* AKA Cranberry, Pomegranate and Kale Detox Juice (but don’t tell anyone about the detox part)
[Sometimes, you just want a dish that’s quick and easy–no fuss. I’ve decided to offer a mini-post every once in a while, for a dish that comes together incredibly quickly or else is so simple to make that no recipe is required. Here’s today’s “Flash in the Pan.” (For other FitP recipes, see “Categories” at right).]
I know–right now, everyone else in the world is baking cookies, Pinning cookies, tweeting about cookies, posting cookies on Facebook, sharing cookie roundups or making cookies as gifts. . . and here I am offering you a JUICE. Not only that, it’s actually a detox juice, which means it’s uber-healthy, too, what with all the antioxidants and chlorophyll it contains.
Man, that Ricki is a downer. (Yeah, and have you heard how she goes on and on about how much she hates winter, too? Whine, whine, whinge, whinge, ‘I can’t stand ice and snow, I loathe the cold, I hate the boots and mitts, blah blah blabbedy blah’? Seriously annoying.)
But wait!! Before you flit off to the next mega cookie blog, consider how great you’ll feel sipping on this lovely, fruity, naturally sweet concoction as you debate whether to bake up the Sugar-Free Sugar Cookies or the Chocolate Macaroons. Your desire to consume massive amounts of cookie dough will magically dissipate (well, maybe a wee bit) and you’ll be helping your body cleanse and prepare for the onslaught of heavy meals in the next few weeks–all at the same time.
When I whipped up this libation the other morning, it suddenly occurred to me that I have never posted a juice on this blog. How is that possible?? I drink freshly squeezed juice every week, sometimes several times. My usual veg/fruit beverage of choice contains kale, cucumber, carrot, beet, ginger, apple and lemon, with a garlic clove thrown in for antibacterial good measure (you don’t taste it in the final product) and a bit of whatever herb I’ve got in the house, usually cilantro or parsley. Over the years, I’ve ventured more into the “green” aspect of green juices and smoothies, so whereas I started with the ratio of fruits to vegetables weighing heavily toward fruit, these days I am happy with more alkalizing greens and the juice still tastes great to me.
The HH, unfortunately, won’t partake of my creations. He takes one look at the mucky green elixir, sniffs it tentatively, then declares, “It smells like grass. It reeks of cholorophyll! Ptewy!”. (Silly guy doesn’t know what he’s missing).
With this juice, though, I endeavored to create something the HH would actually like, too, with a flavor profile that highlights the fruity components. It still boasts some great detoxifying properties via the kale (which encourages the liver to excrete toxins and also provides minerals, vitamins and fiber); and the fruits add their own beneifts, with heart-healthy antioxidants called punicalagins via the pomegranate and proanthocyanidins from the fresh cranberries. Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and cancer prevention, and the pear, apart from offering fiber and more antioxidants, is just plain yummy.
I adored this juice, which felt very seasonal and festive to me, and provided a great break from the massive quantities of baking I’ve been doing lately. It’s naturally sweet, but if you prefer a sweeter drink, add the optional stevia.
Given the ingredients, you may be wondering, did the HH imbibe? Well, yes, he did give it a taste, and even tentatively approved it. “It’s good,” he said, but then stopped to lick his lips and reconsider. “But it would be even better without the cholorophyll.” Next thing I knew, he was reaching for a cookie.
Bah. Humbug!
Other drinks & foods with cranberry:
- Protein-Rich Cranberry Smoothie
- Calcium-Rich Cranberry Smoothie (scroll down for the recipe)
- Cranberry Ice Cream
- Quick Cranberry-Apple Compote
Other drinks & foods with kale or leafy greens:
- Alkaline Lime Smoothie
- Mystery Smoothie
- Brilliantly Beet Smoothie
- Kale Salad, Fully Loaded
- Chickpea and Kale Sandwich Spread
- Sweet Potato and Kale Balls
- Easy Smoky BBQ Kale Chips
Other drinks & foods that support detox:
- Anti-Inflammatory Latte
- Ginger-Mint Iced Tea
- Swamp Thing Smoothie
- Veggie-Full Sweet Smoothie
- Delectable Detox Slaw
Festive Cranberry, Pomegranate and Kale Detox Juice
A refreshing, naturally sweet and nourishing juice that combines some key produce of the season, with just a hint of optional mint for an additional festive touch.
4-6 large leaves kale, as you like (add more for more detox properties)
1 cup (240 ml) pomegranate arils (from one large ripe pomegranate)
1 cup (240 ml) fresh or frozen cranberries (if frozen, allow to thaw a bit before juicing)
1 pear, cored
one knob (about 1 inch or 2.5 cm) fresh ginger, peeled
6-12 leaves of fresh mint, optional
stevia, to taste
Place ingredients in juicer one at a time (I reserved the pomegranate seeds for the end, as their high fiber content pushes out anything else left in the juicer mechanism), strain if desired, and serve immediately. Makes 2 servings.
