Does This Count?

This is a WONDERFUL article on eating nutrients vs. eating calories.  I personally have always gone immediately to counting calories when I wanted to lose weight.  That's a very hard habit to break - but this article makes SO much sense and helps me understand what I need to be doing, worrying about, and most of all - NOT COUNTING.

Count Your Nutrients, Not Your Calories.

This article is via Join The Reboot.  Would Joe Cross lead us astray?  Take a gander.

Mo Money, Mo Problems (Juicing on a Budget)

Hello!!!  Long time no see.  I’m SURE you missed me.  Don’t worry, I missed you too.

Juicing continues in our household.  I didn’t have time to make one for myself this morning after not getting to sleep on time (shame on me....but The Amazing Race, The Walking Dead, Dexter, and Homeland wait for no one!)  Oh...wait.  We have a DVR.  I could have gone to bed.  But honestly...who does that?

I need a juice today :( I have the WORST sore throat and as the day goes on.....the snot settles in. (sorry....)    I’m so excited for my day off tomorrow!  I can just imagine how much I’m going to get accomplished.  I think I’ll carb load tonight for my nap tomorrow.

Anyway....... The point of my visit with you today is this:  I discovered a juicing series on one of my new favorite websites - Frugal Living NW.  (Frugal Living NW)  When she was introduced to juicing, I think her thought process was similar to what a lot of people go through.   She had a family of new juicing peeps, and was very skeptical of their new fad diet.  

She wrote about her experience in a three part series.  I have linked you to them so you can enjoy them.  You may recognize yourself in her objections, or someone you know.  

In the first part of the series, she discusses her family of juicers, and her objections to becoming yet another household of juicers.  She then discusses her objections after juicing for 3 full months.

Juicing on a Budget - Part 1 of 3


In the second part of the series, she discusses the nitty gritty of actually juicing.  Recipes, how she makes it work for their family, cleaning her juicer...etc.   There are many helpful links inserted in this second installment.

Juicing on a Budget - Part 2 of 3

 
In the third part of her series, and one I think I enjoyed the most: Juicing on a Budget!   I have so many people ask me about how expensive it is.  She makes a very good point about the investment of juicing, you should go read it.  

She breaks juicing on a budget down into 12 helpful steps.  A 12 step program if you will.

Juicing on a Budget - Part 3 of 3 

 
Now I’m going to go across the street to get a juice from Fruitlandia for $5.  Now THAT  is expensive.  But germs, just like my TV shows, wait for no one.  I need to kill them off when they least expect it.  With a direct shot to the head.

I’m out.

But How Much Will That Make?

This morning, I shoved the following into my juicer:

Wheatgrass (small plant’s worth)

Large Handful of Spinach 

1/3 of an English Cucumber   

1 grapefruit 

1 small beet 

1” of ginger 

2 apples

2 bunches of green grapes 

2 kiwis 

2 celery stalks 

2 Tbsp Chia Seeds  

3 carrots 

3 Kale stalks 

6 Mint Leaves 

I’ve been asked a couple times this week - but how much juice will all of that make?   1.5 liters is the answer (for this particular juice).   It will vary depending on the juice content of your produce.  This gave me breakfast and two jars for lunch.

Here is the amazing part.   Here’s what this juice is doing for my body -   I’m renewing my blood cells, fighting cancer, balancing my blood sugar, taking in multiple vitamins and minerals I need to have a well functioning body, REDUCING INFLAMMATION, PREVENTING MIGRAINES, improving digestion, protecting my body from free radicals, improving my skin, hair and nails, strengthening my heart which cuts my risk of heart disease in half, cleansing my kidneys and my liver, removing built up metals in my body, lowering my blood pressure, fighting against Alzheimer's and dementia, strengthening my bones, fighting breast cancer, lowering my LDL cholesterol, fighting insomnia, strenghtening my immune system, calming my nervous system, preventing acne and anemia, fighting congestion caused by allergies and asthma, eliminating water retention (hence the incessant peeing), normalizing my body temperature, preventing cataracts.......AND REDUCING CRAVINGS!!!

All of these juice ingredients do at LEAST one of the above actions.  Most of them do multiple things, so in some areas you’re getting hammered!!!   I looked up every single ingredient I put in that drink and copied the benefits of that particular ingredient AND I DIDN’T EVEN COPY THEM ALL!!!!   I don’t have that kind of time people.

Specifically - the Biggest Punch you're getting from dark green veggies, and why its important that THEY are the basis for your juicing and not pineapple... (something I have to discuss with DH and his need for cakejuice often.)

