I'm finding that I'm actually craving fruits now. This was unheard of before I started juicing. In fact, just the thought of taking one bite of fruit had me running in the opposite direction. During our family festivities for memorial day, one family brought a bowl of fruit, watermelon and grapes, both of which I like. The difference was in my mental choices. I craved to eat the fruit before anything else(and was in heaven eating it) where as before it would have been totally ignored even though I do actually like watermelon and grapes.
I ran out of oranges and apples yesterday but completely forgot to buy more. This morning I had to improvise. Celery, carrots and pineapple...yummy...NOT!! I think I will have to eliminate celery from the juicing menu. It truly is a disgusting taste, and very potent.
This summer we will be growing strawberries which should be a lovely addition to my recipes.
6/1/10
5/31/10
The Scoop on Poop
Juicing is a great way to help with a complete body cleanse. Fresh Juices supply us with an abundance of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, antioxidants and enzymes in a way that is easily and quickly absorbed. This provides tremendous support to our major detoxification organs – the liver, kidneys and colon. Before starting any kind of detox method we must ensure that the colon is functioning properly. Many of the toxins that are released during whole body cleansing are transported from the liver to the colon to be eliminated. If we are not having a bowel movement at least once a day we will reabsorb a lot of the toxins back into the bloodstream. Some health experts even believe that we should have one bowel movement for every meal we eat. If we eat three meals a day, we should poop three times a day. Colon Health:
1) The most important thing we can do for the colon is to eat plenty of fiber daily. We should cut out refined grains and swap them for whole grains, eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day, include nuts, seeds and legumes in our diet. This will help bulk up the feces and move it through. Taking psyllium husks is also highly recommended to help with elimination.
2) Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day, the colon will slow down if we get dehydrated.
3) Seriously cut back on sugar. I recommend only 
eating sugar which comes naturally in fruits and vegetables. White sugar, brown sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and other forms of added sugar feed undesirable intestinal bacteria, such as candida. This can play havoc with digesting and eliminating food, causing problems like IBS, constipation, diarrhea, allergies, infections and an under functioning immune system.
4) Clearing out old fecal matter is another important step in colon health. Unless we have been eating a pure diet all our lives or have already undertaken some strong colon cleansing methods, we will almost certainly have old feces hanging out in the colon. Yes, this is true, as unpleasant and unhealthy as it sounds! However, there are herbs we can take that help to shift this old fecal matter, improve peristalsis and help re-lubricate the colon wall. Look for herbal supplements that contain any or all of these herbs – Ginger Root, Fennel, Termianlia Cherbula, Cape Aloe, Senna, Barberry Rootbark, and Barberry Rootbark. A good quality Aloe Vera gel or juice is also beneficial for shifting old fecal matter.
5) Exercising is one of the best gifts you give to your colon health. Thirty minutes of cardiovascular exercise at least three time a week really helps keep the bowel moving. Yoga and Tai Chi are also great and help with digestion.
1) The most important thing we can do for the colon is to eat plenty of fiber daily. We should cut out refined grains and swap them for whole grains, eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day, include nuts, seeds and legumes in our diet. This will help bulk up the feces and move it through. Taking psyllium husks is also highly recommended to help with elimination.
Hi folks, Karen here.
Due to a small family get-away, bad eating and a busy work week I've not been been juicing. However things are back to normal, I'm juicing again and let me tell you, I've definitely noticed a difference in the way my body feels when I'm not eating well vs getting all my fruits and veggies.
Celery is still a tough one for me to get down, I still hate it.
Pineapple is amazing but must be regulated as it's really sweet.
New development...
Mike purchased a very inexpensive workout machine for father's day. We both will be using it, I'll keep you updated on how that's going.
until next time.
Happy Juicing :)
Due to a small family get-away, bad eating and a busy work week I've not been been juicing. However things are back to normal, I'm juicing again and let me tell you, I've definitely noticed a difference in the way my body feels when I'm not eating well vs getting all my fruits and veggies.
Celery is still a tough one for me to get down, I still hate it.
Pineapple is amazing but must be regulated as it's really sweet.
New development...
Mike purchased a very inexpensive workout machine for father's day. We both will be using it, I'll keep you updated on how that's going.
until next time.
Happy Juicing :)
5/12/10
Wide Awake
It's almost 2am and I'm still wound up from work. Perfect time to write a post.
The past week was quite hectic with 4 work nights, and fun and field day at the kids' school, scouts and activity days and a couple of days off with Mike. I didn't make the best food choices during that time but it wasn't too bad.
This week has gone well, I ate my fruit and veggies today and enjoyed some yummy balanced meals. So I'm aiming to stick with it.
