doing it ourselves on last October, 2022.

JL: Wow. What do you notice? Have you noticed a difference in your energy? If that was what it was for, and are you, what are you noticing now that you’re starting to drink cold-pressed juice?

EM: I feel the energy that usually, like, I would say like lunches. So when you work on a nine-to-five job, you’ll start getting tired like midday, and that, it’s not happening. Even though we have our kids most of the time, I’m not really feeling any tired of their screams, their running, or… Just not having anything that gives that thought of being, I would say lazy, or just wanting to take a nap with them, or anything like that. So a lot of energy with it. 

My stomach is actually feeling better. Didn’t really used to, I would say, have a lot of bowel movements, but now with it actually helping me out to have it consistent. And I slowly see my weight slowly going down, but not as quick as one would thought. But, just drinking the juices and making all sorts of juices with even the fruits that we never thought that were available. Start pressing them and something different comes out. And just by pressing and taking the organic residue out with the PURE Juicer, it’s something different that I seen, and this tastes really better than just smoothies, in general.

JL: Yeah.

EM: I wasn’t really a fan of smoothies at all. My wife liked smoothies, but I really didn’t like ’em. Just.

JL: Yeah.

EM: I thought it was like the whole healthy, “Let’s eat smoothies.” But just with the PURE Juicer, actually I wanna drink more, ’cause it’s just kinda like a water base, but with nutrients and flavorful, actually.

JL: And surprisingly there’s a lot of soluble fiber and which speaks to just your digestion and your regularity that you get from it. There’s actually, the juice is thicker, it’s smoother, it’s like silky smooth.

EM: Right.

JL: And, you know, the hypothesis is that, you know, there’s soluble fiber in there, so it’s drawing in more water to your system and helping you get rid of all of that. So you might not see the weight loss necessarily, but I, it’s such great news to hear that your body is working the way that it’s supposed to. So now that it’s building trust, I like to say it’s building trust with you. So it’s, you know, at over time it will, you know, the weight will take care of itself. You know, your body will get to where it wants to be, so that’s wonderful.

EM: Uh-huh, nice.

JL: Do you have a juice that you like? Is there a go-to juice for you and for your family, and is it different

EM: The go juice is the orange and carrots. That’s usually what my kids like and that’s only, the only juice that I started even drinking at the beginning.

JL: Yeah.

EM: It’s just carrot juice with orange.

JL: Yep.

EM: And when I start adding more stuff, that’s when it gets intrigued. But the go-to, that’s always even for before I start juicing, was the orange and carrot.

JL: Orange and carrot. That’s so good. I just figured out that you can just cut the ends off the oranges and maybe just take like four pieces of peel off, wrap it without even a liner, and press it. And it’s delicious. And it’s, it works really, really well. So it’s super slick, in case you wanna try that method.

EM: Yeah, I’ll try that one. Yes.

JL: Yeah. Let’s see. Did it take a certain, so you started in October. I’m wondering when you, if you were to tell a customer, like how long for you did it take before you started to see the benefits of juice?

EM: I would say in the, I would say like a month. About a month, about a month, yes.

JL: Yeah How much juice do you say you drink in a week, or in a day, however you wanna do it?

EM: I think we have 64 throughout the week.

JL: Yes.

EM: So we go through a 64 ounce through a week. We have it in the fridge and we press it again and again.

JL: Yeah. Oh my gosh, this is great. It’s making me thirsty.

EM: I usually do twice a week. It’ll be on Monday and Thursdays.

JL: Yep.

EM: For me, obvious ’cause I have my kids most of the time, and have enough time for me to press on those days and ask any of my friends, anybody that follows us on IG, if they want any juices while I’m pressing for ourselves.

JL: Yeah.

EM: And then I’ll add more for them if they would like also.

JL: That’s great. Are you able to sell, or is there people that want the juice?

EM: Yes. I have continuous flow of people or clients that actually come. A few friends that are, I would say, subscription-wise.

JL: Yes.

