One of my favorite sources of energy is fresh juice from my juicer.  A fresh glass of orange & grapefruit juice really hits the spot in the morning and a carrot, apple, beet and ginger at 2pm helps lift the afternoon lull.

Although it looks pretty good in the picture, my juicer has definitely seen better days. I’ve had my old Braun for over 15 years and the time has come to retire old faithful and find out what is the best juicer to buy?

A lot has changed in juicer technology over the years and they can be an investment depending on what you are looking for. My criteria for picking the best juicer is:

• Easy to clean – not too many small parts
• Efficient – must make good use of the veggies and fruit
• Stainless steel or type of material that limits staining
• Can juice the hard vegetables like beets, carrots and ginger
• Fits nicely on my kitchen counter for daily use
• A bonus would be that it can juice leafy greens like spinach and kale, or even Wheatgrass

You basically have two options in juicer technology when choosing the best juicer:

Masticating juicers or Centrifugal juicers.

A masticating juicer can be thought of much the same as your jaw. It grinds or “chews” the juice from the  fruit and veggies rather than the spinning and cutting action used by centrifugal juicers. A masticating juicer is considered to be the better choice if you want to juice leafy greens although not all juice greens. They tend to be quieter and there is less friction/heat produced due to the grinding nature of the juicer which preserves the enzymes and nutrients better, allowing you to store the juice for a couple of days. The drawback of masticating juicers is that they can be more time consuming for those who want to make a quick glass of juice however they are considered to be more efficient, producing more juice from the same amount of fruit as a centrifugal.

The centrifugal juicer spins at high speeds to grind the food into a pulp while simultaneously spinning the juice from the pulp. A centrifugal can juice high volumes of juice at a time, is considered to be a great starting juicer for household use and kids may prefer juice from this juicer as it tends to be less pulpy. If you drink this juice within 1-3 hours, you still benefit nutritionally in the same way as a masticating.

So what is the best juicer to buy?

I researched quite a few juicers (Jack Lalanne, Omega 8005, L’Equipe, Dr Weil 9816 1000, Breville 800JEXL, Champion 2000+)  with similar features like price range and horsepower. I also read all the comments from Amazon customers to get a better idea of possible problems or additional benefits. The reason I looked past 4 of the above juicers is either they did not meet my criteria or the reviews were too hit and miss for me to be confident that they would be the best juicer.Also, if there were too many functional or warranty issues, I moved on.

Finally, I narrowed down my top 2 picks for what I feel is the best juicer to buy:

one from each option: one masticating and one centrifugal juicer.

Breville 800JEXL Juice Fountain Elite 1000 Watts

• This particular juicer is very stylish because of the die-cast steel housing
• It has 2 speed controls with the highest reaching 13,000RPM and the lowest going to 6,500RPM (high speed is used for harder fruits whereas the lowest is for softer fruits)
• It contains a micro-mesh filter basket to catch the pulp, which makes it very easy to clean
• One of the best features is that you don’t have to stop to clean in between your juicing session and the easy cleanup
• Another great feature is the wide-mouth opening for whole fruits and veggies, which measures 3 inches
• The price for this one is $259.88 on sale (retail $399.99)
• Approximately 20 pounds

Champion 2000+ Commercial Model Juicer G5-PG-710

• This juicer is heavy duty
• It contains 1.75 inches diameter feed tube (need to cut F&V)
• It is relatively quiet for a commercial unit
• Nylon as opposed to plastic parts
• Can make coconut milk, baby foods, fruit sauces, nut butters however it is not great for leafy greens although some reviewers say it juices Wheatgrass just fine.
  
• Juice comes out cold if cold F&V used
  
• Has full power 1/3 horsepower
• It is easy to clean
• 10 year warranty
• The price for this one is $232.99 on sale (retail $289.99)
• It is a bit heavy compared to the rest at 24 pounds and takes up slightly more space on counter

What is the best juicer for us?

Finding the best juicer (for the price )depends on what you are looking for. Both the masticating and centrifugal types have their benefits and limitations. I’ve been analyzing these two juicers for a while and I’ve been stuck on whether I want a fast, pulp free juicer that may be a little less efficient with food VS a slower, pulpier juicer that takes up more room on the counter but the nutrients in the juice may last longer and may a little more efficient with the food?