By the way... I had to tighten my belt another notch :-D
5/5/10
Things That Make You Go...Hmm
Out of curiosity (and the need to tighten a notch on my belt) I stepped on the scale yesterday. It said I have lost 2 pounds, which I believe is water weight. Not to shabby :)
Here's an interesting observation. I wasn't home much yesterday and didn't drink any juices and by the evening I was really bloated and sluggish. Pretty strange don't you think?
This morning things seem to be back on track but I definitely plan on getting all the required servings of fruit and vegetables today.
I suspect my body is in worse shape than I first thought :(
And I have a long way to go to reaching my ideal weight :(
*SIGH* Well maybe a nice morning walk will help my metabolism get going.
Here's an interesting observation. I wasn't home much yesterday and didn't drink any juices and by the evening I was really bloated and sluggish. Pretty strange don't you think?
This morning things seem to be back on track but I definitely plan on getting all the required servings of fruit and vegetables today.
I suspect my body is in worse shape than I first thought :(
And I have a long way to go to reaching my ideal weight :(
*SIGH* Well maybe a nice morning walk will help my metabolism get going.
Juicing and It's Benefits
Juicing is not a new dietary fad. For many thousands of years people have been making their own fruit juices and experiencing the numerous benefits from it. Nowadays, with the increasing rise in obesity, heart disease and cancer, there has never been a more appropriate time to consume more fruit and vegetables in the diet. If you remember those television adverts of old for the Jack Lalanne Juicer you will only be too aware of the many benefits of juicing.
Drinking juices allow you to easily meet the daily recommendations of fruit and vegetable intake. The center for Disease Control recommends consuming five to nine servings of fresh fruit and vegetables per day. Juicing is a refreshing and easy way to achieve this.
All the nutrients are easily absorbed. In many fruit and vegetable the important enzymes, phytochemicals and vitamins are trapped within the fibrous elements and cannot be broken down and absorbed by the body. Juicing breaks apart the cell walls releasing all these valuable nutrients making them quickly available to the body, often within as little as fifteen minutes.
Saving the bodies energy: Juice does not have to be digested a great deal by the body, just absorbed. This allows the body to conserve energy and use it for processes such as healing, fighting infections or detoxification. The juices are also a great source of water, keeping the body adequately hydrated. The alkalinity of the body is also maintained with these juices.
Toxin cleansing: Juices can assist in the cleansing of the body, Juices, especially fruit juice recipes have a laxative effect and so can assist with the transit of toxins through the body and their expulsion. Cleansing helps maintain the bodies metabolism and helps them work much more efficiently.
Life force: Many plants contain a life force which is their antioxidant powers. When vegetables are processed a lot of these antioxidants are lost. These chemicals are important for fighting free radicals in the body which can cause cell damage, leading to aging and diseases such as cancer.
Contains chlorophyll: This chemical is responsible for giving plants their color. When absorbed into the body it can encourage the production of hemoglobin which in turn increases the bodies ability to transport and deliver oxygen to the cells.
There are many benefits to regularly drinking juices. Not only do they help increase the efficiency of the body they play a role in reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases.
5/3/10
Really?! This soon?!
I know it's only been about 3 days but i have to say I'm feeling pretty good. Just from adding more fruits and veggies, cutting out hot chocolate and drinking more water I already notice a change. I'm not bloated or sluggish and I actually felt rested when I woke up this morning. I don't think it's in my mind because I wasn't expecting to feel different this early on.
Example of previous daily diet:
healthy choices
0 servings of fruit (yes that's right, shameful I know)
1-2 servings of vegetables
0 - glasses of water
1 balanced meal - dinner
unhealthy choices
1-2 cups of hot chocolate ( made with milk)
lots of slices of bread w/butter
ice-cream
Example of modified daily diet:
healthy choices
2-3 servings of fruit (big accomplishment)
4 servings of vegetables
2 - glasses of water (I need to increase this amount)
2 balanced meals - lunch and dinner
unhealthy choices
eliminated - except for small treat in the evening
At this point I don't think I've lost any fat but definitely water weight. I'm not as hungry during the day. When I do feel hungry I juice some fruit or veggies and it stops the hunger pains.
well, that's how things are going right now. I'll check in again soon.
Example of previous daily diet:
healthy choices
0 servings of fruit (yes that's right, shameful I know)
1-2 servings of vegetables
0 - glasses of water
1 balanced meal - dinner
unhealthy choices
1-2 cups of hot chocolate ( made with milk)
lots of slices of bread w/butter
ice-cream
Example of modified daily diet:
healthy choices
2-3 servings of fruit (big accomplishment)
4 servings of vegetables
2 - glasses of water (I need to increase this amount)
2 balanced meals - lunch and dinner
unhealthy choices
eliminated - except for small treat in the evening
At this point I don't think I've lost any fat but definitely water weight. I'm not as hungry during the day. When I do feel hungry I juice some fruit or veggies and it stops the hunger pains.
well, that's how things are going right now. I'll check in again soon.