The power of sunshine in CHLOROPHYLL is wonderfully cleansing in the body. The greener the leaves, the more concentrated the amount of chlorophyll. The reported health benefits from chlorophyll consumption are just too many. Taken consistently in sufficient amounts, here are some of the powerful remedial effects of this amazing substance: Increases blood count Detoxifies and cleansing Alleviates blood sugar problems Reduces or eliminates body odors Relieves gastric ulcers Greatly relieves respiratory troubles like asthma and sinuses Kills bacteria in wounds and speeds up healing Reduces inflammation pain Improves bowel functions Improves milk production in lactating mothers Neutralizes free radicals and therefore aids in deterring some cancers. Juicing is Kind of Amazing.  I knew I was doing my body a favor, but didn't realize just how much until I actually slacked off for the last few weeks.   I won't be doing that again.   So....why aren't you doing this yet?

Juicing for Specific Health Issues

If you've read my blog before, you know I juice to help my migraine situation (along with just wanting to put awesome things in my insides).   I also suffer from severe Endometriosis.   Since beginning my juicing journey in March, I have noticed a significant decrease in my symptoms.   Endometriosis is a disease caused by inflammation - as are SO many other conditions.   Juicing daily focusing on vegetables and fruits that reduce inflammation can help with so many disorders and conditions.  Not even focusing my juicing in that area has helped me tremendously.  

I've been a bad juicer and have slacked off way too much with my juicing in the month of May.  I am absolutely reaping what I sow too.  Less energy, SO MANY CRAVINGS!!  And my Endo symptoms were terrible this past week.  I'm a bit frustrated with my laziness, but am now paying for it, as well I should be!!   I will be restocking my fridge this evening and not just keeping the bare minimum on hand.

I wanted to share some links with you for juicing for different health conditions.   They are great resources to start to focus your juicing on something that might be bothering you, or you may find that someone else could/should benefit from the information.  I know I am!!

Why Should I Juice - and Specific Juicing Recipes for Health   This link has a great description of WHY you should juice (I get that question a lot), and some great focus recipes.

Specific Health Recipes for Conditions and Prevention

Extensive List of Juice Recipes for Health Conditions    (Even a juice for Low Libido in case you haven't read that book yet )


Immature snicker.

Fresh Juice - 1/Bottled Juice-0

Here is an excellent simply written article about why bottled juices (even the organic, super expensive kind) do not contribute to your daily fruit and vegetable intake.  Why they are NOT a substitute for your juicer.  The little effort it takes to juice make a very big difference!!!

Why Most Bottled Juices Do Not Contribute to Your Daily Fruit/Veggie Intake

She says to drink the juice straight from your juicer.  I'm pretty sure she doesn't mean that literally.......

Day 341: Juice It, Dad - By Jason Good

Here is another one where he was introduced to juicing.  Kills me!!!  And he describes cleaning a centrifugal juicer - and hits the nail on the head about why I'm glad I don't have one!!!

Good times.

Day 341: Juice It, Dad

Easy There, Beet Juice - by Jason Good 365

I ADORED this blog posting - wanted to share it with all of you.

This post is why I ENCOURAGE you guys NOT to drink your juice quickly :)

Easy There, Beet Juice

Tillysicles

TWO WORDS.

JUICE  POPSICLES

Make your juice.

(Add or do not add alcohol - sorry to bring it up again but I really wish

 I was still on vacation.)

Pour it into a Popsicle form.  

FREEEEEEZE

ENJOY.  

 Hand over to your children (NOT the ones reserved for mommy - stay with me people...focus!) Your precious offspring can ENJOY JUICE (and you know 100% what you put in them) instead of the million dollar poopsicles at the store.   

DH's co-worker says, "You're Welcome."

50 Shades of Green

Long time - no discussion of juicing!   I haven’t been blogging much as I’ve been celebrating the 18th birthday of my stepson (how is this possible?  I’m so young and vibrant, and still listen to Snoop), and traveling with my girlfriends to   MUCH warmer locales.




Juicing is still a huge part of our daily life just in case you thought I had been absent because we fell off the juice cart.  I find that people who have started juicing with an initial cleanse are more likely to stick with it.  I think it is because during a cleanse, you can REALLY see what it does to and for your body.  If I’m wrong, let me know!  I am aware of about 13 households (well, 14 since a little birdie told me last week they were starting soon) that have started juicing since I began my journey.  I really love that I’ve been able to help others find a way to introduce veggies and fruits into their life in a way that doesn’t make them sad :)

I would say that one day per week DH and I juice for the entire day.   All other days, we have breakfast for sure, and usually another juice at some point during the day.  Sometimes for lunch, sometimes for dinner depending on our meals.   The one day cleanse is usually needed when we come back from being away from home.  We go to other people’s houses where they stock seriously bad junk food that we only eat when we are in that zip code.  (DANGER!!) 

