I’m unsure if it’s the motivation of fully leaning into life at 50, or simply rediscovering a new kind of fun in my kitchen. But lately, I’ve become a bit of a juicing devotee. Fresh juices have long been part of my wellness ritual, yet in recent months, I’ve doubled down on the practice, perfecting blends that feel as good for my spirit as they do for my skin. Every morning now begins with a fresh juice, and honestly, I can’t imagine starting the day any other way.
For years, I relied on my trusty Blendtec, a powerhouse that easily made everything from green juices to fiber-packed smoothies. Juicing is something Jala and I enjoy experimenting with together. Consequently, a few months ago, she surprised me with a sleek new Breville juicer during one of our mom-and-daughter nights in. (Full disclosure: I’d just convinced her to sit through Fork Over Knives. It’s not exactly a blockbuster, but it was an eye-opening reminder of how closely our health and habits are intertwined.)
Since then, I’ve fallen in love with the process all over again. The Breville gives me that smooth, fresh-pressed juice in seconds, while the Blendtec remains my go-to for heartier smoothies that retain all the fiber from fruits and veggies. Between the two, I have covered every angle of my morning ritual. It’s become less of a chore and more of a joy, a small act of self-care that fuels me inside and out.
The Art Of Juicing
There is a little art to juicing, and I find it intriguing. Seriously, it’s an art, and you know that if you’ve ever tried a watered-down juice, you spent way too much money for a knockoff. No judging, I’ve done it more times than I’d like to admit.
Here’s the truth: I find juicing at home to be both relaxing and rewarding, especially first thing in the morning. Starting the morning with the aroma of perfectly ripe fruit, your fave veggies, and fresh herbs is a real treat if you’re feeling risque.
I treat my morning juice routine as part of my beauty routine. Once I finish my morning meditation and prayer, I will nourish my body with pure, potent vitamins and minerals. It is no secret that what we put into our body directly correlates to our overall health, energy level, and outside appearance. If you’re not a juicer yet, and down for trying something new, I’ll warn you now, it’s addictive: both the taste and benefits.
My Fave Juice Blends
Lately, my mornings have been defined by two juice blends I can’t get enough of — both packed with beauty-boosting benefits that work as hard as they taste refreshing. Think of them as skincare and self-care in a glass.
The first is a vibrant mix of pineapple, cucumber, and apple. Pineapple brings bromelain, a natural enzyme often found in brightening masks and exfoliants, known for aiding digestion and promoting clear skin. Cucumber is a powerhouse for hair, nails, muscles, and joints thanks to its high silica content, while apple adds natural sweetness and works to purify and moisturize the skin. Together, they’re anti-inflammatory, hydrating, and oh-so-glowy. I like to add the tiniest slice of ginger for a subtle kick.
Glowing Skin Blend
- ½ cucumber
- ½ apple
- 4 chunks pineapple
- Tiny piece of ginger (optional)
The second blend is a green goddess moment — cucumber, spinach, lemon, celery, apple, and pineapple. Spinach makes it a true superfood infusion, loaded with vitamins B, C, and E, plus potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, and omega-3s. Lemon and celery are water-rich and high in vitamin A, hydrating the hair and strengthening roots while fighting dryness. Apples (especially green ones) fortify hair from the inside out, and pineapple once again does double duty with digestion and skin clarity.
Strength & Shine Blend
- ½ cucumber
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 lemon wedge (tablespoon size)
- ¼ celery stick
- 1 apple
- 2 chunks pineapple
Trial And Error
Juicing is perfected through trial and error. With an open mind, enough options, and a few tries, you’ll create your perfect beauty refresher. Furthermore, I often switch up my recipes by adding a smidgeon of this or a drizzle of that.
Ginger gives just about anything an energizing kick.
If you have a must-share juicing recipe, please share.
I LOVE trying new ones!