We decided that Breville is the best juicer for our family. It is a fast machine, will juice anything and at high volumes, is easy to clean, has TONS of positive customer reviews, saves time through feeding whole foods into it, and it was highlighted by Fresh Restaurant’s juicing gurus as a good one to choose for the home. The Breville, in my opinion, is the best choice in it’s class for a “juicing family on the go” with children who don’t care for pulp. We’ve decided to pass on juicing our greens (we’ll eat them instead) and stick with green smoothies instead.

This isn’t the same type of decision as buying a toaster. I always hum and haw over the more expensive online purchases and analyze the options to death! I’m sure I’ve picked the best juicer for our family. The Champion is also great juicer and my parents have decided to buy it so I’ll be able to try them both and report back. I’m excited to create some awesome healthy juices for my kids!

I hope I’ve helped you determine what is the best juicer for a family on the go – stay tuned for some juicing videos!

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Who Makes the Best Juicer?

This weeks giveaway is just in time to celebrate the rain showers that bring spring flowers into bloom. Head outdoors and make a splash without compromising your healthy green values on your kids rain gear.

I’m a big fan of Vancouver based company Puddlegear for bringing a great play option to the North American market. They carry the European made Abeko rain gear that is free of PVC and Phthalates. Instead the gear is made with ATEK – a Polyurethane-coated stretch fabric. It’s a very light, soft, tear-resistant material that is wind and watertight and tolerates normal temperature changes.

I did initially have some questions about the ATEK fabric as it is  a Polyurethane. I was advised by the company that there are no Phthalates, no PVC coating (both affect sperm count and are known carcinogens). Also, the polyurethane in its fully expanded form is an inert chemical and so it has no smell and no chemical off gassing when properly done the way Abeko does it. This leaves no chemical waste  and is not harmful to the environment.

I find that this gear is a healthier and more environmental alternative to the traditional PVC coated rain gear that European companies have boycotted since 2001! North America??? We’re still waiting! (yeesh)

The Abeko gear has also gone through the ÖKO-tex process which tests for over 100 chemicals and guarantees that products passing their standards are much safer for your children.

A note about PVC from Puddlegear:

Puddlegear is PVC free – many Environmental groups concerned about chemicals in our world refer to PVC as poisonous plastic�many kids rain suits are made of this dangerous plastic. It poisons our world from the manufacturing practice until well… who knows because it’s not biodegradable… Scientist believe that it never stops off gassing. Without organs to filter these toxins out of your child’s blood these poisons go straight through your child’s skin to collect in the body. This is referred to as “toxic load”.

Liv got to test drive the Benny Jacket with the Olle pants on a heavy day of rain on the wet coast. The pants are just awesome because they have patches on the rear and knees (great for making  mud pies!) and with fully adjustable straps so they’ll fit for years.  I suggest getting the gear in a larger size and a neutral color like red, black or blue (I got pink!) so you can hand  the gear down to your younger children.

I also like this gear because it is light weight and breathes, unlike regular PVC rain gear. We will be able to layer clothing under the jacket to suit the variety of BC weather conditions. On an aesthetic note, I was stopped almost immediately by another Mom admiring her rain gear. It IS excellent quality and it shows. She also really liked the thoughtful reflective light strip on the jacket.

PuddleGear products are available for children from ranges from 6 Months to 9 years old. They carry jackets, pants, mitts and hats. Order from their website PuddleGear.com. You can grab a rain jacket for about $50-$60 and they will last a very long time!

WIN IT: My next Babymoon Giveaway is the Hilde “Muddy Buddy” one piece rain suit (compliments of Puddlegear!) Is this suit awesome or what?!!

This Muddy Buddy prize is available in sizes 70-90 (6 months to 2-1/2 years) Winner gets to pick the size in either Pink or Blue. This is a prize valued at $95!!

There are 3 ways to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post, answering this question: What is your favorite activity to do with your family during the spring and summer?

2. To get a second entry. Subscribe to the HealthyGreenMoms feed and then email me the “code” at the bottom of any article either in your feed reader or HGM email feed.

Email the code to healthygreenmoms (at) gmail (dot) com. Put the entire “code” directly in the subject line. (The subject line is all I need!)

(There is only one secret code and email required for all the “babymoon giveaways.” If you emailed me on this or the previous giveaway  – you automatically have a second entry for the rest of the “babymoon giveaways” There’s no need to email me again)

3. To get a third entry. Blog, tell your Facebook friends or tweet about this giveaway and leave me another comment telling me what you did!

