
I hate vegetables.
Even so, I try to center my diet on plant-based foods for my health's sake. Through my journey, I've discovered the magic of juicing -- a painless way to get the good stuff your body needs.
There are plenty of juice recipes that use in-season and local produce. They taste delicious and are easy to whip up in a few minutes.
Northeast
Did you know Hammonton, New Jersey is the blueberry capital of the world? In celebration of this seasonal fruit, my summer juice recipe features a healthy dose of blueberries.
- Summer -- 1 beet + 2 carrots + 1 pint blueberries + 1 apple
- Fall -- 1 bunch of grapes + 1 large cucumber + 2 pears
- Winter -- Â 1 handful of cranberries + 1 pear + 1 apple + 2 carrots
- Spring -- Â 1 apple + 2 large carrots + 1 sweet potato (stored and on shelves all year)
Southeast
Southerners have a lot of good stuff - sweet potatoes, okra, spinach, peanuts, greens and oranges! Tons of produce can be enjoyed all year in the south.
- Summer -- 2 oranges + 1 large cucumber + 3-4 stalks of celery
- Fall -- Â 1 mango + 6 carrots + 1 large strip of orange peel + 1/2 a navel orange
- Winter --  2 cucumbers + 1 lime + 1 avocado (Blend the avocado in instead of juicing it. It will produce a purée.)
- Spring -- 2 grapefruits + 4 carrots + 1 lime
Southwest
There's always something delicious and local to munch on in this region. Some of the southwest's produce highlights include avocados, blackberries, apricots and key limes.
- Summer -- 1/2 cantaloupe + 2 apples + 1 handful of kale
- Fall -- 2 peaches + 2 sprigs of mint + 1 cucumber + 1 lemon
- Winter -- 2 large carrots + 1 lemon + 2 stalks of celery + 1 orange
- Spring -- 4 oranges + 1 sweet potato + 3 stalks of celery
Midwest
When in season, this region has plenty to offer - watermelon, radishes, strawberries and cherries. Even in winter, there are always a few go-to items that are great for juicing.
- Summer --Â 5 carrots + 2 apples + 2 cups of spinach
- Fall --Â 1 bunch of grapes + 1/2 large cucumber + 1 pear
- Winter --Â 4 large carrots + 2 apples
- Spring --Â 1 beet + 5 carrots + 1 apple + 1 handful of mint (Grow it inside all winter long!)
Pacific Northwest
Some of the country's neatest produce comes from the Pacific Northwest. Did you know kiwi grows on the west coast? Some other stand-outs include kale, mint and boysenberries.
- Summer --Â 5 carrots + 1 bunch of arugula + 2 apples
- Fall --Â 1 bunch of kale + 4 parsnips + 4 green apples + 2 bunches mint + 1 kiwi
- Winter --Â 1 bunch of spinach + 1 small bunch of mint + 2 apples
- Spring --Â 1 handful of asparagus + 2 apples + 1 small bunch of mint
More: Read more from Amanda Schoonover on her website, a thrifty hippie.