While I’ve always been a big fan of making juices and smoothies I’ve never tried making my own wellness shots, so I decided to do some experimenting!
Not familiar with wellness shots? No problem!
You can listen to our discussion here…
…or read on for a quick summary of what we discuss.
We would greatly appreciate you leaving us a review! We read all of our 5-star ratings on the show.
Disclaimer: Information on this site is presented for educational purposes only. Always speak to your doctor before beginning any new diets or supplements. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
What Are Wellness Shots?
Wellness shots are essentially small servings of cold-pressed juices of fruits and vegetables. These shots are meant to provide your body with a quick burst of nutrients. Most wellness shots come in 2-3 oz bottles (or glasses).
Like anything else these days you can buy them, but they can be pricey. I’ve tried some from Splendid Spoon and they were really good, so if you want to have some ready-to-go and don’t mind paying for that convenience, you should definitely check them out.
If you’d like to make your own, you’re in luck, because there are plenty of great recipes you can make at home. What I really like about making them at home is that I can customize them to my own taste. Also, the freshness factor is unbeatable!
Are Wellness Shots Good for You?
Yes, wellness shots are good for you! The benefits of wellness shots are very similar to the benefits you receive from drinking juices and smoothies. They are concentrated shots of nutrients that are absorbed much more quickly than when you eat the ingredients in their whole forms.
While they aren’t cure-alls, they certainly can help when added to a healthy diet and exercise regime.
Back in episode 321 of the podcast, we talked to Dr.
I get a boost of energy when I take a wellness shot, which keeps me from reaching for a caffeinated or sugary drink. Feeling more alert and energized also helps prevent my tendency to snack.
Are There Any Risks with Taking Wellness Shots?
As with anything, moderation is really important. You really want to pay attention to your body, particularly if you’re trying any ingredients that are new to you. Obviously, if you have allergies you should avoid certain ingredients that may trigger those allergies (for example, you should avoid wheatgrass if you are gluten-intolerant).
Additionally, certain ingredients such as apple cider vinegar and turmeric may cause stomach upset and nausea if you’re sensitive.
Pro Tip: Be sure to try out any new recipes during a time when you’ll be at home for a while just in case your body doesn’t agree with your drink.
Do I Need a Juicer to Make My Own?
No! By definition, wellness shots are condensed cold-pressed juices, but don’t let the fact that you don’t own a juicer keep you from trying some recipes in a
Our juicer is the Omega Masticating Juicer and we LOVE it! You can read our review of the Omega here.
- The patented screw design of the auger squeezes your fruits and veggies to help make sure you get the most out of them.
- The hopper is conveniently located at the top of the juicer.
- The VRT comes with a pusher to make it easy to push ingredients into the juicer.
- Very easy to assemble!
If you’re not ready to buy a juicer, a good high-powered
In our review of the
A good time to use the
Note: If you’re using a blender, you’ll want to add a bit of water also (typically about 1/2 cup). I’ve included that in the recipes below.
Vitamix fuels passions. It’s why we’re the brand most trusted by professional chefs. But you won’t just find us in restaurant kitchens. You’ll also find us in home kitchens around the world.
Some Common Ingredients and Their Benefits
While there are plenty of ingredients that can be used in these healthy wellness shot recipes, the following is a list of some common ingredients based on their nutritional value.
- Ginger – Ginger is very common in healthy drinks because it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It also helps to lower blood sugar and ease stomach issues like nausea and indigestion.
- Wheatgrass – Wheatgrass can help boost your immune system, boost your metabolism, and eliminate toxins. It contains vitamins A, C, E, K, and B complex along with 17 amino acids (8 of which are considered essential amino acids). You can see why this ingredient gets included quite a bit in healthy drinks. Obviously, if you have celiac or any type of gluten intolerance, this added ingredient isn’t for you.
- Organic
- Non-GMO
- Freeze-Dried
- Gluten-Free
- Turmeric – The key compounds in turmeric are called curcuminoids. They are great for inflammation and can help people with Type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar levels. Turmeric can also help people with arthritis manage joint pain.
- Brought to you by Whole Foods Market.
- Certified Organic, Certified Kosher.
- Lemon – Lemon is great for detoxification and helps boost the immune system. It also has a ton of vitamin C and helps alkalize your body.
- Cayenne Pepper – Cayenne pepper is a great source of vitamins A, E, C, and K, as well as manganese and potassium. The capsaicin in cayenne peppers has metabolism-boosting properties and can help relieve pain.
Simply Organic Cayenne Pepper contains nothing but pure, organic, ground cayenne peppers (Capsicum annuum). Rich, earthy color.
- Black Pepper (especially when combined with Turmeric) – Black pepper is high in antioxidants and may help improve the body’s ability to absorb other nutrients and increase the beneficial properties of each ingredient. This is particularly true for turmeric. You can read more about black pepper and turmeric in episode 281: Powerful Food Combining Tips That Actually Boost Your Health!
8 Wellness Shot Recipes
Here are some recipes to help inspire your own creations. These instructions are for a juicer, but you can add a little water if needed if you’re using a high-powered blender instead.
- What’s Up Doc Wellness Shot
- La Jalapina
- Drink Your Wheaties Wheatgrass shot
- Apple of my Eye
- Turn it Up Turmeric Shot
- Watermelon Wellness
- Lemon Drop
- Sweet As Apple Pie
How to Store Your Wellness Shots
Making several shots at once will save you some time and mess if you’ll be using them throughout the day. If you do this, be sure to keep your juice in an airtight container in the fridge. Your juices will stay fresh for about 24-48 hours.
From personal experience, I don’t like keeping them past 24 hours. In my opinion, the taste is noticeably diminished after a day.
Happy juicing!
Please note that some of the links on this page may be affiliate links. That means at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase through one of our links. We never recommend or provide affiliate links to products or services we do not use ourselves or that come from a trusted resource. Our ultimate goal is to provide helpful products and advice to you, our readers, and listeners.
A Special Thanks To Our Sponsors:
- Patreon is a simple way for listeners to contribute to Vegetarian Zen every month.
- Pledge levels start as low as $1 a month. Pledge $5 or more and you’ll receive some sweet Veg Zen swag…t-shirts, stickers, magnets, grocery bags, and more!
- By becoming a sponsor on Patreon, you are automatically inducted into our prestigious Golden Apple Roundtable!
In this eBook, you will learn:
- What Buddha bowls are and why they are the PERFECT meal
- How to create your own awesome combinations based on your needs and specific tastes
- Some of our favorite ingredient combinations (recipes) plus ideas for sauces and dressings
Thanks for listening!
Peace and Veggies,
Vickie and Larissa
Resources and Further Reading:
- Wheatgrass Benefits: 11 Reasons to Enjoy
- 8 Impressive Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper
- Health Benefits of Turmeric
- 11 Science-Basked Health Benefits of Black Pepper
- A Guide to Apple Cider Vinegar: Benefits, the Mother, Safety, and Use