We obviously could opt out......but we don’t.  We come home and our bodies are super mad at us because they are not used to us eating like that anymore.  It always feels good to spend a day getting that out of our system.   (It also feels good when we’re eating the bad stuff, but my body certainly doesn’t enjoy it as much as my taste buds do.)


Migraine update:   I hate to jinx myself but I haven’t had a migraine in 20 days.   When I first stopped the medication right after my cleanse, I was having them every other day.  Some of them lasted 3-4 days at a time.   It was miserable and I was really sad about it.  I didn’t want to be on meds anymore, but I was really worried that my non-medicated life would be so miserable with my migraines.   Week by week, days increased between the migraines.  I was researching non-stop on what I could eat/juice and take as supplements to help my body fight against its uber-willingness to give me so much pain!!!!     On April 5, I started taking a magnesium, calcium and riboflavin supplement.  That very day started the longest break between migraines up to that point.   Since then, the days increase by at least 2 between each attack.  And now we’re up to 20!!!!   


Magnesium is the key for me.  Migraines and Magnesium   I juice as many green vegetables as I can in a juice every day.  Magnesium is found in the greens.  I need a lot of it!  I have not had a migraine since the first day of May.  I have even traveled to different elevations (usually a trigger), I ate terribly for two weekends in a row (usually a trigger), and I flew (in a plane not like a squirrel) (also usually a trigger - the plane, not the squirrel).   None of these things brought on an attack.   I’m obviously still going to have migraines, but I’m so glad I’ve found an effective way to help myself without western medication.    Migraine Treatment Must Include Magnesium


Not much else to report - We’ve been using watermelon which is VERY good.   Grapefruit juice is my favorite.  (And I discovered that if you add vodka to fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, you’ll be incredibly happy. NO!!!  This is not my morning juice!)   I still try to make sure that the juices I drink during the day are 80% veggies and 20% fruit.   I occasionally will have an all fruit drink, but they don’t give me the energy or are as satisfying as a veggie based drink.     (Today, I didn’t have time to make my morning juice, and I’ve been struggling with hunger and cravings all morning.  This does not happen when I’ve had a juice for breakfast.   Note to self - get the heck up in the morning!!!)

I’m pleased to say we’re still juicing, and I can see and feel the effects it has had on my body.  (I can see the difference in DH too.)    I hope everyone is well, and having some amazing juice!!!   (And giving it to your kiddos too if you have them running around!) 


** Side Note.....I usually get really sick once in the fall and once in March/April.   I have not so much as had a sneeze or a cough that wasn’t related to pollen up my nose, or liquid going down the wrong pipe.  My immune system seems to be in excellent working order!


***Side Note to the Side Note - Great...now I’ve jinxed myself with the sickness too.  I’ll be sick with a migraine within minutes of posting this, I’m sure!!!


**** Footnote to the Side Note of the Side Note - I’ve knocked on the wooden like substance of my desk to try to counteract the jinx.

Old Dog (Me)...New Tricks (You)

So there are some other people out there that actually read this blog, and decided it was a GOOD idea to do a juice cleanse.  (Obviously having skipped the posts about Stage 5 - or aren't being honest about not experiencing it.....)

My friend (you know who you are **wink**) came up with a couple of awesome new recipes I wanted to share with everyone.  She got pretty adventurous with one of them with it calling for tomatoes and everything.  Now that, to a normal person, wouldn't sound at all off kilter.  To me, however, someone who can walk into the kitchen at work 2 hours after someone cut a tomato and gag fiercely, this recipe was terrifying to my taste buds.

So in the meantime of waiting for me to try the scary tomato recipe, she came up with ANOTHER one that is by FAR the best juice I've had (still didn't add any vodka...but this is the one that would get it!!).   That particular recipe is as follows:

The Breeze - due to the ease of making it, and it tastes all tropically 

• Half a pineapple
• 2 big oranges
• Handful of fresh Basil

HOLY!!! This drink is good!!!!  DH was gone for a long time, and I couldn't wait to make it for him when he got home (after eating cuy on his trip - I'll wait for everyone to google that, gag fiercely, and come back).   He loved it too, and suggested that you could use mint if you didn't have basil - or wanted to try it.  We haven't done it yet, but plan to.  But I really like the basil.

