Juicing Versus Blending
While it’s true that a good high-speed blender can give you many of the same benefits as juicing, blending doesn’t break down fibers of fruits and vegetables at the cellular level. Thus, you may not derive the same nutritional punch as with a juicer. Still, a good high-quality blender can be useful in concocting smoothies, soups, and frozen treats with your fresh juices, so they’re good to have around. Some newer technology claims to have narrowed the gap between juicers and blenders with higher speeds and greater cellular breakdown, especially in “bullet” type machines, but it’s important to keep in mind that even the best blender will result in liquids with greater amounts of pulp and fiber, which may be harder to digest and absorb than juice products. Some juicing proponents claim that higher speeds and the resulting heat from powerful motors destroy valuable nutrients, but so far, there’s not a lot of evidence to support that claim. If any machine is running so hot that it’s heating your juice, it’s best to put it in retirement and look for something new. Fresh Is Best Unless you’re growing your own, it’s often difficult to determine where produce comes from or how long it’s been in your supermarket aisle. If you’re someone concerned about food pedigree, be sure to check for labels. Often they’re an indicator if the produce was grown outside the United States or in a country where laws governing the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers aren’t as stringent as they are here. Local farmers’ markets are a great source for fresh produce as are food cooperatives. Food “rescue” organizations are also springing up all over the country, purchasing fresh produce in bulk from farmers, restaurant, and grocery chains and selling them to members at significantly reduced prices. Members report that for a contribution of as little as ten dollars they can receive up to sixty pounds of fresh produce. The more vibrant the color, the more powerful the juice. Flavonoids are the plant pigments responsible for the colors in fruits and vegetables. But they also have anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, and antiviral properties. What pleases the eye is also likely to please the palate, so drink up! Going Raw Many food experts maintain that raw foods are the healthiest for the body because heating foods above 110 degrees are thought to denature enzymes that are naturally present. Those enzymes are thought to be the life force of foods, helping the body to digest and absorb nutrients. In some cases that’s certainly true. Vitamin C, for example, is destroyed by heat, and the cancer-fighting sulforaphane is found in broccoli are diminished by heating Consuming raw foods as a health treatment was first developed in Switzerland by a medical doctor, Maximilian Bircher-Benner, who was also the inventor of muesli. After recovering from jaundice while eating raw apples, he conducted a variety of experiments into the effects of raw vegetables on human health. In 1897, he opened a sanatorium in Zurich called “Vital Force,” named after a “key term from the German lifestyle reform movement which states that people should pattern their lives after the logic determined by nature.” It is still treating patients today. In other cases, though, cooking can actually increase nutritional value. The lycopenes in tomatoes, for example, increase when the fruit is cooked, but that’s because the fibrous portions are broken down. Kale, garlic, spinach, and onions have also been shown to be more nutritious cooked as light cooking releases compounds that might otherwise go undigested. Whether or not you’re a raw foods advocate, it’s important to do your homework, and, as always, balance is the key in any diet. Whatever your food choices, regular juicing offers the best of both worlds. First, because you gain all the benefits of raw foods, and second, because juicing breaks down the fibrous portions of fruits and vegetables at the cellular level to maximize their nutritive value. More than any other dietary practice, juicing puts the “whole” back in whole foods and offers great economy, digestibility, and nutrition without a huge adjustment in lifestyle. Share with Your friends if you liked this post :)
