Astavakrasana (or Eight-Angle Pose) is a yoga pose that utilizes the whole body– strengthening your shoulders, arms, and wrists, toning your legs and abdominals, and challenging your balance. So I thought I’d pair this grounding full-body yoga pose with a juice stemming from the ground; a juice that’s just as wholesome and deserving of praise: Alex’s Astavakrasana Green Juice. But why is this juice the intense and impressive Eight-Angle Pose of the juicing world? Because it is amazing for your body, and believe me… people will be impressed. This juice is made from 8 strong and healthy ingredients:

     Alex’s Astavakrasana Green Juice 

1. 4-5 stalks of kale
2. 3-4 stalks of turnip greens
3. 1 stalk of celery
4. ½ grapefruit
5. 3 apples
6. 1 lime
7. Handful of strawberries
8. 7 spoonfuls of fresh coconut water

*Optional addition of swiss chard (because I had some growing in my garden, just waiting to be picked!)

So everyone is in a craze over this superfood Kale… is it worth the hype? YES. Now, of course the media is exploiting people’s blind willingness to jump on the super-food bandwagon by over-marketing and over-pricing the green leafy vegetable… but it is indeed ‘super.’ Besides its large amount of fiber, kale has an outstanding amount of vitamin A and C.

Turnip Greens are high in potassium which helps your heart beat regularly. A potassium-rich diet may even be able to lower your cholesterol… (just throw some turnip greens in your honey nut cheerios and you’re good in that cholesterol department.)

Now let me get really science-y on you: Celery is one of the most hydrating foods. Why? Because, according to Natural News, “it is incredibly alkalizing, it equalizes the body’s PH, which is vital for peak health.” Well, I don’t think I fooled anyone, I’m no scientist, but seeing ‘hydrating’ and ‘peak health’ is enough to convince me to jump on that celery bandwagon! (See what I am saying… we’re so easily manipulated convinced of things.) Celery is also known to be an anti-inflammatory. All in favor of outlawing ibuprofen and its risks/side-effects and relying on celery for it’s anti-inflammatory purposes say ‘aye.’

AYE.

All against… *crickets.*

The rest of the ingredients in Alex’s Astavakrasana Green Juice have their health benefits also, but the primary role of the fruits in this drink is to balance things out, and keep you from feeling like a cow grazing in the field.

 

What do I need to know before making this juice?

The first time I juiced greens I juiced a Costco-sized bag of spinach, and got in return a moused-sized serving of spinach juice. I was clearly doing something wrong. Well it turns out there are many types of juicers– the two main ones being centrifugal and masticating. I have a centrifugal juicer which is the fastest type of juicer and is great for root vegetables. However, the masticating juicer is best for greens, because it chews and then presses; therefore, it produces 3 times more juice from the leafy vegetables than the centrifugal juicer does.

I solved this problem by utilizing a “NutriBullet.” These blender-like appliances break down fruits and vegetables completely, turning them into a smooth liquid. I juiced ingredients 3-7 with my centrifugal juicer, and then placed these juices in the NutriBullet along with the chopped greens. This also ensures you get the entire nutritional value of the greens, because there is no pulp left over as there would be from the juicer. After the blades are finished with their liquifying magic, you are left with a smooth and yummy, SO good for your tummy, Alex’s Astavakrasana Green Juice drink.

This recipe makes around 4 good-sized servings. If you keep the juice refrigerated and immediately put it into an airtight container, you should be able to keep it for up to 40 hours or so… but remember it’s best when it’s fresh!

*DISCLAIMER: I completely arbitrarily picked 40 hours… I really have no idea how long this juice will last… but I’ll do some field research (a.k.a. juice neglecting) and let you guys know!

I hope you are inspired to try this recipe… if you do, please let me know how it turned out!

Stay tuned for my next post: Juice Pulp… What to do with it!?