5/1/10
3 Great Vegetables for a Healthy Heart.
Juicing vegetables is a superb way to get heart healthy nutrients. Which vegetables are best for fighting heart disease? Researchers has shown these 3 vegetables have wonderful benefits for your heart and arteries:
SPINACH
Spinach contains vitamin C and vitamin A (beta-carotene). These are two important antioxidants that disarm free radicals that can attack artery walls. Vitamin C is a water soluble nutrient and beta-carotene is fat soluble. Together they provide a powerful combination that can prevent cholesterol from oxidation. Spinach also contains potassium and magnesium. These two minerals are essential for the proper regulation of the heart muscle. Therefore, potassium and magnesium can lower blood pressure. Spinach also contains the nutrient folic acid (folate). Folic acid is needed to lower the blood levels of a chemical called homocysteine. High blood levels of homocysteine is a powerful factor for the development of heart disease. Folic Acid’s job is to change homocysteine into harmless molecules.
Further more, spinach contains something called peptides which are components of proteins. In a study by the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry animals where given 20 – 30 mg of the peptides per kilogram of body weight per day. This actually lowered their blood pressure in as a little as two to four hours after consumption. So it is very possible it would have the same effect for us.
BROCCOLI
Broccoli contains good amounts of the cardio-protective vitamin C and vitamin A (see spinach above for benefits). Broccoli also contains sulforaphane, a phytochemical that can protect the heart. It appears that sulforaphane “tells the body” to release a protein called thioredoxin. According to researchers at the University of Connecticut, thioredoxin protects the heart from cell damage.
Juicer recipes idea: Juice the florets and the stalks to get maximum nutrition benefits. Also the stalk contains more juice than the florets.
Juicer recipes idea: Juice the florets and the stalks to get maximum nutrition benefits. Also the stalk contains more juice than the florets.
TOMATOES
Tomatoes contain a plant chemical called lycopene which is responsible for its vibrant red color. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant which protects the tomato from the harmful effects of heat and light from the sun. Lycopene is equally powerful at protecting our arteries from cellular damage. In a recent study from Harvard women taking lycopene were 50% less likely to develop heart disease over a five year period. Furthermore, lycopene is considered to have beneficial effects on blood pressure. Juicer recipes idea: You can use the left over pulp from your tomato juice to make soups or salsa.
A Busy Saturday
Today I mowed the lawn and cleaned the bathrooms, later I have to work. I'll call it my exercise for the day but I really must figure out an exercise schedule. Maybe yt body will have more energy as I continue to juice.
4/30/10
The Word on Acai Berries
One of my friends asked me if I knew anything about Acai. The most I could tell her was that they have more nutrients than other fruit.So to satisfy curiosity, here's what I found out....
Acai grows in the Amazon of Central and South America. Acai spoils quickly and doesn’t make it to the US fresh so is available dried or pre-bottled juice. Acai juice benefits have been hyped up recently for having higher antioxidants and nutrition than other berries like blueberries, raspberry, red grapes and blackberry. The good news is, its not just hype, its science. Studies have shown that the overall antioxidant power of acai is higher than any other fruit or vegetable. Part of this antioxidant power is due to the dense concentrations of the phytochemical anthocyanin. Acai is clearly nutritious!
So what is in the acai berry juice?
Vitamins and minerals:
Acai berry juice is an good source of vitamins B1, B2, B3 and E. It is an excellent source of pro-vitamin A and also vitamin C, depending on the product you are buying. Dried acai can often contain very little vitamin C, depending on how it is dried. Freeze dried acai that has been treated with low heat is the best quality for powders. High quality 100% organic acai juice pulp, will usually contain a good amount of vitamin C, provided it is bottled within 24 hours of harvesting the acai berry.
Potassium is the mineral found with most abundance in acai followed by calcium. Other minerals include magnesium, zinc, iron and copper. The copper content is unusually high for a fruit.
Amino Acids:
Acai contains a variety of amino acids including Isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, valine, arginine, histidine, alanine, glycine, proline, serine, tyrosine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid.
Omega Fats:
Acai berry juice contains a surprising amount of fat for a fruit. Close to half the fruit’s content is fat, and mostly unsaturated. Healthy omega 3, 6 and 9 are present.
Anthocyanins:
A research study conducted in a Korean University in 2009 provided evidence that anthocyanins had inhibitory properties for the development of colon cancer. Other studies show anthocyanins to have antioxidant properties to protect cells from free radical damage. Furthermore, anthoyanins may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Fortunately acai berry juice is the fruit with the highest levels of anthocyanins by a long shot.
Acai and weight loss:
There are plenty of acai supplements on the net claiming acai can help you lose weight, but most seems sketchy at best. David Grotto, RD, author of 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life says “Acai is a nutrient-rich source of antioxidants, much like many other fruits, but there is nothing magical about the fruit to cause weight loss”.
