Juicers! Vitamix! Anyone??

I have a jack lelane one, it's ok and it is about the only way I get fruits and veggies.

I just ordered the Breville 200XL from Amazon this week and can't wait for it to get here. There are a ton of reviews on there regarding this particular model. I did A LOT of research on them, and this seems the most affordable and useful one for at-home use (But the Vitamix I've seen at Costco seems incredible). The Breville will run you $100 vs. the $400 plus on Vitamix. I read reviews of Vitamix and just wasn't as impressed. My girlfriend has the Breville and she and her husband use it daily for the whole family.
I would love for someone to post some beneficial/tasty juicing combinations on here.
Thanks!

Generally, masticating juicers are better than centrifugal (spinning). One reason is that they are FAR easier to clean. Another reason is centrifugal juicers heat up a bit during the juicing process and it's thought that valuable plant enzymes are killed by the heat. Masticating juicers don't heat up at all. Lastly, masticating juicers are able to juice soft plants like greens better than centrifugal juicers.

I once purchased one mentioned here in a previous post and was so disappointed with the quality that I immediately returned it and did a little more research. The Omega and the Champion are a bit more money, but they are masticating juicers and are made to last forever (they also make nut butters!). There are replacement parts available, too. My Omega was about $100 more (I think I found it for $225 online) than the first one I purchased, but worth EVERY penny!!! I love it!

Fun tip: When someone in the family thinks they're coming down with a cold we juice even more. Especially beneficial is any veggie juice with greens in it. We often make a juice of carrots, celery, half an apple and any kind of greens like spinach or kale and parsley. A pinch or two of sea salt makes it even better! I can't tell you how many times we all believe we have averted a cold by drinking a few glasses of this concoction!!!

I have a Breville  and love it! Not too hard to clean either. I have not used in a while but might use it tonight. I like carrot juice with apple and orange. I try some other combos too. Karen  

  EMom , I would try to grow it I hear it is easy. I have some herbs growing I am going to try to add tonight. Mint is one of them. I also have others that might make juice tasty and maybe even have health benefits. Karen

emom: the vitamix actually breaks down the cell walls to make the food more bioavailable. On the other hand, I just *might* be obsessing. My diet has been a problem for 3 years. No rice, no breads, no wheat, hard to eat meat (a little fish) , hard to eat veggies (or amost none), hard to eat eggs. I could go on and on but I'd be WHINING! LOL.

The juice has been a godsend, although, when I price it out in my head, I think that it's really reasonably priced at my local healthfood store.... so it's hard to make a decision. Juicer? Vitamix? around and around i go. I'm super happy to hear what others have to say though... lot's to learn from here!! I'll probably go in a circle and come out back at champion v omega.

Re wheatgrass, google carefully, it's a tough juicing job, alot of people use hand juicers for it. I love it, it's yummy.

Beesting: what kind do you use??

janicea, you're too funny! You might ask yourself a couple questions like: Will I enjoy purchasing, washing and juicing the veggies myself? Can I keep enough fresh veggies on hand? Do I like having/have room for a small appliance sitting out on my counter? Do I mind the clean-up?

On the definite plus side, having your own juicer allows you to have a glass whenever you wish. Also as I mentioned before, when we feel a cold coming on we sometimes drink 3-4 glasses a day of veggie juice w/greens to fight it off! It truly is amazing when that works--and it usually works!

AMinNJ, welcome! I share your concerns about pathogens and I wash our veggies in a veggie wash. As you said, that doesn't necessarily guarantee they are free of pathogens! Darn! But probiotics offer some protection from E. coli and salmonella, so maybe you can rest a bit easier knowing that! Unfortunately, pasteurization also kills beneficial plant enzymes... darn again...

AMin, I use a wash made by Earth Friendly Products--it's called "Fruit and Veggie Wash". I bought it at my local health food store for about 5 bucks and it comes in a spray bottle. I guess you can make it yourself as you mentioned, but I'm chemically challenged. Apt to blow something up...

I haven’t used my juicer in ages but this post has inspired me to whip it out again!   My fave combos are   Celery, carrot and ginger (ginger is great for your digestive health!) Carrot, apple and beetroot Orange and apple Apple and celery   Oh the list goes on!   I would recommend you don’t buy ‘juicing carrots’ as they can be a bit dirty tasting. And carrots are pretty cheap anyway! I don’t peel my apples, my juicer is a good expensive one that my parents got me for my bday a few years ago, and it takes out all the pulp.

I bought some ginger root last night and some other veggies and fruits. I have not tried ginger and wonder if I will like it. (I bet I will) I love carrot with plain and with other fruits and veggies. Yummy! I got some apples as well. And Oranges for the kids. I can only have a small amount of orange in my juices. You all got me wanting to use my juicer again! THANKS Karen

Ive been juicing on and off for years and just started again last week after having my juicer under my cabinet for almost a year. Since I dont have a colon I dont need fiber and fresh juice is possibly the best source of vitamins and minerals you can get. The key word is fresh. I also buy a bottled juice from Bolthouse farms for the days I dont feel like cleaning my juicer. It's available at Kroger in the veggy isle. Very good stuff although its not quite as fresh.

janicea, I'm pretty sure my juicer is a Breville.

It's fairly big and white, but pretty easy to clean. Its quite loud but juicing only takes a few seconds! I think they're a gerat investment, especially for times when you need nutrients but don't really feel like eating much. Ginger is fabulous, but yes use a little bit and gradually add in.

You can also put mint leaves in for some added ZING!