ESSENTIALS: Juicing and Healthy Living Must-Haves

I often get asked what I use in my kitchen as well as in my life.  It's taken me years to uncover some of the best products to use, including everyday household items.   Here's a list I compiled of my favorite products that I personally use and recommend to others.  Click the link below to be taken to the seller for purchase. I am very picky about what I use and recommend.

There are products that I haven't found over the years, and that's when my VAS Exclusive line was born.  My line of juice bottles & accessories are innovative products made specifically for juice & smoothie lovers. 

Also take a look for my must-have health and wellness gadgets


There are two places you can get our line of juicing products - our Amazon store and our online store, the VAS Exclusive Shop

Check out the Juicing Jars on Amazon
Check out our VAS Exclusive Online Shop




TOP JUICERS

BREVILLE  COMPACT

If you're looking for an affordable starter juicer because you aren't sure if you are going to like it, try this popular Breville.  This one is also good for traveling and as an 'extra' juicer. 

$ | Get it here

BREVILLE JUICE FOUNTAIN

This is an affordable centrifugal juicer if you're on a budget, are a newbie or just want to juice ocassionally.  It has a large juicing chute and can juice quickly.  Perfect for getting started.

$ | Get it here

OMEGA VERT HD JUICER

This is an exceptional low-speed, vertical juicer option. You'll love how it extracts more liquid then traditional juicers- with dry pulp. It can also juice greens well. Many people 'upgrade' to this juicer.

$$ | Get it here



Hurom Juicer

HUROM SLOW JUICER

The Hurom is a great vertical cold press slow juicer that won't disappoint.  It can juice any kind of produce, including greens, and also make nut milks, sauce and baby food. 

$$ | Get it here


SHINE JUICER

 This juicer is affordable and great for a beginner juicer.  Plus, how cute is this compact design?  If you're looking for something to see if you like juicing, or a travel, camper or small kitchen juicer, try this one. 

$ | Get it here


GREEN STAR JUICER

This top-of-the-line juicer is used by serious juice enthusiasts.  It's cold press extracting process creates a nutrient rich juice from any kind of produce with little damage to delicate enzymes.  Juice from this juicer can last up to 36 hours.

$$$ | Get it here


TOP BLENDERS

THE VITAMIX

This is my favorite blender and the one I use everyday- for over 7 years. It can make the best green smoothies, dips, pates, soups and ice creams. 5 year warranty.

$$ | Get it here


THE BLENDTEC

This high speed blender is perfect for making great smoothies. It's super powerful and has a "smoothie" button that makes drinks so easy.  

$$ | Get it here

NINJA BLENDER

This is a great, affordable option if you aren't ready for a Vitamix or Blendtec. It's design is similar but has less power, and extra blades to make a creamy smoothie.

$ | Get it here



VITAMIX PERSONAL BLENDER

This is perfect for making one to-go serving of your favorite smoothie.  It's everything you love about the Vitamix in a compact version. Its powerful, has variable speeds and high quality- 5-year warranty!

$$ | Get it here

HAMILTON BEACH WAVE

This popular blender is a reliable and affordable option for your kitchen.  It's powerful and produces good results (with a mess free pour lid :).

$ | Get it here


NUTRIBULLET

This is an affordable, counter top blender that is compact and lightweight.  It's easy to clean, great for single servings and perfect for travel.

$ | Get it here


ACCESSORIES & JUICE STORAGE

MASON JAR | PINT

I am such a fan of mason jars. It's important to drink and store your juices and smoothies in glass to avoid chemical leaching.  These are fun, reusable and easy. 

$ | Get it here

MASON JAR | HALF PINT

These are great for storing small smoothie or juices. They are smaller than the typical mason jars so I find these better for single juice servings or smoothie 'snacks'.  Also great for kids cups.

$ | Get it here

MASON STORAGE CAPS

These lids are perfect for your sealing your jars if you're going to store your juice or bring it on-the go.  Fill your container up to the top to make an airtight seal and prevent oxidation.

$ | Get it here



CUPPOW LIDS

These reusable plastic mason jar lids are BPA and Phthalate-Free.  They are similar to coffee lids but will fit a straw and come in a few sizes and colors.

$ | Get it here

ECOJARS POP TOP LIDS

These reusable stainless steel drinking jar lids are so cool and make great gifts.  They are BPA and Phtalate-Free and have a pop top to seal it.

$ | Get it here



GLASS WATER BOTTLES

Like to make your juice ahead of time?  These are perfect for that and also infused waters to keep you hydrated.

$ | Get it here



GLASS JUICE & SMOOTHIE  STRAWS 

These straws are made for juices and smoothies and are my juice time staple. They are wide for easy sipping.  They don't break easily.

$ | Get it here

STAINLESS STEEL STRAWS

Stainless steel straws by Sipwell are a great alternative to plastic straws.  They are sturdy, unbreakable and easy to clean. 

$ | Get it here

PAPER STRAWS

Striped paper straws are great for parties and a good on the go option.  You can recycle them when you're done.

