Could my "green juice" just be green water?

[Meat_Juice]

Most of the stuff that comes out of my nut bag looks like green water or tastes diluted. I have a VitaMix, and I have to put water in the VitaMix for it to crush the fruits and vegetables. It turns out that all my supposedly called "green juice" seems like just green water with a diluted taste.

What am I doing wrong? I put the vegetables in the blender with a cup of water, blend it at low speed so it doesn't oxidize, and then strain it through a nut bag.

[MysticTree]

A vitamix is better for making smoothies rather than juices I think ... I don't have one but I think maybe an omega for example would be better. I just have a flimsy centrifugal juicer that does a poor job but I do get juice out of it.

[Meat_Juice]

if you strain the pulp through a nut bag, it will make juice. Unfortunately, I just made green water instead of juice.

[MysticTree]

then don't add the water!

[soulvibe]

I think maybe an omega for example would be better.

I can testify to that - I use an Omega and it's a great juicer. Like MysticTree says, you want to be using your Vita-Mix for smoothies, as it's not really designed to extract fruit & vegetable juices. Get a juicer when you can, they're awesome! :D

[Meat_Juice]

then don't add the water!

i have to, the machine supposedly doesn't crush fruits and vegetables very well. Water helps do that.
I think oxidation occurs at high speeds, so I have been doing low speed all along.

[GoingtoRAW]

Yeah, I think you need a juicer. I have a Vitamix and it is great for making smoothies, soups, etc. But when I want juice I use a juicer, not the Vitamix.

[ambidestrian]

If you get a juicer for green juice, I would recommend spending the extra cash to get a triturating (twin gear) juicer. If you squeeze or spin a chopped up plant, you will get a liquid out of it and it might even be green, but it will probably consist mostly of liquid from the vascular space - the liquid the plant circulates within itself to feed its cells. To really get the nutrients out of the plant, the cells must be crushed which requires the grinding action of twin gears. A twin gear juicer extracts a thick, dark green liquid from greens.

[Meat_Juice]

If you get a juicer for green juice, I would recommend spending the extra cash to get a triturating (twin gear) juicer. If you squeeze or spin a chopped up plant, you will get a liquid out of it and it might even be green, but it will probably consist mostly of liquid from the vascular space - the liquid the plant circulates within itself to feed its cells. To really get the nutrients out of the plant, the cells must be crushed which requires the grinding action of twin gears. A twin gear juicer extracts a thick, dark green liquid from greens.

Does that mean you can't really do a properly done juice fast with a centrifugal juicer or a vitamix+nut bag?

[manker]

I've made juice with my vita mix totally fine. I put my greens and veggies in then added a lemon and apple or whatever other "juicy" fruits and then just strain it through the nut bag, I used fabric cause I don't have a nut milk bag but I had barely any pulp and had only used a very little water to get it going

[MysticTree]

i have to, the machine supposedly doesn't crush fruits and vegetables very well. Water helps do that.
I think oxidation occurs at high speeds, so I have been doing low speed all along.

Oxidisation occurs when oxygen is in contact with the juice. It will happen to some extent however you juice your fruit and veg.

What you need is a juicer which crushes. The vitamix is a blender - albeit a very good one.

[Raw Angel Mom]

If you can only use a vitamix then use fruit with your plunger to make a water base then add your greens. You can also use coconut water.

I have seen the Ann Wingmore institude using half a cup of liquid only (rejuvelac) with so much vegetables and greens. We are talking about cup of sunflower sprout, greens, carrot, zukini(very watery).

The trick is to use you most watery produce, use your plunger and keep adding.

[climbing]

Does that mean you can't really do a properly done juice fast with a centrifugal juicer or a vitamix+nut bag?

No, I've done all my juice fasts with my centrifugal juicer and they have been awesome. I usually run the pulp through a few times to make sure I get as much out as possible.

[GlimR]

Lots of people use the vitamix and a nut milk bag to make absolutely nourishing juices. The fact that they taste diluted with the water by no means dilutes the nutrition you are getting. If that's the equipment you have go for it. Smoothies are great but juice has its place too.