EM: That they wanted every, every time in the fridge. So I’ll just press it and get it ready for their fridge. And other friends will have a good enough order for them to drink like throughout the whole week.

JL: Yeah. Yeah.

EM: So it’s a, it has a few following that actually love what we’re doing, and they want to try our juices as well.

JL: That’s good.

EM: And how we separate certain juices, it’s something different that you won’t see on the market, ’cause it’s, we don’t really specify much as a healthy option, but a flavorful option.

JL: Mm. I think that’s what people are looking for, and flavor doesn’t remove health–

EM: Right.

JL: So I think it’s such a great entry into juicing. You know what surprised me too, is I learned that black and red grapes, and even green grapes, are so good for our brains.

EM: Oh.

JL: So you think that it’s just sugar, but the neurologist, who’s our medical advisor, she’s like, “That’s actually what our brains feed on.” “That’s what our brains need.”

EM: Yeah.

JL: And those grapes are some of the best things for our brains, so. And they taste delicious.

EM: Awesome. Yeah, we do have a few line of just with grapes. The, what is it, the Blood Dragon Split, that will have the grape. It has a pink pineapple and also has the dragon fruit, the red dragon fruit.

JL: Oh yeah. How do you? That’s pretty slimy, isn’t it? Yeah.

EM: At the beginning, there was no process, but eventually I had a good sign how much to press, what pressure time, or like slowly press it and slowly open out, instead of just one stop and it’ll make a mess.

JL: Yeah. Yeah. And no need to grind it. Just pressing is the way to go.

EM: No, just the seed. The black seeds will be left on the mesh.

JL: Yeah. Starfruit is really good too. And you can just press starfruit, in case you haven’t done that one yet. It’s really yummy.

EM: I actually had the star fruit at the beginning. I did not know how to press it, I just saw it. I’m like, “How am I gonna press this?” It doesn’t really have so much. And me thinking a little bit longer, it kind of went spoiled on it. So I’m like, “All right, I’ll try another time.”

JL: Yeah. You can just press them.

EM: But, I’ve tried, but that was my option once.

JL: Yeah. And in the future, you can always just message us, and if we’ve done it, we’ll let you know how we did it.

EM: Awesome.

JL: And that way, you know, we’re happy to share that. We don’t always keep everything on social, so if we’ve done it, we would love to share how we did it.

EM: Oh, sweet. I like that.

JL: What led you to PURE Juicer and, you know, like just why did you choose PURE Juicer for your family and for your business?

EM: At the beginning, I was actually in a restaurant business for a quite while, like little over eight years.

JL: Oh.

EM: And I seen a bunch of juices throughout my experience there. And when I, I came across the PURE Juicer, it was something different that I never seen before. And with the mesh, how it removes the granite material, just leaves the the pure juice itself, that was something different that I seen, and I advised my wife about it. Like, “Look, this is something different. I seen a bunch of different juices but nothing like this.”

JL: Yeah.

EM: So for me, I was just trying to get for it and I couldn’t actually afford it, ’cause it is on the high end and it’s obviously a great machine. 

And throughout time I was looking on OfferUp, and that’s where we actually got it from. A friend on OfferUp were like, “Hey, you want your juicer?” And they’re like, “Yeah, we were trying it so much for myself, but it’s too much work.” I’m like, “Yes, I seen it’s too much work, but I’m willing to go for it.” 

JL: Yeah.

EM: And I got it from them, from OfferUp. And then slowly had it with us.

JL: That’s awesome. Do you find it’s that much work? ‘Cause I think sometimes people say that, but it’s actually not as much work as you would think. But what’s your impression?

EM: It depends on certain produce or the fruits. It’ll be much work. But if you have a consistent, I’ll say a certain juices that like, not certain juices, certain fruits, just like oranges, some apples, pineapple. Any of those you already have, know way how to cut it, know how to prep it and clean it, and then press it right away.

JL: Yeah.

EM: But I feel like some other people think that they have to go exceed on cleanliness or exceed on prepping it.

