Do you know that humans’ decisions are, to a very large degree, actually influenced by the colors they see, at a subconscious level?
Perhaps that is the reason why some of us have been avoiding vegetables and green smoothies at all costs – the colour ‘green’ isn’t exactly inviting, let’s just put it that way. You’re most likely going to be drawn to the yellows, reds, and orange-colored juices if they were to all line up on a kitchen counter, not the green juices.
But to think that green juices are not tasty, well, that is actually a highly misunderstood myth.
Thanks to modern-day improvements on recipes, there are actually many green juices on the market nowadays that are as delicious as their brightly colored counterparts. And the good news is, you can easily replicate them at home.
If the thought of drinking some green kale juice makes you cringe, don’t be. Today, we are going to show you exactly just how to make them as tasty as possible. You never know, it could very well be your favorite juice from now onwards!
What Does Kale Do For Your Body?
Taste aside, kale is really good for your health.
Packed with antioxidants, it actually has more vitamin C compared to oranges. It also has a substantial amount of vitamin A and K, which is why some health enthusiasts even go as far as calling it the king or queen of greens. Regardless of what they call it, we can all agree that kale is one true vegetable royalty.
The appeal of kale juices does not lie in just its multivitamin quality. It also contains minerals such as copper, iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium and potassium. Here are just some of its benefits:
- People who include kale in their diet are less likely to suffer from heart disease. Kale helps reduce the body’s cholesterol levels.
- Drinking kale juice will help strengthen your immune system.
- Kale juice is good for your eyes and will improve your eyesight.
- The vitamin K and calcium in the juice will keep your teeth healthy and strengthen your bones.
- You will have healthier, glowing skin. Your hair and nails will also benefit from vitamin A.
- Kale juice is known to slow down one’s aging process thanks to its antioxidants.
You might be wondering how you should juice Kale to get the best results?
- Roll up the kale before you juice them so that they don’t spin around in the juicer.
- Alternate and run the kales in between hard produce like apples, carrots, and celery. They will help push the kales through the juicer. As a result, the kales will remain compact, and you will get a higher yield.
With the right juicer and the tips we’ve mentioned above, you are certainly going to get the maximum yield out of your kale.
Just in case you need some ideas, we have listed several delicious kale juice recipes below so you can get started right away.
Kale Juice Recipes
1. Kale-Aid Juice
This kale juice recipe is nutrient-dense and super hydrating. Drinking it regularly will help boost your mood, energy and visibly improve your skin. Rich in fiber, this juice is good for the guts.
You will need:
- 5 kale leaves
- 1 to 2 large celery ribs
- 1 apple
- 1-inch ginger knob (peeled)
- 1 to 2 large cucumbers
- 1 lemon (peeled)
To prepare the juice:
- Wash and prepare all the produce. (Always use organic produce when you can)
- Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Alternatively, you can also use a juicer.
- Serve over ice.
2. Kale Apple Carrot And Celery Juice
You will find this kale juice extremely stimulating. It’s an excellent replacement for your morning coffee and the go-to refreshing kale drink for a lot of people.
You will need:
- 8-10 large kale leaves
- 4 large celery stalks
- 4 green apples
- 4 large carrots
To prepare the juice:
- Slice the celery, carrots, and apples into juicer-friendly pieces.
- Start feeding the juicer with kale, celery, carrots, and finish with the apples.
- Stir the juice.
- Serve while it’s fresh.
Nutrition:
227 calories, 5g protein, 57.3g carbohydrates, 1.5g fat
3. The Kale Mary Juice
I know what you’re thinking, and the answer is no. This kale juice recipe doesn’t include any alcohol. It’s just inspired by the infamous Bloody Mary cocktail. Consider it as an exciting way to enjoy your kale juice at the comfort of your own home. All you need is a juicer and the following ingredients.
You will need:
- A dash of hot sauce
- ¼ cup of fresh kale juice
- ½ cup of fresh tomato juice. (The tomato juice can be from grape or cherry tomatoes, which you can substitute with ripe in-season tomatoes.)
- 2 tbsp. of fresh celery juice
- 2 tbsp. of lemon juice
- 1 tbsp. of soy sauce
- 1 tbsp. of prepared horseradish
To prepare the juice:
- Mix the soy sauce and horseradish in a glass.
- Add tomato juice and stir. Make sure the horseradish is well distributed.
- Add the kale juice, lemon juice, celery juice, and hot sauce, then stir.
- Serve over ice and garnish with a celery rib.
Keep in mind that this juice loses color and flavor with time. This is why you should serve it immediately. In case you have some leftover juice, store it in a sealed container and refrigerate it for up to 1 day.
4. Green Juice Recipe Kale And Pineapple
Always on a rush? This juice is for you – it takes less than five minutes to prepare this concoction. Pineapple lovers can try out this recipe as they get accustomed to incorporating kale into their diet.
You will need:
- 4 fresh kale leaves (roughly chopped)
- ¼ fresh pineapple (cut into chunks)
- 4 fresh Swiss chard leaves (roughly chopped)
- 1 lime (peeled)
To prepare the juice:
- Put the pineapple chunks into the juicer.
- Add the roughly chopped kale, and Swiss chard leaves into the juicer.
- Add the peeled lime.
- Juice the ingredients together.
- Serve with some ice and drink immediately.
5. Kale And Watermelon Juice
Combining kale and watermelon results in a powerful anti-inflammatory juice that helps boost your recovery. This juice is also great for colds and will help lower down your blood pressure.
You will need:
- 5 cups of kale
- 1/8 of a medium-sized watermelon
- 6 medium carrots
- 1 bunch of parsley
- 4 fresh Swiss chard leaves
To prepare the juice:
- Wash the produce and peel the carrots while at it.
- Cut the watermelon into small pieces. The carrots should be cut lengthwise.
- Juice the ingredients while alternating between pieces of kale, apple, and carrot.
- Serve and refrigerate the remaining juice in a tightly closed container (for not more than 1 day).
Challenges When Making Kale Juice
Like with other greens, people also have a hard time juicing kale. Understandably so – they are not dense and have a low moisture level.
Don’t worry, just follow the tips we gave you in the beginning of this article and you’ll have a much easier time when you prepare your juice. Otherwise, your kale might potentially end up in the pulp bin and that’s just a very discouraging sight to see.
Wrap Up
Green juices can also be delicious and fun to prepare when you have the right recipes at your disposal. With kale, you just need a little bit more patience – it is, after all, one of the most delicate variety in the vegetable world. Worth it all though!