Social Workout

Practical Eating

In Praise of the Green Star

Mackdaddy of Juicers

The Green Star Green Power Gold juicer, a "twin gear" machine of sheer power, is the Sub Zero of extractors/food processors. It may seem nuts to spend upwards of $500 on a counter-top appliance in this economic climate, but, well, you might think of the purchase as a capital acquisition. Raw foodies are fanatical about the machine because it extracts the absolute maximum of nutrients from every lemon, apple, or kale it encounters. It's not a starter juicer, but if you're already splurging on $7 drinks at your local health food store, think about it.

The Green Star has a crazy amalgam of functions: Among other things, it's a wheatgrass juice maker (you usually need a separate machine for this), food mill, and (raw) breadstick, rice cake and pasta maker. My trainer swears by a Kale-Ginger-Lemon-Green Apple-Celery Combo which she makes simply by tossing all of those items in her Green Star.  Trust me, this can't be duplicated in the old blender you have at home. Following is an alternate recipe I like to pass along to those reluctant to break the bank on the Gold. (By the way, if you're thirsting for more coverage of over-the-top blenders, check out this Vita Mix review (and others) on TheKitchn.

"Papaya Lime"

• 1 large ripe papya, deseeded, peeled and diced
• Juice of 2 limes
• 3 Tablespoons of fresh ginger root, grated
• 2 Tablespoons of agave syrup
• 2 mint leaves

Do this: Puree the papaya in the blender. Add the lime juice, grated ginger and agave syrup and blend again until pureed. Pour into two glasses and garnish with mint leaves. This will give you two servings.

If you're celebrating your last day of the B.O.W.C., add two ounces of vodka to the mix.