JL: Yeah.

EM: So that’s where the time consuming comes along for a lot of people.

JL: Yeah.

EM: But if I did it a couple times, and I, for us to give away to our clients and our friends, it makes us go through trials and errors throughout, and we find better ways when we start juicing. We find better ways to juice more and more.

JL: Yeah.

JL: Efficient. Good, good. Yeah, I found that I can make 24 ounces of carrot apple in 10 minutes. From the very beginning to the very end. Like putting the cloths to dry. So it’s, so I need to do that more so people can see that it is quite easy to do in the process. So, but that’s great feedback. That’s great, and I’m glad that, I mean, that’s great too that you found it on OfferUp. So that you’re able to get a bit of a discount. Way to go.

EM: So eventually, when all this gets more, I will end up buying another one, ’cause how it’s getting busier. I don’t want one day to just fail on me. So hopefully, at the, I have enough, or to have a second one in the near feature.

JL: What do you like using about the PURE Juicer?

EM: I like using it. The features what I use? Like…

JL: Yeah. Like I mean, so it, so work the press is pressing, you know, what do you think of the grinder? Do you, do you use the grinder too, very much? Or is it mainly the press?

EM: I use the grinder on carrots, I use it on celery. I use it with, what was it, the beets. Like gold beets or red beets. Anything that I’ll say, vegetables, or some tough that needs to be grind up, I’ll go through there. It’s easy to clean, not too much hard. It’s just of like two pieces comes off, rinse it, hot water rinse, and let it dry with sanitize. And not that much crazy with it, but the press is just extraordinary, how it just works. It just puts all the fruit and then just comes out very clean.

JL: Yeah.

EM: I like the press a lot.

JL: I know, the press is amazing. There’s actually a video out there, where this woman presses everything from like jelly beans, to cupcakes, to sandwiches.

EM: Go on.

JL: Yeah. She’s, and she uses the PURE Juicer, so.

I think a lot of people like the press. Question for you, so you mentioned that, how you’re feeling, which I love that your digestion is working better. So that’s actually huge, and that it’s building sort of gut health. Have you noticed a difference with your kids, and do they like the carrot orange juice as well?

EM: Yes. They’ll just see me certain places that we go pick up raw material, and they’ll be like, “Oh we’re gonna go get some juices.” ‘Cause they already know if I go there, they’re eventually gonna drink some juices right after. So they’re excited every time we get any fruits, ’cause they just wanna try it. And then if they see me, they just look like, “Is that a different juice?” or “What color is that juice?” It’s just the intrigued of the colors, also.

JL: Yeah, yeah. Oh, colors! You know, remember the blue spirulina lemonade is so good. Yummy! If you ever wanna put spirulina in your lemonade, ’cause then it’s a beautiful blue color. And then we’ve also done charcoal, activated charcoal, which is great when you’re teen–when you get teenagers, for it clears up your skin a little bit. It’s activated charcoal is really great to pull toxins out of the body. And a lot of times I take, if I eat something that doesn’t sit right, you can take it and that kind of soaks it all up and then you get rid of it, so.

EM: Okay.

JL: So you can get black and blue, and yellow and red.

EM:Interesting.

JL: All kinds of things.

EM: Oh, okay. I will try those things, also.

JL: Yeah. Yeah. Okay, we’re almost done. Is there anything else that you’d like to share?

EM: The almond milk, it’s a very interesting one. My wife actually just drinks almond milk, and we’ve been actually looking at that. Probably going forward with the almond milk soon.

JL: Yeah.

EM: But I think from any other juices, how I’ve seen it, I think this will have like the biggest yield with it. ‘Cause I’ve seen other juices that you just put everything out, just come out on the other side. But I haven’t really seen it personally, or kind of noticed it correctly. So that’s something that we are gonna try.

JL: It’s really great. I just talked to a friend today who said she used to just make it by hand. She said she literally makes twice as much with the same recipe, using the press.

EM: Right. Yeah. Crazy.

