by Cynthia Davis

When you look up “Elixir” on the Webster app, the definition is “A magical or medicinal potion”, so it’s pretty apropos that I call my juice concoction “the special elixir”. I consider it the shot of plant-based medicine my family needs daily to clean out the toxins, reduce inflammation and send potent vitamins quickly into the system. 

I couldn’t make this “magical potion” without a juicer. The investment of a good juicer will reward you and your body for years to come. I received my Omega Model 8005  twelve years ago for Mother’s Day (who says an appliance isn’t a great gift for mom?!). Aside from replacing one small part last year I’m sure the original investment has paid itself off several times. The local juice shop easily charges $9 for a cup of fresh squeezed juice. One 10-minute juicing session at home will fill a gallon pitcher and provide shots for the week. 

To make it easier to produce this elixir, squeeze lemons separately (the rinds can hurt the juicer) and keep a jar of lemon juice in the frig for the week. Then you can always add to your juice easily, make hummus and other sauces and marinades by just grabbing the jar out of the frig. 

The elixir I make definitely changes with the season using what’s most ripe and fresh. Here is a summer and a winter version. 

Fall/Winter juice

 (All juiced in the machine except the lemon)

• 5 apples
• ¼ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice lemon 
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• 10 organic carrots
• A very healthy portion of fresh ginger (4 chunks)
• Pomegranate seeds if you have one around
• 4 fingers of fresh turmeric
• The guts of 2 navel oranges or more
• Dash of black pepper
• Dash of clove
• Dash of cinnamon

Shake before every serving

Summer juice

• Substitute oranges 
• Use cucumber, watermelon, spinach 

As a yoga instructor, I find the biggest thing my students miss now that my yoga classes have moved on-line is the shot of elixir at the end of class. I have never had anyone turn it down. It’s a completely cleansing to enhance the detoxifying twists and bends of yoga practice. Recently one of my students told me that fresh black pepper  enhances the body’s ability to absorb turmeric intensifying its medicinal effects such as reducing inflammation. I did research that and agree… time to add the pepper!

Cynthia Davis is a decorative artist offering creativity and mindfulness classes and retreats in Fairfield, Connecticut. Cynthia has an MA in Intercultural Service, Leadership Management and has a professional Certificate Degree in Peace and Conflict Transformation from (SIT), The School of International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont. Cynthia founded Our Woven Community (OWC), a program providing a skill and community integration through small business for refugee women in Bridgeport, CT.  She is an Africa Yoga Project certified yoga instructor and a has a plant-based nutrition certificate from the ECornell T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition.