5 Post-Holiday Juice Cleanses You Can Make at Home

So you’ve made it through the piles of stuffing and gravy at Thanksgiving, the heaping plates of fried latkes and donuts at Hanukkah, and the 18 trays of Christmas cookies your aunt made. Now you have to fit into that now super-tight-fitting outfit on New Year’s Eve. Shit.

Well, don’t worry — we’re here to help. Why not jump-start that inevitable resolution diet you’re going on with a post-holiday vitamin boost?

Here are five juices you can make at home:

1. Green Juice: Kale, Spinach, Kiwi, Apple & Banana

1 large handful kale

1 large handful spinach

1 kiwi

1 chopped granny smith apple

1 banana

Use a juicer to juice kale, spinach, kiwi and apple. Transfer to a blender and mix in 1 banana.

Benefits Kale/Spinach: high in fiber, iron and vitamins A, C & K; anti-inflammatory benefits; help fight against arthritis, asthma and autoimmune disorders; great detoxifiers for liver, aid in digestion, curb overeating
Kiwi: high in Vitamin C, Potassium, beta-carotene and fiber; helps prevent colon cancer
Apples: good for the liver and intestines, inhibit inflammation, aid endurance
Bananas: help prevent muscle cramps after exercise, help aid digestion, boost metabolism, good source of energy

2. Pineapple, Apple & Cucumber Juice

½ pineapple, skinned and chopped

2 red apples

½ large seedless cucumber, peeled

Juice all ingredients.

Benefits Pineapples: good for eyes and skin; help with allergies, arthritis, inflammation and edema
Apples: good for the liver and intestines; inhibit inflammation; aid endurance
Cucumbers: help hydrate and detoxify; aid digestion

3. Beet, Apple & Carrot Juice

1 medium beet, washed and peeled

1 large carrot, peeled

2 red apples

Juice all ingredients.

Benefits Beets: high in iron; help detoxify liver; purify blood; protect against heart disease and colon cancer; high source of energy
Apples: good for the liver and intestines; inhibit inflammation; aid endurance
Carrots: very high in pro-vitamin A or carotene; reduce bile and fat in liver; flush out toxins

4. Berry-Ginger Lemonade

juice of two large lemons

1 tsp honey (or agave nectar)

1 tbsp chopped fresh ginger

1 cup water

¼ cup blackberries

½ cup blueberries

Blend ingredients until smooth, and pour through a strainer if desired. Serve over ice and garnish with a lemon wedge.

Benefits Lemons: good for liver and gallbladder; help with allergies, asthma, cardiovascular disease and colds
Blueberries: help strengthen immune system; lower fever
Blackberries: reduce inflammation; promote healthy digestion
Honey: energy booster
Ginger: reduces pain and inflammation; remedies nausea; relieves heartburn and migraines; protects against ovarian and colon cancer

5. Orange, Peach & Carrot Juice

2 oranges, peeled

4-6 carrots, peeled

2 peaches, peeled and quartered, seeds removed

1 lemon, juiced

½ tbsp chopped fresh ginger

Juice or blend all ingredients. Mix with 1-2 cups water. Strain and serve chilled.

Benefits Oranges: strengthen immune and nervous systems; good for cardiovascular disease, obesity and varicose veins
Peaches: improve skin health; help detoxify
Carrots: very high in pro-vitamin A or carotene; reduce bile and fat in liver; flush out toxins
Lemons: good for liver and gallbladder; help with allergies, asthma, cardiovascular disease and colds
Ginger: reduces pain and inflammation; remedies nausea; relieves heartburn and migraines; protects against ovarian and colon cancer

Note: These are not meant to be part of a juice fast, but if you plan to complete one, be sure to check out these tips for safe cleansing.

Happy juicing!

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