JL: And you know, I just did the one where we did the strawberries, so you can just press the strawberries separate. You can press blueberries separate. You can press beets separate as well. So just know that you can make straight up almond milk and then you can have little shots to like add to the milk.

EM: Cool.

JL: If you wanna add those varieties. And talk about fun options for color. You’ve got pink, you’ve got purple. You’ve got, you know, any kind of color. I’m sure you can make a green one too. But, I mean there’s so many different options.

EM:That’s right.

JL: And it’s nice, ’cause you know, there’s no preservatives or anything. And almond milk froths quite well, so, yeah.

EM: Ah, exactly.

JL: And the other thing, I dunno if you saw that, but you can make your own peanut butter. And for kids, and like different nut butters. You can make almond butter and just run it through the feed shoots using a four grid, and it’s the best nut butter you’ve ever had.

EM: Mm, I will try that too. My kids actually like peanut butter, but I haven’t tried it yet.

JL: Yeah, yeah. There’s a video on Instagram on that, so. Is there any way, would you like to share your business? Maybe your social handle? Or a website or anything, that we can, if people wanna connect with you and order juices, or follow your social media, what would you like folks to do, if they wanna contact you?

EM: For now it’s on Instagram, at the moment.

JL: Okay.

EM: At Let’s Smash at, Let’s Smash For Juice.

JL: Okay, okay. Is there anything else that I might have missed?

EM: Those who are on the sidelines thinking about juicing, I’ll say just go for it. It’s something that’ll probably change your life, one way or another. ‘Cause it has changed my way of thinking and consuming fruits and vegetables, from, ever since I started seeing, working with PURE Juicer. 

And if my kids see them, and they’ll be tasting this for while we still are juicing, and if they start drinking something else from the streets, or from the, I’ll say from the gas station or anywhere, they’ll be like, “Oh, this doesn’t taste great. I want my juice.” I think that’s, that’s where this ultimatum was. I hope that it happens though.

JL: It will. It will. You are setting such a phenomenal example. It’s just such a pleasure to meet you in person. Thank you so much for your time. And, all right. Well, Eduardo, thank you so much. Please tell Bellen thank you so much for your time too, and you guys are amazing.

EM: Yeah. She’s over there.

JL: Yeah, good.

EM: Awesome, thank you.

JL: Awesome. Well, happy juicing to you!

EM: Thank you, you too.

JL: Take care.

Interview by Jen Longtin, PURE Juicer

Our PURE community, made up of vibrant juicers across the globe, are committed to making a difference in their health and the health of others. Our goal is to use these stories as inspiration, and to demonstrate how juicing can help anyone reach new levels of vitality and community.

When we met Erica in 2022, we knew she struggled with auto-immune issues. As a holistic nutritionist who has an inspirational instagram presence (@overcome_autoimmune), she has been quite open about her journey using juicing and raw foods to change her health. We knew that her results had shocked her doctors, but it wasn’t until we did a live with her in October 2022 that we fully understood the role the PURE Juicer had played in the restoration of her health. We are grateful to share her story with you.

Were there certain juices that have helped you the most when you first started juicing?

Celery juice became a daily requirement for me. I dove in deeper, learning all about juicing and the benefits it had to offer. When we read about carrot juice and green juice, those too became a daily requirement. I continued to struggle with edema, and it wasn’t long before I added cucumber juice to the mix. Then, ginger and turmeric for their anti-inflammatory properties. 

How often were you juicing?

I juiced morning and night. My health depended on juice. My body demanded juice.Therefore, I supplied juice. 

My husband, Kyle, sacrificed so much of his time, spending hours in the kitchen using our little juicer. I was consuming all kinds of fruits and vegetables, knowing it was the gateway to health. Our refrigerator looked as though it belonged in a juicery! 

What led you to try the PURE Juicer?

In 2021, I became scared when I realized my weight had plummeted to 79 pounds. I couldn’t understand–even with all the juicing, I was becoming more and more dehydrated. So I kept juicing.  

