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Eat Fresh, Day 2: Juicing with Superfoods

Who: Erika Ehmsen, Managing Editor of Sunset’s Digital Editions (for your iPad, Android, etc.). This year, I’m determined to...

Erika Ehmsen

Can daily juicing with superfoods change your life? So claims the cookbook that came with my new blender and the powdered supplements in my pantry.

Who: Erika Ehmsen, Managing Editor of Sunset’s Digital Editions (for your iPad, Android, etc.).

This year, I’m determined to: Hop on the juicing bandwagon. And to pack superfoods like spinach and goji berries into each freshly blended fruit-and-veggie concoction.

I chose this because: I need to kick my bar habit. Not my nighttime one. My daily intake of a gooey, nutty, chocolate-glazed breakfast bar. Yes, daily. I’ve been feeling rundown and was recently diagnosed with vitamin D and iron deficiencies, so I clearly need to change up my diet, starting with my breakfast routine.

My biggest obstacle: Time is not on my side. On weekday mornings, my new juicing habit may be doomed if I don’t chop and measure all ingredients the night before.

My biggest temptation to cheat: I have a whole drawer full of KIND bars, which pack some protein, resemble real food, and don’t require any prep work.

Coping mechanisms: Friends who know what they’re doing. I’m leaning on coworkers who don’t count calories yet swear by their NutriBullets (I just bought one, basically for the convenience of blending in a to-go cup) plus my super-crunchy friend in Portland who is on a superfood-smoothies kick.

I’m feeling: Exhausted and unprepared, having started this new habit on New Year’s Day after a sangria-fueled New Year’s Eve spent dancing in that other kind of bar. (Wince.) I didn’t crack open any juicing cookbooks ahead of time, and I don’t have any raw spinach or other leafy greens (which most new-age juicing recipes call for). At least I have a juicer and some browning bananas on my counter. And a pantry with honey, dates, raw almonds, coconut water … and chia, goji berries, and cacao beans (don’t laugh; these were post-Portland-visit superfood-indoctrination purchases).

A recipe I’m really digging:

The Not-Bad* New Year’s Day Smoothie

(*As pronounced by my husband, who doesn’t believe that daily juicing can be tasty or practical. This recipe was inspired by David Wolfe’s Best Day Ever Blast.)

  • 1 large or 2 small ripe bananas, peeled
  • 18 raw almonds
  • 5 pitted dates
  • 6 cacao beans
  • Small handful of goji berries
  • 2 Tbsp. honey and a pinch of cinnamon (I used cinnamon spun honey from San Marcos Farms)
  • 1 1/4 cups unsweetened coconut water
  • 3/4 cup ice (if desired)
  • 1 tsp. each chia and ground flaxseed (if desired)

  1. Put all ingredients into a blender (a Large cup if you’re using a NutriBullet).
  2. Pulse for 45 seconds, then check to make sure dates and goji berries have been fully puréed (pulse a bit longer if they are still chunky).
Follow me on Twitter @esquared415 and Instagram @esquared415. And please share your favorite veggie/fruit juice combos (really—I could use your help) by tagging your posts with #SunsetEatFresh on FB/Twitter/Insta.