One final note:
Be careful when looking for acai products. For instance, most of the acai berry juice on the market today contains a very low percentage of actual acai berry juice. I would recommend doing a little research before buying acai products to ensure you are getting the highest quality and quantity of this nutritious berry.
Acai berry juice is an good source of vitamins B1, B2, B3 and E. It is an excellent source of pro-vitamin A and also vitamin C, depending on the product you are buying. Dried acai can often contain very little vitamin C, depending on how it is dried. Freeze dried acai that has been treated with low heat is the best quality for powders. High quality 100% organic acai juice pulp, will usually contain a good amount of vitamin C, provided it is bottled within 24 hours of harvesting the acai berry.
Acai contains a variety of amino acids including Isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, valine, arginine, histidine, alanine, glycine, proline, serine, tyrosine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid.
Acai berry juice contains a surprising amount of fat for a fruit. Close to half the fruit’s content is fat, and mostly unsaturated. Healthy omega 3, 6 and 9 are present.
A research study conducted in a Korean University in 2009 provided evidence that anthocyanins had inhibitory properties for the development of colon cancer. Other studies show anthocyanins to have antioxidant properties to protect cells from free radical damage. Furthermore, anthoyanins may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Fortunately acai berry juice is the fruit with the highest levels of anthocyanins by a long shot.
There are plenty of acai supplements on the net claiming acai can help you lose weight, but most seems sketchy at best. David Grotto, RD, author of 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life says “Acai is a nutrient-rich source of antioxidants, much like many other fruits, but there is nothing magical about the fruit to cause weight loss”.
Be careful when looking for acai products. For instance, most of the acai berry juice on the market today contains a very low percentage of actual acai berry juice. I would recommend doing a little research before buying acai products to ensure you are getting the highest quality and quantity of this nutritious berry.
Montezuma's Revenge
I went to work last night and about 4 hours later had a very sore stomach. I don't know if I ate something bad for dinner or if it's a result of juicing? Still bad this morning and not sure if I should drink juice today or not.
What do you think?
I enjoyed some lovely fruit juice yesterday morning and vegetable juice for lunch :) I've never tried carrot juice before, it's really sweet but I won't add as much celery next time, it made it too bitter. I added an apple and it went down easier.
my recipes:
Rise and Shine (OJ)
1 or 2 med.oranges (remove peel)
1 apple
makes 1 8oz glass
Sweet Veggie
1 stalk celery w/leaves
2 carrots
1 apple
makes 1 8oz glass
What do you think?
I enjoyed some lovely fruit juice yesterday morning and vegetable juice for lunch :) I've never tried carrot juice before, it's really sweet but I won't add as much celery next time, it made it too bitter. I added an apple and it went down easier.
my recipes:
Rise and Shine (OJ)
1 or 2 med.oranges (remove peel)
1 apple
makes 1 8oz glass
Sweet Veggie
1 stalk celery w/leaves
2 carrots
1 apple
makes 1 8oz glass
4/29/10
Cold Turkey?
Ask my family what my vice is and they'll say...hot chocolate.
I drink 1 cup everyday(even in the summer)but recently it's been 2 or 3 cups. Why? I'm pretty sure it's an addiction. It started out as a comforting drink before bed to a morning pick-me-up to a stress reliever. It might not be so unhealthy if I made it with water but NO it has to be milk. Not only do I have unnecessary doses of caffeine but I'm adding fat to the list!
SO.... I haven't had one sip today *pumps fist into the air in celebration*
BUT... I've had a headache all day *pouting*
I think it's my body having withdrawals. Do you think there's such a place as caffeine rehab? lol
I drink 1 cup everyday(even in the summer)but recently it's been 2 or 3 cups. Why? I'm pretty sure it's an addiction. It started out as a comforting drink before bed to a morning pick-me-up to a stress reliever. It might not be so unhealthy if I made it with water but NO it has to be milk. Not only do I have unnecessary doses of caffeine but I'm adding fat to the list!
SO.... I haven't had one sip today *pumps fist into the air in celebration*
BUT... I've had a headache all day *pouting*
I think it's my body having withdrawals. Do you think there's such a place as caffeine rehab? lol
New Beginnings
Well, here I am!
I have this grandiose idea to log my triumphs and set backs while trying to lose weight and improve my health. I'm not sure how this will pan out but here I am just the same.
I've got the information and tools needed to change my life forever. The burning question is...can I stick with it?
My challenges are:
Thyroiditis - my living nightmare
Time - juggling the night shift and a toddler
I have this grandiose idea to log my triumphs and set backs while trying to lose weight and improve my health. I'm not sure how this will pan out but here I am just the same.
I've got the information and tools needed to change my life forever. The burning question is...can I stick with it?
My challenges are:
Thyroiditis - my living nightmare
Time - juggling the night shift and a toddler
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