Winner selected randomly. This contest ends next Monday, May 4th at midnight PST. Good luck!

Hey, come visit the me and leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you. If you enjoyed this article, thank you for giving it a boost on social media. © All rights reserved. This post is from HealthyGreenMoms and cannot be republished without express written permission.

Giveaway: Puddlegear Makes A Big Splash!

I’ve been using the Natures Paradise “Baby Organic” skin care line on Liv’s skin for a few months. After 2 years of trying everything under the sun (considered safe) I have finally settled on 3 brands.

The Natures Paradise “Baby Organics” line is one of the very few companies who have taken the initiative to capture 100% USDA Certified Organic seal. A product that is USDA Certified Organic means that it is the safest product you can buy. It is not made with any chemical or synthetic ingredients.

Natures Paradise recommends:  When you buy product, look for: “Certified Organic by *****agency.”  The certifying Agency must ALWAYS be printed on the back according to regulations. If a product claiming to be “organic” does not have a certifier’s name, then this product has NOT been certified or inspected by the USDA.

The moisturizing lotion has been great for us. It is very rich and one of the only products I have found that keeps her skin soft and nourished through the next day or two. I would say it’s a very good choice for any child that has dry skin or eczema. (We also added Omega-3′s to Liv’s diet with great success)

The other product I love is their hair & body wash. With most brands I’ve tried, I find they leave her hair tangled and scalp dry. This wash is definitely the most moisturizing I’ve found so far.

The Baby Organic line comes in unscented or coconut. They boast: No Pesticides, No Parabens, No Artificial Ingredients, No Synthetic Preservatives, No GMO’s, No Fragrance, No Propylene Glycol, No Phthalates, No Sulfates, No DEA, No Nuts, No Animal Products

**Prize includes 5 products, not 6 as shown in picture**

WIN IT: To kick off my Babymoon Giveaways, I am giving away 5 coconut scented products from the “Baby Organic” line. The products include: 8 oz Conditioning Shampoo & Body Wash, 6 oz Moisturizing Lotion, 4 oz Baby Powder, 4oz Baby Coconut Massage Oil and 2oz Hand Sanitizer.

There are 3 ways to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post, answering this question: Do you think there needs to be more regulation for baby skin care products or do you generally trust the FDA’s guidelines for product safety?

2. To get a second entry. Subscribe to the HealthyGreenMoms feed and then email me the “code” at the bottom of any article either in your feed reader or HGM email feed.

Email the code to healthygreenmoms (at) gmail (dot) com. Put the entire “code” directly in the subject line. (The subject line is all I need!)

(There is only one secret code for all the “babymoon giveaways.” If you email me on this giveaway  – you automatically have a second entry for the rest of the “babymoon giveaways” There’s no need to email me again)

3. To get a third entry. Blog, tell your Facebook friends or tweet about this giveaway and leave me another comment telling me what you did!

Winner selected randomly. This contest ends next Monday April 27th at midnight PST. Good luck!

Hey, come visit the me and leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you. If you enjoyed this article, thank you for giving it a boost on social media. © All rights reserved. This post is from HealthyGreenMoms and cannot be republished without express written permission.

Giveaway: Baby Organic USDA Skin Care

I cannot lie, there are a couple luxuries I have grown very accustomed to. One of them is my organic grocery delivery each Thursday that is set on autopilot. I’m not much of a shopper. I tend to be a little too frugal when I’m the one buying the food. We always seem to run out. My husband does a much better job but he’s too busy so the organic home delivery has been a life saver for both of us.

I’m not doing many reviews these days but since we have had so much success with home grocery delivery I wanted to give a nod to a great company and cause. A local grocery delivery company is one great way for families to support the local economy while getting healthier food. In a nutshell, home delivery is like a ride-share for your groceries.

If you live in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Victoria, Vancouver or Calgary, this may be a great time to consider making a switch.

Spud! is one service that specializes in 100% organic produce and natural groceries.  All of the food they sell has real ingredients and is made by real people, much of it grown locally.

We get our bins dropped outside our front door each week. Because they are  temperature controlled/insulated, I don’t worry if I’m running behind and don’t grab it right away. The prices are comparable or lower than what you would find at Whole Foods/Capers/Choices and like a regular store they offer weekly specials, caselot deals, multi-buy offers etc.