So after The Breeze was so good, I figured the other one couldn't hurt me.  The list of her ingredients look perfectly normal and harmonious....but to me those letters that form the red word....ugh.   I don't think I've ever bought a tomato on purpose, but I did it.  I arranged the myriad of produce, and began juicing my little black heart out.  I would consider this juice a "meal" juice.  It is very satisfying, and filling.  It's savory, and really wonderful.  I just said that out loud (with my fingers.)   No one was more surprised than I was! My sister-in-law has been making it every morning for her DH since I tried it (she let me be her cuy)...which I don't know that I could drink this in the morning since in my mind, it is a dinner juice....but that's just me.  I'm a neurotic juicer.

Without further ado.....I present to you:

Soup in a Glass - this makes a LOT

• 2 garlic cloves (if you really like garlic, use 3)
• 2 kale stalks
• big handful of spinach
• 3 leaves of leafy lettuce
• 1/4 cup red onion
• 5 or 6 roma tomatoes
• 1 apple
• 1/2 a lemon
• 2 stalks celery
• 12 baby carrots (or 3-4 large adult ones)
• 1 green pepper
• 1/2 jalapeno (no seeds)  (I didn't have this and I was so sad :( )
• big handful of parsley
• handful of cilantro
• 1/4 cup chives  (I didn't have this either)
• large pinch of oregano (be careful with this - its strong)
• medium handful of basil

So all you new juicers, try these two new recipes - and learn like I did

 that tomatoes are almost our friends!!!

Aloe-ha!

Not this Aloha.....

But this aloe-ha!

I have added aloe vera gel to my diet, along with the juicing, and the chia seeds.   Something I would have NEVER known about had I not watched Hungry for Change. (If you didn't get a chance to watch this documentary while they were offering it for free, I'm sorry. You totally missed out.  Hungry for Change)  I wanted to try the aloe....but what was I supposed to DO with it????   I associate aloe (as I'm sure a lot you do) with sunburn.

Sure enough, aloe has amazing healing effects on sunburn, and other serious skin conditions.  But what it can do for the outside of you, is matched to what it can do to your insides.   The extensive list is shared here:  The Aloe Vera Miracle.   Just to name a few so you don't have to leave and go over there quite yet:  Halts the growth of cancer tumors, lowers high cholesterol, eases inflammation and soothes arthritis pain, prevents kidney stones, cures ulcers, IBS and Crohn's, reduces high blood pressure naturally, halts colon cancer, ends constipation, stabilizes blood sugar in diabetics, hydrates the skin and accelerates skin repair.

That's a pretty impressive list!   It says it relieves constipation, but several places I've read warn that it REALLY relieves constipation so until you know how your body will react to it, start with small amounts.  

Juicing is a big weapon in the war our bodies fight against free radicals.  Introducing the antioxidants into our systems in such a way that they are absorbed into the bloodstream quickly helps deliver these radical fighting machines to fight the good fight.  

What are free radicals?  What are antioxidants?  I can't really tell you all in a coherent manner, so I found some people who COULD explain it :)  

Or more specifically:

Some molecules are unstable. They do not have an even number of electrons, so they are always searching for an extra electron they can "steal" to become stable. Out in the world, this is a normal process, but in the body, it can result in unnecessary and unwanted damage.

Free radicals are "free" because they float around until they stabilize, and "radical" in the sense that there are a wide variety of molecules from which they can take an electron. The damage doesn't stop there, however, as the new molecule, say a piece of a cell wall, is now also missing an electron and has become another free radical. This snowball effect can wreak havoc on healthy tissue.

• What Are Free Radicals

And what are the antioxidants for that we are getting from our diet (and absorbing a lot of them through juicing) supposed to do?

Antioxidants block the process of oxidation by neutralizing free radicals. In doing so, the antioxidants themselves become oxidized. That is why there is a constant need to replenish our antioxidant resources.

How they work can be classified in one of two ways: 

Chain-breaking - When a free radical releases or steals an electron, a second radical is formed. This molecule then turns around and does the same thing to a third molecule, continuing to generate more unstable products. The process continues until termination occurs -- either the radical is stabilized by a chain-breaking antioxidant such as beta-carotene and vitamins C and E, or it simply decays into a harmless product.

Preventive - Antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase prevent oxidation by reducing the rate of chain initiation. That is, by scavenging initiating radicals, such antioxidants can thwart an oxidation chain from ever setting in motion. They can also prevent oxidation by stabilizing transition metal radicals such as copper and iron.

• Antioxidants - What You Need to Know

So with all this new information, I wanted to get some of this gel into my insides.  But again, what was I supposed to DO with it?  How do I get to the gel out of that huge leaf?    The answer of what to do with it was to put it in a smoothie so you can mask any weird taste you might experience.   How do I get the gel out of the leaf?  Well, the most helpful tutorial was this page:  How to Get the Aloe Gel from an Aloe Plant   Here is a little montage of my first gel extraction.

