Red Rush Juice – Recipe of the Week

This juice offers a rush of antioxidants and other potent phytonutrients that can energize and flood your system with health promoting properties. The rich red color in these vibrant fruits and veggies signals a wealth of nutrition tucked inside of a deliciously balanced sweet juice.

For those who don’t love the flavor of beets in their juice, give this one a try! I promise the beet flavor is not prominent (it was the first beet juice rated highly by all of my “test subjects” at home!).

Lycopene, found in watermelon and tomatoes, is a well known member of the carotene family (like its orange relative, beta-carotene, found in carrots). Lycopene has been touted for its ability to help prevent prostate cancer. The strawberries boast Vitamin C and ellagic acid, which may reduce the risk for developing esophageal cancer and keep tumors from being able to create their own blood supply lifeline (called anti-angiogenesis). Cherries are rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, anthocyanins and phenols plus flavanoid compounds like quercitin which also pack a protective punch for your heart. Cherries even contain melatonin, a hormone that helps us with sleep.

Ingredients
1/2 cup cherries, pitted (about 10)
1 cup watermelon
1/2 cup strawberries, green stem removed
1 tomato (heirloom or any variety)
1 small beet (beetroot), washed and peeled
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves

Directions
- Wash all produce well
- Remove pits from cherries
- Remove green stems from strawberries
- Cut ends off beets and peel (optional) for a milder flavor
- Juice and Pour over ice

Enjoy!

Makes 1 serving, 16 oz (480 mL)

Substitutions:
Cherries – strawberries, raspberries, cranberries
Watermelon – pink/red grapefruit, blood orange
Strawberries – cherries, raspberries, cranberries
Tomato – watermelon, radish
Beet (beetroot) – radish, tomato, watermelon, golden beet
Basil – mint, parsley, any fresh herb