A couple of cool things about Spud:

• Spud! is carbon neutral. Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced where possible and carbon credits are purchased through offset providers to offset remaining emissions. Also, for every deliver van carrying an average of 60 orders, that’s up to 120 cars off the road!

• All produce and products are sourced from responsible suppliers including fair trade cooperatives and like-minded businesses.

• Products sourced locally – more than 60% (compared to about 20% at an average grocery store)

• Spud! buys fresh every day, 95% of the produce leaves the warehouse within 24 hours.

• Being green is easy. From each order, Spud! gives 22 cents to a carbon offset provider to support alternative energy projects.

If you are considering home grocery delivery and saving money is also a concern, you don’t have to do it 100% or nothing! I started out buying only our dairy, fruit and vegetables for example, and continued to grab the staples from our local store. Now I add more grocery items to the list if it falls into my “must be organic” category. For store items, we buy in larger quantities so we don’t have to run small errands for single items we run out of (usually when the pot is on the stove and everyone is starving!)

To get started, all you do is place your order online and they deliver your order to your home/office in a reusable rubber bins. You can set your preferences, shop when you want, order on a regular basis or just order as you need. If your order isn’t perfect, they will refund your money!

Spud has a limited time offer for all their new customers:

Use promo code GREENMOMS when you sign up at www.spud.com or www.spud.ca (for Canada) and receive $25 OFF over your first 4 deliveries ($5 off the first 3, and $10 off your 4th). Offer expires May 30, 2009.

I’m always curious, do you use a grocery delivery service? Do you another great food option in your area?

Hey, come visit the me and leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you. If you enjoyed this article, thank you for giving it a boost on social media. © All rights reserved. This post is from HealthyGreenMoms and cannot be republished without express written permission.

Do You Use a Grocery Delivery Service?

(This giveaway is now closed)

In the last month I have had the pleasure of using some household cleaning products originally created out of New Zealand more than 15 years ago by a couple living in an eco village. A popular brand with over 600 retail locations in NZ, Ecostore USA is finally available and set to launch at all 189 MEIJER stores exclusively!

Going the eco route for your household cleaners is the easiest way for you to reduce a large part of your family’s toxic exposure in the home. It is also the first step any parent should take when trying to resolve allergies, asthma and skin sensitivities in their children.

While browsing of their site, I was most pleased that they offer up their “material safety data sheets.” This is not common practice in conventional brands but some green companies also play their cards close to their chest leaving savvy parents frustrated (like yours truly!) For a company who’s mantra is “No Nasty Chemicals” the MSDS is a great step of integrity and honesty for a personal care company who is not leagally required to present this information to consumers. You can also visit the Ecostore USA blog.

I decided to review 3 products: The laundry liquid, the pure oxygen whitener and the dishwash liquid.

My first impression was that they have created a product that certainly smells eco. It’s really nice and subtle. As a person who gets itchy just thinking about smelly stuff, the Ecostore products have a delicious natural scent of citrus and eucalyptus essential oils. Many parents who make their own home products will attest to adding a drop of their favorite essential oil to the rinse. After a month of using it these products, my daughters sensitive skin has survived the test. No irritation or bumps.

The products are concentrated and effective, as they should be, so will last longer and save you money. I also found the prices to be competitive in the green market as well.

I’ve enjoyed the using products and can highly recommend them. Lyne, from Ecostore USA has been very gracious in offering to hold this giveaway for you!

WIN IT: Enter to win a bottle of the Laundry Liquid and the Pure Oxygen Whitener!

Simply visit Ecostore USA and browse their product line. Then leave a comment telling me which product(s) you would most like to try or need to switch up in your home.  Contest closes on January 30 at midnight PST. USA residents only. (Any “great giveaway” comments will be deleted in order to be fair to other contestants!)

Thanks to all of you for participating in this giveaway.

A big CONGRATULATIONS TO…Commenter #85 – Miaelkaye  !! I have contacted you by email

Hey, come visit the me and leave a comment! I'd love to hear from you. If you enjoyed this article, thank you for giving it a boost on social media. © All rights reserved. This post is from HealthyGreenMoms and cannot be republished without express written permission.

The Squeaky Clean “Ecostore” Giveaway