I found my leaf at Winco for $4.79

And when you are done with the leaf, you turn it cut side up in a container it can stand in.  

It will heal ITSELF. Of COURSE it will!!!

Dealing with the gel was like handling a live fish!!!!  Well, what I assume would be like handling a live fish - I'm not real big on doing that sort of thing.  While rinsing the gel before I put it in my smoothie, I dropped the slippery little sucker about 2,834 times.  Helpful tip not mentioned in her instructions on extracting the gel -  before you rinse, plug your sink :)


I have been juicing, then using the juice for the aloe smoothie - with chia seeds of course!  I've had it twice now, so I can't really report on what it's doing for me - but I sure hope it makes my face radiant!!!  I would love that - oh, and make my free radicals leave the building.

Great Balls of .... Energy???

Cookie dough.  We all like it right, even though we're not supposed to eat it.  I do NOT like cookies (well, except for those super fluffy ones that are frosted for the upcoming holiday and sold in little plastic containers at the FRONT DOOR of the grocery store), but I really like cookie dough.   As long as it doesn't have chocolate chips in it - GAG.   I choose cookie dough ice cream somewhere, and I just eat out the little balls of cookie dough, and leave the ice cream.  (I don't really like ice cream.)

I've already lost track of what I was going to write about....my emotions are all over the place.  First I thought about cookie dough, then I thought about those freaking frosted cookies that I hate when people buy because I'll eat them (Did you have any cookies???), and then I end it with thinking about biting into a chocolate chip.  The Worst.   This blog is supposed to be about health right? Here I am talking about sugar sugar sugar, that I normally don't WANT.

Onward.  WAY back when I posted about what to do with your pulp from juicing (Pulp Fiction), I talked about the PB Chewies that I was going to try.  I finally made them last week.  I wish I hadn't waited so long.  They truly are DELICIOUS.   I bring up cookie dough, because I think they taste very similar to a ball of dough - which is GOOD NEWS.

First - here are the links to the YouTube video, and the FB page for the recipe.  (YouTube Video How To  &  Facebook Note with Recipe and Instructions)   I didn't want to forget that part :)  Because I certainly didn't create these bad boys, and I don't want anyone giving me credit unless it is due unto me.

The first time I went to make these, I didn't have any peanut butter.  Who doesn't have peanut butter?   So I took the opportunity to make my own for the first time.  HOLY - this pb is good, and so easy!!!!   I used 2 cups of roasted peanuts, 1/4 cup melted coconut oil, tsp of Agave, and some salt.  Whipped up the most amazing peanut butter I've ever tasted!!!!  

After I had my peanut butter, I started my PB Chewies recipe.   I had saved my carrot pulp from the morning before in tupperware in the fridge so I still had it to use.   I also needed ground flax seed, wheat germ (oops forgot), raw granola, raisins, sunflower seeds, agave or maple syrup, and flaked coconut if you wish.  I didn't wish.   I also added chia seeds to my balls because I'm trying to get those little suckers in everything I eat.  Why you ask?  See for yourself Top 10 Chia Benefits

So let's begin.

Hey look - there's my awesome peanut butter.  I'm going to use all of it.  What you have up there, is the entirety of the recipe, including the pb makings.   When just making the balls, you would remove the salt, and the coconut oil.  

So I go to town mixing everything together.  You need to make sure everything is incorporated so mix well!  After mixing all ingredients together, I used my medium scoop (shout out pampered chef), and placed the balls on my stackable cooling rack (pampered chef)(I pretty much have no utensils in my kitchen arsenal that aren't pampered chef).   The recipe yielded 27 balls.  

Aren't they pretty!!! Opps, we had a casualty (it accidentally fell in my mouth.)  Now there are 26.   I decided to squinch them up a bit more, so as I was putting them in their container to keep them in the fridge, I just rolled the balls between my palms (don't be dirty.)  I put a few in a baggie so I could take them to work the next day for my afternoon snack (and to share with my co-workers.)  

With DH still being gone, I had all 26 to myself.  I ate a ball each morning for breakfast along with my juice.  SO satisfying!!  They are really tasty.  They are sweet - so if you have a sweet tooth, this is what you can make instead of brownies.   PACKED with protein, and fiber - you just can't lose.  Unless you're like me and have no willpower where portion control is concerned.  I took that baggie to work and intended to share MOST of them.  Well, I ate 4 and gave two away.   I'm TERRIBLE and selfish, but with a happy tummy!!!

