Jack & Elaine LaLanne on his 95th birthday
Long before Jane Fonda, Richard Simmons, or Jackie Warner, Jack LaLanne made a name for himself in the fitness game. Only for him, it wasn't a game, it was a vital part of his life — a life he lived to the fullest for 96 years. Yesterday, he died as a result of complications from pneumonia.
Though short in stature (he stood just 5'6"), he was big on the virtues of exercise and eating right, and started what would be a lifelong passion for healthy living at the age of 15. From swimming from Alcatraz to Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco while pulling a 1,000-pound boat at age 60 to launching the first chain of health clubs as we know them today, LaLanne is a legend when it comes to modern physical fitness.
He believed fitness had to be a combination of exercise and nutrition — not one or the other.
"There are so many health nuts out there who eat nothing but natural foods but they don't exercise and they look terrible," he said. "Then there are other people who exercise like a son-of-a-gun but eat a lot of junk … Exercise is king. Nutrition is queen. Put them together and you've got a kingdom!"
One of the ways he believed people could get vital nutrients was through juicing. He introduced the Power Juicer and touted the benefits of including juice in one's diet as a phenomenal way to get in a lot of fruits and vegetables — and thereby nutrients — in one quick, easy meal.
So in honor of Jack LaLanne and his healthy legacy, let's raise a glass with some of the best juice recipes out there. Here are a few of his favorites. And no, Ron-Ron Juice is NOT included.
Jack's Super 7
From his blog, this recipe incorporates seven of the most highly beneficial foods.
2 carrots
1 potato
2 broccoli florettes
1/2 small beet
1/4 red pepper
1 tomato
1/4 cucumber
Add to juicer in that order and juice.
Elaine's Vegetable Garden
This is one of Jack's wife's recipes, from the official Jack LaLanne Power Juicer Site:
- 1 small tomato
- 1 carrot
- 1 small red pepper
Process in juicer.
Emerald Glow
This one uses kale, which is known for its cancer-fighting properties and ability to lower cholesterol.
- 1 cup spinach
- 3 kale leaves
- 2 cups green seedless grapes
- 1/4 pineapple (rind removed)
- 2” piece aloe (rind removed)
Juice the aloe first. Remove aloe pulp from the pulp collector and pour into the juice cup. Juice the rest of the ingredients. Mix and serve.
Do you juice? In what ways has Jack LaLanne inspired you?
Image via Toby Canham/Getty