0 Comments
4/30/2017 0 Comments Juices for Detox and CleansingFor a lot of people, detoxification and cleansing have become a regular ritual, rather like spring cleaning your house. But any discussion of detoxing needs, to begin with a couple of questions: First, what exactly is detoxification, and second, why do you need it? The fact is, your body is eliminating toxins all the time. It’s the normal physical process of eliminating or neutralizing toxins through your organs including the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph glands, and even your skin. Metabolic processes continually dispose of the toxic matter. Helping the Body Remove Toxins Why do you need to remove toxins if your body does it naturally? It’s no secret that people are exposed to the environmental toxins than ever before. Chemicals in the air you breathe, pesticides in the foods you eat, pollutants in your water, and increased exposure to synthetic substances can be more than the average person can handle. When enough toxins aren’t eliminated, it can set the stage for disease. Toxins the body can’t manage to eliminate or doesn’t know what to do with are often stored in your fat cells, which is one of the big reasons why excess weight is generally seen as unhealthy and why a fat-reducing program is also seen as playing a big part in detoxification. Unhealthy living habits such as not getting enough exercise or sleep, stress, poor diet, and even some medications can all reduce the body’s efficiency at eliminating toxins. Demanding schedules and busy lifestyles also mean you can’t just check into the spa whenever you’re feeling a little blah, either. While a number of experts insist that there’s no scientific evidence to support the notion that more stringent detox regimens, cleanses, and fasts yield miraculous results, even the most skeptical agree that there are things anyone can do to help speed up the body’s elimination systems. And one of those is juicing regularly. So again, while juicing isn’t a magic wand that will restore good health, vitality, and eliminate all your bad habits, it can play a valuable role in keeping the body operating at maximum efficiency. Six Signs You Need to Detox Many doctors recommend that everyone needs to detox at least once a year. You can choose a short fast or simply take a few days to refuel and reboot with healthy foods and nutrients. "Many traditions around the world celebrate the New Year with healthier cuisine than the holiday season might provide. In the American South, a simple New Year’s meal consists of collard greens and black-eyed peas. In Italy, lentils are on the menu. But it’s no accident that such traditions have evolved. Legumes are rich in cleansing fiber, and collard greens are rich in vitamins, folates, sulforaphane, and antioxidants, all essential elements of a detox regimen." No matter what time of year though, listen to your body and watch for the following clues that it may be the right time to do some detoxing. • Lack of energy, sluggishness, confusion, or fatigue that has no obvious explanation • Irritated skin, rashes, complexion upsets • Eruptions of herpes, shingles, psoriasis, or eczema • Menstrual difficulties • Bowel irregularity • Distended stomach, even if you’re otherwise thin Detox Recipe 1: The Detox Special Any worthwhile detox regimen will pay special attention to fruits and veggies that benefit the liver. Not only is it the largest organ in the body, it’s one of the most important for its abilities to eliminate toxins, filter the blood, metabolize nutrients, and hundreds of other functions. INGREDIENTS | YIELDS 1 CUP
Detox Recipe 2: Glamorous Greens Watercress and arugula both help activate enzymes in the liver, while acting as a natural diuretic. Plus, they contribute a lively, peppery flavor that makes this one taste like it’s fresh from the spa! INGREDIENTS | YIELDS 11⁄2 CUPS
Detox Recipe 3: Juicing Greens
To make juicing green leafy vegetables like lettuce and spinach easier, roll the greens into balls before adding to the juicer.