If you don't have a juicer yet, you can use shredded carrots instead of carrot pulp.  I personally like the pulp because its so nonexistent in the ball.  I don't know that I would like an actual carrot shred in there.  I always pick those off salads because their texture bugs me.  But....that's just me :)

I hope you guys will try these balls! They are full of yummy and energy, and who doesn't like a little of that in the afternoon (or morning.  AND morning)!   Also, you can put these in kids' lunches, offer these as treat for them when they are craving a sweet - and you can feel good about it!

Thanks Pura Vida Pantry for this awesome recipe!!!

More exclamation points!!!

May the Juice Be Ever In Your Favor

Have juicer will travel.  DH has been out of the country for work for a while, and is still gone for a while, so I took an opportunity to go “home,” and hang out with my family.   I stayed with my mama (yes, I’m 3*** years old and still call her “mama.”)  (What?  You thought I was going to TELL you my age?  Silly you.)

I DID take my juicer with me.  It appears to be in a cat crate.......but travels MUCH more quietly than either of my meowers.  

It also just happened to arrive in town (after working in the morning) on the premier date for Hunger Games (no pun intended.)   I am still a little bitter about not being able to have popcorn during my cleanse.  I more than made up for it at the movies.  Oops.  Portion control is NOT my strong suit.    Was a great time with my OMGin sister and her DH (you’ll have to ask her what that stands for in her house), my mama and stepdad, and my cousin who I haven’t seen in a very long time.   Movie was GREAT!!  (No spoilers - other than Katniss has a waistline like Scarlett O’Hara.)

Saturday was a lazy day, but we did venture out in town, ran some errands.  Where my mother told everyone about juicing and told people about my blog.  Was cute to see her excited about it.  If ONLY I could get them on board!!!  I needed some produce, so we headed to the grocery store.  It was fun trying to find cactus (I made Mama ask where it was.)  (My stepdad is a borderline diabetic {skinniest one you’ll ever see} - and I wanted to make him a miracle cactus juice.)  No luck on the cactus.  They were “out” too.  Why does this keep happening!

Now I threw all my necessary produce in the cart, and we bought the rest of what we needed.   My mom thought I had easily put $50 worth of ingredients into the cart, and was SHOCKED when it added up to $12.   I used 1/4 of it while I was in town and brought the rest  home with me.  Bonus!!!

Saturday afternoon, we used the oven and there was something in the oven that made a horrific smell.   With the migraines free to destroy my body every other day, I’ve learned that smells trigger migraines for me.  I have now had 4 (out of 10) from SMELLS.  How am I supposed to combat that????    (More on my migraine issue later)

So Sunday was a no shower, lay around on the couch and hang out with my mama relaxing day due to horrendous smell induced migraine.  SO much better to lay on her couch than alone at home on mine.

Weekend was great and I loved forcing my juices on my parents :)  My stepdad decided after one juice, he will now be healthy.  I told him he would be until his next meal :)

Goooooooooooooo Katniss!!!

Juicing For Health - Fifty Fascinating Facts

I came upon this article about juicing for health and it claimed to tell me 50 Fascinating Facts.  This article has some really helpful facts for sure...Let's see if I can find some fascinating ones ......  The facts and my thoughts below.

Remember, I am not a doctor, I just play one on TV.

1. If you are juicing for health, it is useful to remember that fresh juice starts to lose nutrients as soon as it is made. If you want to retain the full benefit of your effort, drink the juice immediately or as soon as possible.  (True Story)

2. Some juice extractors, such as the centrifugal-ejection type, generate enough heat during operation to do some damage to the delicate structure of the juice. The resultant oxidation destroys nutrients.  (Violent vs. non-violent juicers)

3. Masticating juicers use a more gentle process, preserving more of the valuable nutrients. This also enables you to store the juice for a longer period.  (This is why we have a masticating juicer - 40% more juice and it lasts longer)

4. If you have to store the juice for a while, make sure that the container is airtight, add a few drops of lemon juice, and keep it refrigerated.  (I just use jars that I have saved for making jam late this spring)

5. When juicing for health, a clever gadget named PumpNseal can be used to vacuum seal juice in any jar. Removing the air enables you to store the juice for longer periods without nutrient loss.  (I haven't needed to save juice for more than 12 hours before so I don't have any knowledge of the Pump-N-Seal, other than it sounds like something they give away as a free gift with your prescription of Viagra)

6. In general, masticating juicers offer extra features, such as accessories you can use to mill, grind, puree, to make pasta, and to come up with the most delectable frozen desserts. When juicing for health, these extras will give you a fairly varied repertoire in the kitchen. A raw food diet will become more feasible in the process.  (We have used our masticator to make strawberry/banana sorbet.  I will use it later today to make peanut butter.)

