In honor of Mother’s Day, here’s a juice recipe adapted from something my mom found on The Well Daily. They have a really great mini kale cookbook which you can get when you sign up for their mailing list, with recipes from juices, to salads, sauteed dishes and more. I’m sort of addicted to this juice lately! I do feel a bit guilty, wishing these veggies were all available locally right now, but it’s just so healthy, and there’s really no way to have green juice year-round from only local veggies in New England. So, I try to balance it with all the local goodies my fridge can stand! And really, it’s just so amazingly good for you and gives me that extra oomph I need to get through long days. I have this most mornings before my real “food” breakfast and coffee. You want to make sure to have it on an empty stomach so you can absorb all the nutrients, and not have it with a meal. I typically have a meal about an hour later.

Makes about 20 ounces of fresh juice. Depending on your preference, you can drink it throughout the day, or in one sitting.

• 1 head of green leaf lettuce (half if large)
• 4-5 stalks kale (any variety; I usually use lacinato or dinosaur kale)
• 1-2 apples or pears (seeds removed)
• 1 cucumber (peeled if not organic)
• 1 big broccoli stalk (tops removed; adds sweetness)

The ingredients should fill a large salad bowl. Wash, chop and process all ingredients through the juicer, according to the manual’s instructions, and enjoy! You may want to throw in a few ice cubes when you’re done, to make it tastier. I really enjoy drinking this, but if you’re new to it, it may have an overly “grassy” taste to it at first. If that’s the case, or if you’re at all nervous about it, feel free to use that second apple or pear; it will make the transition easier. But, before you decide this is too green or earthy crunchy for you, really give it a try! I promise, it does grow on you, and gives you such a boost of energy that coffee just can’t deliver.

If you don’t have a juicer, you may be able to find a juice bar in your area, and you could ask them to make this or something similar. Here’s a couple on the North Shore:

• Mandavra, Newburyport, MA. They’re very new and don’t yet have a website, but they’re on Inn Street and have some other tasty treats in addition to fresh juices and french-pressed coffees.
• The Natural Grocer, Newburyport, MA. Good ol’ standby.
• Organic Garden Cafe, Beverly, MA. Amazing (mostly) raw vegan food, that even carnivores can appreciate. Great juice selection.
• Life Alive, Salem & Lowell, MA. I haven’t been here yet, but the Salem location just opened this past Friday and has a great menu.

These are just a few that I know of. It’s definitely worth a shot getting a juice at one of these places to see how you feel about it. Who knows, maybe you’ll actually really like it! Some people like it right off the bat, while others’ tastebuds may be a bit shocked at first. I do recommend trying it a few times before you decide yay or nay. For all those that are already juice lovers – this will be a standby!

Enjoy!

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