by Mj Ferruzza

Created on: January 14, 2009   Last Updated: August 06, 2010

Power Juicers have taken a bad rap lately. They have been called noisy, pulp creating monsters. They have been called the healthy garbage disposal. They have even been likened to a wood chipper for the kitchen counter. I bought one of the original juicers years ago and I would agree with every one of those descriptions.

Recently I was able to try the Jack LaLanne name brand Power Juicer and I was impressed with the new design and innovations for such a machine. It is powerful with a high performance 3,600 RPM Induction Motor. It has an extra large chute for fruits and vegetables. And now it is whisper quiet. This is quite a remarkable feat for the kind of machine that use to roar and dance across my counter from its vibrations. And I like the stainless steel finish, which matches most of my updated kitchen appliances, stove and refrigerator.

The Jack LaLanne Power Juicer supposedly provides 30% more juice than other juicers, but I have nothing to base that in comparison. I just know it works faster, quieter and more conveniently than the juicers I have used in the past.

The Jack LaLanne Power Juicer claims that it can accommodate larger fruits and vegetables and collect their pulp in a larger receptacle. Past juicers had me dragging out the old cutting board every time I wanted to make recipes with certain ingredients. It also comes with a new drip proof spout that catches the last remnants of your last effort. Many the time I would pull a glass away from a juicing unit only to reach for a paper towel or napkin to clean the counter.

The Power Juicer is dishwasher safe, a plus because a juicing machine and filter can get messy quick. The filter is made of sturdy stainless steel.
The Power Juicer comes with an easy to read instruction guide and recipe book. The Power Juicer comes with information on how to join Jack LaLanne's Juice Club on line which includes Fruit of the Month, Tasty Juicing Recipes, Healthy Living Articles and advice on such things as the "Feel Good Foods", Jack LaLanne's Healthy Living Tips, and Nutritional Information.
My favorite recipes are

Apple Celery Juice: One whole sliced apple and 2-3 stalks of celery. It is a simple pick me up.
Apple Pineapple Ginger Juice: 1 whole sliced apple, 1 cup fresh skinned pineapple and a 1/2 inch of raw ginger.
My Potassium Juice: 4 medium carrots, 1 stalk of celery, 1 sliced apple, a handful of parsley and handful of fresh spinach.
I am eating healthy. I am shopping organic. I feel good because I am what I eat and I know the ingredients that I eat when I juice.
At $150, the unit is a little pricey. But the health benefits outweigh the cost of some unhealthy alternatives, like the unknown ingredients, sugars and preservatives in some store bought juices.
Now I would not say that juices are keeping Jack LaLanne healthy as head toward being 100 years old, but its hard to argue with his personal lifelong success in fitness and nutrition. If you are going to try a juicer this year, make this one your choice.

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