Cucumber Kale Cleanser  (aka "Green Juice")

Ali Segersten

There’s something deeply symbolic about sipping a vibrant green juice at the start of a new year. It’s not just a beverage—it’s a reminder that each nourishing choice we make has the power to shift our energy, brighten our cells, and support the path back to wholeness.

This is one of my favorite green juice recipes. It's mild, refreshing, and even kid-approved—my children absolutely love it. Try serving it in a beautiful glass with a stainless steel or glass straw to make the experience feel special. Whether you’re beginning a new healing protocol or simply adding more plant power to your day, this juice is a gentle and energizing way to begin.

This recipe is also part of the Elimination Diet, a powerful tool for restoring balance, identifying food triggers, and calming inflammation. While my original Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook is no longer in print, we’ve expanded and updated the program into its own dedicated book: The Elimination Diet, published by Grand Central Life & Style (March, 2015). It’s filled with over 125 recipes, structured meal plans, and the latest science behind food sensitivities, gut health, and immune regulation.

If you're setting intentions this season to nourish yourself more deeply (I much prefer intentions over resolutions), let this be one of your first steps. Fresh juices are a wonderful way to incorporate raw cruciferous vegetables into your daily routine—something research continues to support for its detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, and hormone-balancing benefits.

Cruciferous vegetables include kale, collard greens, mustard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, arugula, bok choy, daikon radish, and watercress. These vegetables contain sulfur-rich compounds called glucosinolates, which break down into powerful compounds like sulforaphane—shown to activate detoxification pathways and protect cells from oxidative stress.

There’s often concern about raw cruciferous vegetables affecting thyroid function, but the science tells a different story. According to Dr. Jed Fahey at Johns Hopkins and Dr. Johanna Lampe at the University of Washington, adverse effects only occur under extreme and rare conditions, such as consuming over two pounds of raw crucifers daily for months while being iodine deficient. For the rest of us, including children, regularly eating raw cruciferous vegetables is one of the most health-protective dietary habits we can adopt.

Let this simple juice recipe be a nourishing companion on your journey. One sip at a time, one choice at a time. 

Recipe from our Meal Planner

Cucumber Kale Cleanser

Servings
2
Prep Time
10 minutes

This refreshing green juice is one of my favorites—and a longtime staple in our home. It's mild, hydrating, and full of nutrient-rich vegetables that gently support detoxification. Even my children love it, especially when served in a tall glass with a fun stainless steel or glass straw. I typically make a double batch to share with the whole family. For best results, I use a Hurom Slow Juicer, which extracts every drop of juice while preserving the delicate nutrients and enzymes in the produce. This juice is especially supportive during phase three of the Elimination Diet or anytime your body needs a gentle reset.

Ingredients
2 medium cucumbers
½ large bunches lacinato kale (or 3 large kale leaves)
1 handfuls parsley
1 small lemons peeled
½ granny smith apples
Directions
  1. Place all ingredients into your juicer.
  2. Use the machine as directed, then stir, and drink immediately.

Use this recipe in our Meal Planner

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Posted In
beverages breakfast cruciferous cucumbers detox elimination diet green juice kale raw raw recipes vegetable juice vegetables recipe
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About the Author

Alissa Segersten, MS, CN

Alissa Segersten, MS, CN, is the founder of Nourishing Meals®, an online meal-planning membership with over 2000 nourishing recipes and tools to support dietary change and better health. As a functional nutritionist, professional recipe developer, and author of The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook, Nourishing Meals, and co-author of The Elimination Diet, she helps people overcome health challenges through food. A mother of five, Alissa understands the importance of creating nutrient-dense meals for the whole family. Rooted in science and deep nourishment, her work makes healthy eating accessible, empowering thousands to transform their well-being through food.

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