When she was a child, says Cheri Calbom, co-author of "Juicing for Life: A Guide to the Health Benefits of Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Juicing" (Avery Publishing, $12.95, paperback), she wasn't particularly healthy or energetic.

"These days, I'm a high energy person," she says.

What's made the big change in her life? According to Ms. Calbom, her new-found energy and health is due to juicing.

For the uninitiated, juicing is simply taking advantage of the benefits of fruits and vegetables by putting them through a machine -- a juicer -- that extracts their juices while separating the pulp.

Ms. Calbom, a certified nutritionist, believes supplementing a diet with fresh juices can be the key in conquering chronic maladies, lowering the risk of disease and just feeling good.

"I'm not saying to do juice as a replacement for whole food. Eat your whole grains, legumes and get ample servings. In addition, juice is a wonderful supplement," she says.

Here are some juice recipes. Using a juicer, simply combine the ingredients. The recipes make 6 to 8 ounces of juice.

Energy shake

1/2 bunch parsley

4 carrots, greens removed

parsley spring for garnish

Bunch up parsley and push through juicer hopper with carrots. Garnish with sprig of parsley.

Veggie cocktail

1/2 bunch parsley

3 beet tops

2 stalks celery

4 carrots, greens removed

Bunch up parsley and beet tops, and push through juicer hopper with celery and carrots.