Juicing Across The U.S.A.

By Amanda Schoonover

Posted August 29, 2012

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,Â 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, greensÂ 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 -- Â 2 cucumbers + 1 lime + 1 avocado (Blend the avocado in instead of juicing it. It will produce a purÃ©e.)
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