There are many juicing’s beneficial effects on overall health and well-being, when it to comes to claims of miracle “cures” or recovery from devastating and debilitating conditions, it’s important to be aware of the facts and consult with your personal physician or health care professional before embarking on a juicing “cure.” Juice Is a Powerful WeaponThere’s no doubt about it: Simple dietary adjustments, such as adding fresh fruit and vegetable juices to your routine, can do you a world of good. Scientists discover new benefits about the enzymes, vitamins, and micronutrients available through juicing all the time. We know that certain fruits and vegetables can help regulate blood pressure, control blood sugar, and even retard the growth of cancer cells. Many people report being able to throw away prescription medications after a long-term juicing regimen. But all by itself, juicing can’t be considered a “cure” for disease. It is instead a powerful weapon in your arsenal when it comes to disease prevention, simply because a combination of nutrients, antioxidants, and minerals aid the body in a holistic way. Juice doesn’t target disease—it simply makes vital nutrients available to your entire system. Therefore, if you have medical problems such as diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, arthritis, or any of the other problems for which certain juices are recommend, the first and most important step is to remain proactive in your own care, and to monitor your progress under professional advice. Let your body be your guide and both you and your doctor will doubtless be pleased with the results. Discover these 6 powerful juicing recipes for cancer: Recipe #1: 7-Up These seven ingredients combine in a powerful vegetable juice for cancer prevention because of their ability to fight free radicals and inflammation. INGREDIENTS | YIELDS 11⁄2 CUPS 3 tomatoes 2 medium carrots, trimmed 1 celery stalk, leaves intact 1⁄2 cup parsley 2 green onions 1 cup cauliflower florets 2 cloves garlic, peeled
PER SERVING: Calories: 183 | Fat: 1.8g | Protein: 8.2g | Sodium: 201mg | Carbohydrates: 39g | Sugar: 20g Recipe #2: Cancer Fighter 1 When it comes to fighting or preventing cancer remember the four Cs—collards, cabbage, carrots, and cauliflower. INGREDIENTS | YIELDS 11⁄2 CUPS 1 cup chopped collard greens 1 cup chopped cabbage 1 cup cauliflower florets 2 carrots, trimmed The Right Stuff: Cabbage and cauliflower contain several chemical compounds that research indicates provides protection against cancer. One of these, indole-3-carbinol, may deactivate estrogen and reduce the risk of breast cancer, while the compound sulforaphane helps degrade free radicals and some carcinogenic substances.
PER SERVING: Calories: 94 | Fat: 0.7g | Protein: 4.6g | Sodium: 118mg | Carbohydrates: 20g | Sugar: 9g Recipe #3: Cancer Fighter 2 Wheatgrass juice contains thirteen vitamins. The chlorophyll and beta-carotene in wheatgrass juice is beneficial in fighting and preventing cancer. INGREDIENTS | YIELDS 11⁄2 CUPS 1 beet, greens included 1 cup cauliflower florets 1 carrot, trimmed 1⁄2 cup wheatgrass Wheatgrass Tip: To derive maximum juice and benefit from wheatgrass, use a masticating juicer.
PER SERVING: Calories: 125 | Fat: 0.5g | Protein: 5g | Sodium: 143g | Carbohydrates: 19g | Sugar: 10g Recipe #4: Strawberry Papaya Juice Thought to be beneficial in reducing the risk of colon cancer. The soluble fiber in papaya is able to bind itself with cancer-causing toxins in the colon and aids in their elimination. INGREDIENTS | YIELDS 1 CUP 1 cup strawberries 1 papaya, seeded 1 cup cantaloupe chunks
PER SERVING: Calories: 153 | Fat: 1g | Protein: 3g | Sodium: 27mg | Fiber: 7g | Carbohydrates: 37g | Sugar: 27g Recipe #5: Green Power These dark leafy greens are rich in carotenoids, a specific group of antioxidants. INGREDIENTS | YIELDS 1 CUP 1 cup spinach 1⁄2 cup kale 3 large leaves romaine lettuce 1 cup mustard greens Antioxidants and Free Radicals Free radicals are elements thought to damage cells, which in turn can lead to the onset of cancerous growths. Antioxidants fight free radicals and reduce the risk of cellular damage.
PER SERVING: Calories: 52 | Fat: 0.7g | Protein: 4.5g | Sodium: 58mg | Carbohydrates: 10g | Sugar: 2g Recipe #6: Power PAC Proanthocyanidins (or PACs) are powerful cancer fighters and are found in beets, blueberries, and grapes as well as some other foods. INGREDIENTS | YIELDS 1 CUP 1 cup blueberries 1 cup grapes 2 plums, pitted
PER SERVING: Calories: 52 | Fat: 0.7g | Protein: 4.5g | Sodium: 58mg | Carbohydrates: 10g | Sugar: 2g Recipe #1: Salty Dog Juice
Considered especially beneficial for those with type 2 diabetes. Beta cells within the pancreas produce insulin, and cucumbers help to increase the hormone required by the beta cells in insulin production. INGREDIENTS | YIELDS 1 CUP 2 cucumbers 1 lemon, peeled 1 (1⁄4-inch) piece fresh ginger Pinch of kosher or sea salt Grains of Salt It’s always a good idea to substitute kosher or sea salt in your recipes. Neither contain additives, and they have lower sodium overall than commercial table salt.