7. If you are concerned about a high noise level, rather choose one of the masticating models.  (The masticating juicer isn't very loud at all.  My friend Suzanne says it sounds like its actually chewing the veggies - hence the masticating name I think!)

8. Remember to remove hard pits from fruit such as peaches. You won't eat these and neither will your juicer! Don't ruin the blades! Apple seeds contain small amounts of cyanide. Be sure to remove these before juicing.  (Hmm.....obviously makes sense, but I haven't been removing the apple seeds.  If I'm dead soon, you'll know why.)

9. Most body-building, leafy greens have strong flavors. Cucumber is a terrific disguise for this, and has the added advantage of containing important nutrients. Maximise the benefit by using one that doesn't need peeling.  (I LOVE adding cucumber - so fresh tasting!)

10. If you are juicing for health, use organic produce as far as possible. Otherwise wash everything thoroughly.  (Some info on using organic and non-organic and how much of the chemicals you may end up with Minimize Chemicals )

11. Often the greatest concentration of nutrients lie just beneath the rind or skin.  (Hey look - a fascinating one!!!)

12. Don't peel carrots, but do remove their greens. Rhubarb greens also need to be removed. There may be a problem with toxicity if you juice these.   

13. Do peel citrus, mango and papaya. These peels are not usable and may even be harmful to you. The skins of oranges and grapefruits contain toxic substances. However, the white, pithy part just below the skin, contains valuable bioflavonoids. Aim to retain as much of this as possible.  (Always just remove the COLOR of the orange, lime, lemon - leave the white pith behind, that's where the good stuff is)  This is what your lemon should look like ------>  

14. Soft fruits such as peaches, melons and strawberries will produce a much thicker juice than harder textured fruit such as apples. Combine the two to improve the results.  (yum)

15. Rather blend banana and papaya. They don't juice well. If you have one of the masticating juicers with added features, you can try these as a frozen dessert. Juicing for health isn't suppose to be a punishment, after all! Enjoy something sweet regularly.  (Frozen bananas are awesome through our juicer)

16. Follow soft fruits with harder textured produce, to facilitate clearing the pulp.  (Learning curve here.  Apples, cucumbers, and oranges get backed up something fierce in the masticators.  Shove a carrot through and/or celery after clears the jam up and gets the remaining juice into the bin.)

17. Juicing leafy greens becomes much easier if you roll the leaves into a little ball, before feeding it into the machine.  (Word)

18. Wheat-grass is exceptionally nutrient-rich, and has a taste strong enough to equal its value! If your juicer can manage it, start with tiny amounts and increase the quantity slowly.  (Because it tastes terrible.)

19. It is claimed that the benefits of drinking wheat grass juice includes cleansing the lymph system, building the red blood cells, removing toxic metals from the cells, nourishing the liver and kidneys, and restoring vitality.  (I want to be vital.)

20. Wheat-grass needs to be consumed in juice form, as the body cannot process the plant fibres.  (K.)

21. Wheat-grass is gluten-free, in spite of its name. Gluten is found only in the seed kernel, and not in the stem and grass leaves of the young plant. It should therefore be safe for individuals with a gluten intolerance.  (Cool)

22. Drink freshly made juice daily and concentrate on using as wide a variety of produce as possible, to ensure that your body receives a bit of all the most beneficial micronutrients.  (I try to make sure people that I'm helping along in their juicing don't get stuck on their "favorite" juice.  There are lots of different combos, and lots of veggies to use to get the most out of juicing.)

23. Your need for expensive supplements in the form of vitamin and mineral tablets, will diminish significantly, if you are juicing for health on a daily basis.  (NICE!!)

24. Many ailments will improve if juice forms a regular part of your diet. For example, cabbage juice is one of the most healing juices in case of ulcers. In this case, use under medical supervision.

25. If you experience water retention, juices such as celery, cucumber, cranberry, and watermelon are extremely helpful.  (On it!!)

26. A general rule is that a pound of produce will give you about a cup of juice.  (And this is my answer when someone says "why can't i just eat the veggies and fruit?"  Because you have to eat a TON to get the benefit of what you're getting out of the juice.  I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who wants to eat 6 stalks of Kale, 2 stalks of celery, a cucumber, an inch of ginger, two apples, and half a lemon twice a day.)

