DEAR SPROUTMAN: I have just found out about the Hippocrates Health Institute, and read about wheatgrass juice. I found some living wheatgrass at our Fresh Market store & bought it. I am interested in learning more, and in growing my own sprouts. My question is: can I juice this grass in my Vita-Mix? Advice appreciated. thanks so much – Jo
DEAR JO: No, definitely do NOT “juice” wheatgrass in a Vita-Mix or any other kind of blender. Blenders are NOT juicers. Blenders puree things like fruits. Juicers extract and separate the water content of a fruit or vegetable from the pulp. Not only will a Vita Mix not extract the “juice” from wheatgrass it will oxidize the wheatgrass thus destroying vital nutrients and enzymes because of its 10,000 RPM and higher blade speed. A good wheatgrass juicer like the Green Star or Solo Star turns at 80 RPMs this is equivalent to the speed of hand cranking, no oxidation. Wheatgrass is an amazing source of medicinal phyto-chemicals. Extracting them in a manner that preserves their bioactivity is the key to your benefiting from the medicinal properties of this plant.
Sproutman SproutLab 
Thanks. That’s not what I wanted to hear!!! What’s the least expensive juicer I can get? Can I get whatever they have at Bed, Bath, & Beyond? I know you want me to buy yours, but I don’t even know if I’m going to like the juice, so I need to keep my initial investment low, at least until I can evaluate it. I’m sitting here with Wheatgrass in my fridge, and it looks likes it’s going to be a wasted purchase! Any advise appreciated. jo
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How about using a lower setting on the vitamix? Use the variable on a low#. Would that work?
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Do you have a “top posters” page to reward your best blog comments?
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Jerry,
We do not have a “top posters” page, but it is something we will look into for the future. Thanks for the suggestion!
Sproutman & Co.
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Of course no “lab studies” have been done on this but I would think it is not an all or none deal. Make smoothie first in VM, add wheatgrass and blend just a few seconds max, to shatter cell walls. Yes you will loose some from oxidation, more than from slow gear extractor no doubt. But the only way to loose none would be to wrap your lips on the juicer outflow nozzle as you juice. So just grow your own and toss in a bit more! Maybe…
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I’m just getting started in Juicing/Blending and I’m beginning to think I’m making a big mistake with this.
Why?, well I’ve been doing ALOT of research on the web, and for everything that I read on one site about something being “the best thing you can possibly put in your body” another site will say “Absolutely don’t do that” This Juicing/Blending thing is starting to sound like alot of hokum.. I mean there’s no sound info, it’s just a whole bunch of peoples opinions on various things. This lifestyle sure isn’t doing itself many favors with this kind of advise to newcomers, in fact alot on some sites it looks like “how much money can I suck out of this one”
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There is a lot of “information” on the internet. At the same time there is a lot of real, accurate, researched information out there as well. If you’re looking to find some of the latter I recommend reading Power Juices Super Drinks. Everything in this book is well researched and properly annotated so you can see where the data behind the claim is coming from. Let this book be your guide and try not to get bogged down reading all the “information” out there.
Thank you,
Sproutman & Co.
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crrrraving wheatgrass juice, and assorted green drinks (kale, parsley, spinach, cilantro to name a few….)
have never juiced, and I have wanted a vitamix forever, but now i’m thinking i want a juicer?
someone gave me a champion, but I don’t think it will juice these things well…. (at least i haven’t figured it out. )
considering the desired ingredients i mentioned above, what is the first investment i should make?
did a little research (not much yet) and it looks like maybe the omega 8001 or the star….something….?
I know i sound naive… i am. but i know i’m craving this nutrition, and get so bogged down reading about ALL the options out there.
advice please?
Mahalo
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How to Choose Between Juicers? The Differences between a Single Gear Juicer (SoloStar) vs. a Twin Gear Juicer (GreenStar).
Both of these are high-end juicers and no one should be disappointed with either of these machines, no matter what the situation. Which one you ultimately choose will be determined by your personal preferences regarding the factors below. Please review them and form your own decision.
Price: SoloStar is approximately $200 less than the price of the GreenStar juicer.
Assembly/Cleanup: SoloStar is easier and faster in assembly and disassembly than the GreenStar but only by a few minutes.
Wheatgrass: The GreenStar juices wheatgrass faster than the SoloStar and produces a little less foam.
Vegetables and Fruits: Both machines do virtually the same good job with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.
Nutrition: It is generally believed that the GreenStar has a slight nutritional advantage over the SoloStar.
Speed: Both machines operate at the same slow, friction and oxidation-free 80 revolutions per minute.
Materials: The GreenStar has two stainless-steel gears while the SoloStar has one melamine gear or auger. The GreenStar also contains magnets and ceramics within its blades that are designed to influence the juice at the molecular level and extends its longevity.
Size: The GreenStar weighs 28 lbs. The SoloStar weighs 22 lbs.
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AAAH! Wait! The most important factor is NOT the oxidation (although that is something to consider). Do not, under any circumstances, throw some wheat grass in your smoothie! Our bodies CANNOT digest the cellulose in grass!!! That is why we JUICE, not blend. If you want to use a vitamix for this you must blend it with some water or a cucumber and pass it through something mesh like a milk-nut bag (sells on line for like $4) and squeeze it well. This is very easy and will protect your intestines from the fiber you simply do not have the right body to digest. Although the oxidation is something to consider you may want to try this out before committing to a juicer.
Good luck!
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Two things:
1/ I have a wheatgrass juicer but an essential part is “hiding” on me. I need to use wheatgrass and other greens in juice. I have a Vitamix and have been doing it in there with succes but I am worried about the oxidation aspect too.
Question: If I blend it for less than a minute, strain it and consume it right away, is oxidation such an issue? Isn’t it better than not having the juice? Or….?
2/ About the cellulose. Of course we know we can’t digest it as cows do, but neither do we digest most other cellulose in our foods. It goes through the digestive tract where nutrients are extracted and the remainder sweeps our intestines and is expelled. So what is different? Is there something about wheat or other grass cellulose that is harmful compared to say – the bran of wheat, the cellulose in carrots or beets etc.?
Thanks for any imput
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Sproutman you da man! Thanks for the info
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