Allergy Season’s Coming!

Now’s the time of year that I really start focusing on boosting my immune system.  Even though it’s technically still winter, soon enough the pollens will start popping and I really don’t like having to survive the season through a fog of antihistamines and decongestants.

One of the best ways I give my immune system that extra oomph is through juicing. And even though juicing has been part of my lifestyle for a few years now, there’s a key ingredient I’ve discovered makes a huge difference in combatting allergies. 

Over the years, I’ve tried lots of different remedies to help deal with my allergies in a more natural way. Obviously, citrus always has and will continue to play a huge part. Getting plenty of Vitamin C is crucial to combatting colds and allergies. Beets, spinach, and other powerful sources of iron in my juices prove to be great builders as well. I’ve even tried apple cider vinegar and local honey, which helped some, but not enough to where I could let go of antihistamines and decongestants completely. But the one ingredient I’ve discovered that made a significant, noticeable difference was ginger.

Now of course, all of us are different, varying in what we’re allergic to and varying in how our bodies respond and what we need. But if you’ve never considered ginger, it may be worth a shot! Today, I’m passing along three of the juice recipes that have proven to help me. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be drinking at least one full (18oz bottle) of either of these recipes each day (two if I can swing it). By the time allergy season comes, I’ll have a good shield built up. Hope you’ll give these a shot – I’d love to hear how it goes for you!

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Grapefruit Carrot Ginger Juice

2 Grapefruits

1  2lb Bag Carrots

1 Thumb Ginger

1 Large Lemon

Juice the grapefruits and lemons with a citrus juicer. Process the carrots and ginger through a regular juicer and combine with grapefruit/lemon juice.

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Pear Ginger Juice

4 pears

2 tangerines

1 thumb sized piece of ginger

1 large lemon

dash of cayenne

Process pears and ginger through a juicer and process citrus with a citrus juicer (or remove peel before processing through regular juicer). Before serving, add a dash (or two) of cayenne pepper.

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Summer Prep Juice

1   bunch beets (about 3 medium size)
1   5-lb bag carrots
3   medium size cucumbers
1   full stalk celery
1   2-lb bag lemons
1   large piece ginger
4   apples, your preference

Juice lemons in a citrus juicer and set the juice aside. Then, start by juicing the softer greens (cucumbers and celery) in your juicer on the low setting. Process the rest of your vegetables and combine lemon juice.