If you have a garden, it is inevitable that you will occasionally overlook those camouflaged goodies hiding in plain site until one day you finally see it - an overgrown cucumber the size of a small boat! In this picture you can see that I found two gigantic cukes hiding in my garden. I have a quarter in the picture for reference. Overgrown cucumbers do not make the best pickles in my opinion, at least not the good crunchy lacto cucumbers that I like to make. Up until today, my chickens have been the recipients of my overgrown vegetables. Sorry chickens, not any more.
It occurred to me that even though these cucumbers were beyond using for pickles, I could still make something from them that is just as good if not better. Why not juice them? Cucumbers are 96% water anyway and just imagine the power punch of all those good healthy enzymes!
It occurred to me that even though these cucumbers were beyond using for pickles, I could still make something from them that is just as good if not better. Why not juice them? Cucumbers are 96% water anyway and just imagine the power punch of all those good healthy enzymes!
And now, wow! Look at how much juice was in those two cucumbers - a full quart and then a little extra that wouldn't fit in the jar, and what a lovely beautiful green! Cucumbers are by far the juiciest addition you can add to your juicing mix stretching the amount of the tasty goodness a little further.
Did you know that cucumber juice helps in flushing out toxins from the body. Cucumber are known to contain lignans that have a strong research in connection with reduced risk of several cancer types. Cucumber juice contains a lot of potassium, magnesium, and fiber that work effectively for regulating blood pressure, both high and low. Digestive disorders like acidity, heartburn, gastritis and even ulcers can be cured by the daily consumption of fresh cucumber juice. Cucumber is rich in vitamin A, B1, B6, C & D, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium, when mixed with carrot juice, they can relieve gout and arthirtis pain by lowering the uric acid levels. (Source: Health Online Zine)
Did you know that cucumber juice helps in flushing out toxins from the body. Cucumber are known to contain lignans that have a strong research in connection with reduced risk of several cancer types. Cucumber juice contains a lot of potassium, magnesium, and fiber that work effectively for regulating blood pressure, both high and low. Digestive disorders like acidity, heartburn, gastritis and even ulcers can be cured by the daily consumption of fresh cucumber juice. Cucumber is rich in vitamin A, B1, B6, C & D, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium, when mixed with carrot juice, they can relieve gout and arthirtis pain by lowering the uric acid levels. (Source: Health Online Zine)
After juicing the cucumbers, I also juiced an overgrown zucchini squash (not pictured is an overgrown yellow squash but don't tell my husband because he does not like yellow squash). I could not believe the amount of juice that came from the squash as well. Adding to this mix I juiced a bag of organic carrots, a bag of organic apples and a couple of my garden tomatoes. Red apples make for a sweeter juice and you will want to use more if your family prefers a sweeter taste but these apples are what I had on hand and they worked fine. After adding all the juice together, it was such a refreshing drink!
Also be sure to add a little more apple for sweetness if you want to make some delicious frozen ice pops with the juice for the kids.
I hope this post will help you to remember that when you see an overgrown vegetable that is too far gone for some recipes, that you will think about juicing. Invest in a good juicer and give it a try.
For a deeper look into the health benefits of cucumbers and some fabulous cucumber recipes, you must check out the website Jen Review. There are about a dozen health benefits and recipes listed there.
Also be sure to add a little more apple for sweetness if you want to make some delicious frozen ice pops with the juice for the kids.
I hope this post will help you to remember that when you see an overgrown vegetable that is too far gone for some recipes, that you will think about juicing. Invest in a good juicer and give it a try.
For a deeper look into the health benefits of cucumbers and some fabulous cucumber recipes, you must check out the website Jen Review. There are about a dozen health benefits and recipes listed there.