$ | Get it here


SUPERFOOD JUICE & SMOOTHIE BOOSTERS

TURMERIC POWDER

It's best to use fresh turmeric but if you can't find it the powder is a great alternative. I use this brand often in my smoothies. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and has a lot of benefits.

$ | Get it here

COCONUT OIL

Nutiva offers the best coconut oil on the market.  It's pure, organic and can be trusted.  It's great for adding into your smoothies or juices for healthy fat.  I also use it for cooking, as a lotion, or for oil pulling.

$ | Get it here

CHIA SEEDS

Cha-cha-Chia!  I use chia seeds in my juices and smoothies - they have great health benefits. For smoothies just toss them in, for juices, let them sit in water for five minutes to form a "gel" before mixing in your juice.  I like the white variety.

$ | Get it here



WHEAT GRASS POWDER

Wheat grass is an amazing source of chlorophyll and other nutrients.  I put this in smoothies and sometimes juices or just plain water.  I find it essential for taking it with me when I'm traveling. Amazing Grass is a trusted brand.

$ | Get it here

SPIRULINA POWDER

Spirulina is a nutrient rich sea vegetable that is often used for detoxing and for nourishing the thyroid.  It's great for smoothies or to super boost your juice.

$ | Get it here

CACAO POWDER

Raw cacao powder adds a chocolate flavor to your smoothies and also flavors nut milks really well.  Believe it or not, it has some great health benefits. 

$ | Get it here



MACA ROOT POWDER

Maca root can be mixed into your juices and smoothies.  It has has been traditionally used in peru as a stress-fighting adaptogen, and to increase stamina, boost libido and combat fatigue.

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HEMP HEARTS

Hemp hearts are a delicious plant based protein with a nutty flavor. They aren't so good for juice, but great blended in smoothies, cereals and other foods.

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FLAX SEEDS

Flax seeds are full of protein, fiber and healthy fat.  They aren't great in fresh juice but they blend wonderfully in smoothies for extra nutrition. Be sure to consume flax seeds ground as your body digests it better this way.

$ | Get it here



HEMP PROTEIN POWDER

Hemp protein powder is a plant based (and really great) source of protein and nutrients.  I don't mix this in my juice, but I do mix it in my daily smoothies.  It's my husbands favorite post-workout drink.

$ | Get it here

VEGA PROTEIN POWDER

This natural vegan protein powder is my favorite. I mix it in my banana smoothies post workout or for a mid-day snack. I trust this brand and love the flavor.

$ | Get it here

FLASH FROZEN
WHEAT GRASS JUICE

I believe in the power of wheat grass and have used it throughout my life. These cubes can melt in your juice, water or be thrown in with your smoothie. I find these are tastier than powdered wheat grass.

$ | Get it here


PERSONAL CARE & BEAUTY

BEAUTY COUNTER:
LUSTRO OILS

These amazing oils made of meadowfoam, rosehip and other lux oils have done wonders for my skin. But really, they've changed my life. Beauty Counter is a great company that makes non-toxic cosmetics.

$ | Get it here

BEAUTY COUNTER:
SUNSCREEN

Sunblocks can often contain chemical sun blockers that soak through skin and may disrupt hormones.  This streak free all natural version works great for the times you need sun protection.

$ | Get it here


BEAUTY COUNTER:
LIP SHEERS

Many lipsticks contain chemical colorants that are high on the EWG scale.  These lip sheers are amazing.  My favorites are the 'nude' and "scarlet red' colors.

$| Get it here



ACUPRESSURE MAT 

This acupressure mat is great for relieving tension, back pain and sleep.  Wouldn't live without it.

$ | Get it here

RESCUE REMEDY:
FLOWER ESSENCE

My total go-to supplement when stressed.  Herbal supplements help physical problems, and flower essences help emotional states. Check out the individual essenses at bachcentre.com

$ | Get it here


ESSENTIAL OILS

DOTERRA ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDS

I own almost all of these oil blends and are my go-to for almost anything health and wellness related - from cuts and painful muscles to relaxing at night.  

$$ | Get it here

SINGLE ESSENTIAL OILS

Doterra is my go-to for essential oils.  I find the quality amazing and the price just right.  Add them to your juice or smoothie for a nutrient and flavor boost.

$ | Get it here

ESSENTIAL OILS INTRO KIT

If you're new to essential oils or simply want to give a fab gift, this kit is amazing.  It contains 5 ml bottles of lemon, lavender and peppermint essential oils - and instructions on ways to use them.  I personally give them out as gifts and use it for travel.

$ | Get it here



WATER FILTRATION

BERKEY WATER FILTER

This Berkey water filter is exactly what I have in my kitchen.  It takes your tap water and filters out contaminants like arsenic and chlorine.  I love it, and it's one of the best gravity water filters on the market today.

$$ | Get it here

BERKEY SPORT BOTTLE

This water bottle filters out not-so-great tap water when you're on the go or traveling.  I bring this with me to the airport or to the gym.  Reduces harmful microscopic pathogens: Cryptosporidium, Giardia, E-coli 99.99999% and other pathogenic bacteria.  The filter can also be replaced. 

$ | Get it here







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