After all the traveling and eating out and not exercising lately and a sloth-like labor day weekend, I needed something extra nutritious and a lot of water to make me feel at least a little better about myself. I am lucky enough to be the owner of an amazing juicer – that a good friend of mine gave to me after it was apparent she wasn’t using it enough to justify the counter space. I don’t use it as much as I should – and it does take up a lot of counter space. But when I do get around to using it, boy it is worth it.

What you’ll need: (per serving)

• 7 large kale leaves
• 3 large green chard leaves
• 3/4 green apple
• 2 celery sticks
• approx 2 teaspoons fresh ginger
• an ice cube to chill (optional)

I like to add a plastic bag to the back container of the juicer to make cleaning up easier. This is the one thing I don’t love about juicing, cleaning up can be a bit difficult. But if you do it immediately and rinse everything and toss in the dishwasher, it makes things at least a bit easier.

Start with the leafy vegetables first, followed by the cucumber, then celery, then apple. The firmer fruits will help push through any of the greens that are still sitting around inside the machine. Add ginger last, and give the juice a good swirl with a spoon to make sure the ginger isn’t all floating on the top. I like to add an ice cube at the end to cool things down a little bit.

This juice left me feeling energized and beyond healthy. I really need to add it to my diet regularly. The best thing about mason jars fitting perfectly under the juicer is that if I planned ahead for once, I could juice a bunch at a time, seal them up and enjoy later. Which I really might have to do…