Recipe #2: Cauli-Carrot Combo This combination of vegetable juices is a tasty choice for diabetics who steer clear of sugary juices. INGREDIENTS | YIELDS 11⁄2 CUPS 1 cup cauliflower florets 3 carrots, trimmed 1 celery stalk, with leaves
PER SERVING: Calories: 119 | Fat: 0.8g | Protein: 4.2g | Sodium: 211mg | Carbohydrates: 26g | Sugar: 12g Recipe #3: Cabbage Patch Combo The great thing about cabbage, aside from its health benefits, is that it’s inexpensive year-round. INGREDIENTS | YIELDS 11⁄2 CUPS 1⁄4 head red cabbage 1 cup green cabbage 2 large apples, cored
PER SERVING: Calories: 281 | Fat: 0.8g | Protein: 4.9g | Sodium: 53mg | Carbohydrates: 72g | Sugar: 53g Recipe #4: Asparagus Zucchini Medley There’s nothing better than asparagus for regulating blood sugar levels. INGREDIENTS | YIELDS 11⁄2 CUPS 8 stalks asparagus, trimmed 2 medium zucchini, trimmed
PER SERVING: Calories: 92 | Fat: 1.4g | Protein: 7.5g | Sodium: 33mg | Carbohydrates: 17g | Sugar: 12g Recipe #5: Brussels Bean Juice Brussels sprouts and beans are both good sources of natural insulin, and so are considered beneficial for people with diabetes and pre-diabetes. INGREDIENTS | YIELDS 1 CUP 1 cup green beans 6 Brussels sprouts 1 lemon, peeled Turning Up Your Nose? The stronger flavors of cabbages and Brussels sprouts are greatly mitigated by the lemon juice.
PER SERVING: Calories: 99 | Fat: 0.7g | Protein: 6.5g | Sodium: 36mg | Carbohydrates: 23g | Sugar: 7.5g 2/6/2017 0 Comments The Benefits Of JuicingWhether you want to knock off unwanted weight or to enhance your overall physical and mental health, implementing a juicing plan in your diet will energize your life and bring you back to optimal health. Here are the benefits that you can reap out of juicing: Weight Loss: Often we feel hungry not because we need more calories but because our bodies are craving more nutrients. One glass of juice can provide you with several servings of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, and it’s easier for your body to absorb nutrients from juice than it is from whole produce. When you drink fresh, raw juice, you may find that you don’t need to eat nearly as often or as much. Digestive Health: There’s no doubt that digestive problems are on the rise, especially in America. Sometimes it seems like everyone I know has some digestive disorder, whether it be Crohn’s, collitis, ulcers, persistent heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or undiagnosed nausea, bloating, or abdominal pains. While these conditions can be caused by a range of issues, they have the common outcome that when you’re suffering from any of them, it’s tough to get the nutrition your body needs to be healthy and whole. Juicing gives your digestive system a rest so that it can begin to heal. The vitamins, minerals, and enzymes packed in the juice are absorbed into your bloodstream quickly, without taxing your digestive organs in the same way that the fibers in whole raw produce do. Increased Energy and Mental Clarity: When your digestive system has less work to do, you have more energy for other things, including thinking. Everyone knows that after eating a heavy meal, you’re likely to feel like taking a long nap. It takes a lot of energy to digest all that food, leaving little left over for anything else. Not only is a glass of juice less work for your body to process, but the intense concentration of nutrients will leave you feeling revitalized and mentally sharp. Taste: Okay, not all vegetable juices are created equal when it comes to flavor. You may have had a green juice from a juice stand that made you want to gag. But healthy juices can also be really delicious! Add some lemon and fresh ginger to any green juice to brighten up the flavor, or throw in an apple, pear, or a handful of grapes for more sweetness. Some vegetables, such as beets and carrots, are naturally sweet and are great for getting kids to appreciate vegetable juices. 