When my beautiful family friend, Michelle Cunningham, asked me to pay her a visit in Florida and stay a while, she had no idea of my current condition. Once I arrived, she was petrified at my appearance. She then saw how much work I was putting into juicing, day in and out. Kyle wasn’t there to help me, and at the time, I wouldn’t let anyone else help. It was my issue, and therefore, I thought I needed  to “pay the price” and get it done. I knew some people thought all that juice was unnecessary, but I knew God was telling me to keep going. So, I did. 

What was your first impression of the PURE Juicer?

When I made my first glass of juice with the PURE Juicer, I could tell right away I was drinking a higher quality juice. I had hoped the PURE juicer would deliver a higher nutrient value than I was getting from my little juicer, and I could see proof that my hopes were well-founded. I saw the new, radiant color. I tasted the exquisite difference in flavor. I felt an electrical charge as my body took in all the goodness.

This juicer provided me with a larger dose of health. So much in fact, I was able to lower my juice intake because I could feel my body reaching the nutrient criteria it had been thirsting for.  

How are you doing these days?

I am proud to say that all my weight has now returned (plus some), and I am still getting stronger every day. My husband continues to be my biggest supporter and help. He is everything I could have prayed for. He has helped keep me alive and I would not have been able to get through this without him. 

What do you like about using the PURE Juicer?

This juicer has provided more than I could have ever hoped for. It’s the classiest kitchen appliance to place on your counter, it yields more juice and nutrients, it stores your juice longer with less oxidation, it’s fun, and quicker to use. With PURE Juicer, I don’t have to cut my vegetables up into little pieces, I don’t have to put things in one at a time, I don’t have to wait all day for it to be done. I get a quicker return with a cold press. You can’t beat it!

Erica’s Juicing Tips

• PURCHASE PRODUCE OUT OF THE BAG: Don’t get fooled by the fancy labels; if you can purchase a head of romaine or celery out of the bag, do it. It will be cheaper than the name brand.
• BUY IN BULK. Whenever possible, stock up and get the discounts! 
• SHOP AT FARMERS’ MARKETS AND WITH LOCAL VENDORS. Buying produce here will also help you save a buck. You may even be able to work out a deal with them if you share your health goal with them and let them know you will be back to see them frequently! 
• MAKE A HOME FOR EACH SPECIFIC FRUIT OR VEGETABLE IN YOUR FRIDGE. That way, when you’re running low on certain items, you know quickly what needs to be restocked. 
• JUICE THE DAY BEFORE. If you have to be out the door early, or if you have an event you’ll need to prepare for, juice ahead of time and store in an airtight container.
• USE LEMONS, LIMES, AND APPLES. If the taste of certain vegetables is bumming you out, try adding lemons, limes, or apples. These fruits will improve the taste of just about any juice!
• LOOK AT JUICING AS A GIFT TO YOUR BODY AND A TREAT TO YOUR SOUL. It’s true: by juicing regularly, you are giving a gift to your future self and the generations to come. 
• NEVER RUSH THE JUICING PROCESS. The moment you rush or put pressure on yourself, you’ll begin to see juicing as an inconvenience and you’ll want to give up. Slow down and allow yourself to enjoy the process. I have come to see juicing as a spiritual connection with a physical gift. 
• CHOOSE SOMETHING THAT SETTLES RIGHT ON YOUR SPECIFIC PALLET. Mine is carrot juice! For so long, I was fighting horrible sinusitis and mold toxicity. I started craving carrot juice long before I knew that was the very thing I needed to help flush the bacteria and mold and clear the sinus cavities! For you it may be apple, or celery, or your own concoction!
• HAVE FUN WITH IT! I love to play music and dance while juicing. Embrace the joy of the moment.
• THANK GOD! Be thankful for the strength to juice and access to amazing fruit and vegetables!

Connect with Erica on Instagram at @overcome_autoimmune

Have any tips to add to Erica’s? Share in the comments below.

Interested in sharing your PURE Juicer story? Email Jen at jen@purejuicer.com.