Suitable for: ACD Stage 2 and beyond, sugar-free, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, egg free, soy-free, nut free, vegan, low glycemic.
“Mum, we really don’t get why you hate winter so much. I mean, it feels perfectly balmy when you’ve got a permanent fur coat on. Play Time!”
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Last Year at this Time: Dog Day: The Results Are In
Two Years Ago: Grain-Free Double Ginger Quinoa Scones (gluten free; ACD All Stages)
Three Years Ago: Stevia-Sweetened, Gluten-Free Blueberry Lemon Muffins (gluten free; ACD 3 and beyond)
Four Years Ago: Dog Day: I’m FReE [Elsie finally gets the cone off after her surgery]
Five Years Ago: Mostly Raw Chocolate Truffles (gluten free; ACD Maintenance)
© Ricki Heller
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aw man, deseeding a pomegranate just to juice all the arils? that might kill me 🙂 this does sound delicious, though. what kind of juicer do you have?
Shannon, I have a Hurom slow juicer. I don’t mind deseeding pomegranates–when I juiced as in this recipe, I used the “bowl of water” method and it went very quickly. But when I’m eating them straight up, I prefer to pick out the seeds with my teeth and just chew! 😉
Wow,,,perfect timing I’m on a juice detox and have both…will prepare the pom tonight for the A.M,,,thx so much…who needs cookies??
Robyn, this tasted almost like dessert! 🙂
I don’t have a juicer, but if I did I would totally make this! It looks very festive–nice and red for the holidays 🙂
Courtney
Courtney, did you know that you can make juice without a juicer? 😉 See this post.
I don’t have a juicer, and am still at the adding green things tentatively to smoothies without actually turning them green level, but this really does sound wonderful. I love all the ingredients.
Andrea, did you see my comment to Courtney? I know it’s possible to juice without a juicer (perhaps a bit more work on the front end. . . but cleanup actually seems a lot easier!!). 😉 And congrats on those green smoothies!
Dying to try this juice.
Is this juice suitable for pregnant women?
Maria, what would you consider inappropriate for a pregnant woman in this juice? Just curious. I am NOT an expert on pregnancy or what can be consumed when pregnant, so I’m afraid I don’t really know whether it would be okay or not (though I can’t imagine which ingredient would be inappropriate?). If you have any doubt, please ask your healthcare provider. 🙂
I would love that “cocktail,” Ricki! I’ve got both a pomegranate and some POM juice. :=)
Are the girls unlike their mom? Do they love the snow? It looks like it. 😉 Sonny HATES rain, but loves the snow!
Shirley
Hope you make it, Shirley! I loved it. And yes, both of the Girls are part Border Collie, so snow and cold weather are in their blood! 😉 Totally unlike their mom!
Haha, the HH and I have similar tastes! Though I love my greens, I don’t like the cholorophyll in my drinks either! 🙂
Okay, so if you come visit, I will make fruit-only juices for you and the HH, ‘kay? 😉
Superb!! My new fave..thx so much!
So glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for coming back to let me know. Good luck with the detox! 🙂
your regular juice might be a bit challenging for me but I love this and the green and red theme is fun – I regret to say that though we have enjoyed some snow and snuggly woollens we are just about ready to head back to sunny Oz (och too sunny) to enjoy some smoothies once I am back to my hand held blender 🙂 I don’t do many juices because I don’t have a juicer or powerful blender but I love my cold fruity drinks and would use more veg if not trying to convince sylvia to drink them (she is young enough to be learning in baby steps)
Johanna, I can see how it might not be appealing without a powerful blender or a juicer–I am not too fond of veggie bits in my smoothie, either, so I don’t blame Sylvia!! Glad you’ve been enjoying the snow. I suppose if I only saw it once every 10 years or so, I might not mind it as much, either. 😉
This juice is amazing. Thank you for the recipe
My pleasure, Kirsty! So glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
I am going to try this recipe when i get my hands on some pomegrante. Thanks for taking time sharing it.
Way to much ginger. An entire knob??
It should be about an inch (2.5 cm), as the recipe specifies. But of course you’re not obligated to use it if you think it’s too much for you. 🙂
This sounds so good! I don’t have a juicer, but I might try putting all of this into my Vitamix, then straining.
This sounds really refreshing and so different from my usual juices. Thanks, Ricki!
This looks like a nice change from the juice I usually make. Thanks for the recipe!
Mmm, that is A LOT of ginger – just my style! this sounds really good. I LOVE the photo of pup in snow – Rosemary doesn’t quite like it, ha! xxo
Elsie STILL loves the snow, even at 14! (She was only 10 in that photo–no white muzzle! Boo hoo!). 😉