11/29/2016 0 Comments JUICE CLEANSEWHAT IS A JUICE CLEANSE? Juice Cleansing. Just the thought of it might be enough for you to close this book and never come back. But keep reading. I promise you can do it. The truth is, a juice cleanse doesn’t have to be a big scary affair. Cleanses don’t have to be all consuming. You don’t have to live in a retreat center or a cabin in the woods, only consuming lemon water and syrup for days on end. You can live in the real world, eat real food, and still detox your body and mind from all the junk that has been stored up over time. When you juice cleanse, you consume simple, pure foods and drinks. These become your detox ninjas. They fight their ways through your body and cut through the garbage. You release toxins, fat, and build up in your digestive tract. Your body begins to glow from the inside out. And you feel fresh and new. That is what a cleanse is all about. There are many types of cleanse, and they can range from more restrictive to simply eating less processed foods and more vegetables. Whatever the type or intensity of the cleanse, they are all designed to help you recharge your system and make healthy changes that last well beyond your detox program. WHY DO WE CLEANSE? Whether you are a health nut or a junk food lover, a detox program may be needed in your diet from time to time. A cleanse or detox program is simply a time to let to your digestive system rest, to clear out some clutter that may have built up inside, and to refresh your body, mind, and spirit. You’ll release toxins that have built up in your system and flush them out, leaving you more energized and less bogged down. The less buildup you have in your system, the less your body has to work in overdrive to clean up the messes within your system. Constantly eating foods that block your energy and digestion, stressing and thinking negative thoughts, and living a sedentary lifestyle all lead to excess toxins in the body and poorly functioning organs and digestion. When you detox, you start to break down some of these toxins, flushing them out of your system. As they release and you add more energizing, fresh, and healthy foods to your diet, as well as exercising more, you start to recharge your digestive tract, improve the function of your body, and release built-up stress. The more energy you have, the better you feel and the more likely you are to stick with these practices well beyond the detoxification process. A cleanse is not a quick fix for disease or weight loss. It isn’t guaranteed to help you drop twenty pounds a week or reverse any medical conditions. A cleanse is just the beginning steps on your journey to a healthier, happier, more vibrant you. You just might find a newer, fresher outlook on life when you tune in, change your diet, and take care of yourself. HOW DO WE CLEANSE? Cleansing and detoxing are easy to do. You take away certain parts of what you eat and focus instead on eating and drinking things that will help support your system. It is all about cleaning up your body from the inside out and letting go of the toxins that are triggering poor health and digestion. A real cleanse means you cut out some of the food that may be triggering indigestion. These usually include dairy, wheat/gluten, some soy, caffeine, sugar, alcohol, eggs, meat, and, most importantly, processed foods. The list may seem depriving at first, but soon you’ll start to notice all of the other foods that are available to you. These foods are high in nutrients and low in toxic chemicals and digestive irritants. When your body starts to eat these on a regular basis, you begin to crave the high quality of fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and gluten-free grains. During your cleanse, you’ll learn to add in foods, drinks, and herbs that kick-start your digestion. You’ll start to feel better, healthier, and full of energy. Cleansing and detoxing are really much simpler than they seem. They don’t have to be a drastic, unrealistic way of eating, exercising, and living. Detoxes are really just simple things that help you get back to a healthy, happy state through reworking your approach to what you eat and drink, how you move, and why you think what you think. You start out as a minimalist and steadily build your way back to a regular diet, you exercise at an energizing pace, and you get back to positive thinking about who you are and what you feel. You get back to who you really are and how you want your life to be, only now you’ve made big changes—changes that make you love your life and want to stay vibrant and healthy. |
|