27. One cup of carrot juice is equal to about four cups diced, raw carrots. Carrots are much easier to consume in liquid form. Your body is also able to assimilate them better.  (Good to know)

28. Vegetable juice is a low-calorie snack and contains no fat. Use it as part of a sensible eating plan, and experience the wonderful results.  (Wonderous!)

29. Fresh juices act as a healthy, harmless appetite suppressant, and craving curbed.  

30. Vegetable juice can also help to stabilize blood sugar levels. It has much less sugar than fruit juices and about 50% less calories, yet it will satisfy that sweet tooth every time. Try carrot or a combination of carrot and parsley juice when a craving hits you, and the juice jolt will give it a knock-out before you know it!   (TRUE story)

31. A water fast may leave you feeling drained, while a vegetable juice fast will give you an energy surge. Fasting should always be done under supervision.  (I had SO much energy on my cleanse.  I'm trying to find the right combo of adding it to my regular life to maximize the energy benefit.)

32. If you really don't like the taste of certain vegetables, try juicing these and adding them to some of your favorites. You probably won't even notice the difference in taste, but your body will certainly notice the difference in nutritional value!

33. Your skin may become slightly yellow if you consume large quantities of carrot juice. This effect is harmless and will disappear once you reduce your consumption.

34. Juicing for health is more beneficial if you consume juice that is at room temperature.  (There is a reason for this....but I can't remember what it is....)

35. Ginger gives a bit of a bite to juice. Try it! It has anti-inflammatory properties. Stomach irritations, nausea and motion sickness can be relieved by taking ginger.   (Ginger is a ROCK STAR.  I have it in EVERY juice I make.)

36. The nutrients in the juice you drink, is taken up immediately by all the cells in your body. Your juicer magically transfers the produce into pre-digested food. This means that your body is able to make maximum use of all the enzymes, vitamins and minerals.   (And this is why you juice.  You are creating a juice that your body can absorb and deliver to your cells and blood stream immediately!)

37. Juices help you to maintain the proper PH in your body, which is important in preventing diseases like cancer.  (so what are you waiting for!!!!!!)

38. The phytochemicals in the juice also helps to remove carcinogens from your body.  (BAD carcinogens!!!)

39. The properties in many vegetables, such as cucumber and carrots, will improve your skin, hair, and nails. If you up your intake of fresh juice, expensive beauty treatments may become a thing of the past.  (My skin has been glowing for sure!!)

40. Juicing for health is anti-ageing and puts the spring back in your step.  (Anti-aging?  Sign me up)

41. Children love the sweet taste of carrot juice. It is easy to add other, perhaps detested veggies to the juice, without them noticing it.  (How awesome is it to serve your kids an super healthy after school juice, rather than a pop tart?)

42. Remember that, it you have kids, they may be more willing to try the juice at first if you turn it into a smoothie. Try apple, carrot and grapes or strawberry. Put ice-cubes in a blender, and pour in your juice mixture. Add some frozen yoghurt or sherbert if you want, and blend to the desired thickness.  (OH!!!)

43. A good way to add extra flavor and sweetness to juice, is to use fresh or shredded coconut.  (Or mint leaves :) )

44. You can also add some cranberries if you like the taste. Cranberries have an extremely high antioxidant content. In addition, they may help you to avoid urinary tract infections.  (Haven't done this yet, but want to)

45. Scientists recommend 8 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables to be consumed per day. A substantial portion of the population don't even reach 20% of the ideal. Juicing for health is the easiest way to bring you closer to this goal.  (Again, an answer as to why you don't just eat the veggies.  Because we just DON'T)

46. Although juicing removes some of the fibre, the process allows you to ingest a much more concentrated, easily assimmilated form of enzymes, minerals and vitamins. Just be sure to boost your fibre intake, by eating fibre-rich foods such as cereals and whole grains.

47. It is believed that sugar cane juice has properties that help to prevent tooth decay. In contrast, eating sugar cane often, will result in frequent visits to the dentist.

48. There is also evidence that there may be some wound healing and immune strengthening properties in sugar cane. In addition, the juice has a soothing effect on the digestive system, especially when combined with fresh ginger.

49. Juicing for health isn't a cure-all! If your lifestyle is unhealthy in general, don't expect juicing to magically wipe out the negative effects of all the things you know you probably shouldn't do!  (WORD.  YOU NEED A LIFESTYLE CHANGE TO GO ALONG WITH THE JUICING.  You can't cleanse, and then go back to what you were doing before....)

50. If you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, nursing or have any illness, you need to get medical advice before starting a juicing for health program. The same rule applies to small children. Some juices are quite potent and may do more than good under certain circumstances.

Juicing-For-Health---Fifty-Fascinating-Facts


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