Juicing for health

Juicing is another way to supplement what our birds diet may be lacking in grains from soil depilation and what the birds cannot pick up for themselves when they are restricted to the loft. With the pulp removed, the nutrients do not have to go through the long and energy consuming process of digestion. This allows the nutrients to pass directly into the bloodstream. It is almost like intravenous feeding! Within minutes the nutrients are feeding the cells.

Unlike drugs, which are a foreign substance to the body, these nutrients work with the body to invigorate its own energy producing and healing capabilities.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported in their October 1985 issue "Carrot juice pulls heavy metals from tissues, binds them and discharges them from the body's system." Both birds and we are subject to heavy metal toxicity from a variety of sources, from the water they drink, the air they breathe, and especially the pesticide sprayed on the grains and leafy greens that they eat, so the use of carrot juice as a chelating agent could be very important to their health.

A side benefit to juicing for your birds that it is no more trouble to make enough juice for yourself and your family than to make a small portion for your birds. Unless you are eating three fourths of your diet raw, your own health will improve dramatically with the daily consumption of raw fruit and vegetable juices.

From comments at discussion groups cabbage and carrots became the vegetables of choice.

Having concerns about the loss of nutrients and possible spoilage when the juice is stored I decided to freeze it. When juicing for the birds I collect 200 ml of juice, half carrot and half cabbage. It’s added to water until I have one cup and pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze it. When I want to use the cubes I put three in a gallon of water and wait for the cubes to thaw. After a little shaking to mix the juice well with the water it’s ready for the drinkers.

One site where health information on vegetables can be found is the Encyclopedia of Vegetables.

There are numerous brands of juicers available. If you search the net you can find many dealers that promise the best prices. Expensive commercial models and  others designed for home use. I took the short route and picked up an inexpensive Kenmore from Sears. It seems to do the job very nicely.